It's a Mini!

Those were Brady's words when he saw Don pulling up on the driveway with our 'new-to-us' camper. It did make me laugh....this boy is used to camping in Grandma and Grandpa's not-so-mini motorhome!

And we're excited about the fun family trips and memories to come, as we become campers! We took it out for our very first 'test' weekend on Friday. I'd like to say we were super adventurous....but I won't lie. We parked at the Winkler Campground. Yup, a whopping 1.4km from our driveway! It's alright, I agree that's a little pathetic - but we needed to get a little trial run in before heading out on holidays.

The boys loved it. The nights were short - and the mornings were much too early, but fun was had! We even weathered a nice thunderstorm on Saturday night!

Pure joy!

Doing 'blackies' and trying to make each one longer than the last!

Let's Play Ball!

Today we wrapped up our first ever season of baseball.

Apparently you get more power this way!

Brady is pretty serious about the whole thing! He's SO into it and loves playing with the team and at home.

He informed us yesterday (and confirmed it again today with his Grandma) that he wants to be a professional ball player. That came after explaining what 'professional' meant. As in, it's your job AND you get paid!

Brag Book

Can I just take a moment, as a proud auntie, to do a little bit of bragging? See, I have this uber talented, uber beautiful niece that I just have to tell you about!

We celebrated my mom's birthday this weekend, and she made a cake for her grandma that took our breath away!

And that's just the tip of the iceberg! She does these cakes - we're not talking just the basics here - we're talking SLR cameras (seriously!!) and Purses (incredible!!) just to name a few!

And if this talent wasn't enough, she is Miss Volleyball Extraordinaire, (Hello Team Manitoba!) has the most caring and loving personality which she uses to dote on her younger cousins! And she can pull a violin out of her back pocket and play a sonata (if she chooses!)

We love you!!

Now, hopefully she will stop blushing!!

And We're Back

Things I've learned:

1. Husbands are handy. It's like the phrase 'all hands on deck'. Some things are easier when you're not the only one dealing with a given situation. I'll invite him again next time!

2.. Five year olds have a lot of questions when they see their little brother's heart pumping on a computer screen. Add in some color on the screen for blood flow, and you've a lot of questions. Good experience for him, though!

3. A Lightning McQueen toy that talks and has real lights does a lot to redirect attention! Next time, be sure to check for those crazy wires attaching it to the packaging. Especially when you bring it out for a very strategic time (ie. screaming along with refusal when echo is supposed to begin) when time is of the essence and intervention is needed STAT!

4. Knowing so many of my friends and family truly care so much is enough to make me get totally emotional, but also feel so covered in prayers, while reading email notes from so many during the drive to Winnipeg.

The Lowdown:

No change with the gradient. The band still is not doing it's job.

Monitoring weight carefully, some irregularities from last weigh in to today. Drops in weight carry more significance with heart babies.

Liver size is good. No signs of heart failure. Both ventricles still pumping effectively.

To summarize, Dr. Soni feels that we are heading down a path that will bring us to Toronto for another PA Banding in the near future.

My heart's summary - Though tears may fall and my heart will long: We will not stop Believing. We will not stop Hoping. We will not stop Praying. I rest each night in the comfort of knowing that our God, the God of love and mercy is with us. So then, I can "come boldly to the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy and find grace to help in time of need." Hebrews 4:16

Isn't that great?!? We can come BOLDY before our God. Don't ever give Him any limits.....He is able to go above and beyond what we can only imagine (Eph 3:20). He can answer our prayers - or he can take that prayer and go way beyond that!

Here We Go!

Tomorrow is the day! Nate has a morning appointment with his cardiologist. We're being open and honest with Nate - talking to him about the upcoming appointment. But, today already, he is saying "No". Even while Don was saying bedtime prayers and praying for the appointment tomorrow, Nate was shaking his head and saying 'no'. So....needless to say, we need your prayers!

This time I'm arming myself with a few extra tricks up my sleeve. For one, I'm bringing Don along with me! Second, we're going have Brady join us on this one, too. It's worked at other appointments - having Brady there, showing Nate how easy it is. Third, a trip to Walmart this evening provided some cool toys, to be brought out at strategic times during the appointment!

So, thanks for praying the God would do immeasurably more than we can even imagine!

Sunshine!

Finally! A sunny and hot Sunday!! The best part is that we could spend it together as a family!

Now, I'm sure the original owner's of our house didn't think about all of the extra benefits of installing an in ground sprinkler system....but boy, am I glad they did! Instant water park in our front yard! The boys loved it!!

They'll do just about anything their dad says....."hey boys, put your head right into the sprinkler!"

(and it was fun to watch....here, Nate is trying to drink water out of his hands!)

And one of our favorite summer activities is taking the top off and cruisin'!!!

Nate has been asking for the top to come off for weeks already.

And a little ice cream 'stache after cruising while trying to eat his favorite Iceburg cone!

How was your weekend?