Vacation at Home

Make a Smilebox slideshow

I love reading all about the awesome vacations that people are taking lately! And a little green with envy I might add! Resident life sometimes requires you to take those vacations at home. A...you have no money, and B...you are so far behind on everything that you need time to catch up.

Shane took the last week in April and first week of May off and it was great. Although I have to say the boy can't seem to keep still for a minute. His first day off he was painting the Garage floor. Why, you ask? This is something only only people with the last name of Lewis can understand. Wink. Although I have to concede it does look very nice and clean! He didn't stop there...he then had to paint the walls and ceiling, thankfully we have a paint sprayer. But by the time he was done he looked like one of those scientists on E.T. in their Hazardous Materials Uniforms. Wish I had a picture of that! Shane also put the boys to work out in the yard. Digging holes for some Japanese Maple trees and other plants for the front. Shane's love for HGTV and DIY network has officially turned into an obsession. I think I will soon be seeking therapy for him, although he claims his yard work IS therapy. Maybe I should be seeking some for myself!

We did take some time to have fun with the kids and went to the Zoo in Waco for Mason and Jackson's field trip at school. It was the first and probably the last time Shane will ever be able to go on a field trip...so it was a special treat. We also went to Sea World again with Shane's sister Sarah and her husband Tim and their cute little boy Lewis. The boys all had a great time playing together and hangin' out.

Annual Crawfish Boil

Mmmm.. Did somebody say crawfish!!! Okay, there are some things in Texas that you just have to try at least once. Crawfish is one of them. Every year the residents have a crawfish boil to celebrate the passage of the intern year. The kids have a great time swimming and playing with the other kids. But the thing they look forward to the most is the crawfish!!! Unbelievable. The first time we tried them I felt like I was on "Survivor" or something. Cracking them in half and peeling out their insides was a little disgusting at first but they are actually quite tasty with their Cajun seasonings. Mason and Jackson were the crawfish eating champs. Mason stood at the table of crawfish for about 45 minutes cracking them open and eating away (thankfully there is very little meat in them or he would have been sick!) . Finally I had to drag him away from the table.

Isaac just likes cracking off their claws and putting them in his pocket. A lovely little find when you are doing the laundry!

Happy 7th Birthday...Mason and Jackson!

Can't believe my babies are 7! It seems like just yesterday they were tag-teaming the cupboards and pulling absolutely everything out of them! When they were born they were both very sick and stayed for nearly 2 weeks in the NICU. When they were ready to go home the nurses snuggled them up together -- and when I got to the hospital I welled up with tears when I saw Mason and Jackson finally together. Mason was sucking on Jackson's nose... It will always be one of my most treasured memories.

Jackson is a great help to me around the house especially with Isabella, who he adores (nonstop!) He is very good friend and tries to do the right thing. He loves Star Wars, Legos, Pokemon cards, sweets (chocolate and icecream), and wrestling with his brothers.

Mason is a big help as well, although he'd rather be drawing, or doing some kind of project or craft. Like his brother, he loves Star Wars, Legos and his latest venture, spying (Mom and Dad really love that one!)

For their birthday we took them to see "Nim's Island" with their friends. Jayden, Sebastian and Blain....Of course, a fun time was had by all! Happy Birthday boys! We love you so much!

Texas Tornados (and I'm not talking about the kids!)

This weekend we had an experience none of us will soon forget. Friday afternoon the sky suddenly turned dark. I turned on the news to see what weather we should be expecting and saw the tornado symbol right over Morgan's point. Where we live. The weatherman was saying..."everyone in Morgan's point needs to take cover now, a tornado has touched down." Or something to that effect. I grabbed a sleeping baby out of her crib and told all the boys to get into our safe spot...grabbed pillows and blanket off the bed and put them on top of all of us. Suddenly we heard huge hail hitting our roof and slamming into the windows. It was so loud, I just had to get out of the safe spot and had to take a look. I'm not exaggerating when I say that there were several tennis ball - sized pieces of hail in my yard and many golf ball sized pieces. Trying not to panic I went back in with the kids and Isaac began praying out loud, unprompted by me. Of course we were all praying inside. I was trying to look very casual about the whole thing. But the kids could hear that this storm was a bad one and they were scared.

After the weather passed I went outside along with my neighbors to see the damage. My neighbors car was badly dented, and there were leaves and branches everywhere, but thankfully no one was hurt. My neighbors across the street yelled, "I'm moving back to Germany!" Our other neighbors said that in 10 years they have never had a storm that intense. Above are some pictures of the hail I collected after the storm.

The Littlest Hero

"Heroes rarely look like we draw them in our minds: Attractive imposing figures with rippling muscles and strong chins. More times than not they are HUMBLE beings, SMALL and FLAWED...it is only their spirits that are beautiful and strong."

On March 28th... my sister's sweet 7 year old daughter, Hunter peacefully passed away after years of battling a degenerative brain disease called Battens Disease. I was blessed and grateful to be able to be there as she moved on from this earthly relm into the arms of her father in Heaven and no doubt, many friends and family (and her favorite dog Hershy "Herdy"). There are no words to describe that experience...only that she shared a rare smile with her parents

the moment she passed. One of the many "tender mercies" that the Lord gave them during this difficult time.

Hunter's life was filled with joyful moments of laughter, fun and tender moments. Her life was also filled much heartache and pain as she battled a disease that slowly destroyed her ability to talk, walk and see, that caused her to have horrible siezures, and respiratory problems. She was brave and accepting of every trial she faced...and never lost her battle but has won the prize that we all seek. Hunter was the littlest hero, but there were many other heroes in her life....

Hunter's Heroes

Hunter's is a story of incredible faith on the part of her amazing parents Jacob and Trichelle, who know what it means to love unconditionally and endure to the end. It's a story of sisters, she was blessed with 5 of them. Anna, Lacey, Kiersten, Whitney and little Sadie were a blessing to Hunter. Each of them actively participated in caring for their sister often doing those things that would be difficult for any adult to do. They are beautiful girls each with their own spiritual gift for compassion, respect for who those who are different... and quite strength. They are spontaneous and funny but also quiet and unassuming. They are an AMAZING example to me and to all who know them.

Goodbye for a time little "Hunner" We love you more than we can ever say. You have taught us compassion, kindness, strength, love and faith in a loving Heavenly Father. You will forever be in our hearts.

Funeral Services in Utah will be held on Friday at 1:00 pm. viewing at 12:00

There will also be a viewing at Jenkins, Soffe Mortuary (1007 W S Jordan Parkway- South Jordan, UT 84095) on Thursday at 6:00 p.m.

Celebrating 11 Awesome Years!

Just wanted to make a quick note...Shane and I celebrated our 11th anniversary on the 21st! First of all, I can't believe it's gone by so fast...we are getting old (and still in residency, will this ever end?) I'm so grateful for both the good and the hard times, the friends we have made along the way and the family who has supported us through. I'm especially thankful for the 4 children we can call our own. I love you Shane! Happy Anniversary!