December already?!

I cannot believe Christmas is almost here! Thanksgiving sure did fly by! For some unknown reason I have not been taking ANY pictures at all lately. I have no idea why...its like ive forgotten that my camera even existed! (poor camera) ...So no fun pictures to show, sorry :0( I will definitely be working on that! Well... Thanksgiving at my house and Zach's house was quite an event. I felt like I never stopped eating! (although this does happen quite often-not just on thanksgiving day) It was great to see all my friends and family! What a wonderful holiday.
Finals are on Monday and I am cramming all I can into my little brain before that dreadful day. I cannot wait until it is over! I have an enormous christmas shopping list to accomplish once I am free from testing. I LOVE christmas!
Zach and I went and saw The Blindside last night and it was such an amazing and inspiring movie! Messages like those make me realize how much more I should be giving to those in need... I encourage everyone to see go and see it! Speaking of inspiring, my sweet Caden Lane has been doing very well in school. I am so proud of you little man! Caden and I have kind of reached a new level in our relationship--not only am I his nanny/babysitter/caretaker...but I have now become his nurse! Caden has always has major allergy problems that tend to cause him some major congestion. He usually gets infections around this time of year because he cannot physically clear his own congestion due to his disorder. THANKFULLY we have switched him over to a more reliable form of allergy medication--allergy shots. Even though this sounds more painful...giving him shots almost always ensures that he will receive the right amount of medication to protect him from getting sick (his parent's and my ultimate goal). Since I am almost an official nurse, his parents have allowed me to give him his shots twice a week instead of having to go to the doctor's 24/7 (I am honored!). Even though I usually get a frowny face from him after I give him his shot...he always smiles when I tell him how indestructively tough he is..and how much I love him. Oh how I love that crazy boy!!!

Well...more to come soon! ....and pictures next time for sure!

-Kens

Hey guys...

Well there's nothing much to say but school, school, school! Good news though..I am halfway done with the semester! Only a semester and a half until I graduate with my RN.. woohoo! Lately homework and papers are the only thing occupying my time besides Caden and ASU football. Zach is a starting receiver for ASU now so every Saturday I drive and drive and drive with his parents to either New Mexico or Oklahoma to watch him play (we are just so dedicated! ;0) ) In other news...Caden just turned SIX years old!!! I can't believe my little man is getting so big! He was about to turn four when I started watching him. What an adventure it has been!!! Im so privileged to have the job that I do...He is just a wonderful child! So far..NO FLU--thank goodness...for me or Caden. I swear I purel his hands about three times in the 3-4 hour span I watch him on a daily basis. I wish I could just keep him in a bubble so that no germs could enter his precious little body! My little bro. Evan just came down with the flu though...and we are all sad because he wont get to play in his game this friday. He is such a precious boy too...jeez what I would give to be able to protect these people of mine from harm!!!

Anyway, one of the most honorable and sweet man I have ever known, Rodney Dunlap, died today from bone cancer. He was in so much pain all the time, so I know it is a blessing, but I am devastated for his family. We all loved him so very much. If you dont mind, say a little prayer for him and his family as the journey of life continues. Thanks!

*The pics are from the Texas vs. Tech game, my brother's homecoming football (I am holding baby Ali), and one of Zach's football games.

More to come soon! Hope everyone is having a good Fall so far!

-Peace and Love,

Kens

School's Cool--NOT!

Well...the fall semester is off to a busy start! My semester is crammed with never-ending homework, projects, and assignments...not to mention impossible tests. How much longer 'till christmas again??? Only 8 more months until I get my RN (whew..dont know if I can take much more!)

Well, enough about me. The important person to remember here is the precious angel I have failed to mention lately in my posts--CADEN! Caden is doing just wonderful! He started full days of school this fall at Reagan elementary...and is loving it. He is pooped by the time I drop by the school to get him...and falls asleep in about 10 seconds once he has his bottle at home. Now that I am getting him a little earlier in the day, he is able to nap before therapy which helps his energy level when we strap him up to walk. His walking is much improved and we even tried something new this week--a TRICYCLE! It is a special tricycle with head support and petals we can strap his feet to so that he can ride the day away! He didn't know what to think of it at first...but after a little help...he realized he was pushing himself around and LOVED the idea! He kept motioning and saying "more, more!"

More good news-- Caden has been approved for a Make-A-Wish trip. Of course, we all know what this means...his condition is fatal. But lets not get too hasty!!! He did jet past his life expectancy at the age of 2...and I have full faith that he will live much much longer than anyone can estimate. He is the most amazing, miraculous, and precious little boy on this planet...and I wouldn't trade watching him for anything in the world! He is the true meaning of a miracle. Jeez, I am so blessed to have him in my life! I don't deserve him!

More to come soon! Hope you guys are having a great week!

Peace and love,

Kens

Lots of Pics!

A WoNdErFuL trip to Washington DC

In effort to savor the last bit of summer...I went to DC with my Dad this past week! It was sooo much fun touring every famous hotspot in our nation's capitol. We left Saturday morning and arrived in DC around 3 PM. From there we walked around and saw a couple monuments, the national mall, and briefly toured a couple of the Smithsonian museums. I've never been a history buff...but those museums were simply AMAZING! I loved seeing the various animals and artifacts that were used/discovered so very long ago. There is just something about seeing historical things in person that really make history come alive! Saturday night we ate at a place called Old Ebbitt's Grill and had crab cake and filet minion (Delicious!!!) Sunday was the official walking day...and I mean NOTHING but walking! We saw every monument and memorial up close and personal (you name it--we saw it!) Some of my favorite things that day were going up to the top of the Washington monument and seeing all the names on the wall of the Vietnam monument. After an exhausting day on our feet, my Dad and I had dinner at a place called Jaleo where they served mini Spanish-inspired entrees called "Tapas." We ordered about four to share and then had a delicious Spanish chocolate torte for dessert! My favorite day was Monday...when we toured the Library of Congress. Sounds dorky, but I don't think I have ever fallen in love with a historical building in my life until I saw that national library. Though the millions of books/papers were amazing to see...the Italian Renaissance style of the building was simply breathtaking. I IMMEDIATELY decided that this was the place I was getting married. Unfortunately, they don't allow weddings, let alone more than around 100 people in the building at a time. I'm a little disappointed but nevertheless...it was an amazing sight to see! We also toured the capitol and the national archive building where we saw the Declaration of Independence and the Bill of Rights. That night, we went to a place called Oyamel which was an authentic Mexican restaurant that had entrees similar to that of Jaleo. Our food was amazing and I ordered this authentic passion fruit sorbet dessert with carmel and cake crumbs that was awesome. On Tuesday we made a quick trip to the National Zoo and to Arlington Cemetery... then flew home! Those panda's might just be the coolest animals in the world! It was a quick trip...but i had a blast with my Dad and loved spending time with him. I can't wait to go back and visit! All of the many pictures will be posted very soon! There are some pretty silly one's of my Dad and I (love you Pop!!!)

Peace and Love,
Kens

A Mess of Fun!

(My very fav. pic of Caden! above)

Hello everyone! As always...it has been awhile since I have blogged (my apologies). Nothing that exciting has really been going on lately since my summer classes have ended. I did go on a short Six flags vacation with my dad and siblings (which was a BLAST) but there were no pics because we rode on all the water rides and I didn't want to ruin my camera! We have also been moving Zach into his first house (woohoo!)...which has kept everyone busy. In the meantime...my precious little Caden has mostly been kickin' back with his parents and wonderful family... so I haven't gotten to see him very much! SOOO...I decided it was time for a little fun at the pool for me and the little man :0) We drove over to my parent's house, bathed in some sun screen, and hopped in the cool water! Caden did great in the water and just kicked and splashed around like a little fish! He did scare me to death though when he kicked so hard that his entire body flipped over (face first) into the water!!! He just laughed and laughed though (he tends to enjoy me over-reacting on a day to day basis) Afterwards...we ate some dinner and I suprised him with a special chocolately dessert--squashed up oreos in some milk! His eyes got so big when I put the first spoon full in his mouth...and he couldn't stop licking his lips just waitin' for more!!! The pictures were hilarius...I think he had a chocolate beard at one point (It was messy to say the least!) By dinner-time though, he was EXHAUSTED (as you will see in the pics). We had a blast, regardless of the exhaustion and mess, and I can't wait to do it all over again!

More to come soon-

Peace and Love,

-Kens

YES--I am alive!

Okay so I know it's been forever and a day since Ive blogged...but this summer has been crazy from the get-go! I have been taking summer classes that started in the beginning of june, and they have had my undivided attention ever since the very first day! My nursing class is one of the most packed and stressful classes ever...but thank goodness I just took my final and actually ended up making an A in the class (after hours upon hours of studying!!!) I am so happy that all that reading and studying finally paid off! It is my first A in nursing thus far...and i couldn't be more thrilled! In the meantime, i am still taking my last government and i take that final next week. All my cousins from Tennessee and Austin have been here visiting for a couple of weeks now...and even though it is a chaotic household...it has been a blast with them here! At the moment...I am actually in Ruidoso New Mexico with Zachary's family vacationing in the mountains. It is weird actually having a break and not studying contstantly (well, minus the government stuff)....but don't get me wrong--there has not been a moment to rest since we are at the horse races practically 24/7. I am still waiting to have my big break and actually win some money...but these past two days were definitely NOT it! I hate losin' money like that! If you have any tips that would help me win big (besides "just bet on every horse and then you won't have to lose!"---thanks pop), don't hesitate to tell!!! I can use all the help I can get! On a good note...I saw the most spectacular fireworks show the other night at the Inn of the Mountain Gods here in Ruidoso. It was the most amazing thing i have ever seen! I think EVERYONE should experience something as amazing as those fireworks at least sometime in their lives...it was breathtaking. Well...there is so much more to tell but this is getting pretty long so I will save the rest for later! Hopefully good news to come of me winning the big one! (ha like that's gonna happen)
HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY EVERYONE!!!