Well, I think it would be safe to say that this poor blog hasn't had any love or attention for about 6 weeks! :( So sorry about that kids, but let's just say life with two young ones at home certainly has created some obstacles! Don't get me wrong, they are totally worth it, but with the hubby's schedule and the amount of meetings that have been crammed into the first 5 weeks of school, I feel a little overwhelmed! I know all of you want recent pictures of the kids, but tonight is just not going to be it. It's 8:23 and I have yet to eat dinner and we are working on getting the lil' man asleep. Speaking of which, here are our Top 10 Happenings in the Brinkmeyer Household since last updating!
10. Kendyn is now on the move, and has been for about 2 weeks! He is a little scooter and kind of does a leap frog action when wanting to move. Every now and then, he will crawl, but he is finding it faster and more efficient to "hop"!!
9. Kayin is our lil' ballerina! She started dance the end of August and beams every time she walks onto that dance floor. We are fortunate enough to also have two of her friends from daycare there on the same night! She has caught on to the steps rather quickly!
8. Husker football has officially started and schlepping two children downtown to tailgate and watch the "Big Red Band" has been quite a daunting task. However, to see the smile on her face and excitement when she hears them coming down that street is priceless!
7. Speaking of Huskers...her theme request for her 5th birthday...HUSKERS!!! (And no, it doesn't seem possible that she will be turning 5)!!!
6. Kayin also started Preschool! She was accepted into the Peer Model program at Prescott for the hearing impaired program. When I tell people this, they give me quite the eye because she is far from being hard of hearing. But when I explain to them that children are recommended due to their language development and vocabulary skills, they understand how and why she is in the program. She loves school and I try not to be that "helicopter" mom always wanting to check in with her teacher! The first couple of weeks were hard, and we narrowed it down to the bus ride after school, but now, that's all she talks about!
5. School is underway and in FULL force! I feel like I have been in my classroom for more than a month (I have with summer school) but not with all the same kids. Last year I co-taught but this year, I thoroughly am enjoying my own room again...but it is kind of hard to get adjusted back to not having to worry about doing activities or planning without "okaying" it with someone else.
4. Fall is right around the corner and I CAN'T WAIT!!! I enjoy summer, but I am more than ready for cooler temperatures!
3-2-1. I know, I am kind of cheating here, but these last three are biggies!
Yesterday marked the one year anniversary where my grandmother was admitted to St. E's...on Grandparent's Day...and our lives were changed forever.
It was 4 days after her second amputation...I won't forget that day...Kayin, myself, my brother, and his wife headed up to Madonna to visit with Grandma and when we got there, a good family friend was there and met us in the hallway and said things weren't good...and they weren't.
I won't forget how she looked when we went into the room...so still and extremely jaundice. I spoke with the on-call physician at Madonna and they had made the call to send her to the ER at St. E's. I made the call to my mom and things then suddenly were a blur.
Luckily, I was able to find someone to come and get Kayin and I headed to the hospital with her. All I wanted to do was hold my grandmother's hand and tell her it was going to be okay. After all the family had gotten there, we periodically took turns in her temporary room in the ER.
The next few hours were a little hazy, and I am not sure if family headed to a hotel, home, or what....but I was in the room with her when the ER doctor said she was heading for an ultrasound, she looked at me, grabbed my hand, and wanted me to go. That was a pivotal moment for me...seeing her wince in pain and grimace during the ultrasound. The tech soon realized that I had somewhat of a medical background due to all the questions I was asking.
When we found out they were admitting her, my sister in law and I headed back to Madonna to gather up her cards, flowers, and few belongings she had, one of which was her security blanket. That night, my brother, my sister-in-law and I were there by her side when they moved her to her room. I remember covering her with her security blanket, leaving for home, and crying all the way. (I could type more, but I still haven't eaten and Kayin isn't in bed...I'll finish more next week and have a box of kleenex's by the computer)!
Kayin and I got extremely close with her during her 9 month stay at Madonna Rehabilitation Hospital fall of 2009-Early summer 2010. There wasn't a day that went by when we didn't stop and see her (how could we not, we only live about 5 blocks from there)! Of course, there were times when she would tell me that I should not have come and have our little girl out in the "that kind of weather" but deep down, I knew that she enjoyed those visits just as much as Kayin did.
Tuesday, September 13, 2011
Tuesday, August 2, 2011
10 on Tuesday
I am trying to get back into the routine of things, especially with school starting in about two weeks (although I feel like I have been back full time since I started teaching EdVenture on July 11th). So, here is the 10 on Tuesday for today!! Enjoy!!
10. My 3 page school "To-Do" list has slowly been shrinking and on Friday, it finally could fit all on ONE...yes folks, 1 page!! I can't tell you how excited I am that it has finally happened and I am feeling pretty good about it!
9. With that being said, I am having so much fun decorating and putting things together for my room! Last year, I co-taught (which was a good experience) but was ready to have my own room again. Although, i do feel like I am a new teacher in Kindergarten!!
8. On July 21nd, my brother and his wife welcomed Jack Wayne!! He is absolutely ADORABLE and we are so happy he is here (finally)!!
7. Kendyn LOVES his exersaucer!! I was a little lenient to put him in it at first, but once he got the hang of it (and with his BIG sister's help), all he wanted to do was play with the gidgets and gadgets on there!
6. I don't know about anybody else, but this HEAT has got to go!! I like hot, but when you add the humidity it takes your breath away when you open a door to go anywhere! My first round of beans didn't do so well, I think we might have had fresh green beans three times and then they were done (it could have been a combo of not watering the three days I was out for the surgery and the heat). So, I planted another round this past weekend and am hoping they do well because there is nothing like fresh green beans from the garden!
5. Speaking of garden, my friend and I had grand plans for planting a garden and I feel like I have not helped much...between her being pregnant, me having a newborn, and this heat, we will be lucky to get everything we planted. However, I was able to make some fresh bruschetta with tomatoes and basil from the garden and it was YUMMY!! I also picked something last week when I worked in it and have NO IDEA what it is!! I am tempted to take it in to Earl May and have them help me figure out what it is...my guess is that it is some sort of squash!
4. This is priceless...don't you think? Kayin loves to read to her brother and he is entranced with all the books she reads him...even the princess ones!
3. I am recovering well from the surgery, but have realized that my body has gone through two major surgeries in 6 months time. I am trying to take it slow and not overdo it because Lord knows I don't want to have something like this recent ER trip happen any time soon!
2. I get to meet the rest of my NEW BIG Kindergarteners this week at family meetings! I have been teaching EdVenture and 6 out of my 19 kiddos have been attending so I am looking forward to getting to meet the rest of them!
1. I hope everyone is sitting down...our little BIG girl will be starting Preschool in two weeks! Kayin will be a peer model in the hearing impaired program at Prescott!!! The program seeks out one or two individuals with a high vocabulary and language development beyond most of their peers. She was recommended by the teacher last year after she had met her on different ocassions. She had asked me if I had thought about it, and really, we hadn't. Kayin's daycare provider, "M" does such a great job with the kids that she already knows all of her letters, a majority of their sounds, can count 100+, write her name, knows some two letter sight words, and is inquisitive beyond what we would have ever imagined! But, the teacher background in me knows how important it is to have some school experience prior to entering Kindergarten. Although we are excited, it means that our little girl, isn't "little" anymore!!
10. My 3 page school "To-Do" list has slowly been shrinking and on Friday, it finally could fit all on ONE...yes folks, 1 page!! I can't tell you how excited I am that it has finally happened and I am feeling pretty good about it!
9. With that being said, I am having so much fun decorating and putting things together for my room! Last year, I co-taught (which was a good experience) but was ready to have my own room again. Although, i do feel like I am a new teacher in Kindergarten!!
8. On July 21nd, my brother and his wife welcomed Jack Wayne!! He is absolutely ADORABLE and we are so happy he is here (finally)!!
7. Kendyn LOVES his exersaucer!! I was a little lenient to put him in it at first, but once he got the hang of it (and with his BIG sister's help), all he wanted to do was play with the gidgets and gadgets on there!
6. I don't know about anybody else, but this HEAT has got to go!! I like hot, but when you add the humidity it takes your breath away when you open a door to go anywhere! My first round of beans didn't do so well, I think we might have had fresh green beans three times and then they were done (it could have been a combo of not watering the three days I was out for the surgery and the heat). So, I planted another round this past weekend and am hoping they do well because there is nothing like fresh green beans from the garden!5. Speaking of garden, my friend and I had grand plans for planting a garden and I feel like I have not helped much...between her being pregnant, me having a newborn, and this heat, we will be lucky to get everything we planted. However, I was able to make some fresh bruschetta with tomatoes and basil from the garden and it was YUMMY!! I also picked something last week when I worked in it and have NO IDEA what it is!! I am tempted to take it in to Earl May and have them help me figure out what it is...my guess is that it is some sort of squash!
4. This is priceless...don't you think? Kayin loves to read to her brother and he is entranced with all the books she reads him...even the princess ones!
3. I am recovering well from the surgery, but have realized that my body has gone through two major surgeries in 6 months time. I am trying to take it slow and not overdo it because Lord knows I don't want to have something like this recent ER trip happen any time soon!2. I get to meet the rest of my NEW BIG Kindergarteners this week at family meetings! I have been teaching EdVenture and 6 out of my 19 kiddos have been attending so I am looking forward to getting to meet the rest of them!
1. I hope everyone is sitting down...our little BIG girl will be starting Preschool in two weeks! Kayin will be a peer model in the hearing impaired program at Prescott!!! The program seeks out one or two individuals with a high vocabulary and language development beyond most of their peers. She was recommended by the teacher last year after she had met her on different ocassions. She had asked me if I had thought about it, and really, we hadn't. Kayin's daycare provider, "M" does such a great job with the kids that she already knows all of her letters, a majority of their sounds, can count 100+, write her name, knows some two letter sight words, and is inquisitive beyond what we would have ever imagined! But, the teacher background in me knows how important it is to have some school experience prior to entering Kindergarten. Although we are excited, it means that our little girl, isn't "little" anymore!!
Friday, July 22, 2011
5 Months
What a whirlwind it has been the past week! I was hoping to upload pictures today as I am sitting in my quiet house (explanation later), but the computer is being funny. So, maybe tomorrow!! But, I will give you a the scoop on what's been happening at the Brinkmeyer household this past week!
First and foremost, today Kendyn turned 5 months old...ALREADY!!! I know, it seems just like yesterday I was going in for our scheduled c-section and welcoming him into our lives. He has brought so much joy and laughter that having two really makes us feel "complete" (although I keep telling Justin I wouldn't mind just one more)! He really changes from day to day and he has grown up so fast! Among other things, he LOVES to laugh, smile, play peek-a-boo with his sister (the other day when we were coming back from Grand Island both of them got to giggling so hard tears were rolling down their faces), eat his toes, roll over, cuddle with his "lovey", and interact with anyone that comes in contact with him. One thing that he despises, which we learned real quick on our vacation, is being in his car seat. One would think that the motion of the car would put a baby in a sleep transe...nope, not him! I told my hubby that if we were going to do a long road trip again in a car we may need to look at getting a van where we can be more mobile and accessible to the kids (and I am kind of ready for a mom-van anyways)!
So, back to the "whirlwind" of the week...it all started on Friday evening (and in retrospect, if I think back, it probably has been going on for awhile just never put two and two together).
Friday night was our Prescott Summer Festival and about half-way through the festivities I wasn't feeling good. The past couple of weeks, any time I ate, I had a tummy ache (which I thought was either an ulcer or heartburn...oh how I was WRONG)!!! Well, Friday night came and went with the pain continuing and waking up Saturday morning, I thought I was coming down with the flu. Justin headed to work, leaving me behind with the kids. Around 10:30 I was in so much pain I could barely walk, hold Kendyn, sit, nothing felt comfortable.
I broke down and called the hubby around 11:45 and told him that I needed him to come home because I thought this may cause for a trip to the ER. So, I made a call to my OB and talked with the doc on call...his thought was maybe a hernia (since exactly two years ago on our anniversary, the 16th of July, I had exploratory surgery of my abdomen and with the recent c-section, probably could be it) and suggested I head to the ER. What??!! Again??!! There must be something about July 16th that my body just does not agree with!!
Luckily we have a great friend here who came and rescued us around 2:00 to sit with the kids while we headed there and gradually, as you would think, the pain continued to get worse and worse. I give a shout-out to the BRYAN LGH ER staff because they were wonderful and got me checked in right away, had the on-call doc come in and look and if his eyes could tell a story, pretty sure they would. He looked at Justin and verbatum asked him, "Has your wife's belly button always been this big and purplish/blue looking?!" Needless to say, both of us weren't sure what to say (because it really is a body part that I don't look at because quite frankly, after having two children and two c-sections, it's kinda hard to see)! With that being said, Justin and I talked and I told him to head back to work because who knew how long it would be before things started rolling and happening (this was about 4:00).
Well, after having to drink the lovely contrast liquid for a CT scan, the ER doc on-call making a phone call, I went in for emergency surgery for an incarcerated/strangled hernia at 6:45!!! Unfortunately, Justin and the kids didn't make it to the hospital in time to see me off and give me kisses (which was probably the hardest part)! I lost it in the operating room when they told me he had just gotten there and would see me after I woke up. I asked if he could at least come back and give me a kiss....it was our anniversary, for goodness sake. But, wasn't going to happen.
So, after two nights in the hospital, being scolded by the ER doc for waiting this long (I guess it could have turned out to be a ruptured hernia if I had waited any longer), no more than Ibuprofen 800 for pain meds, not being able to work at summer school for a week, my gracious coustins taking the kids in the morning so I can rest....I am home and doing well...although I do feel like I have had another c-section!
First and foremost, today Kendyn turned 5 months old...ALREADY!!! I know, it seems just like yesterday I was going in for our scheduled c-section and welcoming him into our lives. He has brought so much joy and laughter that having two really makes us feel "complete" (although I keep telling Justin I wouldn't mind just one more)! He really changes from day to day and he has grown up so fast! Among other things, he LOVES to laugh, smile, play peek-a-boo with his sister (the other day when we were coming back from Grand Island both of them got to giggling so hard tears were rolling down their faces), eat his toes, roll over, cuddle with his "lovey", and interact with anyone that comes in contact with him. One thing that he despises, which we learned real quick on our vacation, is being in his car seat. One would think that the motion of the car would put a baby in a sleep transe...nope, not him! I told my hubby that if we were going to do a long road trip again in a car we may need to look at getting a van where we can be more mobile and accessible to the kids (and I am kind of ready for a mom-van anyways)!
So, back to the "whirlwind" of the week...it all started on Friday evening (and in retrospect, if I think back, it probably has been going on for awhile just never put two and two together).
Friday night was our Prescott Summer Festival and about half-way through the festivities I wasn't feeling good. The past couple of weeks, any time I ate, I had a tummy ache (which I thought was either an ulcer or heartburn...oh how I was WRONG)!!! Well, Friday night came and went with the pain continuing and waking up Saturday morning, I thought I was coming down with the flu. Justin headed to work, leaving me behind with the kids. Around 10:30 I was in so much pain I could barely walk, hold Kendyn, sit, nothing felt comfortable.
I broke down and called the hubby around 11:45 and told him that I needed him to come home because I thought this may cause for a trip to the ER. So, I made a call to my OB and talked with the doc on call...his thought was maybe a hernia (since exactly two years ago on our anniversary, the 16th of July, I had exploratory surgery of my abdomen and with the recent c-section, probably could be it) and suggested I head to the ER. What??!! Again??!! There must be something about July 16th that my body just does not agree with!!
Luckily we have a great friend here who came and rescued us around 2:00 to sit with the kids while we headed there and gradually, as you would think, the pain continued to get worse and worse. I give a shout-out to the BRYAN LGH ER staff because they were wonderful and got me checked in right away, had the on-call doc come in and look and if his eyes could tell a story, pretty sure they would. He looked at Justin and verbatum asked him, "Has your wife's belly button always been this big and purplish/blue looking?!" Needless to say, both of us weren't sure what to say (because it really is a body part that I don't look at because quite frankly, after having two children and two c-sections, it's kinda hard to see)! With that being said, Justin and I talked and I told him to head back to work because who knew how long it would be before things started rolling and happening (this was about 4:00).
Well, after having to drink the lovely contrast liquid for a CT scan, the ER doc on-call making a phone call, I went in for emergency surgery for an incarcerated/strangled hernia at 6:45!!! Unfortunately, Justin and the kids didn't make it to the hospital in time to see me off and give me kisses (which was probably the hardest part)! I lost it in the operating room when they told me he had just gotten there and would see me after I woke up. I asked if he could at least come back and give me a kiss....it was our anniversary, for goodness sake. But, wasn't going to happen.
So, after two nights in the hospital, being scolded by the ER doc for waiting this long (I guess it could have turned out to be a ruptured hernia if I had waited any longer), no more than Ibuprofen 800 for pain meds, not being able to work at summer school for a week, my gracious coustins taking the kids in the morning so I can rest....I am home and doing well...although I do feel like I have had another c-section!
Saturday, July 9, 2011
What A Week!!!
Here are some random shots from vacation. I am too tired to take the time to organize and comment on every picture tonight...fussy baby who is teething and trying to unpack are the priority right now (as well as preparing myself for teaching 4 weeks of summer school starting Monday). When I get a chance later this week, I will post more pictures with details. These are just a few of the week's events! :) Enjoy!
Tuesday, June 28, 2011
10 On Tuesday
Hopefully this post will "post" on Tuesday...it's 11:29 so I have 30 minutes!
10. This weekend Kendyn was baptized...here are some of the pictures!
We had to wake Kendyn up a little so he knew what was going on...but right after I had woken him up, he went back to sleep!
My grandfather was able to make the service. Oh how it has changed since Kayin was baptized 3 years ago. Both sets were able to make it...sadly, both grandmothers (Kendyn's namesakes) were watching from up above and my other grandfather is not able to be mobile as easily as he used to be.
Aunt Maggie givin' Kendyn some love!
Nana & Papa
Grandma & Grandpa
GodParents Josh and Maggie will be welcoming their little boy soon!! 
GodParents John and Audra will be welcoming their little girl soon!! Don't you just love that smile on Kendyn?! 
Our family with Pastor Sheri...it was kind of neat! We had Kayin baptized at this same church when we first moved here and a lot of the congregation commented on how much she continues to grow and how much Kendyn looks like her! 
Auntie Char came all the way from North Carolina!! Again, don't you just love that face?!
9. This weekend was filled with lots of events! We started out by having a little get together for my parents' birthdays, followed by my sister-in-law's baby shower, and finishing out the weekend with Kendyn's baptism. Justin's parents were able to fly out for the event and took the kids to the hotel for awhile...Kendyn couldn't get enough of the water! He loves to swim!! 
8. And here is our other little waterbug swimming with Grandpa. She still is a little worried to go under the water but if she had floaties or a life jacket on, pretty sure she would want to be in the water all day and by herself (miss little independent)! 
7. This sequence of pictures captures the many faces of Kendyn...one minute he can be laughing and smiling... 
...and the next minute something has him scared and he is crying! 
6. Who can resist this little face? He turned 4 months on the 22nd of June, ALREADY, and has grown up so fast! He can roll over (has completely rolled over twice, but isn't sure he likes doing it), can pull himself up on his hands when having tummy time, eat his toes (this is a favorite of his now that he is teething), if holding your hands, can lift up his head and go from a sitting to standing position! We have a feeling he may be a fast crawler and in no time, be walking! This morning, during tummy time, he lift his bottom like he was getting ready to crawl! 
5. We are ready for VACATION!!4. Speaking of vacation, after summer school training last week, I will probably have to spend some time "working on school stuff"...whoever claims that teachers still get 3 months off in the summer, well, I would like to see their proof of that claim!
3. I am running out of things to say and it is now 12:04...
2. I have to take Justin to work in the morning at 7:30...
1. Hence, why I am going to sign off now!
Monday, June 13, 2011
10 on Tuesday (okay, I know it's early, but tomorrow is going to be BUSY)!
I know I am a day early, but I know some of you have been requesting a new post filled with pictures. So, here is my 10 on Tuesday on Monday night! :) Tomorrow is going to be too busy to try and squeeze one in! :)
Today we were fortunate to utilize Justin's day off and take some family pictures! I will start with the last one of the day that we took...both of the kids were at their breaking point and were done!! I am not going to put all of them up (there were about 157 to choose from) and needless to say, it was hard to narrow it down!
10. I love that Kayin continues to hold her brother even though he clearly has had enough of the pictures!
9. We love how this one turned out! Their smiles are PRICELESS!!
8. Again, love the smiles on both of the kids...this was obviously at the beginning of the session!
7. Kayin has had this same smile since she was born and the sparkle in her eyes continues to glow!
6. I think her brother is going to follow in her footsteps with his smile and sparkle!
5. The kids and I spent this past weekend in Clay Center and Grand Island. Kayin had a blast playing with the neighbor "girly girls" and can't wait to go back!
4. My new room is just about set up for the new school year. There is a possibility that I will be teaching all four weeks of summer school and I would really like to have the room completed before we leave on vacation to Chicago on the 29th. We return home on the 8th and if I teach all four weeks, we start on the 11th of July and go through the 5th of August....not much of a summer but the extra money will be nice!
3. Did I mention VACATION??!! We will be heading to Chicago/Northwest Suburbs for a couple of days, then head down to Charleston (where Justin is from), and make a swoop up through the Ozarks. It will be nice to get away and visit with friends...we haven't been back since Kayin was about 18 months!
2. The weather has not been cooperating to be outside, which is why we have no pictures of the new pool and the kids in it! Today it was a mere 67 degrees outside...a beach vacation may be on the schedule sometime soon!
1. I got my first pink and black box in the mail yesterday! It was so exciting to open it up and put together the orders for my MaryKay clients!! I ordered some new product for myself and LOVE it!!!
Today we were fortunate to utilize Justin's day off and take some family pictures! I will start with the last one of the day that we took...both of the kids were at their breaking point and were done!! I am not going to put all of them up (there were about 157 to choose from) and needless to say, it was hard to narrow it down!
10. I love that Kayin continues to hold her brother even though he clearly has had enough of the pictures!
9. We love how this one turned out! Their smiles are PRICELESS!!
8. Again, love the smiles on both of the kids...this was obviously at the beginning of the session!
7. Kayin has had this same smile since she was born and the sparkle in her eyes continues to glow!
6. I think her brother is going to follow in her footsteps with his smile and sparkle!
5. The kids and I spent this past weekend in Clay Center and Grand Island. Kayin had a blast playing with the neighbor "girly girls" and can't wait to go back!4. My new room is just about set up for the new school year. There is a possibility that I will be teaching all four weeks of summer school and I would really like to have the room completed before we leave on vacation to Chicago on the 29th. We return home on the 8th and if I teach all four weeks, we start on the 11th of July and go through the 5th of August....not much of a summer but the extra money will be nice!
3. Did I mention VACATION??!! We will be heading to Chicago/Northwest Suburbs for a couple of days, then head down to Charleston (where Justin is from), and make a swoop up through the Ozarks. It will be nice to get away and visit with friends...we haven't been back since Kayin was about 18 months!
2. The weather has not been cooperating to be outside, which is why we have no pictures of the new pool and the kids in it! Today it was a mere 67 degrees outside...a beach vacation may be on the schedule sometime soon!
1. I got my first pink and black box in the mail yesterday! It was so exciting to open it up and put together the orders for my MaryKay clients!! I ordered some new product for myself and LOVE it!!!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
Change in Playlist
Just to let you know, something has happened with Playlist and if you would like to hear the music selection for the post, you need to scroll to the bottom of the page and click play! :)
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