The Inside Story about Pa

We are so excited that our precious Pa received a new kidney!  He received the kidney from an anonymous donor.  We don't know the story behind why the donor gave his or her kidney to Pa.  We DO know they are a VERY special person and gave an extraordinary gift to our Pa.  We will be forever grateful to them and their selfless act of kindness.  

The Hospital provided Gran & Pa "A Kid's guide to kidney and liver transplants" and sent it home for the boys to read.  It was very educational to grown-ups too.  Did you know when you get a new kidney, they don't take a kidney out.  So now Pa has 3 kidneys; 2 that don't work so well and one new one.

The boys made Pa a BIG get well card and we have plans to talk to Pa on skype once he gets home.  It will be a few month before the boys can see Pa.  Pa has to be very careful about not getting sick while his body get used to the new kidney.

More Soccer

Here are more soccer pictures from our Buddy Landon's Mom Corrie.  

I am starting to notice that with Archer around, my picture taking has taken a back seat to Archer chasing.  Not blaming just pointing out.  I am sure I will have many more pictures of Archer at the age Christian is now, because by then I will be able to stop chasing children and be able to pick up my camera again.  

So thanks Corrie for sharing your great pictures with me.  

Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate

Listening to Coach Kevin

School buddies, walking buddies, bike buddies, soccer buddies

wearing down

gettin' after it

Spring Soccer

We have had 2 soccer practices and our first tournament.  So I guess that makes me a Soccer Mom.

 Chris even got into the action and helped keep the soccer balls from going to far out of bounds.

Our buddy Landon is on our team.  He is a real go getter.  He scored 2 goals the first game.   Go LANDON! 

 Everyone wanted to play. 

 "good game, good game, good game, good game" - Good sportsmanship is key

 The kids loved the "parent tunnel"

We played the "World Cup" today...fun, fun, fun.   There is even an Archer on our team.  That is very cool. 

Extreme makeover Wenck Edition

We had our very own big boys room make overs this weekend.

While the boys spent the night with Gran and Pa, Daddy and I were hard at work (along with a lot of help from Jason Harrell) making over the boys rooms.
Chris made it home first and started moving beds and packing toys.  By the time I made it home the living room looked like the boys rooms had been picked up by a tornado and dropped in the middle for the floor. Nevertheless both rooms were very clear and ready for the switch.  We had time to move all the furniture from Christian rooms into Archer's room.  We bought the bunk beds from our good friends the Harrells.  We love Harrell boy hand-me-downs, they are always a big hit with C&A.

 Here is Christian's room almost empty

 Archer's room almost empty

 Archer's room finished

 Christian's room finished. 

The BIG Reveal!

 I think his words were "COOL!!!"

 Can you see the excitement in his face?!?!  

Christian napped on the top bunk and did great.  Dad and I were a little worried, but he managed the ladder with no problems.  We are emphasizing how important it is for him to be safe on the top bunk and he is doing wonderful. 

LOVE

Tomorrow is Valentine's Day and in church Pastor talked about love.  It was really sweet because he had a slide show to accompany his sermon.  There were cute animals together in sweet little poses.  There was a younger couple in love and then the screen went to a picture of elderly hands.  Pastor focused on how we get some the first couple to the second.  He went around the church asking several couples how long they had been married.   We had 6 couples that had been married 48 - 54 years.  How wonderful is that!?!?!?!

They all gave their advice on how they survived.  Many said marriage was a commitment they didn't take  lightly and that God was an active part of their lives.  They said it took lots of patience.  He would also ask how do you know ____ loves you?  Some said "it is the things they do for me", but one said, "She puts her head on my shoulder just before she falls asleep."  OMGosh...how sweet is that?!?!

As I come up on my 7th anniversary, with every intention of being married more than 50 years, I listened carefully and started thinking.  How does my husband know I love him?  I hope he knows because I say it enough.  But I also hope he knows because I respect him.  I respect his budgeting and financial plans for our family (I know I pick on him about the budget, but he truly has a plan for our family and goals we all want to achieve).

Now the question comes...How do I know he loves me?  Because he tells me.  Because he thanks me when I make dinner (and i make dinner a lot), when he comes up behind me and rubs my shoulders, when he kisses me goodbye for the day, when he kisses me when I come home, when he kissed me before he goes to bed.

I often ask Christian how he knows I love him.  He tells me "because I'm 5 years old and I just do".  It is a nice feeling to think your kids just know you love them.

So Happy Valentine's Day.....and to quote Pastor Randal Wyles of South Austin Church of the Nazarene "go tell somebody you love them."

Celebrating 80 years

So when I was little we lived on Rhonda Court.  Our next door neighbor took care of me and another little girl on the street.  That was oh about 38 years ago.  This weekend we celebrated that special ladys 80th birthday.  Mamma Ozzie took care of me and Kitten (the other little girl on the street) from birth until about 4 years old.  She has been in our lives ever since. 

 Here we are (L to R) Howard, Mamma Ozzie, Uncle Jr., Kitten, Me

 Pa and Lee Hacker (Kitten's Daddy)  Mom has pictures of My Dad and Lee dancing around in hula skirts and coconut bras back in the day on Rhonda Crt. 

 Kitten, Mamma Ozzie and Me

 Old neighborhood friends. 

 This is my "reserved" son! NOT!

 Howard (I always called him Hoppy) and Archer

 Kitten and her family, Husband Michael and little girl Darby. (I'm kicking myself for not taking another picture, but I didn't realize this one was so blurred)

Kitten and Me.  She was my very first friend.  We didn't keep up with each other, but Mamma Ozzie kept up with each of us. Mamma Ozzie always updated the other on how we were doing.  So it didn't feel like 32 year since we had seen each other.