An Easter to Remember!

 Our Easter weekend had an abundance of family, festivities, food and fun.  The kids were so excited this year to take part in all things Easter.   We began our celebration by coloring eggs on Saturday morning.  I gave the kids free reign to design their eggs anyway they wanted.

Max kept saying, "These eggs are like, beautiful."  He still prefers going shirtless anytime he can.

 They did a little jig while we were waiting for the eggs to dry.

 Max took great care painting each of his eggs.

 Hank decided to take his time and utilize all the different mediums I bought.  

 Here is the beautiful finished product.

 Later that day, we went to Chris and Missie's for the grandest Easter egg hunt in Utah County.  They always go over the top but this year seemed to be even more out of control.  The kids had a blast.

 They even indulged all of us with a picture in their bunny masks.

 Max was so excited to find CANDY at every turn.

 Hank was such a good sport about having to take it easy on the candy consumption this year.  It's really not an ideal holiday to have diabetes.

He woke up on Easter morning at 6 A.M. so excited to see if the Easter bunny came.  He patiently waited until 7:30 for Max to wake up.

 Not only did the Easter bunny come but he left several clues that lead the boys on a wild hunt around our house for their baskets.

 Hank was pumped to find surprises at every clue.

 Max took a minute to warm up to the idea.  

 Hank and Max wildly ran around our house and found their baskets hiding in my closet.  After we got dressed for the day, my mom and dad had us over for a delicious Easter lunch in their newly remodeled dining room.

 Here's a look at Crusher, growing and growing.  My darling little family.

 My sweet mom spoiled the kids with DVD's.

Hank and four beautiful ladies

 The highlight of the day for the kids was rolling their eggs down the mountainside.  I take full credit for giving them the idea.  It was always a tradition for us growing up.

 Hank was a little torn because he really loved his decorated eggs.  He soon parted with them and before long the kids were out of eggs.

 These two came to the rescue and colored more eggs the kids could chuck down the hill.

 Jack awoke from his slumber and was anxious to join his cousins.

 Max loved throwing the yoke at everyone.

 A little game of monkey in the middle.

 Hank and Isabel struck this pose without any prompting from me..so amazing.  You can't see very good but Hank is holding a football in his right hand ready to launch.

 Jack immediately starts pointing when he see's Randy.

 Max tried to take part in a game of football but got hot, hence the shirtless look, and decided to play swords with anyone who would hold a stick.

 Grandpa Curt was the first victim.

 Kate turned into a formidable opponent.

 When she teamed up with Grandma Jackie, they conquered.

 This face...it's too much!

Hank had a blast playing football with his cousins.  My parents backyard is the ultimate playground.  

It was a perfect day in every way.  The kids both fell asleep in the car on the way home and were out for the night at 6:30.  Thank you again, mom and dad, for creating such a relaxed, enjoyable day.

 I had to capture just how tough my little Hank-man is.  After a month of diabetes, I figure he has had at least 125 shots and close to 250 finger pokes.  He is doing so well with all of this.  I am so proud of him.

Crusher

The boys decided the baby in my tummy should be called Crusher about a month ago and I'm afraid they are going to be utterly disappointed when that isn't his actual name!  I have a feeling this little angel is going to be far from a "crusher".  I can just tell he has such a kind, and patient personality.

 See what I mean?  How precious is that profile?  Oh yes...and I forgot, there is no question he is a BOY!

 Randy, Hank, and Max came with me and they were overjoyed to see "peanuts".  Hank was so interested in every image and asked lots of questions.  He wants to hang all the pictures up in his room.  He thought the shot of his femur bone was his wiener at first and was amazed!  The most important thing is that the baby is healthy and growing right on schedule.  Hopefully my stress level this past month isn't harming him too much. 

 I have been an emotional wreck today.  I just break down every time I look at these precious boys of mine.  They are so amazing in every way and they are counting on me to take care of them and protect them.  I am overwhelmed with the love I feel for all three of them.  I just hope and pray I can be the mother they need and deserve.  This picture is from this weekend on our impromptu get-a-way to Salt Lake City.  Randy surprised us with 2 night stay at the Little America Hotel.  The kids loved riding Trax to the movie.  We saw the movie Rio, which I highly recommend.  After that, Max insisted on being called Nigel (the villain bird) for the rest of the trip. 

 The boys enjoyed the swimming pool at the Grand America Hotel while I enjoyed a luxurious pregnancy massage and pedicure. We quickly discovered traveling with a diabetic child is a whole new experience.  As much as I loved to escape from reality, there is just some reality you can't run away from.

Hank has been such a good sport through all of this.  He continues to roll with all the punches diabetes throws at him.  It's a lot to handle right now but thankfully I'm not alone.  I have the most amazing husband ever, right by my side every step of the way.  As long as we have each other, we can handle any obstacle that comes in our path.  We have no choice, these adorable boys are counting on us.  Now I need to stop crying...sheeesh!

Leonardo

 If you haven't been around Max in the past 2 weeks you may not know of his recent passion for Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles.  It started when he found an old DVD I bought Hank at least 3 years ago.  He was mesmerized by the turtles and immediately insisted his name wasn't Max but Leonardo or Blue Guy. 

 If I happened to call him Max, he quickly corrected me by saying "I'm not Max".  Sometimes he would just completely ignore me if I said the wrong name.  He also refuses to wear a shirt because ninja turtles don't wear shirts...duh.  The only sword-like weapon we have around the house is a light saber so he insists on carrying it everywhere.

 Not only was he Leonardo, but Randy was Michelangelo or Yellow Guy, I was Donatello or Purple Guy, Sarah was Raphael, and Hank was too cool to have a ninja turtle identity.  He wouldn't call me mom, even in the middle of the night.  I would hear him yelling, "Donatello!". 

After weeks of this I started getting used to calling him Leo until he woke up this morning and decided to be just Max again.  I am now mom again, and Randy is dad.  I wonder what character I will be next.  I was princess Leah, Randy was the emperor, Hank was Darth Vader, and Max was Darth Maul only a few weeks ago.  He still insists that Jack be called Jawa and calls Sarah Yoda most of the time.  He can role play with the best of them!  Hang out with Max for a few days and he'll come up with a genius name for you too.

Finally, an update!

Hank is approaching week 3 of his new life with diabetes and it has been quite a roller coaster of emotions.  I uploaded some old pictures before his diagnosis and it seems like a life time ago.  I never could have expected what was to come in these pictures but I suppose that is life.  You just never know what challenge is going to be throw at you and when it's going to happen.

 

This picture was taken about a month ago at the Taekwondo tournament from hell.  We started the day off with good spirits, nervous stomachs, and excitement.  But after nearly 7 hours of waiting around for the most disorganized event I've ever been to, this is how we all felt...

Hank wins the prize for the most patient 6 year old ever.  Our family takes a close 2nd.  He participated in two events.  He did his pomsae first and didn't make one mistake.  He was in a really competitive division and got 4th place.

 

He has nerves of steel, unlike his mother.  The pressure didn't get to him one bit.

 

Next was his board breaking event.  He broke 4 boards with ease, even though he had to wait 2 hours to do it.  A third place trophy was his reward and he was less than thrilled. He really loves to win.  I wonder where he gets that from?

 

 

He had numerous supporters throughout the day.  Kunz, Colby, Dyson, Sarah, Jack, Grandpa Griff, Karen, these lovely ladies, and of course his #1 fan Max.

Only a short week after this picture was taken we were given the diabetes diagnosis.  After our 3 day stay at Primary Children's Hospital, Randy and I were on our own.  Hank has been such a good sport through all of this.  He had to come to grips with the fact that the shots continued after the hospital.  My heart just breaks for him.  Most of the time he just rolls with the punches but he has moments of feeling like this is extremely unfair, which it is.  We've had to make a few changes to the way we eat around here but they are much healthier changes and will benefit us all.  One day at a time is my motto.  I can't think any further ahead than that. Max is probably having the hardest time adjusting to all of this.

 

 

This picture captures his mood perfectly.  He has been a bit more challenging than usual.  Hank is getting most of Randy and my attention and poor Mino is feeling pretty left out.  I am really struggling to find balance in my life.  Everything seems extremely chaotic and emotional.  Being 5 months pregnant on top of it all certainly doesn't help.  I've also taken a temporary leave from my job which in all reality will become a permanent thing.  I am feeling a bit sad about having to quit my job so abruptly but my family needs me home more than ever right now.  It really wasn't a hard decision to make but I will certainly miss it. 

 

Max really loves his brother though, and Hank always requests to hold his hand when he gets his shots.

  

 

We've really tried hard to keep things as normal as possible for Hank.  He wanted to go to school the day after we got home from the hospital.  His class was very concerned and interested in what was going on with their buddy Hank.  I did a small presentation for the class, describing what diabetes is and Hank really wanted to show everyone how he checks his blood sugar.  He participated in their class talent show and everyone was impressed as he shattered 3 boards with no problem.  He played in his soccer game with the same energy and intensity as ever, and was totally happy to get his blood checked anytime I asked.

  He almost made a goal from mid-field!

We spent the day with Grandma Jackie on her birthday and Hank loved showing the entire family how brave he is when he gets his shots.

He has some amazing little cousins who absolutely adore him and look out for him always.  Four of them attend his same elementary school so that is comforting to me.  Things are easier this week than they were last week and I know it will continue to be that way for us.  Hank has inspired our entire family with the way he is handling all of this.  I am more certain than ever that with my amazing family behind me, I can handle anything.  We are so lucky to have so much support.  I find so much strength from all of you.  

In other news, the little baby I'm carrying is getting bigger and bigger.  Finally my sickness is easing up and I am starting to get some energy back.  I am feeling him move now and we are all getting so excited for a new little one to join our crazy family.  We find out for sure the sex next week but the doctor and I are fairly confident another boy is on the way!