Christmas in Iowa... and Texas

We're finally back home after our "vacation" to Iowa.  Everyone seems pretty much back to normal after all that sickness last week.  Not only did our family get the stomach bug, but Brad's mom, dad, brother, a couple aunts, uncles, and cousins got it too!  Pretty powerful stuff!  YUCK! 

It was really unfortunate that we didn't get to spend the little time we had in Iowa doing fun things, instead of being holed up in the house in our jammies.  Brad's mom, sister, and I didn't get our pedicures or get to eat at our favorite Mexican restaurant - which is always a tradition any time we're up there.  Yeah, yeah, I know what y'all are thinking... "Really, you go to Iowa to have Mexican food?!"  I swear, the place is really good.  No joke.

Even with the sicknesses, Brad and I got to spend some time at the cemetery, which is really important to us.  Nash's grave looked beautiful.  My mother-in-law takes such good care of it.  It was so sweet to watch Tate as he stared at the little marker.  He told Nash he loved him and blew him lots of kisses each time we went.  It's a very bittersweet thing to witness as a mother. 

We're so thankful for a safe trip.  Both the boys were troopers, despite being sick and away from home.  So I'm glad to be back... I think my blood has officially turned "Texan."  I can't stand being cold!!!  And to all those mommies up north, I am in awe at what you go through everyday to get your kids out of the house when the weather is so freakin' cold.  God bless you!!!

Hope all your Christmases were merry.  
Love to y'all,
Tracy

Poor Knox with his IV shunt... We had to keep it in for 24 hours in case he needed another round of fluids.

The Best of Buddies - Tate and Cade

Uncle Steven and Knox

The Sievers Family

Soooooo excited about their new football uniforms!!!

Mommy and Tate at church on Christmas Eve

The Cousins... Knox, Tate, Cade, Jensen, Colton

Me and My Boys

Christmas Eve is tiring for a little guy!

Christmas with Grandma and Grandpa Smith

"Throw Up is Kinda Like Poop"

We've been in Iowa for the past four days and ALL of us have been sick!!!  It started with Knox throwing up on Monday morning.  We took him in and found out he had a small ear infection and a stomach virus.  Needless to say, it was really rough and he had a really hard time.  He ended up getting a little too dehydrated and ended up in the ER on Tuesday to get an IV and some intravenus antibiotic.  Poor baby!  He had us all pretty worried. 

Then as Knox started taking a good turn, Tate was up all night on Tuesday, throwing up.  When he got done tossing his cookies for the first time, he looked in the toilet and informed me that, "Throw up is kinda like poop."  Nice.  By yesterday, Brad and his mom had gotten it and then last night I was lucky enough to join the club. 

So we've had an "interesting" vacation so far to say the least.  It's been ANYTHING but relaxing.  And we didn't get to do half the stuff we were planning on doing.  Hopefully we're all out of the woods now and that no one else gets it. 

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Candles for Nash

As many of you know, tonight is the annual Worldwide Candle Lighting created by the support group that I attend (The Compassionate Friends).  At 7pm local time, people around the world will be lighting candles for all children who have died at any age and from any cause.  We are asking for anyone who reads this to please light a candle in memory and in honor of our baby, Nash, tonight at 7:00.  

The "wave" of light that Nash will witness from heaven as each time zone lights their candles, will be the most beautiful light, I'm sure.  And I know that he will be smiling down, as he watches everything unfold.  I pray that in each of the lights that are lit for him, that Nash sees just how important he was and still is to this world.  I pray that he can see with his own big blue eyes the impact he has had on so many people.  

Thank you all for participating.  We are blessed to have each and every one of you by our side on this journey.  

Love to y'all,
Tracy

Christmas is in the Air!

The past few days have been quite the reminder that Christmas will be here before we know it!  On Thursday night, Tate had his Christmas Program at preschool.  Last year, he literally laid down behind the girls he was supposed to stand next to and didn't sing one word of any of the songs.  So I just prayed that he would at least stand up this year.  But my worries were put to rest when he stood there, sweet as could be, and sang all the songs just like he had practiced.  Phew!  (Notice the kid in the far left of the picture... HA!)

My brother, Trent, came in town on Friday for a visit since he can't get the time off work during Christmas.  So yesterday, the boys and I helped my mom and dad decorate their tree.  Then last night, we all ventured out to ride on the Polar Express.  They had a tent set up, where we all sang Christmas carols.  Then everyone went outside to board a real train.  Tate was so excited to see the snow they had blowing... he was trying to catch the snowflakes on his tongue.  We rode the train as more Christmas music played and the conductor came around and punched our tickets just like in the movie.  Then Santa showed up and shook all the kids' hands.  Tate was thrilled with the whole experience and Knox just sat there wide-eyed, trying to take it all in. 

This afternoon, my mom, Trent, Tate, and I went to the Galleria in Dallas and went ice skating around the HUGE tree.  Tate did pretty well, considering he'd never set foot in ice skates before.  Each time around, his confidence grew more and more.  By the time we were finished, he told me, "See, I told you I could ice skate."

I can't believe we leave for Iowa in less than two weeks!  We are all so excited to see Brad's family and celebrate Jesus' birth together!

Love to y'all,
Tracy