Here is just a brief list of some of the Hicks Happenings that have been going on the last 6 months...
Cacen Josiah Hicks was born on 1-5-10. He is a sweet heart in every way possible.
Our whole family took turns passing around a horrid virus from Jan 7-16.
Cody & Joshua had strep in January. Joshua & Jaislynn had a BAD respiratory infection too. So lots of Dr. appointments & meds for the entire family.Then I had a infection from my c-section that caused me to be uncomfortable in every way possible and run 103+ fevers for a few days.
Our granddaughter, SeiAra Marie Dawn died on January 30 from asthma complications. She was a little sweetheart. She had just turned 6 on Jan 17. This put a lot into perspective for Jason & I.
Cody, Cacen & I went to Westminster to be with "little" Crystal & family from Jan 30-Feb 2.
Jason, Jaislynn, Cacen & I went to Lincoln & Weeping Water, & signed papers on our house Feb 12.
Vicki moved out on Feb 15.
Jaislynn & Joshua had respiratory infections again in February.
We packed and packed every day until the early morning hours the rest of February.
My Birthday was celebrated by loading 2 U-Haul trucks with all our stuff on March 5.
We moved to Weeping Water on March 6.
My Grandma died on March 7. I am really glad that I made the time to go off route on the way to Weeping Water the day before and visit her in Norton. She truly enjoyed visiting with the kids. Especially Joshua, they laughed and shared funny stories. My biggest regrets about this day....I wish I would have tapped Josh & Grandma's visit. I wish I would have hugged a little tighter when I said goodbye. I wish I would have stayed awhile longer. Treasure your time with the ones you love. You never know when it will be the last day shared with them. I have been learning this lesson over and over the past 6 yrs. I hope we can have a little break from death & funerals now.
It rained the entire first week we lived in Weeping Water. It was a very depressing week.
Grandma's funeral in Norton was March 12.
The kids all were very sick the next week. Cody had strep again and was referred to a ENT in Lincoln to have his tonsils removed. Joshua had the start of pneumonia and a very bad respiratory infection, he had to do a nebulizer breathing treatments, cough meds, steroids, and antibiotics. Jaislynn had to have everything but the steroids for her infection. So in March I spent a lot of time giving treatments, meds, and going to the Dr with sick kids.
We worked on unpacking and getting settled the rest of March.
We met some really nice people and went to a carnival at the school.
We also were able to spend a lot more time with Maycee since we were only a 40 minuet drive from Boys Town.
It was so great to spend time with Chawnta & Isai as well! We were only 30 minuets from Lincoln too.
Joshua turned 6 on March 31.
We came back to Palisade for Easter & Joshua's party at the park.
About a week later Jason & I decided it was the best choice to move back home. I plan on doing a entire post on this. I have LOTS of pictures. This was a good experience for us in so many ways. We learned so many important lessons. But the MOST important thing to come out of all of this is our children's health. They had so many respiratory infections this past year. We know that it was due to the mold that we had no clue we even had. A pipe had been leaking for who knows how long under the old laundry room floor. Jason found it when he was starting to fix up the house so we could sell. If we hadn't moved, I would have wanted to wait until the babies we older to remodel. Who knows how sick they could have became. So this just goes to show that everything happens for a reason. We needed to move to Weeping Water for a lot of reasons, but this by far is the most important one.
Mom & Dad came to Weeping Water to get a U-haul trailer full & take the boys back to WP to start school back on April 13.
Aunt Janet came to Weeping Water for a few days to help me with babies so I could re-pack all our stuff.
The people who owned the house came on April 18 & shared lovely stories on how haunted the house was.
The only kids that had to go to the Dr in April were Cody & Jaislynn, that was nice to have a little break from taking all of them.
Towards the end of April Nada came to help me with the babies and re-packing for a few days.
Mom had serious test(heart catherterization) where she had to be put under and spend the entire day at the NE heart institute on April 21. So the babies & I spent the day in Lincoln with her, Chawnta & Caleb.
After resting for a day at Chawnta's in Lincoln then Mom came and stayed Friday and Saturday helping me with cleaning, packing, and taking care of the babies.
Dad & Cody came with yet another U-haul trailer and took another load to Palisade.
All the while April 12 through the 29 our older boys and Jason stayed at Grandma Pearls.
During this time frame Jason remodeled our Kitchen & Bathroom, painted the Living room, Dinning room, and put new carpet in the Living room, while working for BNSF when ever they called! He had some help from friends & family, and our awesome dads!
I worked on packing and cleaning the 4800 sq ft home we had planned to make our home for the next 18 yrs or more. It was quite lonely with just the babies, especially during the night after the owners had told me the horrific stories. I have to admit that I was a little scared. I would just pray and then would have total peace so I could get a little sleep. I was blessed we were in such a great neighborhood.
We moved back to Palisade on April 29.
Joshua had his 1st field day @ WP on May 6.
Aunt Sandra, Anthony, Caitlyn, and Aunt Lisa came for visit on May 6.
May 7 we headed to Lincoln again.
May 8 Chawnta graduated from UNL Law school.
Joshua's spring concert was May 11.
Joshua's kindergarten play was May 17.
Joshua, Austin, & Cody all completed their first year in kindergarten, Jr High, & High School. So next school year we will have one in 1st, one in 7th, one in 8th, and one in 10th. It's going to be busy again...I just know it!
Maycee completed the program successfully at RTC and was able to move to a lower level treatment home at Boys Town.
Cody had his pre-surgery appointment May 25.
T ball started May 26.
We went to Norton for one last BBQ at Grandma Lea's May 30. I will dedicate a post to this too. I took lots of pictures.
June 1 was my dear friend Julie's open house for her new business. JD studios! I did a few things to help out with the lunch she served.
June 6 We headed to Kansas again to celebrate Grandpa Eldon's 80th Birthday at the farm.
Joshua went to VBS in Hamlet June 7-11, he loved it!
We went to the talent show, parade, and BBQ for Pioneer days June 11-13.
Joshua has had a few T-ball practices & games.
Austin has been doing horseback riding therapy every Tuesday.
All the kids have been enjoying the pool lots this summer!
I have loved going for walks whenever I can with the babies in the stroller!
Cody turned 16 on June 16.
Joshua lost his first tooth on June 21.
I went to the Dr for strep for the first time I can ever remember &. it was miserable!
We had a surprise birthday party for Cody on June 27. It was a huge success, thanks to all the wonderful help we had pulling it off! I will definitely have a post just for this soon too!
Cody had his tonsils removed on June 29.
I think this sums up a little of what has been going on in our lives. Each day has been a blessing. No matter how stressful, how challenging, or how delightful & fun.
As you can tell I have a lot of updating to do to catch up on post. I am going to try my best to do just that!
I took pictures for a couple of days of the messes that Miss Jaislynn made. This was just to remind myself at the end of the day that I did get a lot done, even if it didn't seem like it. I can't get too upset with her though, it does no good to child proof things for her, she can get it into anything child locked. She is so smart! It's exhausting some days though. She is also known as "Little Miss Tornado". A very appropriate nick name given to her by Joshua. Who could be upset with her anyways? Just look at this face! She is always willing to help clean up too. She is quite the little helper!
Jaislynn telling me she was cold at the pool. I almost caught her in the full sign. You make two fist and put your hands up by your shoulders quickly, as to say "cold".
Austin, Jaislynn, & Joshua at break time.
Aunt Chawnta came back for the weekend of Pioneer Days. The kids LOVE spending time with her!!
Lazy summer mornings are the best!
The babies love going for walks. Sometimes Cacen falls asleep, sometimes Jaislynn does. Rarely do they both. That's ok though. It is just so nice to be able to get them out and about easily. I love my jogging stroller!
4th of July- I had to take about 10 pictures to get this one! I love it though!
I changed Cacen because he had wet through his clothes, and when I laid him back down I realized that he matched the blanket perfectly, so I had to snap a photo! He is 1 day shy of 6 months here. This was the evening of the 4th of July.
