Popsicle!

Collins wanted a popsicle tonight...but after only a few licks she decided that she didn't like it. Guess who was happy to finish it off? Yep, little brother Holden. He thought it was yummy!

A Weekend to Remember

Todd and I were scheduled to attend a Family Life Weekend to Remember marriage conference this weekend in Sugarland, TX. My mom and dad had booked flights to come stay with the kids. That was the plan until Tuesday.

On Tuesday I received a call from my doctor and she told me that I had a large cystic mass/ tumor in my abdomen. It would require surgery and though it was likely benign, she wanted to make sure it wasn't ovarian cancer. After a good cry and taking time to pray that my fear would be replaced with trust, Todd and I began to work on a plan for surgery.

The Houston doctor was not available for surgery until July 31 and we didn't want to wait that long. My sister-in-law Nikki suggested a doctor in Fort Worth who specialized in gynecological oncology. Todd got in touch with Dr. Hancock and he said he could do the surgery on Friday. It seemed perfect - a doctor with just the right specialty, my parents already flying to Houston and surgery this week! 

So on Thursday morning Todd and I left Houston and drove to Fort Worth for my pre-op appointment. On Friday morning I had a CT scan, then we met with the doctor and my surgery was scheduled for 1:00 pm. The surgery went great and God gets all the glory for the details of this week. Dr. Hancock was able to do the entire surgery laparoscopically. This was amazing since I had thought I would have to be cut open and endure a long recovery similar to my c-sections. He removed the large cystic mass (it was 19 cm), tested it during the surgery and it was benign. Praise God! 

I spent one night in the hospital and checked out this morning. Right now I am resting in Fort Worth, but we will travel home tomorrow. Can't wait to see the kids and my parents. Once again we are so thankful for all the friends who rallied to help our family and prayed for my surgery and recovery. What a beautiful thing it is to be a part of the church!

Here are some photos of what the kids have been doing while we have been in Fort Worth. Boompah and the boys had fun playing croquet. Holden has quite a mullet going on in this picture!

KK sent me this picture Friday morning while she was making breakfast. Her caption read, "Waiting patiently for pancakes."

Thank you KK and Boompah for the new pencil sharpener!

Collins always has the best hairdo's when KK is in town. 

My mom sent me this picture of the boys right before I was headed into surgery. 

Todd and I did get some time together this weekend. We went out for dinner Thursday night with part of the Rapp family and then we took a long walk together that night.

We took this picture right before I checked into the hospital for my surgery. I couldn't eat or drink anything from midnight until after my surgery Friday afternoon. My sweet husband fasted with me just to show his support. I felt very loved by him.

Waiting on the nurses to wheel me down to the operating room. 

Blessington Farms

Todd was able to take the day off today so we took a family field trip to Blessington Farms in Katy, TX. The farm has lots of great activities and the kids enjoyed them all. We also picked berries! The farm grows strawberries, blueberries and blackberries and we love all three. Here is a sampling of our day.

Colton has been an excellent "smiler" in all of his recent photos. He was ready to pick some strawberries.

Connor at the measuring stick.

Holden really liked eating the blackberries right off the bush.

Hot, sweaty, but happy berry pickers. See Holden? He was reaching for more blackberries.

Looking for the best ones.

The farm had these great pedal cars that had room for the driver and a little passenger. Holden rode with me and with Hunter.

Carter said that Blessington Farms was one of the "funnest" things we have done. All that dirt on his shirt was from the slide. Carter purposely put extra dirt at the bottom of the slide so that he could go right through it on his way down.

Collins needed help with the pedal cars.

Holden with blackberry juice down his chin.

Filling up a bucket.

Bouncy horses.

Such a yummy harvest!

Holden and mom.

Collins rode on a pedal car with Todd.

Yep, Holden was still eating those blackberries.

The farm has 75,000 strawberry plants!

Ready to slide. Holden is probably thinking, "When can I get my hands on some of those blackberries?"

The boys practiced with a lasso as they tried to rope the steer heads.

Just a few more, please mom!

The blackberries looked like they were ready to burst!

New driver for Holden's ride.

At the end of our time at the farm it started to rain. Holden was a wet, happy, and berry-filled baby when we made it back to the car.

Learning to mow

Hunter has been learning to mow the grass. And yes, we do have an electric lawn mower. It is still weird to me that we have to plug in the lawn mower. Did I mention that a couple of weeks ago Todd was mowing the grass...while it was raining? I was praying that he wouldn't get electrocuted.

Chick-fil-A

Chick-fil-A was offering free ice cream on Thursday afternoon so we had to go! We went to the library first and checked out a wagon load of books and then stopped in for some ice "dream" sundaes.

Collins looks more grown-up in this picture!

Thank you Carter for your cooperation.

Collins

Last weekend Collins had complained that her head was hurting. She did seem better on Sunday, but as I was taking her to the bathroom I told her that I was going to pray for her head. (We have great converations while she is going potty because she usually wants me to sit with her to talk or sing.) Anyway, after I prayed I asked her how she was feeling. She said, "My head is feeling...(pause) perfectly!"

A Visit to Bullard

On our drive home we stopped to see the Bryant family. Their kids are grown, but Keith and Tanya are precious friends. The time with them was too short!

Photo of Connor courtesy of Collins.

Holden and Collins both really liked the Bryant's dog, Blue. He was so gentle with them. Holden would just crawl around the house and follow Blue wherever he went.

Super cute picture of Holden!

Time to head home to Houston. Collins refused to look at the camera for this picture.

Time in Branson

We loved seeing friends while we were in Branson this past weekend. We spent lots of time with the Engram family, but were able to connect with lots of others as well!

I met Judah Hampsch at Starbucks. Love this little guy and his whole family!

 We ate dinner at Pizza Hut. I think Colton looks like he owns this franchise.

Colton and Max with mustaches. One of the older boys commented that Max's mustache might be on upside down. Maybe....maybe not!

 Holden hitched a ride on Lincoln's stroller.

 The eight oldest boys lined up in birth order. Man, we miss these guys!

 Hunter and Hayden are quite a pair.

 Such a solid pyramid. Amy tried to convince Collins to climb on top, but she was NOT interested.

 Starting to fall...

 and there it goes!

 Two cute babies! Lincoln may walk before Holden, but Holden has him beat in the hair category. :)