We are here! Just hectic! Both girls are doing amazing!! Randi had an ear infection, but a few days on antibiotics and she is back to herself! Kayden has started dance class (ballet and tap) and LOVES it! Oh, it's so cute! Randi is weighing just about 31 pounds! Kayden is not far behind at about 26!

4th of July was a blast! The girls swam ALL day! Plus, we rented a inflatable slip n slide and they loved it! Kayden is a true water girl! She isn't scared of the water AT ALL... She jumped off the diving board...twice.... Randi said, "I don't want to try that"... hehe...

Randi has taken to eating.. I know.. It's yet, another miracle.. She ate popcorn chicken and rice for dinner.. Then a cookie, then half a peanut butter and JELLY sandwich then carrots... It's amazing to see her eat and not have to yell and threaten her to do it!

Our Minnesota trip is quickly approaching! I have lost 10 pounds and plan on at LEAST 5 more by the time we go! Derek and I have been exercising religiously again.. It feels great... We both kinda fell out of it and are trying out best to get back to the fitness we had a few years ago...

Once we get back from Minnesota I am going to make it my plan to get the girls to church every Sunday... Looking back, it was always a huge part of my life.. I knew my God and I knew I could always turn to him and it helped to shape my moral background, etc... I want the same for the girls.. I want them to know their maker and know who is solely responsible for them being here with us..

Anyways... I am off to get two rambunctious girls to bed...

"You reach into the weakest moments and remind me that I am strong....Everyone calls you amazing, I just call you mine..."

Anniversary..

Today I picked up my anniversary gift... Well, my first gift was new diamond earrings...My second...... (with my center stone-)... Thank you, pookie...

Heart of a Champion

Randi had her gymnastics performance today! She did awesome! A big suprise was when they were telling about the "heart of a champion award" they were giving to one person in each level... It goes to the person with the most improvement and dedication... And Randi won it! She was SO excited!!!!!! She hasn't put the trophy down or stopped talking about it or her medal that she got all day! I was so proud of her that I was crying... My little girl...

Five Years...

June 12, 2004 I was married to the man of my dreams.
June 12, 2009 we are celebrating 5 years of marriage!

In five years, we have grown tremendously, both as individuals and most importantly as a couple.

As a couple in the past five years we have been faced and tried with more than we ever dreamed we could handle.

We have been through two high risk, frightening pregnancies. We have been through two dramatic births of two beautiful premature little girls.

We have been tested to the core in our love for each other.

We have spent our share of sleepless nights wondering what the next morning would hold for our relationship.

We have found ourselves asking, "why us?".. Why us, again?... It's just not fair..

Derek, in five years you have taught me so much about myself and so much about what is in store for us. I can't imagine having walked the path I have walked with anyone else by my side but you. You are an amazing man and I am so proud that you are my husband, and my best friend.
I love you because you are so strong, I love you because you can make me smile, I love you because you make me laugh, I love you because of your undying, PASSIONATE love for me.. I love you for making me feel beautiful even when I feel like a fat cow..I love you for being an amazing father to our girls.. I love you for everything that you do for our family.. I love you just for you..
Thank You, Derek Sykes, for an amazing five years and I look forward to all the years ahead...

"It's in the way that you move me and the way that you tease me, the way that I want you tonight, It's in the way that you hold me, and the way that you know me, and when I can't find the right words to say, you feel it in the way...."

Recitals, Birthdays, Parks, Oh my...

Happy Birthday, Baby..

Kayden Ann, it was 2 years ago today that you came bursting into the world.. At an astounding almost 12 weeks early. The day you were born is etched so clearly in my mind and I never want to forget it. You are my baby and you and your sister remind me every day that I am forever blessed. I am forever grateful..

I was just looking through for your pictures to post and it made me cry to see how much you have grown up in the past year. I would love to hold you and cuddle with you and have you be my "baby" forever.. It scares me to think that what everyone says, "Enjoy it because it flies by" is true!!

You are so much fun and can always make me laugh... I love you more than you'll ever know...


Happy 2nd Birthday, baby girl.

2 years...

It all may sound so redundant to you all... But we are again just about on the 2 year anniversary of my hospitalization with Kayden Ann...

2 days before I was admitted I remember crying to my Mom... "It's not fair.. Why can't this just be normal?!?" Then, leaving Dr. S office after my first set of steroid shots and crying to Derek, "We can't have a 28 weeker... Do you know the difference between 28 weeks and 31, like Randi?"...

My doctor's goal for me at the start of the pregnancy was 34 weeks... At 24 weeks her goal was 28 weeks... We made it to 28 weeks-- then to 29... God heard our prayers..

I will never forget the feeling I had when she was born... Every Mom just waits for a cry... We never heard a cry.. Ever... My heart sank thinking she was put on the vent immediately... But again, God heard our prayers.. She NEVER went on the vent..Praise God..

So, there I sat again.. June 3..humbled by God's work..

And still, my girls are 4 and 2... I see a pregnant woman and my heart skips a beat.. I wish that it could of been me.. That I didn't spend most of my pregnancies stressing and in bed.. But, I am thankful of the outcome..

At my last GYN appt, the Dr. reminded me how important it is for me to NOT get pregnant again.. How dangerous it is..

I always hope that maybe she will change her mind.. But I caused her plenty of sleepless nights-- so I doubt she will... But, it doesn't hurt to hope.. : )

Anyways, to my sweet Kayden Ann.... We love you more than you will ever know.. You are my 29 week miracle who outweighed her 31 week miracle sister! You are almost 2 and you are full of feist! You still almost out weigh your sister and you can defenitley out eat her.. You run, jump, count, sing, dance, pick on Randi, and do everything a 2 year old is supposed to do! I thank God every day for you and I love that you are a Mama's girl... I wish I could keep you pint size for ever.. You are such a joy... I love you....