Dunham Family

Tired

2011-01-23T22:05:00.000-08:00

I know that many people reading this relate to my title. We are tired people. I am tired of struggling to keep it all together. Guess what? I am not doing a very good job at it. I am tired.

There are many wonderful things in my life. I am blessed and I know it. But I am still tired. I am tired of the crap.

I pray for God's strength. God answers prayer. He knows the plans He has for me. I am comforted by that. But yet I am still tired.

Even the blessings make me tired. That statement is not very Christlike is it. I am blessed that I have 5 healthy children. That is a fact. But there are challenges that make me tired and make me feel very alone.

I am a fortunate person in that my cancer will not likely kill me. And I feel very fortunate indeed. But I am tired. I am tired of the cancer and the freakin treatments and the way that it affects my life.

So I put my eye on the prize. This life that God has given me and knowing that He is beside me and I don't have to walk it alone. But I am still tired.

So yep I rambled but what are blogs for? I did not mean to be a Debbie Downer (stolen from Dawn) but that is how I feel. Tired.

Changes!

2010-10-25T17:33:00.000-07:00

Well I must say alot has happened in our lives and the people around ours since my last post. (I will admit I am not very good at this blogging thing). I guess first and foremost our house is getting a little emptier. We have become empty nesters. Yep the three biggies have all moved out. If you know us you know that we are not really empty nesters. The two littles are still here!!! Michael moved into an apartment with (you are not gonna believe this) but his big brother. I must say it is shocking to see them live together in an apartment when they could not share a room! I really am thrilled for them. So exciting to be on your own for the first time, well until the first months rent is due! Chris has been on his own for about 2 years but this is Michaels first time out of the house. He is ready. He is working full time now and will be returning to college in the winter. Because Michael has moved out I am proud to say that after 4 years, Emma is getting her own room. She has had two roommates the last 4 years. Her Dad and I! I am not sure how I feel about not seeing that sweet face in the middle of the night. I am excited for her though. The room is going to be a beautiful little girls room. Princesses and all. I have a young woman I work with that is a beautiful artist and she will be painting a few favorite princesses and the castle on the wall.

I have done some reflecting on my life and past in the last month or so. Went on a woman's retreat in October to a beautiful "camp" in Williams AZ. Camp is in quotes because I use that term loosely. It is beautiful and you would think you would go up there and giggle and eat chocolate and fun with the girlfriends. Oh don't get me wrong we did that but there was some serious issues that I needed to and continue to need to deal with in my life. I have a major trust issue. Which leads to a major control freak issue. Ask my family they know that it has been there all along. With prayer from these wonderful Godly women I am allowing God to work on me. It is a daily struggle but God is faithful and God is enough. Love you ladies.

Last week our sweet Emma turned 4! I cannot believe it. How could the time fly by so fast? I should know this happens, it already happened with the first 3. We went to Disneyland!!!! Emma got to go to the Bibbiddi Bobbitti Bootique. WOW it was such a great experience. Makeup, hair, crown, jewels, fairy dust, princess wave and all. What a great time. This time her big sister got to go with us. What a blessing. We also were blessed to get to take our sweet grandson, Brayden to Disneyland for the first time. What a great time.

A new, but quickly becoming old friend is living through a health crisis with her little baby girl who just happens to have 47 chromosomes. I weep for her and baby A. To watch the grace that this woman has during a huge upheavel not only in her baby girls life but in their families life is truly inspirational to me. I ask God daily how can I show her love and to show me how to help. Pray for this family. You don't need to know their names to ask our Gracious Father to watch over them and provide peace to this family.

Peace to all who read this. Enjoy some of the sweet pictures of my amazingly beautiful family and friends.

Look who is 21!

2010-08-21T20:15:00.000-07:00

Love you son!

Look at her eyes!

2010-07-30T22:56:00.000-07:00

Look at her eyes. It is like you can look into her soul. She is a beautiful soul. One with dreams and hopes. One with so much love in her eyes for those around her. She trusts. She knows there are so many people that will always be there for her. She is amazing. She amazes me and all around her. She is smart. She is beautiful. She is sassy. She says NO! and means it. She will always be loved. She will always be cherished. She is a gift from God Himself to our family. And I am proud to say she is my beautiful daughter.

Excited to say the least!

2010-06-22T19:15:00.000-07:00

Well the eve of our families return. WOW time has flown since we found out they would be coming home to stay not just for a visit. So many things have happened. The biggest of them all is that they are coming home as three. An incredible little gift was given to Sam and BJ and to our whole family, little baby Brayden. Or as Emma puts it Bray Bray. We are so excited to all be together again. The big boys are getting excited. Emma is saying Sissy everytime the doorbell rings and well we are all just getting generally excited. Anyone that knows me knows to the hour when Sam and Brayden will arrive. The girls at the hospital have heard it and heard it for months. I thank you for listening.

This mama's heart is bursting. To say that the last two years have been hard would be an understatement. Every time she came home I started to get sad because I knew she had to go back to Virginia. I can't even express how I felt the first time I left Norfolk Airport and as that plane lifted off the ground how my heart literally ached knowing I was leaving my first born there. I can't tell you how much that child means to me. I wish I could put it into words. I just can't. From the moment I locked eyes with that beautiful baby I knew she would have my heart forever. And she does. I am a very proud mother. If you know me you already know that about me. I am proud of all my kids. Every accomplishment, every step, every word that comes not so easy, I am proud. And I continue to be proud of Sam and for that matter BJ for what they did exactly two years ago tomorrow (yep two years from the date they left she is coming home) they packed up that old red truck and drove across the country on an adventure to start their new life in a far far away land (well it might as well be). They have grown up. They have made their parents proud and now we get to welcome them home. Not only their families but their church family as well.

Along the way they have touched other peoples lives. People in Virginia have loved our kids and have welcomed them. I am sad for those that will miss them in Virginia. I truly am. I say to you that Southwest has some great deals to Phoenix and you are welcome here anytime.

While Sam and Brayden get to fly home in comfort, BJ and his brother Bryan will be driving straight through from Virginia to Phoenix in that old red truck and a trailer on the back. Not only that. When Sam gets here, the next day our whole family will be driving to Oregon, to the beach house we always rent spending about two weeks there. WOW what a great gift to our family. We also have BJ's family coming to the beach as well for a few days to spend some time with our returning loves. Great grandparents that have never met Brayden.

Well that is my final post before I post with great pics from their joyous homecoming. Thanks for following our not so perfect countdown!

Late again

2010-06-17T08:52:00.001-07:00

If you have not noticed the days I work I don't post sorry about that. We are getting so close. 6 days!

Oh my gosh look at those eyes!

8 days~

2010-06-15T16:56:00.001-07:00

9 days!

2010-06-14T09:44:00.001-07:00

I have said alot about of daughter coming home with our grandson but his daddy deserves so mention as well. This picture to me captures our sweet son-in-laws personality and he is passing it on to his son.

I can't wait to watch BJ be a daddy. When I was in VA after Brayden was born he was a great dad. Supportive to his wife and changing the babies diapers and walking around in a new daddy haze. But I so look forward to watching him really raising his son. Fun times for our families. The Dunham's and Hendrick's can't wait for their kids to come home.

so behind

2010-06-13T08:27:00.001-07:00

I know that I am so behind on my countdown but rest assured blogger friends the countdown has not been forgotten. I think the whole family is counting down. We cannot wait to all be together again. So since we are off to church more pictures will have to wait.

14 days and 13 days!

2010-06-10T16:26:00.000-07:00

See his shirt it says My aunt Rocks!

15 days!

2010-06-08T22:31:00.001-07:00

I cannot wait to have him here.

16 days!

2010-06-07T17:16:00.001-07:00

The next family picture will have Samantha in it!

17 days!

2010-06-06T10:37:00.001-07:00

I can't wait to watch her be a mommy!

18 days!

2010-06-05T08:03:00.000-07:00

They will miss the beach and to be honest I will miss visiting Virginia. But would much rather have them home. What a wonderful time it has been for Sam and BJ but it is time to come home. YEAH!

19 Days!

2010-06-04T16:20:00.000-07:00

Until he has lots of uncles to fall asleep on!

20 days! oh my gosh!

2010-06-03T17:54:00.001-07:00

See how much BJ has missed us! He can't wait to get home!

21 days!

2010-06-02T22:45:00.001-07:00

He is just Yummy! I can't wait

22 days!

2010-06-01T13:57:00.001-07:00

Sam is like a second mother to these two. They will be happy to have her home

23 days!

2010-05-31T09:19:00.001-07:00

24 days!

2010-05-30T13:09:00.001-07:00

Until this little man gets to be loved on by his grandparents, great grandparents, aunt and uncles!

25 days!

2010-05-29T11:46:00.001-07:00

Home for Christmas!

26 days a day late!

2010-05-29T11:43:00.001-07:00

Home with friends!

a little late but 27 days!

2010-05-27T20:59:00.000-07:00

Can't wait for them to just stop by or to be able to see them at church and be able to worship with them and our grandbaby!

28 Days!

2010-05-26T11:48:00.000-07:00

Home with her daddy!

29 Days!

2010-05-25T08:39:00.001-07:00

They will all be together again. Makes a mama's heart happy!

30 Days!

2010-05-24T08:04:00.000-07:00

Until sisters get to be together all the time!

31 days!If you haven't figure it out this is a countdown!

2010-05-23T07:59:00.000-07:00

32 Days!

2010-05-22T14:01:00.001-07:00

"Bell" and her friends

2010-05-12T18:35:00.000-07:00

lightroom, presets and pictures oh my! part II

2010-03-15T16:30:00.000-07:00

Ok I am still trying to figure this out. I dont' know how to download new presets I am working on it. It is going to take an afternoon, some starbucks and again a very sweet 13 year old to help me. But here is the latest attempt. don't laugh ok! I am a work in progress

lightroom, presets and pictures oh my!

2010-03-14T18:59:00.000-07:00

I don't get how this all works but I think I am going to get some help from a lovely 13 year old girl that has so much more knowledge that I. Lets see if I can add a picture, just one and then I will try some more. hang on here we go.

The "R" word

2010-03-02T22:06:00.001-08:00

My feelings exactly!

2010-02-25T09:31:00.000-08:00

I have not met the woman in this video but we will meet soon. She has agreed to allow me to post this video made by some dear people for all that look at our blog to see.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3YgLgQaMCZk

I promise you, you will be blessed. Her words are not my words but they are my hearts feelings. We are blessed beyond measure with our daughter Emma Grace. We are so thankful we were chosen to be her parents and her family.

It is not always easy but I can tell you it is not always easy to be a parent period. There are disappointments and joys but I am so thankful to have all of our beautiful children.

Happy Birthday Samantha Kay!

2010-02-08T19:11:00.000-08:00

Seems like yesterday that it was me holding and snuggling our little Samantha and now she is a mommy herself.

What a beautiful gift she has this year for her birthday. A sweet son.

She has been a blessing to me from the day I found out I was carrying her inside of me and I am so thankful that God blessed me with this sweet young woman. I truly am the lucky one! I love you baby girl. And I am counting the days until you arrive home. June 25th cannot come fast enough for me!

Beautiful!

2009-10-29T12:34:00.000-07:00

I have never felt more beautiful in my life than when I was pregnant with our 5 children. (maybe not in this picture) I must tell you that I have never seen my daughter more beautiful than she is now. The excitement and the anticipation is getting ready to culminate in the birth of our grandson and the excitement really is building. The interesting part of all this is that Samantha has walked this path very recently with me. I must say how special that was for me. Being pregnant when your daughter is older is such a blessing. Sam was with us when Emma entered this world and I will never forget that moment. A mama's heart is a blessing and I am so excited to have been blessed so abundantly by these "little" people. How very proud we are to be the parents of some fine human beings.

As Samantha and BJ enter into this time in their life I would ask all that love them to pray for them and to pray for their little man child and that he will know the Lord early in life and will be a blessing to his parents just as his parents have been a blessing to us.

We love you Sam and BJ and baby grandson and can't wait to watch you all grow as a new little family.

fall wardrobe and clips

2009-09-28T18:05:00.000-07:00

This post is really for my friend EB who makes the most adorable hairclips. She crochets them and makes them out of ribbon. check out her blog. You can get to it from mine it is the Irving Family. Leave her a comment and let her know you would love to see some of her clips. Oh and she makes some of the cutest little tutus you have ever seen. Think Emma is going to need one of those as well. Thanks EB. EB think I am going to need ten of them and would love some ribbon ones as well. I love the halloween one and would love to get that soon for Disneyland!

Family!

2009-08-30T22:46:00.001-07:00

No words are needed!

Awww Grandpa

Mama, Grandma and Auntie Em at PF Changs. Check out the grandma t-shirt that Sam made for me.
Sissy and Em. Emma now has a name for her sister it is "Ssssssss". She walks around asking for "Sssssss" all the time or when she sees a picture of her.
The whole family together on Sunday night! (8/23/09) Took this with the timer, turned out pretty good.
Emma and "Ssssssss" Sister love is so sweet!

Celebration!

2009-08-25T16:37:00.001-07:00

We had a shower for Samantha and BJ this past weekend. They flew in and spent a whirl wind weekend with the families. It was so nice to see them. And we had so much fun. The highlight was the shower on Friday night. A dear friend of mine, really of our whole family, hosted the shower in her big, beautiful house. I was so glad that she did! We had over 130 people that came to shower Sam and BJ with love and gifts. What a blessing. We had lots of help. The neighbor made the cake on the cupcake tower and Tami, Tracey and I made the cupcakes and my neighbor, Miranda stepped in again and went over to Priscillas the day of the shower and iced the cupcakes for me so that I would not have to and could spend my time with Sam. What a true blessing..

Miranda, my neighbor, again used her talents and made this cute diaper cake. The only thing I did was find the stuffed animal and put the ribbon on the cake.
Ok so when I was at Michaels the two days before the shower I saw these letters and I decided that we need to make this little train with the baby's name on it. I know it is hard to make out but the name is Brayden. The two grandmas painted and put together this little train based on the letters that Bj and Sam did for the baby's room. (see bj and sams blog)
And then there is our beautiful daughter. Isn't she lovely.
The whole family. The Dunham's and the Hendricks at Chris's birthday party (did I say that Chris turned 20 on Saturday, wow busy weekend)

Oh and a big shout out to Priscilla who not only opened her home but also made all the food for the 130+ people. And she made a full meal! We are so grateful!

Puppies

2009-08-08T18:53:00.001-07:00

This is mama two days before laying on the cool tile.

All six of them. I know you can only see a little of the sixth but they are all there.

the new Daddy!

help

2009-08-08T18:52:00.001-07:00

For those of you that are very good at this background thing. Could someone help me figure out how to take the background color away? I don't need the pink bar on the layout and can't figure out how to make it go away. Ok you techies out there help me.

Isn't she beautiful!

2009-07-08T23:19:00.000-07:00

Here is my sweet daughter 3 weeks ago just before she left for the airport. She is 17 weeks pregnant here. She is so lovely. We can't wait to hold this little sweet baby in our arms just like we did with Sam when she was born.
Look who loves her big sister! Emma loves her sister and as you can see, Nicky is trying to get in on some of this action. They both love her so much and Sam feels the same way. I know that I have had said this before but we can't wait for her to get home. Three more years! (and we want BJ home as well)

Love this jewelry

2009-06-25T15:50:00.001-07:00

ok I could not figure out how to get the pic to rotate after uploading to blog but you can see it is a necklace. Lisa Leonard is the jewelry designer and I love her work. Check out her blog and store you will love her designs too! Thanks Kristin for the tip.

Family

2009-06-09T22:15:00.001-07:00

ok the above picture is a photo of our new grandbaby but I am purposefully not putting a picture that could somehow pinpoint the sex because that is not my place but for now just a pic of some stuff ( don't try to make it out because even I can't) haha but I can tell you that "it" was moving all around. So fun to see a glimpse into the womb of your daughter. She is going to be a great mom. She is already sacrificing of herself, no diet coke until that baby comes out. And if you know Sam that is difficult. What a blessing it has been to have her here. She truly is a light in my world and I can't wait for them to get done in VA so we can have them home.

Be looking for some updates soon!

Graduation Day

2009-06-09T22:09:00.000-07:00

It was a great night. Great friends.

Graduation Day

2009-05-29T09:55:00.000-07:00

I really can't believe the day has come that our third born is graduating from high school. Michael is a smart, sassy young man who I believe will go far in this world. He has found a love of computers. He loves building computers and taking them apart and putting them back together. We are very proud of him. He has finished a full year of college in addition to graduating fro high school. You make us proud son! I will update with graduation pictures. And just a p.s. he got his haircut last week. WOW that was an accomplishment!

Michael has an amazing relationship with his little sister. He is so tender with her. He is an amazing big brother to her.

if you know Michael you know that he hates to have his picture taken but here are just a couple of him. We love you son and are so proud of you!

Easter

2009-04-14T09:25:00.001-07:00

Emma sucked on an Easter egg and she got blue dye all over her face! What fun!
Emma loved climbing up and down the ladder in my in-laws library. She is fearless.

Easter egg hunt. She loved picking up eggs if they were on the chairs but when they were under bushes we would pull them out for her and she would put them back. She is a crack up!
A beautiful view from my in-laws backyard. They scored on this view and this house in Scottsdale.
My boys crack me up. The family was missing an important person. Our Sami Kay and BJ. We miss them so much. But we carry on. We know they will be home soon.

WOW Can you believe it!

2009-04-08T19:12:00.001-07:00

Well the time has come. Can't believe it. I AM GOING TO BE A GRANDMOTHER! Enough said

Still waiting

2009-04-06T09:44:00.001-07:00

Well we are still waiting over here. Need to have a few more tests and then schedule surgery. Husband and son are going to opening day for the Diamondbacks. They are going to ride the light rail for the first time. Should be fun!

I hate that word!

2009-03-24T08:14:00.000-07:00

Well some of you know that I have in the past had thyroid cancer. I had my thyroid removed in 2000 when Nicky was 14 months old. I had radiation with radioactive iodine and had to go hypothyroid to do the radiation. I hate surgery I hate needle etc. but I will say i hated going hypothyroid the worst. You have not metabolism. You gain 10-15 lbs a week without even doing anything differently. And if you know me I can't afford that kind of weight gain now weight loss like that is a different story. Well all has gone along just fine and I got over all that and have done great. In 2005, before I found out I was pregnant with Emma Grace they found some nodules in my thyroid bed area on a routine ultrasound. We had to wait to do anything at that time and my blood work was normal so we waited. I had Emma and was breastfeeding so in no hurry to do anything so we kept doing ultrasounds and the "nodules" or lymph nodes were stable and not changing. So in the last year my cancer marker that appears in my blood started to go up. Could be thyroid cells or cancer cells but nodules still stable. In december of 2008 new ultrasound shows more "nodules" or lymph nodes and the cancer marker still going up. So we decide to do an ultrasound guided biopsy. So yesterday I check into the hospital at work at, Good Samaritan, and go through this procedure. Which is not fun. They do an ultrasound and then numb the area of the neck and a radiologist then proceeds to stick a needle in my neck through the muscle towards my carotid artery (the "nodule" is up against the carotid artery) yippee! He had to do it twice to make sure we had enough cells. I hate being a patient but it sure makes you understand how to treat your patients. The person that was there to pick up the cells stood next to me and the US technician too. I reached to hold someones hand and the lady there to pick up cells grabbed my hand and she let me squeeze. They all knew that I worked at the hospital and they knew that I wanted to know the results as soon as possible. They had to have the pathologist come down to make sure that there were enough cells on the slides. He came down looked at the slides through the microscope and then proceeded to enter my examination room, where I was still positioned and ready for another possible poke if they did not have enough. All the same people standing around me. He came in and introduced himself and (he was aware i was anxious to know the results and that I worked at the hospital) he told me he had looked at the cells and they were positive for pappilary carcinoma. Everyone in the room was stunned that he told me. That is usually not the job of the pathologist. It was as surreal a moment as it was when i found out before. That time I was putting the baby in the car frys! I started to cry and he put his arm on me and said are you ok? I said yes I am. Just could not stop crying, thinking it is one thing but hearing it is another.

So here is where we sit. Consulting with my surgeon and going to pick out my anesthesologist (such a control freak) when you are nurse you know who to ask. We have some great anesthesologists in labor and delivery. And we wait to have surgery.

If you think of us would you pray for us. Our children have been through this already, nicky and emma grace obviously have not. And Sam is so far away and it is hard for her and me as well. I think one of the good things that will come from this is that I will get to see her, we will fly her out at the appropriate time.

Sorry no pictures. I did not think you would want a picture of my bruised neck!

Ginger

Happy Valentines Day

2009-02-14T15:41:00.001-08:00

Well my husband was working today so Emma and I took our picture to say Happy Valentines Day!

Emma loves her babies.
She has a piece of my heart! As do all of my kids.

How Blessed I Am!

2009-02-07T18:17:00.000-08:00

Almost 22 years ago, actually exactly 22 years this coming Monday, God gave me my first of 5 precious gifts. Samantha Kay Dunham came in to my life on a Monday, February 9, 1987. She weighed in at a whopping 8lbs. 7 oz. 19 1/2 inches long at 6:22 pm. She was the most beautiful thing I had ever laid eyes on. And continues to be one of the most beautiful things I have ever laid eyes on. She has grown into a wonderful young woman and I am so very proud of her. She never ceases to amaze me. She is truly beautiful inside and out. I am so glad that God brought her into our lives. I wish I had a baby picture to show you but I don't because I am on Sam's computer in Virginia Beach, VA . God called her and her husband, BJ to VA for a short while for him to complete seminary. I miss her terribly. Not just me our whole family and that includes our church family as well.

God has done a wonderful work in her life and I know that He will continue to do so as I watch her grow into a beautiful wife and I am sure someday a beautiful mother. I just know that right now she is a most beautiful daughter and I weep because I just feel so blessed.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SAMANTHA KAY I AM SO GLAD TO GET TO SPEND IT WITH YOU !

More Disney!

2009-01-17T16:46:00.001-08:00

One of the things that Kevin and I learned about Disneyland this trip has given me an insight into why we enjoy our time there and go so often. The whole reason that Walt Disney built this place is because he realized while sitting on a park bench watching his girls play, that there was no good place for children and parents to play together. So Disneyland was born! We were unfortunately not able to enjoy this little treasure with our older kids while they were young. We have enjoyed our time there with them this past year. But we are getting to enjoy this place with our two little ones now and we are treasuring every moment because we know all to well how quickly this time will pass We love California Adventure and this is a picture of everyones (except mine) favorite ride. California Screamin. scarrrry!

Doesn't she look like a little diva sitting on Minnies couch

This is now my favorite ride. Here is a picture of Pastor Josh, Benjamin, Nicky, Josiah, Elijah and Tracey going down. I just love this ride. And to think I was afraid of it. My next favorite right now is Big Thunder Mountain!

Ok for those of you who do not know, this is our senior pastor, Joshua Matteson. They truly are dear friends. They got to come over for the day and we had a great time. But I will let you in on a little secret. Pastor Josh worked at Disneyworld for a few years. He played characters. Most notably, are you ready for this, Peter Pan. WOW. I just wanted to walk around and tell everyone that he use to play Peter Pan. He played many other characters as well. Chip or Dale, can' remember which one. A coachman for my fav, Cinderella. There were many more but I can't remember them all. Oh I remember one, Pluto. How lucky are we!

He is an angry man. He kept growling at me and staring right at me. Yikes. Nicky and all three Matteson boys were picked to be in the Jedi show. How fun is that!

While waiting for Kevin and Nicky to get off my fav ride, Big Thunder Mountain, look who walks by but Pocahontas.

Tinkerbell herself! The Tinkerbell movie has become a family favorite. My husband is probably the biggest fan of it, not sure if it is for the message of the movie or how stunning it is in BluRay on the TV.

Emma was very unsure about characters this time around so no real good pictures of her with Tink but Nicky was quick to jump in an take a picture. Wonder why!

And then the big cheese himself. What a fun time.

BJ and Sam!

2009-01-16T14:25:00.001-08:00

Not sure if Emma is pretend sleeping or pretend praying but she was laying in her sister's bed enjoying her time with sissy.

Not sure who had the better time. They so love each other.

Emma did not let her sister do much of anything without her being in the middle of it.

Zoolights 2009

Our handsome son-in-law and our beautiful daughter

Just the cutest girls ever!

Emma fell asleep on her sisters lap while they played video games. So cute

Christmas

2009-01-16T14:19:00.001-08:00

Emma received many dolls for Christmas but her favorite is the one that she received in October for her birthday from our pastor and his family. She dances with it and loves and takes care of it. The others she will grow to love but this one, for now is her favorite.

Christmas at Disneyland!

2008-12-16T13:33:00.003-08:00

Its a Small World at night

Castle light up after fireworks show. It was amazing. With snow and everything.

The castle at night before fireworks show.

Our "little" family at the Christmas tree in California Adventure.

Our favorite show in Disneyland. Billy Hill and the Hillbillies best 30 minutes you will spend at Disneyland. They appear at the Golden Horseshoe.

Kevin and Nicky going down Splash Mountain. Notice my husband holding onto his hat!

The big Christmas tree in Disneyland. Beautiful

Well no introduction needed here!

Favorite thing that happened to my husband besides the Billy Hill show. He loves Stitch and it was the first time he had seen him at California Adventure. He came into a store I was in and was very serious and told me to come now with the camera because he had found Stitch and it was the only thing he wanted was to have his picture with Stitch. So cute!

Emma favorite. Pooh! She loves him!

Its a Small World opened back up after being closed for the whole year. It was decorated for Christmas. It was beautiful. We went threw it the first time and when we were almost done Emma signed "more" so we had to do it again the next day.

Its a Small World

Main Street looking torward the Castle. You can now go into the Castle and it tells you the story of Sleeping Beauty. So Fun!

Isnt this a cute picture!

Main Street Christmas Tree!

Hope you enjoyed our pictures

I know it is late but Disneyland in October (you happy now Shannon)

2008-11-19T17:27:00.001-08:00

We had a great time in Disneyland. Even got to meet the Big Guy himself. We look forward to our trip back in December. Gotta love those season passes.

More of our favorite princesses. We think Emma looks like Ariel

Emma loves Goofy's backyard in Toon Town. Always a fun time for her

Emma is still not sure about these "characters"

And then there is "Pooh" we love him at this house. Emma is also a fan!

Check out that face!

oh the tea cups

Enough said, just one of the cutest babies in the world!

My favorite princess of all

we love our princesses

Emma is just not sure what to think of these characters. We however love Jessie and Woody

Nicky and Sami sampling the frosting

Emma and Daddy decorating a cookie at Woody's Round up

All of us in front of the Big Mickey head

Thanks for taking the time to look at all the pictures. I hope it satisfied those of our followers that wanted to see how much fun we had.

my favorites

2008-10-25T18:40:00.001-07:00

these are just a few f my favorites from Emma's photo shoot. Thank you Dawn for a wonderful gift. I will post more soon.

Aimee disneyland tomorrow
!

intermission

2008-10-06T19:38:00.000-07:00

please click on this link to see the most beautiful pictures of our little girl gifted to Emma for her birthday. You are the bomb Dawn! Please check her blog out. She is linked in our favorites under Gregg FAmily and then go to her site under favorites dawn gregg photography. She is the best. I will post more this is just a taste of what she took today. She took over 150 pictures.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/dawngreggphotography/tags/emma/show/

And still more

2008-10-06T18:23:00.001-07:00

So my friends took great care of me and Emma and we made our way home after a few bumps in the road. Like Emma getting jaundice in the hospital (usually doesn't happen that fast) and needing to be put under lights. She looked so much like a super hero with her mask on.

After getting home from the hospital and a few cardiology visits due to a heart murmur, we received the news on October 16th from our friend that Emma in fact had Down syndrome. I will tell you that I held out hope that she did not and I must say that you could have knocked me over when he said those words. I was so not expecting them. I thought all was well. She did not have classic features. Just a few that seemed very mild. But that is what he said. I cried and cried. I blamed myself. I did not want to do this to our daughter. To cause her life to be hard.

I know it has been awhile.... but here is the rest of the story

2008-10-06T17:56:00.000-07:00

(I want you all to know that I don't know why but my pictures only show up at the beginning of the post and I can't seem to fix it, I am working on it)

Well I know I said that I would post throughout the last few weeks. But life got the better of me but here I am and I am going to write my heart.

I can tell you that two years ago I was awaiting the delivery of our 5th baby. WOW fifth baby! Still hard to say. Needless to say, Kevin and I were very shocked to find out that we were having a baby in our 40's. But God is in control and so we embraced it gladly. And then to find out that we were expecting our second girl well to say that we were excited is an understatement. I was a little nervous but had all the tests and all looked good. I was a gestational diabetic so I was on insulin but other than that all was good. I did not enjoy the 4 shots a day however.

On the day of Emma's birth, October 12, 2006, we went to the hospital with our oldest daughter, Samantha, to be induced due to the diabetes. The course of induction and labor went well, at least from my standpoint. From my nurses standpoint, my friend Aimee, little difficult with heart tones but still we had a healthy baby girl at 18:07. We had a friend there to check her out who is a pediatrician and he liked what he saw. No problem, sugar issues but from what I could tell all looked well. And then I saw some murmuring from the nurses and could see it in the faces of my friends that they seemed concerned. Baby was pink, screaming, hey that is what I look for when delivering a baby so not sure what the concern was all about. And the I pryed it out of Aimee that there was some concern that Emma was showing some signs of Down Syndrome. Shannon, one of the nurses and a friend, noticed something. Well I was nervous but I was not convinced and one of the neonatologist was not as well. Blood tests were run.

More to come

I can't believe it has almost been two years

2008-09-24T10:00:00.000-07:00

Well over the next few weeks I am going to put in words how much the last two years have mean't to me and my family. Lots of things have happened. The birth of another daugther (which is really why I will doing this post) the marriage of another, moving away of said daughter to Virginia. etc etc. As we prepare for Emma's second birthday I wanted to share in pictures and words how this time has changed our family. So stay tuned. You will also see some of my favorite pictures from the last two years as well. (I miss you JoAnne)

this picture is from one of my baby showers. So fun.

Redo

2008-09-21T18:25:00.000-07:00

Well here are pictures of our bedroom redo. We painted the walls a soft blue and then purchased a new bed. Actually it is the exact bed that Sam and BJ own. I loved it so much I had to have one. What a deal at J&K Furniture. Then I surrounded Kevin and I with the things we love. Our children! My friend Tamara found the old house windows for me in Williams last year and we put pictures of our kids in the panes. I love it. My life saying is "There is Joy in the Journey" so had it made in vinyl letters and put it on the wall. There is so more to do but we are getting close to our bedroom being the calm place I have always wanted it to be.

Tears in my eyes

2008-09-04T07:36:00.001-07:00

I was so excited to hear the speech that Sarah Palin gave last night. And after I watched it I had tears in my eyes and was so glad I spent the 40 minutes to listen and to get to know this lady.

As you can imagine, I have heard alot about this lady but I had to decide for myself. I LOVE HER!!!! She is sassy. And if you know me, I can be sassy but not only that I have a daughter that is pretty sassy (I know sam you got it from me) and one that is proving to become a sassy little girl.

I like her politics. There are a few issues that are near to my heart and it looks as if Sarah Palin and I are kindred spirits when it comes to those issues.

Her beautiful family made me smile. When her young daughter was licking her hand and fixing her little brothers hair. So cute! I know the boyfriend/fiance that was there to support the daughter. And the most beautiful thing of all her sweet little son.

Quoted from Sarah Palin's speech, September 3, 2008, accepting the republican vice presidential nomination. "And in April, my husband Todd and I welcomed our littlest one into the world, a perfectly beautiful baby boy named Trig. From the inside, no family ever seems typical. That's how it is with us. Our family has the same ups and downs as any other ... the same challenges and the same joys. Sometimes even the greatest joys bring challenge. And children with special needs inspire a special love. To the families of special-needs children all across this country, I have a message: For years, you sought to make America a more welcoming place for your sons and daughters. I pledge to you that if we are elected, you will have a friend and advocate in the White House."

I cried last night and I am crying again. Can you see why I would love to have this woman as part of adminstration that will be running this country. I know there are people that don't agree with me and that is ok. We are Americans and we have the opportunity to vote and I highly recommend that you do. But this post is not about your politics this is a post from a mommy who has a "perfectly beautiful" daughter who is thrilled that there might be a woman in office that understands.

Thanks for listening

Tattoo!!!

2008-08-29T15:07:00.000-07:00

Well here it is! Chris wanted a tattoo and after a year of waiting and thinking on it and researching he decided to go ahead with it. At least it makes a statement. My question is couldn't you have just bought a cross necklace!! Ah, 19 year olds.

Piggies! these are for my sissy but you all can look!

2008-08-16T18:07:00.001-07:00

Olympics

2008-08-12T16:42:00.001-07:00

Our family loves watching the Olympics. As you can see Emma is catching on quickly.

A friend of ours gave Emma this outfit from China. It was appropriate to have her wear it for the Olympics.

New puppy!!

2008-07-28T17:40:00.000-07:00

So we have a new puppy, her name is officially lucy (Michaels idea from"Lucy in the sky with diamonds"). Well thats her around the house name, but officially her name is Lovely Lucy Lou, she is registered under that name with the AKC (American Kennel Club). Well anyways, her and our other Miniature schnauzer Peanut Will be set to mate as she nears maturity. She is a wonderful little puppy filled with tons of amounts of energy. She sleeps alot as well, but she is only seven weeks old. I hope you enjoy these pictures.

cutest

2008-07-19T19:55:00.000-07:00

this is one of the cutest pictures. Michael found it while browsing through our pictures. We all love this picture. This picture was taken in June, i think on Fathers Day.

The Zoo

2008-07-11T15:32:00.000-07:00

Ok so who visits the zoo in July in Arizona? Well we did today and it was great. The weather was pretty nice. It was so humid and the temps in the 90's but again very humid. So here are some pictures of the day.

We said so long......

2008-06-25T09:00:00.000-07:00

Well the time came and we said so long to our kids. It was with heavy hearts but with a great excitement that we sent them on their way. So far the trip they say has been great. And so fun for them. They are blogging so please go to their blog and follow their trip

http://bjsamihendricks.blogspot.com

Chris, the Graduate!

2008-06-04T08:29:00.000-07:00

Very proud parents!

Can't believe it, he did it. AFHE always puts on a great graduation. It was a wonderful weekend. To all of you that were able to attend any of the festivities this weekend thank you for coming and especially for loving Chris and our family.

Proud grandparents!

All my babies, and my sweet son in law.

The story behind this picture is precious. When Lexi walked over to have her picture taken with Chris, Michael said it looked like she wanted to kiss him on the cheek. I asked her "did you want to kiss Chris on the cheek?" she said, yes, I said go ahead and kiss him on the cheek, she said. "Can I, really? I said yes, so you are witnessing their first kiss. Precious kids. I love that girl! What a blessing to have children with a respect for parents and for themselves to stay pure to the point of not even kissing on the cheek. Oh and by the way, I did speak with Lexi's mom the next day to make sure that I did not over step my bounds.

And a big thank you to the Dyksterhouse family for allowing us to have Chris's party at their home. You were gracious and helpful. Thank you it was a wonderful party. Even though we did not use the backyard you made it look so nice for us. Loved the huge Mafia game in the living room. Fabulous house and wonderful family.

My heart is hurting

2008-06-04T08:25:00.000-07:00

To all my friends that look at this blog please be in prayer for our family over the next few weeks. As all of you know my daughter will be leaving on June23rd for a great adventure in Virginia Beach, VA. Her husband will be attending seminary there. I know that she is an adult and a married woman but that does not stop my heart and arms from aching for her. She is my baby. She will always be my baby. Their plan is to return to Phoenix when they are done in three years. But three years is a long time.

I know most of you have heard this but I truly covet your prayers at this time. Nicky is hurting and we are all starting to get emotional. Thanks for all the prayers that you will lift up on our behalf.

Enough Said

2008-05-31T08:55:00.001-07:00

I hope this link works we will see. Watch this clip and turn your sound up. You will understand as you watch. Wait until the end and listen to every word.

Mothers and Daughters, a special relationship

2008-05-11T15:19:00.000-07:00

I am not sure what to say in this post but to say that mothers and daughters share a very special relationship. It is a bond like none other. At least from my perspective. There is a kinship when they get older. I am so proud to be the mother of two wonderful daughters.

Some daughters we don't give birth to but are blessed to welcome into our family when our sons find the woman of their dreams.

Don't get me wrong I love my sons. And I look forward to welcoming more daughters into our family some day.

I think we mothers are all blessed to have young woman in our lives that call us "mom".

Grow where you are planted

2008-05-06T08:13:00.000-07:00

A dear friend has started a blog that shows our kids every year in pictures. As you can imagine, Emma's picture shows the most dramatic change. The pictures are taken almost exactly a year apart. WOW What a beautiful baby she is. She makes me smile everyday and I feel blessed daily to be the mother of 5 great kids.

Springtime and Easter

2008-03-29T09:38:00.000-07:00

Disneyland

2008-03-21T23:06:00.001-07:00

Nicky fighting Darth Mal

No need to introduce this character! Yeah!

My first Mickey ears!
Me and my pretty sister
2nd car from front. My husband (the one waving), Michael next to him, Sam in front of her dad and Chris on the very scary California Screamin roller coaster. Crazy! Sam and Michael rode it over and over again.

All seven of us! One last family vacation with just the kids. Next time I bet there will be some grandchildren in the picture. (No there are none on the way) We did miss BJ. Although probably not as much as he missed his wife.

This is just a few of the probably 1500 pictures that we have from Disneyland. Truly is one of the Happiest Places on Earth.

Misc. Pictures from last month

2008-03-08T16:07:00.001-08:00

I leave you guys with some fun pictures from the last month. Have a great spring break.

Sam on valentines day!
Emma has climbed in the computer hutch next to the computer.

Because I get so very few chances to photograph him. He is handsome

Michael got his permit. And his be driving all over the place. He really is a good driver. Michael also now has a job at Outback Steakhouse. He sure is growing up.

Chris, a car and a beautiful young lady

2008-02-20T19:09:00.000-08:00

Well Chris bought a car today! Wow can't believe it. He was blessed by a wonderful family. A family that means a lot to our family. You see it is Lexi's family. Yep, he bought Lexi's brothers car. And that is great but even better is that it is a 2005 Mustang. Yep you heard me right a "Stang" wow. I am so jealous. So here are some pictures from this very momentous day in the life of our family and especially for Chris.

Here he is signing his life away. Nay just joking.

Just another view.
Here is Chris with Mr. Dyksterhouse (Lexi's Dad) and the owner of the car. Handing over the check! And Paul handing over the keys.
This is Sandi Dyksterhouse. She loves Chris can you tell. They are so happy for Chris.
And here is the car. Oh and Lexi as well. Great kids.
Another real cute picture of them and the car.
Then we all went to Souper Salad for dinner. We had such a fun night and so much fun sharing this with the Dyksterhouse family

Feed the baby and a little trim!

2008-02-18T08:12:00.000-08:00

I love this Smile! don't know why it is putting a line under what I am typing.
Here is Emma feeding her baby that Miss Karis (she is actually a Mrs. but don't know how else to say it) gave her. She signs baby and now she is feeding cheerios to the baby. She has been feeding her a bottle about a week. She loves this baby! Thank you again Miss Karis!

Well look at the Valentines post and you will see that Emma had a little comb over. Well last night my son-in-law said she needed a haircut so I took some scissors to her hair. Just a little bit but I kept the hair since it is her first haircut.

Happy Valentines Day!

2008-02-14T14:24:00.001-08:00

Happy Valentines Day from the Dunhams.

Check out the leggings. They are the best. And the onesie says BE MINE.

Emma and Dirt

2008-02-11T12:42:00.000-08:00

To think there was a time that I wanted her to put things in her mouth.

Such a sweet baby!

Happy Birthday my sweet baby girl!

2008-02-08T16:38:00.000-08:00

This picture is from Sam's 19th birthday just two years ago. BJ and Sam had just started dating. And look were we are now. Sam will be 21 tomorrow. I can't believe it. Ladies I can only tell you to cherish those babies every second because they grow way to fast. I am so blessed to have this wonderful young woman in my life.

And here we are. See how fast it goes. WOW. I sure miss that sweet little baby.

love this camera

2008-02-07T09:09:00.001-08:00

I am new at this camera thing. But I thought this was a good picture from the zoo. Dawn I need lessons. Fun learning something new! The point and shoot is easier but I sure like this SLR.

A few of my favorite things

2008-02-07T09:02:00.002-08:00

I love Shiny Brite ornaments. I know that Christmas is over for this year but I had to post this. I love these ornaments!!!! I remember them from when I was a kid at my grandmothers. I have now gone on to collect them. Usually find them in Prescott when we are there the first week of December. I especially love them when they are in the box.

More rain

2008-02-06T16:39:00.001-08:00

Isn't it beautiful. I love this new camera

Me and my Sissy!

2008-02-06T16:34:00.002-08:00

I love her! And I am going to miss her terribly when she is in Virginia.

Emma and the Physical Therapist

2008-02-06T16:28:00.000-08:00

I must tell you that we have been blessed by the many people that have come into our lives because of our little Emma. One of those wonderful people is Maureen. She is Emma's physical therapist. She has worked with Emma since she was about 3 or 4 months old. Emma really loves her and I know that Maureen loves her too. They have so much fun every Thursday afternoon. But sometimes it is hard work.

Love this picture of my little redhead.

FOOTBALL!

2008-02-06T16:25:00.001-08:00

My boy Nicky has fallen in love with all things sports. He is playing all different types of sports this year and he has especially loved football. He is actually pretty good at it. He is playing basketball now. And soon they will play indoor hockey. The Phoenix Coyotes are going to coach them the first two weeks of hockey so that they can learn the game and pick up some skills. Yeah!

Noah and the Ark

2008-02-06T15:53:00.001-08:00

Nicky and I took these pictures in December during a weekend of storms. It has been such a refreshing winter with all the storms we have had.

Emma has a boyfriend!

2008-01-05T19:49:00.000-08:00

Emma has a little sweet boyfriend from next door. His name is Andrew and he was born in July 2007. Such a cute, little chunky boy! We can't wait for them to be great friends!

Emma looks a little worried.

New Years Eve

2008-01-05T19:45:00.000-08:00

Well on New years eve, B.J. and Sam came over and we played Settlers of Catan, one of my favorite games.

A smathering (is that a word) of Christmas pictures

2008-01-05T19:23:00.001-08:00

Not sure why I cannot my pictures to go on to the page like Dawn and Susan can, you know not in a straight boring line. But oh well you get to see some pictures.

Amazing nurse Aimee

2008-01-05T19:17:00.000-08:00

We love this girl. She is such a special part of our family. She was my nurse when I had Emma. She filled in for me at the hospital when I was on maternity leave. She is the bomb. We love you Aimee and we are so glad that you are in our lives.

She has a special place in her heart for Chris! Great picture of the two of them!

Happy New Year!

2007-12-31T23:12:00.001-08:00

From our whole family we wish you and your family a Happy and Blessed New Year.

Misc. October and November pictures

2007-11-29T11:51:00.000-08:00

I am so sorry that I have not been up to date on this blog. Especially Aimee!!

Here are some pictures from that last few weeks.

Uh Oh! I got caught in the cheetos!
Here is the ladies retreat at Lost Canyon in Williams, AZ. So beautiful. Emma got to go as well.

Fall in Arizona!

My first swing ride!!! haha she had such a good time!

My first Birthday!

My first halloween! Look at me with my tongue hanging out. Such a cute tinkerbell!

Nicky square dancing at co-op.

My first oreo!

Me at the zoo with mom and dad, sissy, bj and Michael. Love the hat.

Homecoming

2007-10-23T16:08:00.001-07:00

Well I can't believe it but my son went to his first homecoming. Chris is in love this lovely young woman. Her name is Lexi. And we love her too. She is a wonderful young lady and she loves our son too. Yes they are young but I can see this one going the distance. You know we all have had high school sweethearts and many of you have married your high school sweetheart. I see this happening for them. No rush. College for our son first but he is committed to love this young woman forever. He is a wonderful young man.

Aren't they lovely together. We love you Lexi! And you too Chris!

Emma's Birthday Party

2007-10-23T15:48:00.000-07:00

Well here is an idea of what Emma's birthday was all about. She was a little princess. We actually had two birthday parties because she is so popular. One at the park on her actual birthday for her friends and some big friends as well. And on Saturday she had a brunch for all her other friends. Those people who have played such an important role in her therapy. We had such a good time at both of her parties.

At her birthday party on Saturday her daddy made her a heart cake for all her guests and one special one for her. Kevin use to make a heart cake for Samantha for her birthday. We cleared it with her first to make sure she did not mind. And as you could imagine she did not.
Her birthday party on Saturday was a toile theme. Well that was my idea. All the way down to her dress that was custom made and was a gift from her grandparents. Everything was pink. Again a requirement of mine. Love the pink.
We had to help her with the gifts. She loved playing with the paper.
This is her new face. Pursing her lips and saying "oooooooooooooo" hope that is right. Not the long or the short vowel sound . It is so cute.

I can't believe she is already one. We have such a great time with this sweet little baby and I sure look forward to the next year with all its changes and growth. She is amazing!

Happy Birthday Baby!

2007-10-12T07:22:00.000-07:00

I cannot believe that it has been a whole year since little Emma was born. She is such an amazing little girl. She has blessed our family in ways that I cannot even explain. She is joy and laughter all rolled up into one. She is doing so well you really do forget that she has "some" cells in her body that have an extra chromosome. She has not only blessed our family but so many other people as well. We are a lucky family!

I am so lucky to be her mama. So many people told us when she was born and in the following days (they are such a blur to me still) that God knew what He was doing when he gave us Emma. I was not so sure. I knew that I was scared about the whole "extra" chromosome thing but I also knew that I was this little girls mama. A little baby girl that had been waited on for 20 years. And here she was. The world would say that she was not perfect. But I can tell you that in our families eyes she is and will always be perfect. I now know that God in fact did know what he was doing. She is amazing. And I really am the luckiest mama in the world. I have 5 great babies and a wonderful son-in-law and this little baby has been just what God wanted her to be to me and that is a joy and a light in this sometimes really dark and ugly world. I hope that she has been that to you as well. Thank you for sharing this year with us and we look forward to all of you continuing to be a part of our families life and especially little Emma's.

Me and Chris

2007-10-05T07:31:00.000-07:00

This is one of the cuter pictures of the weekend. Of course could not get one with Michael in it. Emma loves all of her big brothers