Roadrunner Basketball

Carson has found his sport!  This was the 3rd season that Carson played on this team with Coach Anthony.  The boys have really bonded on and off the court.  This season they played 8U-B and did a great job!  They began passing really well and working together as one unit!  I am so proud of all of them, especially my #4!

Easter

With the passing of Bill, Easter was subdued at our house.  In the morning, we gathered the kids at the kitchen table.  They opened their Easter baskets and Jason and I took some pictures, between our own tears.  At breakfast, we told them that Appah went to Heaven.

We did a little Easter egg hunt and tried to play with the kids as much as we could.  That afternoon, mom and dad came in to watch the kids while Jason and I headed over to Bill's house to meet with Mark and Stacy and begin figuring out what to do next.

I was sad that Easter wasn't the holiday it should have been for the kids.  But, God had other plans this year.  I pray that Carson, Kennedi, and Cade know how loved they are, not only by us, but by God.  He sent his only son to die on the cross for them.  He took Bill this year, during this season.  Through it all we have Faith and Family and I pray that never changes.

Bill Diamond, aka "Appah"

It has been a long journey.  In October 2012 Bill was diagnosed with colon cancer.  The mass was large and was creating an obstruction. It had to be removed immediately.  After a colon resection and a couple weeks in the hospital, he was only half way there.  In the process, we found out that Bill had a met to the liver.  Not long after the colon surgery, we were back on the 5th floor of Methodist Hospital watching Bill recover from a liver resection.  By the spring of 2013 Bill was "clear".  He began some oral chemotherapy and was on the road to recovery.

Unfortunately, the remission period didn't last long.  In March of 2014, they found another spot on Bill's colon.  It was near the same spot where the previous surgery was.  Bill was admitted to Main Methodist again on April 2nd, 2014 for his second colon resection.  The surgery went well...initially. 

Over his 2 week stay in the hospital, Bill experienced a few setbacks.  His wound got infected and required a wound vac.  The meds caused him to be confused and disoriented at times. His abdomen was distended and required him to have a NG tube and be on IV nutrition.  Through it all, Jason, Mark, and Stacy visited often and we all prayed for a complete recovery.

On April 18th, Good Friday, Jason went to visit his dad.  That morning, Bill wanted to take a shower and walk the hospital halls.  He and Jason watched a little t.v. and had a good visit.  Jason came home that morning and told me, "Dad is getting better."

On April 19th, the Saturday before Easter, about 7:00 p.m. we got a call from the hospital asking for Jason, Mark, and Stacy to come in as soon as possible.  The kids rushed to the hospital.  They had taken Bill down to get a CT scan.  He began hemorrhaging internally and coded.  They revived him, but he coded twice more before his children made it to the hospital.  Bill went to be with our Lord on April 19th, 2014.

No one was prepared for Bill to leave this world.  Bill was a big part of our family.  He often came over to help Jason in the yard and play with the kids.  Jason talked to him on the phone routinely after Spurs games and A&M football games.  He always accompanied Jason, Carson, and Cade to the barber shop.  He will be missed greatly.

My heart hurt.  Not only was I sad, but I hurt for Jason.  No one is ever ready to lose a parent.  And, then we had to explain it to our kids.  Carson understood.  He understood that Bill was in Heaven and would be looking down on him.  There were times at the viewing that Carson would stand at the casket and then sit in the pew and pray.  He lost his grandfather and he was sad.  Kennedi and Cade didn't understand quite to the same level.  They both could tell you that Bill went to Heaven, but I'm not sure that they fully understood what that meant and how it would impact our family.

I thank God for our time with Bill.  I thank God for his life.  We will miss Bill always.  Until the day when we meet again...

More T-Ball

Look at my little slugger!  Go Cade Go!

 

 



Outdoor Kitchen

Jason and I have been wanting to build an outdoor kitchen for a long time.  We love being outside with our kids.  Now, with this place, the space, and the pool, it was a perfect opportunity to create a space to cook, relax, and enjoy friends and family.  We started just before Christmas 2013.  We started with Cozy Outdoor Escapes for the grill, cabinets, fridge, and sink.  They recommended David Barr, contractor.  David and his team drew the cabana design and began the process.  I'll have to admit, I wasn't prepared for all the decisions that have to be made - like picking granite, to stain or seal the cedar, lighting, fan, etc.  However, we ended up making some really good choices and the kitchen turned  out beautiful!  Along the way, we added a few things, like a raised flower bed around the backside and a retaining wall in the front to help with drainage.  Finally, in April, we added the final touches of landscaping.  It is a great addition to our home and I must say, we use it almost every weekend! 

Below are some pictures of the progress...

 

 

Race at the Ranch

Race at the Ranch is always such a good time.  The KRE PTA always puts on a great family event and raises a lot of money for the school.  This year I went as photographer, with a mission to take pictures for the yearbook.  Aside from that, Carson and Kennedi ran the 1 mile fun run.  Carson ended up getting 3rd place in his age group!  Cade had a t-ball game that day, so Jason and Cade didn't make it, but we look forward to it again next year!