Thursday, June 19, 2014

Take Steps Be Heard Walk 2014

 Sometimes all the medical stuff in my life can be a bit overwhelming. The appointments, medications, needle pokes, co-pays, medical bills and constant reminders of living with a chronic illness can be a bit much to handle!
But, then I stop and count my MANY blessings and I'm reminded that God's plan for my life is way better than my own!
 
Here are some pictures of one of those recent blessings!
Team Bear recently walked in the Take Steps Be Heard walk for Crohn's and colitis on June 7th. We raised $500 as a team and the event raised $50,000! Awesome!
 
I'm so very blessed and thankful for the constant support of my family on this journey and especially my husband!

My parents...they have loved me through a lot of ups and downs in life...and they've always been by my side!

My two boys with cotton candy!
Love these little guys...at one time in my life I didn't know if it would be possible to have such a blessing as my children. God proved otherwise!



Kieran's baseball tattoo!

Silly balloon hats!!

My sweetie girl Chloe! Love her!!

Hy-Vee helped sponsor the event...free food!

My doctor was at the event also!
Thankful for him and the medical technology we have to help keep me in remission!

My good friend Mona also joined our team!
I have so many great friends that bring much encouragement to my life!
 
Bounce house fun!

Us with the storm chasers mascot...not sure what this is suppose to be exactly?!

Family!

How sweet is this?!!
Chuck surprised me by getting my name "tattooed" on his arm! Love that man so much!



Our view of the lake that we walked around!

Taking the leisurely walk to fight Crohn's and colitis!
 
The day was a wonderful day for a walk around the lake! The weather was great and I'm so thankful that we had this opportunity to join the Take Steps Be Heard walk!
 
I'm reminded of God's great blessings in my life!
 

Thursday, June 12, 2014

Play Ball!

Kieran's playing coach pitch baseball this year and he's doing such a good job!
He's hitting balls, catching balls, fielding balls and improving with each week....it's so fun to see the whole team learn and improve as the season continues!


 



 
This week during his game, one of his hits went all the way to the grass...kind of a big deal for these little kids...and he caught a hit at 2nd base from the air...it was awesome! I was one proud mama!
 

Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Lotsa (Helpful) Friends and Fun!

Our backyard was officially completed on Memorial Weekend with the building of our new swing set! As mentioned before, our family was beyond blessed to receive this brand new sing set for free!
We started the project on Sunday evening by counting out all the pieces in the four boxes and getting some things organized in the garage.

Does this look fun or what?!!

This swing set contained over 1,000 pieces with all the bolts and screws!

Using the boxes to make a big "road" in the front yard!

Chuck started some construction on Sunday night...and we took a break for a McDonalds meal in the driveway.
 
We were blessed (again!) to have friends come help us out on Memorial Day!



Miss Katie and Chloe!

Our cousins from Iowa stopped by for a bit on their way through to see some other cousins in Western Nebraska!

It was a hot and humid day!

How many drills does it take to build a swing set?!

 

This was an all day project and we're so thankful for willing hands...and extra tools to help us get the job done!


Getting closer to finishing!

Testing out the new glider swing!!


 

Done and Looking Good!
We started the swing set at 8:30 Monday morning and the last screw went in at 6:24 p.m.!
 
We're enjoying our backyard so much!!
Here are some before and after views...
 
Previously our yard looked like this:
 
Our backyard now:
 
Our old deck:
 
Replaced with a new, bigger patio!
 

 
Through lots of planning, praying, long days and many helpful hands...we have a new yard to enjoy for years to come!