I can live with that......

It’s better to look back on life and say, “I can’t believe I did that.” Than to look back and say, “I wish I did that.”

My world is small and insignificant to most people. But my children and my husband, are my world and I am the most significant person to them. Yes, I can live with that.

As we begin 2013, I was thinking about 2012 what a year. We reached great highs; we are one step closer to Madelynn being almost specialist free, Jackson's kindergarten teacher's promise came true and Kaitlynn is finding great balance in life. But we have also reached ridiculous lows; a grief I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. Watching your spouse say good-bye to a sibling way to soon, should never happen.

But we are still standing here January 1, 2013 ready to take on a new year. The slate is clean, choices are always available and we are going to dive in. I don't ever want to look back and wish I would have done something. I would rather say," Well I tried that, learned this, time to try something new."

Hoping you find the courage to do the same.

Happy 2013!!

TTFN~

Her last year in single digits....

HAPPY 9th BIRTHDAY KAITLYNN!!!

 

 

To my Dearest Kaitlynn,

People say children are resilient and can handle anything. I disagree. I tend to think this is more of a hope during a crisis than a belief. But you my sweet girl are truly amazing. You have come out of too many of these and your star shines brighter than ever.

Although there are days you make me want to run outside and light my hair on fire, most days that fire just melts my heart. You are a brilliant and creative big sister with so much love to give. On my worst days you just know I need an extra hug. I could never tell you enough how truly proud of the person you are becoming. I hope you have a fabulous day.

I chose the above picture because I can just feel your joy of being at the beach without a care in the world, hearing you laugh and run through the sand. After our crazy turn of events this year this is the JOY I hope for you all the time.

Happy Birthday Punkin!!

Love you to the moon and back, to infinity and beyond, forever and ever.....
Mama

TTFN!

Happy Thanksgiving........

Usually by now I have something I really want to post about to celebrate Thanksgiving. As I have talked about before Thanksgiving is my favorite Holiday. It doesn't involve presents or any other requirement just show up to be thankful and celebrate family.

Phil and I are VERY LUCKY. We still have our parents and immediate family but we also have an amazing extended family too. Brothers that you would never know were just 1/2 brothers, sisters that would walk through fire for us, and people that have stumbled into our life that have no blood line whatsoever that we love like family. I don't think two people could be as lucky as Phil and I.

So today we Thank You ALL....to our parents for always being there, our siblings for never forgetting we are family and to those that came into our lives and made us better people for it....We thank you.

Something I never want to forget is to be Thankful for Dr. Alfred Kendrick. Without God's perfect timing and Dr. Kendrick's pediatric knowledge the picture below would not have Madelynn in it. He saved her life. We will forever be grateful he helped complete our family.

We hope everyone finds something to be truly THANKFUL for this year.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!!

Thanksgiving 2012

TTFN~

Love,
The Addler's
Philip, Chelsea, Kaitlynn, Jackson and Madelynn

Enjoying the sunshine.......

After the emotionally exhausting week, a break was almost required. Phil had an oppportunity to go fishing, for the weekend, so I sent him away. Even though I could have really used his help at home, I felt he needed the fishing trip to decompress and regroup.

While he was gone I worked on some arrangements for the LCK dinner and silent auction fundraiser. Some friends came over and we knocked them out. THANKS GIRLS!!!

Today we worked on the kids rooms and the ridiculous amounts of laundry. I still have about two loads left making the grand total about 20 loads. This includes everyones sheets, comforters, towels and all the clothes. I am so sick of matching socks.

We decided to take a break and go to the park. It was a B-E-A-Utiful day, sunny, warm and just what we needed. Just being outside for a little while not having a care in the world, who could ask for more.

While Jack and I were working on his room, my dad called. He was checking to make sure we were able to get out heat back on. It is working. Thank God. Overnights have been near freezing. I told him we might sneak out and go to the park. His response, "Don't forget to take your camera."

I didn't........

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Days like today......being able to wear t-shirts, and leave your coat in the car in November is why I LOVE living in the south. If you look around the smallest remnats of Fall are on the almost bare trees. You would have never known the way the sun was beating down.

TTFN~

4 years ago today.......

Four years ago today depending on when you are reading this was one of the worst days in my life.

At 8 am I was walking my daughter down to the surgery floor so she could be prepped for open heart surgery.

At 9:30 am I surrendered my daughter to the surgeon so the lengthy procedure could begin.

For the next 6-7 hours we waited and waited and waited some more for the surgeon to finally tell us he was done and what the results were.

Some time between 5 and 6pm we were finally able to see her. Something never in my wildest dreams was I prepared for. It took ever ounce of my being to stand there hoping and praying she would survive.

Today we had great plans to help Madelynn celebrate her "Heart" Birthday. I found this WONDERFUL children's book called Zip-Line. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to anyone who has a child that has had open-heart surgery. I was going to come into Madelynn's pre-school class, read the book and share heart cookies. Madelynn was sooooooo excited when she saw the book.

Due to the unfortunate circumstance with the death of Phil's brother we needed to travel to Indiana to say farewell. I have already spoken to Madelynn's teachers and we will be celebrating Madelynn's "Heart" Birthday with her classmates a week late. However, we as a family will be together which is what is most important.

I have shared with you some new pictures of Kaitlynn and Jackson for my upcoming picture project. I saved my pictures of Madelynn for today.

 

 

 

 

I am not going to lie that smile melts my heart EVERY time. We are so incredible blessed that Madelynn's result was not something different.

People ask me all the time, "Aren't you sad Madelynn will be going off to kindergarten next year." My response is always the same. "No, because there was a time I wasn't sure Madelynn would be able to attend kindergarten. Each day is a gift that at one time we never thought we would have."

So today we share our joy of Madelynn with you. We encourage you to celebrate your children. There are so many families with children with congenital heart defects (chd) that don't live as long as Madelynn or do not have the wonderful prognosis she has. We are very lucky and truly appreciate the gift beyond measure.

TTFN~

Jason......9.9.1970 - 10.25.2012

Thursday I received a call from both Phil's mom and brother, Jon, that Jason one of Phil's other brothers had died in a terrible, tragic work accident. According to a news story he slipped and fell 3 stories, from an attic area where he was working on the property.

I immediately called Phil because no one could reach him. It truly was one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Phil is having difficulty accepting things right now. We came to Indiana so Phil can mourn with his family and celebrate Jason's life.

In honoring Jason's life we have done things, we believe, Jason would have wanted. Saturday Night we gathered at Jason and Franka's house and watched the Fighting Irish of Notre Dame take on the Oklahoma Sooners in Oklahoma.  Being a Fighting Irish fan was in their blood. Jason's brothers and son's came together, but it was very clear there was something missing. Without  a doubt, there was a void that no one will ever be able to fill.

Whether it be the empty chair no one wanted to sit in, or the missing tone in the choir of laughter when all the brothers are together the emptiness was deafening. In a few hours droves of people will come to pay their respects to Jason and his family. My heart aches for not only my husband as he he tries to process this senseless accident but for all of those left behind in this tragedy.

I managed to find a few pictures from when Jason was very young and all the wedding photos I took back in 2009 when Jason married Franka. The school pictures were very sweet as they were of days long past. As I looked through the wedding photos, it was the happiest I had ever seen Jason and the smiles were genuine. It was very clear he had finally found true happiness with Franka.

My only hope is that eventually those hurting from this horrible turn of events find some type of peace in Jason's passing. It is not going to be an easy road, but again I can hope wounds are healed and harmony can be found.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

RIP Jason.......

TTFN~

Photo Project Part 2.......

While working on my picture project I took these pictures of Jackson. He loves 'BOB', our tree in the backyard. Every time he steps out back I find him on a swing hanging from the tree or in the tree. One of the best investments we have ever made.

 

Jackson had a rough adjustment to second grade. However after I talked to his teacher she was very impressed how well he was now adjusting. Today he brought me his most recent Math and Spelling Test both had a grade of 100%.

 

For the last two to three weeks he has been complaining that his legs hurt. I thought maybe it was due to soccer and building those leg muscles. Then  the other day he passed Kaitlynn and he looked taller than she. So for fun I had Phil measure Jackson. He has grown almost an inch in about 60 days. To me that seems like alot.

 

I like all the pictures but the last one is my favorite and the one that most exudes his personality.

 

Can't wait to get this picture project finished.

 

 

I found Opie Taylor in the tree.

 

I do love his smile...

 

TTFN~