2011 A year in pictures....

My New Year's resolution will be to blog more. 

I have lots to say.  And I know you are all dying to know.

Just a few pics to document our crazy lives in 2011. 

I learned a lot in 2011.  A lot about myself.  A lot about my family. A lot about life in general.

I turned 40 in 2011, and my husband threw me a party not to be outdone anytime soon. 

I realized my best friend really is my husband, and I would be lost without him.  He is always there for me, I am completely comfortable in my own skin with him, and he knows and loves me for me.  All of me.  Imperfect. Bitchy. Crazy.  And everything in between.  (oh, and there's lots in between-just ask him!)

I have the most wonderful kids a Mother could ask for.  Yes, somedays, I don't question why certain animals eat their young, but for the most part know that they are the absolute best of me.  The best of me that I didn't even know existed.  I know they will make their ways in the world and leave marks on all they encounter. They are full of love, and never complain, even when something (or someone) changes their plans-namely the littlest and baldest one.

I have a great immediate family.  I have crazy, funny, eccentric, bossy, bitchy sisters.  My Mom is pretty much the same, we come by it all naturally, and I wouldn't change a thing. 
My Dad's pretty amazing for having put up with all of us over the years and still have any hair left.  I know, more than ever, that I can count on each and every one of them to be there for me, cause they have, and they will. Always and Forever.  My brothers live out of state-and I'm sure for the reasons mentioned above :)  I love and miss them bunches. My step-mom thinks we are all crazy, and ya know what-she's absolutely right! That's what I love about my family.

My extended family-cousins, aunts, uncles, great aunts, great uncles are pretty darn cool.  They have opened their doors, arms, and hearts for us in this last year in ways I can never repay. I love having extended family I am close to, cause when we are all together they make me smile, make me laugh and make me drinks.   They are giving my children a lot of what I had growing up-family far away in miles, but always close at heart.  A gift they will cherish as they grow older-like I do!

My friends, my besties.  Well, what other can I say about them other than they are all hot messes.  Much like myself.  Birds of a feather...you know the saying.  Parties, hugs, dinners, lunches, sales, Bunco, late nights and early mornings, they are there.  Phone, email, FB, text.  They are there.  I love them, need them, and can't imagine my life without them.  Over the years I have realized what makes a friend, and what doesn't.  All of you in my life, I call 'friend', thank you for being such. 

I have a job to go to where I work with some amazing people who make me smile and sometimes laugh so hard my belly hurts.  I enjoy going to work, and I know lots of people who can't say that.  I like helping people, but sometimes I wonder why people don't help themselves more often-then maybe they wouldn't be on my scan table.  My work place is like it's own little world, one I love to escape to some days and just be an employee-not a mom, wife or caregiver.  I have needed that this year, and I got it. 

I have known love this year like never before. 

Thanks 2011, it's been a good year, cause I made it through, I'm still here, and get to live another one.

Cheers to the memories made and the ones yet to make.

Bring it on 2012-I'm ready.

Trip brings back memories and makes new ones!

We recently returned from our family summer trip to Colorado where we had a fabulous time!  I have made that drive so many times as a child-not necessarily to Denver, but to La Junta, where my Mom grew up.  My parents would pack us up in the back of the blazer  and drive all night across Kansas.  We would sleep pretty much the whole way-as I remember it anyway-my parents would probably disagree.  Then we would wake at my Grandma Flora's house! 

Our week there would be spent playing 'round the block hide and go seek', going downtown to get sodas from the real soda fountain at Woolworths, running all over town with my cousins Tony and Angie, spending nights at their house often, and watching Angie's softball games.  Often I would stay a week or two longer and it is the memories from those trips that I will cherish forever.   I remember one time staying the night with my Aunt Linda-I would have been about 9 yrs old-and we walked the two blocks or so to 7-11 for Big Gulps of soda and a huge bag of M&M's.  Back at her house we snuggled up with her dobermans, Camille and I can't remember the other one's name, but both big dogs that looked really mean, but were sweethearts!  We watched 'The Shining' that particular night-yes I was 9!!!  It has been my favorite scary movie since.  I hope we created some of those same cherished memories for our children on this trip-and I'm pretty sure we have. 

Brian, Hailey, Ethan and I returned after 9 days, but we left Parker there with my Aunts Mici and Kathy-much like my old summers were spent.  He is due to fly home this week, and in talking to him every night, I know this trip has been as great for him as my childhood ones were for me!

If I journaled every detail, I would need to write a book-so I have included some pics below I will write a short blurb about.  Many, many more pics are on my facebook page though if you are bored!

Our trip began after I got off work early on a Thursday morning about 7am.   Momma's new ride packed to the hilt with kids, suitcases, oxygen, wheelchair, cooler and Brian and I.  Ethan made it about 30 minutes before the temper tantrums started, a trend which unfortunately lasted much of the trip.  At one point I was ready to leave him on the side of I-70, but then we covered him with a blanket and turned on one of his CD's-must you ask who??? and he did ok.  For a little while anyway. 

We pulled into Thornton about 4pm and my Aunts were sitting in the garage with cold beers in hand.  Really.  Sitting outside in the garage and not melting from high temps and ungodly humidity.  The weather was beautiful the entire time we were there!  70 degrees was the average, and on the days it actually hit 90+, the fact that there was no humidity made it oh, so wonderful!!

The busy trip began!  Late night Thursday with dinner at a cool little brew pub with a gorgeous view of the mountains to the west!  Then up late talking and planning what we wanted to do while there.  I was really just so glad to be out of KC, I really didn't care what we did!  Being with my awesome aunts made it even better!!

Friday we went to see my cousin Tony and he cut my hair and cut and colored Hailey's.  Her first highlight ever!!  She was so excited! 

Hailey's highlight self photo!

Saturday night Brian and I had a date with my cousin Tony and his partner Jim.  We first hit Hamburger Mary's for cocktails, then off to Pagliacci's for absolutely delicious Italian food.  Then to Stueben's for after-dinner drinks.  Stueben's has been visited by Guy Fieri and featured on 'Diners, Drive-Ins and Dives' and is unique bar/restaurant in a mechanic's garage!  Our bartender was the very attractive Randy, along with equally gorgeous twin brother Ryan whom I let offer suggestions for my drinks.  My first was great with ginger beer, and my second was made with Absinthe and tasted like 140 proof Good-n-Plenty box of candy in a glass!  Needless to say we had two drinks there and headed home!  Thanks for a great time Tony and Jim-we miss and love you guys bunches!

Amelia, Parker, Madison (the dog) and Olivia

Aunt Jeanne and Oliva

Sunday afternoon we had a BBQ with my Aunt Jeanne and cousin Angie, her hubby Dustin and kiddos Olivia and Amelia.  Brian and Aunt Kathy made ribs, green chile, beef tenderloin, smoked chicken, corn salad, home-made salsa and I made 'summer beer' me and Aunt Mici to enjoy.  For those of you who would like the recipe just email me-it's a fabulous summer twist on regular beer.  All was going fantastic with a cornhole game, eating and enlightening conversation until a trip to the ER was needed for stitches for my cousin Amelia.  She got a little too friendly with Madison the dog and sustained a bite worthy of 5 stitches to her cheek.  Hence the bandaids on her cheek in the following pictures!  In our family-it's simply not a party til a trip to the ER is made. At least this time it wasn't the bald kid!!

Monday we took a trip to Estes Park and up into Rocky Mountain National Park.  Because Ethan is permanently disabled, he received a pass which entitles him, and his entire party, admittance to any National Park in the US free of charge forever.   It was a lovely trip with the prettiest views ever!  We were nervous about taking him up to that high an elevation, but figured now or never.  Ethan is a member of our family and we didn't want to exclude him because of his oxygen need.  We just packed extra O's and up we went.   He had a meltdown at our first photo op, hence the picture of Brian holding him and the lovely temper tantrum, screaming look of pure pissed offness on his face.  It was actually quite hysterical for us, and as we laughed harder at him, the more mad he got.   We got to the top at Trail Ridge Store, an elevation of nearly 12,000 feet.  I had to have the picture of him in front of the elevation sign.  *many heart kids are not advised to travel to very high elevation, thus all the talk of elevation.  We were actually advised to go no higher than 8500, but what the heck-thus the picture. 

Anyway-he had another temper tantrum meltdown there so I grabbed him and high tailed him back to the car to warm him up-the temp up there was about 47 degrees.  So here I am running across a football field length parking lot hauling his 36 lb skinny butt, an oxgyen tank, feeding bag and him wiggling all over the entire time making it quite difficult for me.  By the time we reached the car, I needed to share Ethan's oxygen with him!!!  I'm in much better shape than I was, but doing that at 12,000 feet proves to be quite a cardio work-out!  

Down the mountain we went, passing snow still on the mountains, a herd of elk and a couple of huge Moose grazing in a field.  Beautiful I tell you, simply God's country at it's finest.  And the air was so clean and pure! 

The rest of the week Ethan had appointments at Children's Hospital of Colorado, which were finished by mid-morning, so we filled the afternoons with trips to the Water Park-Hailey and Parker and Aunt Kathy that is.  Brian and Mici and I  took Ethan to the Denver Zoo! 

We met my cousin Angie and her girls at the Denver Museum of Nature and Science and toured the pirate exhibit.  That night for dinner we hit Quaker Steak and Lube-a very cool bar/grill complete with a 100oz tube of beer called a 'lube tube'.  Yep, we drank 3.....

We went to the Denver Aquarium and did the Coors Brewery Tour.  Coors tour was neat-free and three free beers at the end of the tour!  They are brewing pre-prohibition beer from a recipe used in 1919 that is only available at the brewery.  It's called Batch 19, and my favorite by far!  I can't wait for them to release it nationwide.  If not, my Aunts will just have to make weekly trips to Golden and pick us up 6 pks to mail!!  And get their three free beers.....

the kids and Sharky at the Denver Aquarium

Amelia, Parker, Hailey, Olivia, Angie and Ethan at the Museum

Arrgh, a pirate's life we lead.....

There's his happy, smiling face.  At the Coors Brewery of course, you can tell he's our kid!!!

Batch 19, my new fave!  Good thing I can't get it here in KC yet!!

cute pic if the bald kid had been looking at the camera!


We had a memory making, fabulous time, and are ready to move out there.  Once Ethan got over himself and stopped having fits, oh, and pooped, he did so well with the easy to breathe in weather and cool nights.  I miss everyone so much already, and appreciate the hospitality of my awesome Aunts Mici and Kathy for putting up with us and sharing such a memorable trip with us.  And like all the other times I loaded up into a packed car and headed back to 'Kansas', tears were shed and promises were made to visit again soon.  This time, I know we will keep that promise and go back to the gorgeous state of Colorado very soon!

I had  to include this photo-jackholes who park in handicap parking without tags are my pet peeve!!  I'm gonna make up cards that look like tickets with this picture on it and start putting them on folks cars who park there so they know who they took a spot from!!!!

Fallen off the wagon....again.

Yep, talking about me, but not talking about AA.  Talking about the weight loss battle I've been fighting, quite expensively I might add, for almost a year now.  I've fallen off the wagon, it's been an epic fail, and whatever new trendy terms you can coin to describe that I've managed to keep off the 20lbs I originally lost in the first 10 weeks of working out with James, but that's about it. 

So with the news of Ethan's upcoming surgery in 6-8 weeks, I got a wild hair up my ass and decided that would be the perfect goal to work towards.  Ya know, much like the Policeman's Ball, and my 40th Birthday were goal dates back in February and April.  Fruck-where did the time go?  It's freekin' July (well, almost. practically. might as well be dammit.)
Anyway-goal time, again.  30lbs in 30 days...yeah right says James, trainer extraordinaire.  But with that perfectly white smile and twinkle in his eye. But Nutri-System, Slim4Life, LA Weight Loss, Jenny Matthews and everyone else on the damn radio says it can be done...
Ok,  Let's be realistic-12lbs in 6 weeks is more likely. 
Ok, then I'm pushing for 15lbs-bring it on!!  

So starts my new regimen of running.

Yep, I wanna be a runner.  Why?  I love running clothes-not the men's shorty shorts we wore in 6th grade in 1983....the new cute women's stuff-oh and the shoes are pretty rockin' too.  Have I ever mentioned my love of shoes?  Quick Fact:  went on 5 day cruise in 2005 with Jody, sis, mom, step-mom and lots of other women.  Jody and I took about 30 pairs of shoes total between the two of us.  No lie.  My husband thought I was crazy.  Well, he still does, but that's a whole new blog post. 

Anywho....back to running.
Download the Couch to 5K on the new phone.
Load up the ipod shuffle with some new jams (love Niki Minaj's Super Bass-but most of her music is rated R -BTW)
laced up the running shoes.
reset my calorie counter watch to my new age of *egads* a 40 yr old Female, and reset my resting HR, weight, etc.
*FUNNY story about the calorie counter watch-was wearing it a few months ago and did my normal 500 calorie burn routine on the elliptical and when I was done looked at my watch counter and it said I just burned 2,687 calories!!!  Woo-freakin'-hoo!!  WTF am I doing this 5 days a week if I just burned that many calories in one hour???  I'm gonna be a size 2  by next week at this rate!!  Yeah, jackhole, watch counter soooo not right.  Reset and did same thing next day-487 calories burned-just like the damn elliptical said I did the day before. 

Sorry, keep getting off track.  Back to running:
Outside, decent morning weather, start with 5 minute brisk warm-up, then let the man's voice on my C25K tell me what to do next.  Before I know it, I'm like Forrest Gump, running round the neighborhood 60 seconds at a time.  And I'm loving it so much I decide to get crazy and run down the big hill on the busy street next to our 'hood.  Down the hill, awesome.  Up the hill, not so awesome, but I did it.  Crossing the street to get back to hood, and I'm right in the middle of a 60second run, so of course I can't stop to cross the street and step properly up the curb.  So I leap onto the curb with what I think is all the grace of a gazelle, and more like the lumbering elephant I am, I come crashing quite awkwardly on my right foot just right.  Well, really wrong, and my knee knows it.  Ouch, and many curse words follow.  And those of you who know me well, the F one is my favorite.
 
But I'm tough, and I wanna be a runner so bad. 
I keep going, thank heaven I was back to my 5 minute cool down walk. 

Home, ice, heat, ibuprofen and a little wine-I mean whining and it felt better. 

So, a few days later, and a couple more runs later-though with much less gazelle leaping, I finally get back to work out with James.  My right knee is killing me, it's on fire like a hot poker sticking through it. 
Again, I'm tough. I can do this.
He modifies one of the exercises I am doing so I can actually complete it, and I make through my hour of pure blissful torture.
After talking over my epic failure with James, he reassures me he is still willing to work with me, help me and set new goals (again) and help me get there. As always when I talk to him, I am motivated, and excited and feel like I can tackle the world. 

 once I get home I decide to run, again. 

And though it's not AA, I will admit this. 

My name is Kari.
and I'm NOT a runner.

But I'm back on the wagon.  And I'm losing that 12-15 lbs in the next 6 weeks.
Come hell or high water
and we've got lots of high water around here.

And ibuprofen, ice and heat packs...

Happy Father's Day- Top 10

Happy Father's day to all Dads everywhere.  Especially to my husband and 'baby daddy' Brian.  On  this day just for you, I figured I would swallow my pride and finally admit that you have been *gasp* right about some things which I just stubbornly have refused to admit, and we argue about on at least a weekly basis.
 However-this admission is happening today, and today only-as a matter of fact, within 10 seconds of reading this post it will disenegrate, blow up, disappear, and be lost forever (insert the "Mission Impossible" theme in the background here)  So, if you accept this mission-know it is one-time only, as once gone, I will never, ever admit to them again!

I borrowed this idea from a favorite blog I follow:  www.rantsfrommommyland.com
Kate and Lydia are absolutely hysterical for the self-proclaimed not perfect, but perfect for our family unit-Mommies.

I've actually made it into a Top 10 list -I have to admit it was hard to come up with 10 things, but I did it!

10.  Ok, the baby really DOES have too many clothes.  It's kind of an addiction of mine, but heck, since we can't really buy him toys, what does it hurt to have 42 summer outfits and 13 pairs of shoes??

9.   I am a 'distracted' driver.  I am not quite ready to admit what you say that I am a 'bad' driver-but I will say I tend to be distracted at times by my phone, the radio, screaming at children or trying to text while holding a large mug of beer while driving on the way to bunco....

8.  I have an addiction to Coke.  The red, shiny like a Christmas tree ornament, cold can of divine happiness.  I don't do drugs-can't I have this one vice???

7.  I do pout.  Occassionally.  Only if I really think it will work, or don't get my way.

6.  I will be late for my own funeral.  I just want you to know that I come by this trait of tardiness naturally.   I think there is a gene I should be tested for, I'm sure it's been passed down for generations in my family.

5.  I have enough scrapbooking supplies.  But, much like #8, this is a legal addiction.  But if I don't buy it while I see it, it could be gone.  That fabulous paper pack that will look so great with Hailey's high school graduation pictures on it.  Some day...in like 4 years when she actually graduates, even though I've only made it to her 2nd birthday pictures anyway.

4.  I sometimes purposely wait for you to get in bed and get comfortable before asking you to get me a glass of water, turn off the light, or whatever annoying thing I can think of to ask you to do just to see if you will  get out of bed and do it.  Yep, I admit it-I say that I don't do it on purpose-that it just happens that way, but secretly, I sometimes do it on purpose.

3.  I am a closet hoarder.  Have you met my father?  That's all I'm gonna say about this one-at least it's an admission.  Again-a gene, passed down for generations.  It is nearly physically impossible for me to throw something away that I may use or need someday which seems completely and utterly useless to you.

2.  I have too many hair products and yes, get angry enough when my hair doesn't do what I want it to that I throw cans of expensive hairspray at the wall and punch a hole in it.  Not sure I want to elaborate on this one, kinda makes me sound a little crazy, huh?  My cousin Anthony will understand this one though, right???

and for the final, #1 admission I will post for all the world to see-one time....

1.  I will admit that I appear to others much more put together than we both know I really am.  I'm just a hot mess most days running around like a chicken with my head cut off, juggling way too many responsibilites that I can't seem to let go. 
But then again, honey, that's why you married me-cause I'm all that, AND a bag of chips...(oh, and I do love cheesy cliches like that)


Happy, Happy Father's Day Honey.  Thanks for being my baby daddy!

Tragedy in the Midwest

This last week has brought a great tragedy by way of devastating tornadoes to the midwest.  So close to home, Jopin, MO was hit last Sunday, and the town of 50,000 has literally been obliterated.  The death toll was at 123 last count, and they are still doing search and *rescue*.  Schools, homes, businesses and the hospital have all but been wiped out.

 My heart was hurting and I was crying while on the elliptical the other night watching ads across the TV screen asking "Have you seen this person?" with  phone number and brief description of a family's loved one's last known place on Sunday-and whom they have yet to find.  A 16mo old child ripped from his Mother's arms,  a husband and his two children at the Home Depot, a high schooler playing basketball with a friend.  I cannot watch the television anymore. 

Then today, the sirens sounded at our house, funnel clouds spotted all over the KC metro area.  My kids spent an hour huddled under their art class tables, or in a hallway.  I, watching the TV and texting reports to my sister and her son stuck in a building at the zoo while on a field trip,  to my step-mom stuck in a stairwell at work, both listening to the sirens all around them, and not knowing what was going on.  After what had recently happened in Joplin, everyone was anxious and scared that we would be next.  Those of you who don't live where tornadoes occur, drills are done as early as pre-school age here, most all of us have homes with concrete basements and little tornado boxes packed and down there ready for us with water, tennis shoes, a flashlight and weather radio-of course ours has a TON more, but to each their own.   But being prepared, does not make it any less scary. 
Though today's storms not nearly as bad as what tore through Joplin on Sunday, a small town near us-Sedalia, MO, was hit by one-no loss of life-but again, loss to homes, businesses and schools. 

The response to Joplin by friends and family members to help has been amazing-my sister Kate, an EMT with KCFD loaded a bus Monday evening headed there to lend a hand-along with 5 additional ambulance crews and numerous engine companies.  One of KCPD's Tactical Teams and a Traffic Enforcement team have been there all week-the reports coming back from a friend, and a wife of one of the Traffic guys, is just gut-wrenching.  A dear friends husband is packed to leave with his Tactical Team tomorrow and is humbled at the thought of being sent to help these people and though is leaving his family-hopes to help provide some comfort to those in need-in his words, he "only wished he could have gone sooner".  Andrea is proud of you Troy-and I to be your friend!  An officer who works for Brian called us Sunday night, and was already headed down to lend a helping hand-something Todd is known for!  And I've only named a few of the people I know who are down there helping this town dig out and find family members and hopefully in all that ruble-maybe a miracle survivor. 

Please keep the town of Joplin, Missouri and it's residents, in your thoughts and prayers in the coming months as they try to come to terms with the tragedy Mother Nature bestowed upon them this sad day in May.  Please pray for their peace, and their survival will to rebuild and move forward.  Please keep those sent to help in your thoughts as they perform the daunting task of trying to find survivors, though know they will most likely be giving families the much needed closure of losing a loved one.  Please donate blood over the summer to help replenish the amount our local banks have sent down to Joplin. 

And most of all-tell those that you care for how much you love them, how much they mean to you, and how you would be lost without them. 

For we are never promised tomorrow.

We only have today.

Make it count.

Heart Walk 2011

Ethan 1 hour post-op open heart 6/2005

Ethan 6 days post-op open heart 6/2005

It's that time of year again, the AHA Heart Walk is right around the corner.  We will again be walking with CHD Families, in honor of all our kiddos affected by congenital heart defects. 

This year is different for us though, as Ethan has always been a 'heart kid' without the typical problems of a 'heart kid'.  The majority of his struggles in the past have been because of his Chromosomal anomaly 18q-.  Yes, he had open heart surgery at 15 months old, but came through with flying colors and was home 9 days post-op, meds for a few months, follow ups for life, but nothing like the struggles some of the kiddos I know have gone through. 

This year is different-Ethan is in heart failure and no one knows why.  His pulmonary valve is leaking greatly, causing the majority of the failure.  This valve was created 5 years ago during his open heart repair by opening his pulmonary arterty to allow for greater blood flow-due to the size and constriction it was causing, and a 'flap' was made to work like a valve.  We were assured it would continue to work for Ethan well into his late teens-he is almost 5 years out from that surgery and it is already failing. 

So why is this walk even more so important to us? Because all the funds raised through the CHD Families team members will stay right here in KC to help figure out why something like this happened to Ethan.  To hopefully help answer some of the questions all heart parents have-

why? 

how?

and can it be fixed?

Unfortunately for too many parents I know, those answers will come too late.  Too late to help their child.  But it's not too late to help so many others.  Please consider making a donation to help answer those questions, because though too late for some, it is only with those answers that we will someday be able to put an end to precious lives lost to congenital heart defects. 

No donation is too small-feel free to mail a check made out to the AHA to me-email me and I will send you our address karawley03@yahoo.com

or donate on our online page at:

http://heartwalk.kintera.org/kansascity/ethanrawley

Thanks to those who have already generously donated-Grandma Sharon and The Clapp Family-thank you so much for helping us reach our goal!!

I included some of my favorite pics of our boy below-all of these were taken by a dear friend Brandi Wisdom of BNW Photography-friend her on FB and see all her gorgeous work!  The very last picture was taken at our home-Ethan had been in the hospital and had just come home-she didn't want to mess up his routine, so she and her husband packed up the stuff they needed and headed to our house!  The middle pics were taken in the playground in front of Children's Mercy because Ethan was IN the hospital at the time we were scheduled to have our family photos taken, and instead of rescheduling-she packed up her stuff and headed down there to take our pics.  She has always been so patient and wonderful with all my kids-but especially Ethan and I just had to share these with you. 

How can you look at any of these pics and NOT want to donate to help him and all the other precious kiddos out there just like him?????

Ethan Charles Rawley Oct 2010

Ethan laughing at his Daddy hysterically Oct. 2010

FAVORITE. PICTURE. EVER.
Nov 2009-taken by Brandi Wisdom BNW Photography

Ethan-Nov 2009 (taken outside Children's Mercy-Ethan was hospitalized
and Brandi came down and took our family pics-hence the IV in his hand!)

Christmas 2007

Home Sweet Home-tweet Jesus!

Carepages won't let me post the update for some reason-so it's on here! 

We will all be sleeping comfortably in our own beds tonight, no more cage crib for Ethan, recliner chair for Brian, or couch bed for me!! 

Got home late this afternoon, after much discussion of taking Ethan to the cath lab to look at his pulmonary vessels and valve.  After the Anesthesiologist put his stethoscope on E's chest and listened for about 2 seconds he put the kabash on taking him to the cath lab!  Ethan has to go under anesthesia for a cath, and only a handful of anesthesiologists at Mercy do the cardiac kids and only when they are in tip-top shape and it's not an emergency.  The team was thinking they might keep him through the rest of this week and get him in the cath lab before letting us go home.  The problem is that since he has been on Lasix for the last week, his lungs sound really wet-he is coughing to move stuff around, but Ethan is not strong enough to have a productive, clearing cough.  Hence-not safe to go under.  We are ok with that and happily took our little guy home.  He will sleep on oxygen for the next few nights-as we are starting to see some swelling in his feet and slight color change again.  We will watch him closely and we see Dr Kaine again in two weeks for an echo and ekg and overall assesment of how the home meds are working.   If needed, we can just put the van on auto-pilot, cause it sure knows its own way to the Mercy!  I'm half tempted not to unpack a darn thing.  Kinda like my theory of going to clinic-if I pack a bag, he doesn't get admitted, if I don't-well, you know that story well by now!!

This is short and sweet, cause everyone here but Brian and I are in bed, and we are headed there shortly.  I want to say Thank You to all our family and friends, our neighbors and the KCPD Care Team-you all helped make a very stressful situation much less so!  Most kids take a village to raise, this one a country-and you've all been a much appreciated part of that by helping out with meals, the other kids, coming to hang out with us at the hospital, phone calls and emails of support and of course lots of prayers! 

We love you all very much!

Good night, sleep tight, I know we will!!!