Little Lucas

(cardiac intensive care unit)

My new little nephew, Lucas Bryant Walker Beard,

was born on Monday, February 22nd. Lucas has had two

surgeries thus far, and is awaiting the extensive 8 hour surgery

on his tiny heart. I was privileged to get to go visit him

yesterday. I wanted to scoop him up and love on him. It made me sad that

I couldn't, but I spoke to him, rubbed his little leg, and told him how much I

love him.

What a sweet little guy. He is fighting hard!


Gabi and Nick with their baby.

As I walked through the ICU, I was broken-hearted seeing so many sick children. It made me soooo thankful for the health of my children. I feel immensely blessed. I hope and pray Little Lucas will be able to make it through his upcoming procedures. We just already love him so much!

I must be crazy...

My oh too funny hubby informed tonight that I constantly provide background music,

i.e. that I hum 24- 7. I asked him if it was a bad thing.

"Not if you'd change the songs up a bit."

It's true-- I always have kids songs in my head. Hello? I teach music to my children, plus we sing a lot at our house.

(Livvy's nursery teacher even says she is the only child who sings in nursery, and one of the youngest. It must have a positive effect somewhere, right?)

I wasn't too concerned with his comment until he added,

"There was a crazy guy at work that use to do the same thing."

Thanks babe!

Heads or Tails

Good night :)

Remembering Grandma

Well, I didn't exactly post as much as I planned before

Valentine's Day, but Wade's grandma passed away the

Wednesday before, and so we were spending time as a family-

remembering Grandma Rowene.

She was a very talented, hard-working lady

All of my kids own hand-stitched quilts

(done in her 80's none the less!)

that she tenderly made. She was a wonderful person

and I think she wanted to go home to her

sweetheart for Valentine's Day.

Even Livvy seemed to understand when we told her Grandma died.

She'd say,"Sommer, see die."

It was sad and sweet.

She is getting so big!

Chase was respectful and considerate, but wouldn't be

Chase without at least one funny thing to say.

After the funeral when we were at

the luncheon,

Chase was sitting with Wade's parents.

He looked at Grammy (Wade's mom) and said,

"This was fun! I hope we do this again soon!...(thinking)

But, we only know of two old people left."

"Who's that?" Grammy asked.

Matter of factly he responded,

" You and Grandpa."

We all had a good laugh from that one. Chase can

lighten any mood. :)

Grandma's funeral was a beautiful tribute to a

beautiful person. And although we will miss her, we

know we will see her again!

Walking on water (frozen)

This is Chaser walking across a frozen lake

recently. Wade took him out there to see it.

Dads are just so fun! Chase loved it!

I should do more fun things in the winter...

but instead I dream of spring.

Cutest Cowboy in the West

Braydon- almost 4 years old.

I think he is SOOO handsome! :)

Sweet Hearts

I LOVE this photo!

A sweet candid moment between Gabi and Sommer

about 7 years ago. Wow! Can that be right?

7 years???

Gabi is my niece, but really more like my sister since

she lived with us from the time she was a baby. Even though there

is a good 12 years difference between us, we have always

been close. She has always had a love of little kids.

She is currently expecting her 2nd little boy.

Nicholas is one. Her new baby has been diagnosed in

utero with having 4 congenital heart defects. He will need surgery

the moment he is born to construct a new aorta

among other procedures. We already love this new little boy

and are praying that the doctors can mend his little heart

so we can all watch him grow. I am also praying for

Gabi and Nick, her husband, that they will have strength.

Having a baby in the NICU will be tough, especially

with one baby at home. But, I am sure that this experience

will be a time of growth for our family.

I will update when he is born.

PS- Happy Birthday Gabi!

For My Sweet Valentines

Each day before Valentine's Day, I plan to post a picture that I

LOVE.
Chase- 1 year old.

Happy Birthday Livvy Brynne!

My sweet baby girl is 2 years old today!

(I say this with tears in my eyes!) Isn't she so funny? She loves cheesing at the camera. Quite the ham!
Last night I made this little shirt for her. She has loved wearing it

today. She knows it is her special day and tells everyone,

"It's Livvy's birt-day!"

( I love how she always speaks of herself in 3rd person.)

Livvy is just the sweetest, funnest baby girl. I recently askedher if

she was a big girl, and she pouted and said,

"NO!!! I a BABY!"
A-ok!
She likes being our baby. She is spoiled with lots of love!

And she is so polite. The other night I called her to dinner and she said,
"No sank ooo. I fine!"
I thought that was so funny and cute!
She is growing up so fast, but we enjoy each and every day!

I can't believe this picture below was taken 2 years ago today!

I cherish that day!

I have loved having Livvy in my life!

She makes me smile so much!
February 3, 2008

We were instantly head over heels in love!



Just a cutie from the very start!

I am so glad that we didn't stop at 2 0r 3 kids.
Baby number 4 has been just so easy and fun!
I would have missed out so much without ALL of my sweet kids.

Happy Birthday our sweet Livs!
We love you more than you could EVER know!