Ten Years with Dad's Liver

There's not much I can say that hasn't already been said. Thank God that Anthony has done so well with the left lobe of Mark's liver (said it...at least a million times!). Thank God that Mark has not experienced any complications himself (said it!). Thank God for the wonderful doctors, nurses, aides, techs who have taken care of Anthony over the years (said it!). Thank God for our family who supported us and who keep on supporting us (said it!). Thank God for our friends who have stood  by us and walked this crazy transplant journey with us (said it!). So now I'll just let the pictures speak for themselves.

2004

2005 

2006

2007

2008

2009

2010

2011

2012

2013

2014

Daniel, Chapter 3: 89-90
"Give thanks to the Lord, for he is good, for his love is everlasting.
Bless the Lord, the God of gods, all who fear him, give praise and thanks to him, for his love is everlasting!

Double Digits

Dear Anthony,

Today you turn TEN! This past year has been pretty exciting. Watching you change into the young man you're surely becoming has been fascinating for me.

You are obsessed with anything to do with science, and want to be a Chemist when you grow up. You bring home books from the library on the different elements, have parts of the periodic table memorized, and are constantly looking for experiments you can do. You email your Parrain (who is a Chemist) to ask him questions. We are also constantly Googling things to find the answer. Last night's Google search: what makes up steel?

This year, in fourth grade, you've joined the school band. You're playing the clarinet, and the progress you've made in four short months has been huge! You've played in one pep rally, and have a Christmas concert coming up. I love sharing music with you, and am so proud of the progress you've made.

Swimming is still a big part of your life, too. You push yourself to be the best you can be, and ask your coaches what you can do on your "off" days to improve your stamina and strength. I love seeing your dedication to this. I was never so dedicated to anything at your age!


This has been a big year for you in Cub Scouts, too. You've moved into the last group of Cub Scouts, and will spend one more year in the Webelos before you move on to Boy Scouts. You love when we go camping, and when you get to just be OUTSIDE.

You got to go on your first hunting trip this year, too. And while you didn't get the deer, I know you had a blast. You came home dirty, stinky, and full of all kinds of fun things to tell me. You even bought yourself a BB gun after the trip so you can practice your shooting for NEXT TIME!

You are a great role model for Benjamin. You come home, start your homework, and then go off to play. Most of the time, you let him tag along! You let him choose the shows you'll watch on TV, even when it's something like "Doc McStuffins"...something I know you think is "baby". You make sure he gets off the bus every day, and run to him to hug him in the mornings when he wakes up. Of course y'all fight - you're brothers! But mostly you just accept Benjamin and want him with you.

I thank God every day that he chose me to be your mom. I'm so lucky!

I hope TEN is everything you've dreamed it would be.

Love,
Mama

Family Photos

A Whole Handful

Dear Benjamin,

Today you are FIVE.  As you put it, you are a "whole hand full"...and we all wholeheartedly agree.  You are, without a doubt, a handful.  And yet, I think we would not have it any other way.

Being FOUR has been a wild ride for you.  Pre-K was awesome - you learned so much, and have come so far from where you were a year ago.  Somehow, you managed to have perfect conduct at school all year long, when at home you are constantly in trouble for mouthing off. Soccer, basketball, t-ball, swimming - you tried it all this year and proclaimed that sport to be your most favorite EVER. You made some new best friends this year, and I was so proud to see you defend them with the fierceness of a mama lion.

Your personality is so colorful, and so beautiful.  You won't be taken for granted, you won't be bullied, you won't be left behind.  You will be my little leader, unafraid of what's in your way.  

I can count on you for hugs, snuggles, and kisses - a million times a day.  You love to draw pictures for us, and insist that they all go on the fridge, or to work, or on my nightstand. 

You have about 6 Post-it-Notes taped to the wall right outside of your bedroom. One is to warn Alexis the Cat that she ought not come in your room. Another is to warn robbers and bad guys that they will face a painful death if they try to steal your toys (or you, for that matter). Another is to welcome your friends and brother (sometimes, but not all the time). I'm not sure what the other three are for. Those descriptions change daily.

You still love trains, planes, helicopters, fire trucks, police cars, ambulances, construction sites - anything and everything that has to do with THINGS THAT GO. When directed to make up a story for you at bedtime, I spin an elaborate tale that involves Thomas the Train, a daring rescue performed by you, possibly a trip to the North Pole to visit Santa, and a crane. Then I get a hug and kiss and you say, "That's the BEST STORY EVER, Mama!"

You make the funniest faces, and say the funniest things. And you repeat things like a little parrot. Where I rarely had to worry about Anthony repeating things I said, I constantly have to worry about that with you. Sarcasm is not lost on you, and you employ your own brand of it with stunning accuracy. It's hilarious to watch someone caught in your crossfire.

Leo is still your beloved stuffed animal. Rarely will you go anywhere without him. And if you do have to leave him behind, you make sure he is surrounded by other friends and you reassure him that you WILL come back for him. The few times he's been left somewhere (like Maw Maw's), we automatically turn around for him. There will be no "going to bed without Leo" for you. You simply won't go to bed. 

You probably don't realize it now, but you've got the best big brother on earth. He lets you (mostly) play with his Legos, he saves a special treat to share with you, he lets you hang out and watch him play a game, he puts aside what he's doing to play with you, he teaches you and loves you. Anthony is so proud to be your big brother, and to lead you (sometimes astray). I hope that the bond between the two of you only grows stronger as you both get older.

Four has been a blast - literally. I'm a bit singed around the edges from this past year. But I wouldn't curb your personality for anything. I can't wait to watch you continue to spread your wings and soar. Just make sure to always come back for snuggles, hugs, and kisses OK?

Love,

Mama

Nein...Anthony is NINE? NEIN.

Dear Anthony, Today you are NINE. This seems to be a big deal to you: it's the last year you'll be single digits. It's a big deal to me, too. But every birthday we celebrate with you is a big deal to me.

This past year has been pretty awesome for you! You've continued to swim on a local swim team and have loved it. You got to go to San Diego, CA for a couple of weeks to Legoland, Disney Land, Sea World, the San Diego zoo, and a lot of other fun places, too. You started Third Grade and are loving your Science class more than anything else; you were so excited that Science became a full-time subject in Third Grade. You say you want to be a Chemist like Parrain when you grow up, and try to absorb anything "science-y" that you can.

You still love Legos. This year it's become Lego Ninjago that holds your fascination. You talk of Lord Garmadon, Lloyd, Kai, Jay, and all of the other Ninjas as if they're real. You sit down with Daddy and Benjamin on Wednesday nights to watch the Ninjago TV show and dissect every little nuance of the show afterwards. You still play with all of the other Legos you've got; Star Wars, City, trains (with Benjamin when he begs you to). There are very few other toys that you want to play with if the other choice is LEGOS.

You made your First Communion in April, and were SO excited to finally be able to take communion with us at Mass. You asked all kinds of important questions about making your First Communion, but the one you were most concerned about was whether you had to drink the wine or not. You were hesitant to do it, but took a tiny sip of it during the Ceremony and decided you wouldn't like to do THAT again!

Shortly after First Communion, you asked to have your hair cut "really, really short". So I broke out Daddy's electric hair trimmer and buzzed you. At first, it took a little getting used to. But after a few days we all agreed that it looks REALLY good on you. You're letting your hair grow out "for the winter, Mama" and it looks strange to me - seeing you with longer hair might take some getting used to. And then, I'm sure you'll want it buzzed again!

You got braces this summer, too. You were so excited about getting them and rarely complain of pain associated with them. I'm so glad, because I remember that mine were painful; especially after a visit to the orthodontist. You've done a really good job of keeping them clean and in good condition. And we've already noticed a huge improvement in your teeth placement and speech.

You make us laugh every day. You are so smart, sweet, and loving. You hate when Benjamin cries, and always want to be first into his room in the morning for hugs. You love to help cook in the kitchen, camping out with Daddy, playing with your friends, building elaborate Lego creations with Benjamin, and reading with me. You don't like being told "no" without an explanation to go with it, missing school, or sleeping late.

Watching you grow and change is one of the best parts of my life. Each day it seems like you're less a boy and more the man I know you will one day be. Keep making me laugh, Anthony...you're what makes my days bright. Love, Mama

First Communion

Anthony made his First Communion yesterday!

Touring DC

So it's taken me a little too long to update the rest of the photos, so I'm just going to put a few up here (OK - 16). I want to update with some pictures of our trip to Alabama to ride on the Polar Express, too, so I'm going to do that right after this. Lots of pictures to catch up on!

Remember this photo?


Here he is, two years later!


Riding the Metro (aka: THE TRAIN, MAMA, WE RIDING THE TRAIN)


Anthony had the Metro map memorized by the time we had ridden it twice.


We got to go to the zoo, too! We saw lions (most important), elephants, tigers, orangutans, and found this adorable hat for my littlest lion!


After the zoo, we took the boys on a tour of the Capitol Building. Anthony recently finished a Social Studies unit on the US Government, so this was exciting (and boring) for him!


He did enjoy telling our tour guide that he knew all about the Capitol, though!


We went to the National Archives after the Capitol to let Anthony see the Constitution. We got a little bored waiting in line, so Anthony and I horsed around.




The next day, we went to the Natural History Museum to see the dinosaurs again. Here's another throw-back photo:


And two years later:


After seeing the dinosaurs, we got some popcorn and had some little friends who asked us to share.


That evening, we celebrated Mark's aunt and uncle's 50th Wedding Anniversary. It was such an honor to be there to congratulate them. They are truly a beautiful couple, and an inspiration for Mark and me on what true love is.


My mother-in-law (standing, on the right) with her sister, Carmen (standing on the left) and their sister-in-law, Ina (seated).


Mark, his brothers, and some of their cousins:


Pat and Ina, Charles and Carmen, Mike and Margaret: