Visiting Fort Wayne

This past weekend I took the kids on a road trip to Fort Wayne, IN to visit my sister and her family - she's outnumbered now 2 boys to 1 girl. The kids did really well on the drive and we made it in one piece. I can't say that we left the Kirklin household that way though - two toddlers get a little wound up while visiting family. Although, thinking about it most damage was done to the kids.....and the kitchen clock.

Matt took a tumble down the stairs (not surprising) because his sister kicked him down the stairs (slightly appalling) but it came back round to her through Vern (the biggest teddy bear dog around, think Clifford the big red dog) because Aubs was mostly terrified of him.

We went to the Fort Wayne Children's Zoo on Sunday afternoon and had a little adventure dodging rain in the imported jungles of the Indonesian rain forest. My little nephew is a trooper of a 4 month old, not one little peep out of him at the zoo - despite the initial heat, then down pour, then drizzle, then cold wind and rain that occurred. Overall, it was a good time and I'm glad we made it to the zoo. I'm also looking forward to going again sometime and seeing what we missed on this first trip - next time we have to take Daddy along!

It was great to go away for the weekend and we really enjoyed ourselves. Joe was a trooper toting us around all weekend and in usual witty Kirklin style gave me a chuckle with his "I feel like a polygamist" comment in Wendy's.
Thanks for letting us come and visit Kirklins - and give that cute baby lots of kisses and squeezes from us! (To see more of the cute baby click here)

The Pool is Open

The day we officially opened the pool the kids were VERY excited. They lined themselves up about 10 minutes before the appointed time of pool entry to wait for the anticipated moment. After Grandma gave the rules of play (most importantly to have fun) they were permitted to enter the pool and had a grand 'ole time.

Our kids are obviously the youngest of the bunch and they are BLESSED to have such loving older cousins. Aubree & Matt both were able to get in the pool with all the other kids because the older ones are so loving & responsible - they took turns being responsible for watching the little ones.

I also got in the pool with the kids....we played tag. I enjoy being a kid too.
You're it!
No I'm not!
You didn't get me!
Yes I did!
No tag backs!
No splashing!

Fashion Trends

This first photo is a day when Aubree was feeling like a lady. She had her pretty dress on and Mommy's high heels.

These next shots are on a day when she was feeling like something else. I was sorting through clothes and when she saw this hat come out of the hand-me-down tote it was love at first sight. She then picked the perfect accessories to complete her outfit. A pink jacket here and the green rain boots, fabulous! Then she came and told me she wanted to go outside, did I mention it was about 80 degrees out and she wasn't wearing any pants? Her mommy did not let her go outside like that. But of course I got the camera out!


Oh, she's a one of a kind and we're so happy God made her just the way she is.

Happy Father's Day!

Pools & Slip n Slides

Last Saturday we worked to level the ground at Mom & Dad G. 's to put in a swimming pool. It was a hot day so we set up the slip n slide for a couple runs and then we ran out of water pressure, but it was fun while it lasted. In the meantime we got the pool up and this week we intend to enjoy it!

Hand has been repaired.

The surgery went well. Scot's going to have a pretty cool scar I'm thinking, they had to extend the incision up Scot's thumb and then down towards his wrist. Just like rubber bands, when the tendons were cut they retracted in the opposite direction so the doctor had to go and locate both ends to repair them. He described Scot's tendons as being a little thinner than some and also said they frayed a little on the ends like cut rope would. So, the needed stitching was done to hold them back together.
Scot had an anesthetic block on his arm done to make it numb for the procedure. His arm is still pretty numb right now but he is starting to get a little feeling back. I'm sure the pain will start to set in tonight but don't worry, he has some strong pain medication to take!
His arm is pretty bandaged up but what is showing is bright orange from the iodine used during the surgery....and I think it is that iodine that also has a funny smell to it. Looking forward to the day we can wash that away!!
We are very thankful for all the support and help from our families - we are so blessed to have you all!
I think that's it for tonight's update. Thanks for all your prayers.

Surgery Tomorrow!

Scot will be going in for surgery tomorrow at 12:30pm. The hand specialist will be repairing the 2 tendons he has apparently cut. The doctor is very optimistic that when all is done & healed he should have just about all mobility back in his thumb. It's going to be a long road of healing ahead though.....
1.5 hr surgery
1 week bandaged up
6 weeks in a splint
3 months of therapy

A summer to remember.

Injuries happen.

Once again a hand injury has occurred in our family. This time a glass globe from a light fixture broke and sliced Scot's right hand....not a long cut...just precise. He cut the tendon on the back of his thumb and now he can't lift his thumb up. They stitched and splinted him in the ER yesterday and he is waiting for his appt with the Hand Specialist on Thursday. He's going to need surgery to repair the tendon.
We are praying for a successful repair and full mobility in his thumb when he gets healed up. It's a pretty humbling experience to be put in a situation where normal activities are no longer achieved without some help.
I'm used to little feet needing help with socks & shoes....Scot's feet seem shockingly large when trying to put on a sock.