Stuff Chase says, and a bonus Addison quote

Chase to the Librarian, who asked what he wanted from Santa: "Big Papa got me a DONKEY for Christmas. Yep, he did."

Chase, while watching a home movie of baby Carter: "That's when you weren't old, Mom."

Addison at bedtime, said: "Maybe when I am 45, I will have to get up in the middle of the night to give you medicine, 'cuz you will be old."

Daddy: "Chase, what should we get Mom for Christmas?"
Chase: "New Underwear"

While learning he could ride in the truck cart at HyVee, Chase said, "This is the happiest day of my whole entire life!"

During a temper tantrum because Mom made him leave his blanket at home for the 10 minute car ride to get his siblings from school...."I haven't seen my blanket for years and years!" (More like seconds and seconds, but who's counting?)

Fall Traditions

This year's pumpkin carving. Iowa Hawkeye, Princess crown, and Lightning McQueen were the requested pictures. I ended up doing more pumpkin gut removal that I preferred to do. Last year's pumpkins were a different breed and they were not very slimy. The kids dove in and had a good time. This year, they were very sticky and wet.

Next up, apple picking. I have gone with the kids for the last four falls. This particular day was nice and warm. The kids dropped EVERY SINGLE APPLE they picked.

 

Flag football continues to be a favorite of Carter. Carter made a touchdown in one of his games, but was dissapointed that he didn't make more. That what happens when older kids are on your team.

 Carter enjoyed having his friend Allie on his team this year. Last year, she was on team. During last year's game, Carter was running for a touchdown. He made it to the goal line and Allie kept chasing him and he kept running. Hilarious conversation happened!

 

Lastly, apple crisp making. Just a simple video of the kids cutting apples.

I gave them prepeeled slices and table knives then let them work!

This is what happens.....

.....when you let your guard down and play with your sister

instead of farm toys.....

Girl pjs.

Tutu and Pink Cowboys boots.

Year 3, Year 5 & Everything Else

 

February

Chase's Third Birthday.

I made him a Thomas the Train cake. 

Thomas is supposed to be coming out of a tunnel in the cake.

He was pretty happy about his cake and being three.

The night before his birthday was the Super Bowl. We had a fun party with out friends, and their kids spent the night! We were going to go take the kids & little friends out for lunch, until  we realized that Chad's parents home was flooded. They were overseas visiting Chad's sister.

Chad spent the rest of the month cleaning that up.

March

Mommy had surgery. Here is Addison reading to me. I don't remember this at all!

 Addison had a little play day to celebrate birthdays! All three of these precious little girls were born within a few weeks of each other. It was a fun afternoon.

 

Lots of missing teeth.

 April

Addison turns five! She was pretty thrilled about this pink baseball glove.

Usually we have birthdays with both sets of grandparents, but this year there was just too much going on. 

So, she got two little parties and two cakes.

 Cake One: Strawberry Pie!

 Chase pulled the cushions off the couch and went to sleep.

Not sure why!

 Strawberry Shortcake themed Cake #2!

 Opps. I didn't get this photo turned. BUT you can still see the first missing tooth! Pretty excited about the Tooth Fairy, unlike Carter who refused the Tooth Fairy's gifts - 

"I don't want HER in my room!"

Dr. Appt, Niece Kalliyan, and Other Things That Happened This Week

This week seemed very long.

On Monday, Chad and I ventured over to Sioux Falls. I had a diagnostic surgery before Christmas and went in for follow up. I have basically had problems since Chase was born, and am planning on a major surgery the first part of March. Yuck. I have a terrible time with anesthesia and pain killers, so I am not looking forward to that, but am trying to remember that soon I will be feeling good!

No school on Tuesday and Wednesday. Carter has a hard time on those days, he needs to be busy. Doesn't help that I couldn't send him outside.

Our lovely little niece Kalliyan (think Callie-Ann) was born in Cambodia! Her chubby cheeks and dark hair made us remember Addison after she was born. They don't really look alike, but it triggered our memory! The kids have been talking about her all week. It's hard to have them in Cambodia. They want to hold her and see where cousin/new big brother Carson lives. Someday we will all get there. We are starting to save up for that - Five overseas plane tickets! Yikes.
Addison has been playing "babies" since Kalli was born. Well, actually, she uses a bear she calls "barry" or "Beary" (even though it's a girl bear). Addison just doesn't like dolls. So anyway, she has been busy swaddling and feeding the bear as she thinks about her new cousin and processes what baby Kalli is doing.
Chase said, "Can Auntie bring the new baby to our house after she is done at the hospital?" Poor kid has no concept of how far away Cambodia is.
Carter is SUPER proud. Before Carson was born, Carter had suggested that name to Danielle and Vandenn. He was very happy that ended up being his name.
SO, about a month ago, Carter said, "Please tell Auntie Danni that I like Callie for the new baby's name." When we told him the new baby had the name he suggested, he was pretty proud. "I named BOTH of my cousins!" I didn't ask them, but I have a feeling that they had Kalliyan (Kalli) picked out before Carter suggested it, and he just happened to hit the nail on the head. We won't burst his bubble for now. Pretty cool that he got it right, either way!

Last night we went to a girls basketball game at school. It's times like those that I realize how big Carter really is. He is SO into the rules and cheers! At school, the older elementary school kids get to play a game during half time. He can't wait for that.

Today we will have a little birthday party for Chase, who turns 3 on Monday. Since most of the Grandparents are in Cambodia or Florida...it will just be Grandma Sherry, Big Papa, Uncle B.J. and Erin - and us too.
At his request, I made him a Thomas the Train cake. quite how I imagined it but he is happy! I can't get the frosting to be the consistency I want it to be. Plus my hands are REALLY hot which melts the frosting in the piping bag.
Pictures of the birthday boy to come next time!

Hmm. I wonder when I last posted on our blog? February 2009? Really?

I think I better get on that. Not for your benefit obviously but mine. So to catch myself up, I picked out my favorite 2010 Facebook status updates so I can remember the silly things said, things we did, and where we went.
So, here we go.....

January :

Someday..... I will not find my hairbrush in the toilet. I will not use my toothbrush only to find it has soap on it. Someday my kids will not draw on their little brother. Someday I will not need to sweep the kitchen floor after every meal. Someday, when we go out to dinner, I will not need to take more trips to the bathroom than the number of kids I have. Someday wasn't today.

Made it until 11am before Addison changed into a new outfit. Must be some kind of record.

Addison just said, "Mommy. I like my mommy and daddy. Them love me and the boys love me. I like love." Good thing she said that because 5 minutes earlier she spread peanut butter all over herself.

Addison's nicknames for her brother, Carter, now include "Tito" and "Spanky"..... Where does she come up with this stuff????

Last week we scolded Chase for sticking cooked carrots in his ears. This week, Chase scolded the Doctor for looking in his ears. "No no stick ears! No no!" HA. Funny kid.
February:

I just love it when Chase comes to me, with his arms outstreched, and says, "Hold you, Momma, Hold you!"

Was just filling out paper's for Addison's preschool registration. I asked her what she wanted her teachers to know about her and she said "I have a pink Steiger." Oh dear. It might be worse than I thought.

Wondering why in the year 2010 someone hasn't figured out how to make diet pop taste good. Seriously, someone needs to get on that.

Carter says..."Mom, a 1 and a 8 makes 18." (at this point I am thinking my kid is super smart) "And 2 and 8 is 28. That's Adrian Peterson's number. 18 is Peyton Mannings number. Number 4 is Farve. I cant think of any Hawkeye numbers right now, though." Awesome, Carter. Awesome.

March:

Addison: "Hey Mom! Want to watch me do a softener salt?" A what? "A softener salt!" Ok? OH. You mean a "Somersault!" Haha!

We were outside this afternoon, and Chase saw a bird fly by. He exclaimed "A Chicken, Mommy." Yep. It was a LONG WINTER!

First Hibma Kid with Stitches Award goes to Chase.

April:
Carter: "Mom, sometimes when I wear sox to bed, they just sneak off my feet.

Chad is planting. Chase is pretending he is going to preschool. Carter is playing with the Horse barn. Addison is playing dress-up. I have no idea what I'm doing.

Addison just shouted at me..."You are a ghost beause you don't listen to me!!" What? Haha. She is so strange sometimes.

Dear Carter, Just because a fridge is meant for helping food stay good longer, doesn't mean it works for everything. Like, for instance, the half eaten Tootsie Roll you put in there.

May:
Me: "Carter, what do you want for breakfast today?" Carter: "I just want Potato Salad".

Thanks for all the messages from everyone....Chase ended up having four seizures yesterday. He is doing much better today. Lots of tests but no answers yet. Please pray that it isn't tumor or epilepsy related....we have been down this path with Carter and don't want to go there with Chase!! God is bigger than all of us. Chase needs an Brain MRI this morning. Please pray for me...the last time we had a kid need an MRI the results weren't great, I don't want to hear that again!!

Chase is home. His MRI was CLEAN!!!! Yeah!! More doctors and tests on Friday and Tuesday, but he is doing really well. Today he is catching up on the farming he missed over the weekend!!
Please pray for us (again!) as Dan has unexpected bypass surgery this morning. Lots of stress and lots to do on the farm!

We have supported the Worthington ER again this month, this time Addison. She's fine, just some stitches.

June:

I asked Carter if he wanted to do something and he said No. Addison replied "Carter doesn't want to have any fun." :)

Hibma Sports Update: World Cup Soccer going on right now, and one team is wearing a purple Tutu.

Chase quote : (pointing to the toilet) "Mommy, is it warm in there?" I don't know, Chase. I don't make it a habit of checking toilet water temperature.

July:

Best supper ever last night......Iowa sweet corn and genuine home made Cambodian egg rolls. Yummy .

What do you wear on a bike ride? A helmet, a ballet leotard, and TEVAs. What else!?

This morning, two year old Chase climbed up on my bed, jumped on me, got nose to nose with me and said.... "Express Yourself" and jumped down. WHAT?!?!


August:
Yesterday afternoon I painted Addison's fingernails. She was sitting still nicely, when she shouted, "Itch my nose, Mom!" So I rubbed her nose. "No, Mom, Itch it!" So I used my fingernails. "No, Mom! Itch INSIDE my nose!" What??? NO!

I can't wait for Carter to get home from his first day of KINDERGARTEN!!! Hurry up, Bus!!!

I wonder how many years it will take me to train Addison into putting her toys where they belong in her room instead of throwing them (full force) into her room.

We don't have to take Carter to the Oncologist for TWO YEARS!!!! How AWESOME is that?!?!

September:
Having a hard time convincing Chase that "Potty Training" doesn't involve an actual train.

There is one good thing about being alone during harvest time...I get to watch what I want. TV viewing at our house tonight is Ice Road Truckers and Swamp People. It obviously isn't harvest yet.

Carter scores a touchdown and pulls a Forest Gump.

I put a hoodie on Chase this morning, and he could hardly contain his laughter when he realized he could put his hand in one side of the pocket and out the other. Good ten minutes of entertainment.

Chad's favorite musical group is the Jonas Brothers. Seriously. He was even watching their show on tv last night.


October:

Chase says: "When you are sick and need to go to the hospital, they come and pick you up!!" He obviously knows that from experience.

Addison says: "He is the best daddy! I love him like I love Christmas!"
Carter says: "I love daddy because he gave me a four wheeler!"
Chase says: "Daddy's Boy!"
Happy Birthday, Chad! We love you!!!

Addison, what is your favorite part of preschool?
"Snack Time!!!!"

Addison Rose just gave herself a haircut. Thankfully not a noticeable one. She is annoyed with me for sending her to her bed instead of telling her how cute it is.

Yesterday, Chase was inspecting the dangle earrings I was wearing and declared, "You have strong ears, Mommy!" LOL



November:

Chase, what do you want for Christmas?
"A Cow."

How in the world did the Hawkeyes lose to the Gophers? Carter is in mourning.

"Mom, I need some Apple Spider to drink!" - Chase

That is pretty much where the facebook posts stopped. I spend all of December feeling terrible and most of Christmas recovering from outpatient surgery.
Christmas highlights were a trip to the Black Hills and hanging out with the extended family at The Lantern Coffee shop.

Carter Update

Well, another trip to the Oncologist came and went!! No MRI, this time!!

Carter is doing really well. We we last went in November, Carter was angry, depressed, and not any kid I recognised as being ours!! They took him off a medicine, and asked us to get his heart checked out and go to Mayo to do some testing for a Childhood Vertigo.

Well, his heart looks great other than one aorta seems to be a little larger than it should be, but nothing to even think about. After months of trying to contact Mayo, we finally got in contact with them.....

But after talking with the Oncologist, we decided not to pursue that for now! You see, Carter is doing better than he has in almost two years! He is happy, laughing, giving hugs, playing, and doing everything you would expect him to be doing. What happened??? Well, we think the medicine was too much for his body to handle. He has lost a few pounds since going off the medicine. While he wasn't chunky to begin with, he looks more like we expect him too. He is also not eating us out of house and home anymore!

Carter hasn't had a dizzy spell since the middle of November. We have to idea why, but God is answering prayers. Please pray with us that his dizzy spells are going away for good.

We are so thankful to have our little boy back.
He hasn't acted this happy in two years!!
We are blessed to have such a wonderful little boy!!

The Transformation

Our January was filled with dust.

We wanted to do some improvements on the house, and after much discussion about what to do....

We tore out the walls that separated the kitchen, living, and dining room. After a few weeks, and many days spent at the Hibma Grandparents, we are finally done. We love it. It feels like it has always been this way!

Blessed Be His Name

Fall came and went.

I thought life might become much clearer with the changing of the seasons.
Much like this picture of berries, the short term is clear, beyond that is fuzzy.


Carter had his MRI a few weeks ago, and as usual, his tumor didn't change.
I have had to step back from the situation. Things are moving along, with more tests planned for this winter. Our doctors have different opinions on what we should do with him. More tests is really a blessing. We got further along at his last appointment than we ever have. An answer, but certainly not the "get the right answers NOW" I asked for.


It has been a struggle to ask daily with a "wait" answer. I will keep giving my requests to HIM, and daily work at surrendering to His will for our family. I am thankful for His blessings; medical insurance (especially since this year there has been major appointments and medicinal expenses for everyone in our house but Addison), parents/in-laws to watch our children, a boy who only has a benign tumor instead of a malignant one. I am always encouraged by Ed and Carol McNiece. I know how hard they must have prayed for Matt after his fall and how hard it was to hear such a grim prognosis for his life. Yet they kept praying. Our Father answered and Matt's life became a miracle. I must remember that it wasn't as simple as it seemed. Learning things over, tests and more tests, setbacks - all things a majority of us never witnessed. I know they hold us up as well. It means a great deal to us to know they understand. Most days I am amazed at their faith in that situation.

Carter constantly sings "Blessed Be Your Name"

Blessed be your name
In the land that is plentiful
Where the streams of abundance flow
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
When I'm found in the desert place
Though I walk through the wilderness
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

Blessed be your name
When the sun's shining down on me
When the world's all as it should be
Blessed be your name

Blessed be your name
On the road marked with suffering
Though there's pain in the offering
Blessed be your name

Every blessing you pour out,
I turn back to praise
When the darkness closes in, Lord
Still I will say...
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your name
Blessed be the name of the Lord
Blessed be your glorious name

You give and take away
You give and take away
My heart will choose to say
Lord, Blessed be your name

This song is my prayer. When it's painful and when it's easy, we will praise our Father. May this song be your prayer as well.

~Ash

On our knees

What crazy times at our house past two weeks. The next two weeks have filled up to be more than what we could ever expect. The is only one way we will get through this month; prayer. When I pictured being a mom, I never would have thought it would be like this!! Early October Carter became a different kid. Screaming, hitting, kicking, and hysterics became part of the routine. We went to Sioux Falls to the neurologist. He didn't seem to think it was a medication problem, but changed his medicine as he felt they were not helping him enough.
It got better for a few days, and then reverted again.

This is the events of the last two weeks:

Tuesday the 21st: Carter feels like singing into my turkey baster. Trips and jabs the small end under his tongue. Blood. Trip to after hours doc.
No stitches, just checking for major damage.

Thursday the 23rd: Addison is crabby all day. Finally at 4:30, she gets a fever. Bring her in....strep throat.

27th - 30th: Carter becomes very angry. Who is this kid? I had to call Chad out of the field to come help me one day, as he became more angry than I have ever seen him before. Chase and Addison were scared.
I am not sure what the real problem is, most likely a combination of medication, fear of his headaches/dizzy spells, and being four.
31st: Go to Spencer for Halloween. Lunch time notice spots on Addison's entire body. Bring her into Spencer....spend and hour and half waiting to be seen.
Penicillin reaction rash.
Dr gives OTC med instructions. Also gives us a script for steroid, only if she gets bad.
1st: She gets bad. Go to town to get meds.
Addison spends the day laying on the floor saying "me is ouchies".
Wednesday: Lead MOPS. Notice Chase wheezing. Take him in. Mild walking pneumonia. Do Ex rays......notice some stomach issues that could need surgery in the future. Get home at 4. Carter gets home at 4:30 with a fever of 103. Have to take him in after hours. In the process of getting ready to go, notice Addison getting warm. Decide to take her in too. Both have very mild bronchitis. UHHH.
Tears from everyone.

6 doctor visits..... and counting......

These next two weeks are also looking to be long.

The kids will go in on Monday for Flu shots and check up for Chase.

Thursday the 13th: Carter has scheduled EEG in Worthington. Very nervous about the cooperation on this since he is having "issues".
Friday the 14th: Another possible Dr visit for Carter.
Monday the 17th: Pre-Op physical in town, including full blood work.
Also nervous about this.

Tuesday the 18th: Head up to St. Paul for a unscheduled MRI. Carter was supposed to go up in December, but his oncologist thinks he needs to come up sooner with everything that's going on.

Wednesday the 19th: Carter has 8am MRI. This is at a different hospital than we are used to, since they were booked at MRI. Hopefully all procedures are the same. It is a different location, but the same hospital group. At 1pm we will meet with our team of doctors. I am not sure what this time will bring. Carter's neuro-oncologist said they "may change their minds about how much he is being affected".
Chad was supposed to have a meeting with a new Cardiologist in Sioux Falls on this day, and we obviously had to cancel. He will not be able to get in until next year, which is disappointing for us.

We would very much covet your prayers. We are in the middle of a crazy season anyway, and with three munchkins it is getting overwhelming! We appreciate all of you who care for us and have stood next to us during our struggles.

Pistol Pete's Pumpkin Patch

Last Friday, Ashley and the kids spent the night in Spencer at Grandpa and Grandma's house. Uncle B.J. was home for MEA week and Daddy was working late in the field. On Saturday afternoon we headed southeast of Spencer to Pistol Pete's pumpkin patch! It was a great place for the kids to play. It started out as a way for siblings to earn money for college and turned into a full blown fun fall business. The family's house was a stage coach stop, hence the western theme. They had a corn maze, panning for "gold", a haunted woods, a hot fire for roasting marshmallows, a restaurant, and lots more! Sadly, we discovered Pistol Pete's a little too late, as they will close for good after the season. Here is Chase doing what he always does; just tagging along, minding his own business and taking in the surroundings! Doesn't he look cute!



Addison finds a furry friend. It kinda looks like the Kitty Cat is trying to get away, but it actually found Addison very quickly. I love the joy on Addison's face in this picture. This was her favorite part. Nobody will be surprised if she has a animal sciences career!

A rare good photo, complete with matching sweatshirts!

Carter riding the awesome rubber-wheeled trikes. As you can imagine, this was a hit!

A Few Summer Highlights....

Chase learns to sit on his own. Here he is enoying his toys outside.

Camping at Cuttys and swimming! (or Huttys as Addison calls it)

Good ole Iowa sweet corn!

Auntie Dani and Uncle Vandenn. It is a sad, sad few weeks at our house after they leave! For one, the kids cant seem to figure out where they went and what they are doing. Two, their arrival means I dont have to cook for about three weeks! Three, they dont come back for yet another year!

On the plus side, next year they will bring a new cousin!

That poor kid has no idea what its in for.

Preschool

Pictures from Carter's first day of preschool. He is modeling his new watch and backpack.
I asked Carter after his first day if he wanted to go back. He said "Um, No Thanks!"

That day at lunch, Carter started laughing to himself. He exclaimed to us, "I tried to sneak to the other ladies classrooms!" He was very proud of himself.

We were not. It was funny though.

Even funnier is that we aren't sure if he actually did it or was imagining it!

He now likes school. He wont tell us much other than he went to the gym or the playground..

The Airplane

The past few weeks have been very exciting for Carter as there have been many crop dusters flying around our house. Carter was thrilled to watch them. He was even more thrilled when the plane in these pictures flew past him and Chad. The pilot flew by really low, tipped the wings and waved at Carter. Too bad the poor kid was standing in the grass going potty at the time!!!

5 years and 3 kids later.....

While on our Black Hills Vacation, we celebrated our 5th Anniversay! I would never have thought that in the last five years we would have so much happen!! Between Carter, Addison, and Chase, and Carter and Chads health its been crazy.

We are so thankful for our little family. Also for our many family and friends who have supported us these last five years!

Black Hills Vacation

We had a fun time on our little family vacation to the Black Hills with Ashley's family.
Here are a few highlights........

The family at Mt. Rushmore. We HAD to go there because Carter wanted to see "Rushmore" like Curious George did. He was very excited to see the same helicopter that George rode in fly past "Rushmore".

Tried to take artistic shot of Rushmore for Vandenn to see. This was about the best I could do.

Here is Chase on his first swing ride at Storybook Island, a large park with storybook themed play equipment. The kids loved playing here even though it was hot.

An afternoon at the community swimming pool. They have shallow water and all sorts of things that squirt water. It felt wonderful on a hot day. Carter was THRILLED with the water slide. Addison was too nervous to go down by herself, so Chad went with her. As you can guess, she still had a meltdown even with daddy along.

Camping

We went camping Sunday-Wednesday to celebrate Carter's 4th birthday. We had a good time. The weather was wonderful on Sunday, but the rest of the days were wet and cold.

Addison and Charlotte relaxing together.

Carter and his "big boy bike" he got last summer. He didn't want to ride it untill this spring when we hid his trike that he was WAY TOO BIG for!

Chase spent his time wishing he was big enough to ride any bike, let alone the big boy bike!

the 3 amigos

No, Chase is not scared for his life.....although it looks like it.

He actually is "talking" (a very raspy Ooohhhhhh sound)

that Addison and Carter find very funny.

Beauty Tips from Addison

If you missed it, this is the new way to apply lipstick...........

any shade is fine.........

but Addison prefers Coco................

Addison & Chase

Unfortunatly for Chase, he has been home with just Addison and I as Carter has been in the field with Chad quite a bit. Chase doesn't mind Addison if she is a foot or so away, but usually she is nose to nose with him. (or sitting on him) He tends to get very tense with her around.

Here are a few pictures of them together.