I HEART... (add yours!) & WINNER

<center><a href="http://youandmeplusthree.com/"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.preshwebdesign.com/images/heartbutton1.png" /></a></center><br /><br /><center>I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at <a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/">You and Me Plus Three</a>. Go <a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/">there</a> now to add yours and read others!!</center>

(copy and paste the above code in your post, add what you "heart", come back and add yourself to MckLinky.. be sure to link your I "heart" post correctly so everyone is able to easily find yours)

Since day 1 of our heart journey, we have really openned our eyes to not take life for granted. Not that we didn't know before but it's not hard to get caught up in life and overlook the many positives in our lives especially when you might have some negatives.

Every Thursday I post I "heart"... and list a few things that happened the past week that remind me just how blessed I am. Little and big. As you have probably guessed this was inspired by Bentley's heart. Although we were going through an extremely difficult time, there were many positives that I often overlooked because I would let the difficult moments bring me down.

Feel free to join in, and add yourself to Mcklinky below. I love how I can make notes of these little things that create so much happiness, and look back on them anytime.

I "heart" Bentley's book that I just talked about here.

I "heart" that this weekend is Bryson's first official travel baseball tourny- fun stuff!

I "heart" Brenna's contagious smile.

I "heart" the shirts I am having Bentley made to support brother and sister. (yes I had a sneak peek last night and they are awesome. I will share with you very soon!!)

I "heart" that my husband has become quite the handy man and put my new floor down.

I "heart" our new bathroom floor.

I "heart" that the sun has been out for days now. Super weather we are getting!!

I "heart" Target.

I "heart" good music on a sunny day while watching my 3 little ones play.

I "heart" this giveaway I just had!! And the winner is Laurie (who commented at 9:22pm) - yes I just announced the winner. Laurie I have no contact info for you, so please contact me at crystal525@live.com to get your new hat. If I don't hear from you in a couple of days, I will have to pick a new winner.

I "heart" that I have the best blog friends ever!!!

Just to randomly name a few. What do you heart this week? Be sure to post yours and link up!!!

(be sure to link up correctly- directions are up above, directly under the button code.)

I can't wait to read yours!!!

BENTLEY'S VERY OWN BOOK

We have thought long and hard about what we could give Bentley's heart surgeon... Everytime we are in the office we see hundreds of pictures coming through of children that he performed life saving heart surgery on. I am so grateful that we were in the office one day as he was personally handed these pictures directly out of the "mail"... I remember it like it was yesterday. It was our very first visit (we have already consulted with several cardi's and surgeon's but I HAD to meet him before we went any further, in fact we already had a surgery date scheduled with a different surgeon- not sure if I talked about that. More about the begining of Bentley's journey can be read here.) So, it was our first visit... and his face LIT up as he was going through these newly mailed pictures and thank you cards. I am so glad we had the opportunity to see this because I will never forget his reaction. He cares so much for these children not just dr. to patient but on a personal level as well. These kids are not just a paycheck to him, he LOVES these kids with every ounce of his heart. This is one thing a parent DOES want to see, he made our hearts smile so big that day. We knew before we left we were going to go with him (not just because that-many many reasons). So, May will be 1 year since Bentley's open heart surgey by this amazing world famous (he really is known all over for his gift) pedi heart surgeon. We wanted to wait to send something then, but we have already had this neat book for a couple months now, and well... I'm not very patient. So we might be sending it out earlier.... here is Bentley's very own book...

We could not decide on just 1 photo to send him, so we decided to send several, and what other way than this awesome book. We are so happy with the results we have ended up buying several more for close famiy.

I did not take a picture of all pages, just a few. On the first page inside of the book, we have a special note to our surgeon thanking him for all he as done. Although there aren't enough words to describe how thankful we really are, we wanted to personalize it for him and share a piece of our heart with him.

The photo of Bentley above is the last picture before her open hear surgery. I was holding her just minutes before she was on her way to surgery. She was hungry and very tired. Bless her heart, I will never forget her face when she left me arms.

I skipped a few pages for you, you can see the edge of one above... these were photos that were hard to see. She had just come out of surgery. I have never shared them here and haven't decided if I am or not. Maybe I will on her 1 year post surgery post in May... I'm just not sure yet. The above picture is actually her first picture after she was moved to the regular floor. She was having a tough day. She's so strong though. Stronger than I'll ever be. The page on the right says "such a big miracle, in such a little girl" It is so true!!!

Above are pictures that were taken shortly after her first day on the regular floor. It was no time before Bentley was sitting up and showing that huge personality of hers again. What a trooper!!!

Daddy and me loving on our sweet girl while in the hospital. The one of daddy and her was after surgery and the one of Bentley and myself was the day before her surgery. She loved the hospital wagon ride... it is all we could do to keep her busy, she was so restless towards the end. She wanted to go go go!!! Then Bentley in her carseat when we were about to leave. Bentley was in her carseat for less than 5 minutes and she passed out - we were still in our hospital room. Bentley does not like carseats or riding in the car, she usually screams the whole time and she has always been this way... but I think on this day, she was comforted by her carseat and I think she knew she was going home (well a hotel for a week). But she knew she was leaving the hospital.

Then the back!!! We are so happy with the results of her book. We will definitely be making many more books in our lifetime... Bryson is wanting a sports book of him next. And I think it's an excellent idea. Brenna hasn't decided what she wants for her book, but I'm sure she will think of something creative... she always does!!!

***Don't forget to enter the giveaway I am having - today is the LAST day to enter!!! Click here to go there now!!!

SKATING TRIP (with video)

Update on the giveaway below, but first....

So a couple of weeks ago we took the kids skating... we really don't go much because it often gets overly crowded.

My sister also came. My kids are not familiar with skating... so this is how it started off (for my little sister too). One of the guys that worked there noticed Brenna so he brought over this handy "walker" looking thing with wheels, or should it be called a "skater"....

She LOVED it... and instantly became a pro. I love love love these pictures of Brenna, she has so much fun and you can see that she is trying so hard!!!

She turned the corners like I have never seen anyone do before...

Bentley enjoyed watching... but not for long so Ryan kept her busy while Bryson and Brenna played. We didn't see them much because you all know how "busy" Bentley is... she wanted to explore.

Bryson could not get the hang of skating... he spent most of his time on the side by the wall. Actually, I don't think he is even moving in this picture. Oh he will not like me posting about this... ha!!

Bless his heart, to be so athleteic on the field or court he just couldn't figure out why he couldn't skate. By the end, he got better and slowly moved away from the wall. He was proud!!! (this picture was not the end... he really did move away from the wall.)

They had such a blast!! I wish it did not get so crowded so we could go more, it's hard for beginners to skate when regulars are flying right on by and not paying attention to the little ones. We had a great day though, the kids enjoyed every bit of it (minus Bentley), even all the falling that is involved in skating. Maybe I will join them next time!!

Here is a short clip of Brenna in action at the beginning...

UPDATE on the giveaway.... anyone can enter - you do not have to have an account with the comment program or blogger. If you do not have an account, no problem at all. Just leave a comment as guest. Also, don't forget tomorrow is the LAST day to enter!!! Click here to go there now and enter!!!!

GIVEAWAY!!!

So while I was on the hunt for Etsy Shops, I came across a little shop that makes cute hats. As I have talked about, our baseball/softball starts this week... the weather is still a little windy and chilly (for Bentley's ears anyway), so I wanted to get her one to match her brother's and sister's team. I am waiting on her custom shirts that I talked about here to come in before I decide which colors to go with. But I loved these so much I just wanted to share with you...

So I have bought this below hat and I am giving it away to 1 of you (the size can be anywhere from 6 months to adult size)....

You will have until Wed. night to enter and I will announce the winner on Thursday morning sometime. You only have 2 days to enter so don't wait!!!

How to enter:(you have only 2 days to enter - Wed. night)

1. Leave a comment on this post letting me know who will be wearing it... (it can be anyone.. daughter, niece, friend, photography prop, etc.) (1 entry)

2. Tweet about this giveaway and be sure to link back here. (1 entry)

3. Become a friend/follower here on my blog. (1 entry)

4. Become a friend/follower of my twitter @youmeplusthree. (1 entry)

5. Blog about this giveaway on your blog and link back here. (2 entries)

Please leave a comment for each you do above. It is the only way I can keep track of how many times you have entered. For example... if you leave a comment and tweet about this giveaway that is 2 entries so you need to leave 2 comments below, and so on.

Anyone can enter, you do not have to have a blog.

I wish I could give one to each of you, but I can't. You can find this hat along with several other super cute hats at this Etsy Shop where I bought this one!!!

Have FUN!!!

MY DAUGHTER... A HOARDER?

This weekend we did some spring cleaning... the weather was great, we did not have any practices or games... nothing but a weekend with no plans. So we cleaned our house inside and out. While Brenna was going through her toys deciding which she wanted to keep and which she did not want to keep she came across some cute little Barbie shoes. I was in my room at the time and she walked in my room held up these shoes and said...

Brenna: "Mom, these shoes do not fit any of my Barbies, any of my dolls, or me. Where should I put them?"

Me: "Well, Brenna... honey... maybe we should throw them away. If we have no use for them, we probably shouldn't keep them."

Brenna: "Well, can I at least keep them for looks?"

Me: "Um... no, I don't think we need to keep them. You have several other Barbie shoes that fit your Barbies, so we will just keep those."

Brenna: "Okay Mom, I will go throw them away."

Brenna ran off and through them away while I continued to go through my room and she got back to hers. This happened Saturday... well today I had got to thinking and I have wondered if Brenna just might be a hoarder. So I asked her...

Me: "Brenna, will you go get those Barbie shoes for me. You know, the ones that do not fit your Barbies or you. I want to see them again."

Brenna: "Sure Mom.. I'll be right back!---- here you go mom!!!"

(just what I had suspected... she never threw them away!!!)

Me: "I thought you threw them away yesterday?"

Brenna: "No, I didn't... I wanted to keep them for looks!!!"

Does this make her a hoarder?! ;) I really think it's quite cute as long as her room does not begin piling up. Ha!! I love her personality so much, she always makes us smile or laugh about something.

We accomplished so much this weekend. As you might know if you follow me on twitter we have been updating our bathroom. We decided to take it to the next level and repaint, floors, everything (almost). I love love love the way it is turning out. We still have a few minor spots on trim to touch up, etc. but once it's all together I will see if I can take some decent pictures of it to share with you. I wish I had taken before pictures, but I did not even think about it at the time. It's really nothing big... just compared to the before we couldn't be happier with the results.

Bryson's travel baseball team starts next weekend. He will have his first travel baseball tourney ever. We are all very excited and he is just beaming!!! He loves baseball but has always played regular ball but this year he was asked to play for a travel team which is a huge compliment. Brenna's playing her first year of softball and she starts a couple weeks later. I am in the process of having Bentley a couple of shirts made to match each team. I am so exciting about this... she really is Bryson's and Brenna's #1 fan (well along we Ryan and myself) so she will be supporting her brother and sister 100%. I'll keep you posted on the shirts... I cannot wait to share them with you!!!

I have gotten so behind on emails, blogging, anything online pretty much.... since we did so much work this weekend... so if you have emailed, I am not ignoring you. I promise. I will get to them soon.

Pictures from updates COMING SOON!!! =)

MY TYPICAL DAY...

This week at Kelly's Korner we are talking about our typical day. Just a little recap of who I am... I am Crystal, married to my high school sweetheart... together we have 3 active children (1 boy & 2 girls) and I am a stay at home mom. You can read more about me and my family by clicking here.

My morning starts at about 4:30:

- I head to the gym for a workout at 5am before my husband and children awake.

- Return home to wake everyone, dress everyone, feed everyone (minus Bentley and myself) and head out the door to drop sister & brother off at school.

- Bentley and I return home for our breakfast.

- Bentley and I play, run errands, school parties, dr. appts, just anything that needs to be done...

- Bentley and I eat lunch... sometimes at home, sometimes with brother or sister at school, and sometimes with my husband.

- Bentley takes her nap after lunch while I clean, laundry, blog, etc. pretty much anything and everything I can get done while she sleeps.

- Bentley wakes up usually just minutes before we head out the door to pick up brother & sister from school.

- As soon as we get home we work on homework, reading, study for test, anything and everything that needs to be completed for school.

- After homework is finished it's usually time to head to practices. Bryson & Brenna are both active in sports year round so we stay busy. We usually have some type of practice every night or every other night.

- Once we return home, it's time to cook and eat dinner as a family.

- Bath time is usually next then we spend some family time together before bed... talk, games, movies, etc.

- Once the kids are in bed, Ryan and I spend our time together talking, watching our shows, movies, etc. and that ends my night.

- and it starts all over the next day!!!

Oh and my laptop stays in the living room, so I can easily check email.. blog.. etc. during any free time. =)

I know I have every little detail listed but we rely hugely on routine... and it sounds simple but we are usually running around crazy all day and weekends are even crazier. A stay at home mom sounds a lot easier than it really is but it is one of the hardest yet most rewarding jobs I have ever had. I am so grateful to be able to stay at home with my children and participate in school parties, etc. and just be there for them during every moment. It's a tough job but I love it and wouldn't have it any other way.

That's just a typical day in the life of this stay at home mom!! Can't wait to read yours!!!

I HEART... (add yours!)

<center><a href="http://youandmeplusthree.com/"><img border="0" alt="" src="http://www.preshwebdesign.com/images/heartbutton1.png" /></a></center><br /><br /><center>I am participating in this weeks I "heart"... at <a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/">You and Me Plus Three</a>. Go <a href="http://www.youandmeplusthree.com/">there</a> now to add yours and read others!!</center>

(copy and paste the above code in your post, add what you "heart", come back and add yourself to MckLinky.. be sure to link your I "heart" post correctly so everyone is able to easily find yours)

Since day 1 of our heart journey, we have really openned our eyes to not take life for granted. Not that we didn't know before but it's not hard to get caught up in life and overlook the many positives in our lives especially when you might have some negatives.

Every Thursday I post I "heart"... and list a few things that happened the past week that remind me just how blessed I am. Little and big. As you have probably guessed this was inspired by Bentley's heart. Although we were going through an extremely difficult time, there were many positives that I often overlooked because I would let the difficult moments bring me down.

Feel free to join in, and add yourself to Mcklinky below. I love how I can make notes of these little things that create so much happiness, and look back on them anytime.

I "heart" that Bryson has made all A's again. GO BRYSON!! He has maintained high A's the whole year. (he did not get this from me, ha!)

I "heart" that Brenna is loving softball and meeting so many new friends. (she's such a social butterfly)

I "heart" that Bentley had a great report yesterday at the drs. office. She is doing great and we couldn't be more grateful.

I "heart" the video of Bentley at the drs. office... I love her sweet smile in the beginning, and how she is so happy towards the end.

I "heart" that we are planning family vacation (not sure where just yet).

I "heart" that Ryan and I are planning Vegas trip.

I "heart" that I have finally made it back to the gym this week.

I "heart" Lee, Casey, and Crystal on American Idol - those are my top choices. Who is yours?

I "heart" that I have the best blog friends ever!!!

Just to randomly name a few. What do you heart this week? Be sure to post yours and link up!!!

(be sure to link up correctly- directions are up above, directly under the button code.)

couple of things...

- Some of you have asked about my blog header and Bentley's prayer button. Yes!! They have changed. I have added three cute kids to my blog header and updated Bentley's prayer button.

- The button code above is for your actual I "heart" post... if you would like to add the I "heart" button to the side area of your blog, you can find this code on this side of my blog ->

I can't wait to read yours!!!

DR APPT - SHOPPING - BENTLEY VIDEO

We had Bentley's 18 month well check up today and needless to say, this is what she looked like most of the time. She is not a fan of the Dr. office. Her fits seem to get worse each appointment. Bless her heart... she had her surgery when she was 9 months old (so there is memory) and we just think she is reminded of so many people in scrubs messing with her. Hopefully as she gets older she will calm down. Her appointment went great!! She is now 20lb and 9oz... getting bigger!!! She is small for her age, but she is growing right on track considering her heart. We did find out she has an ear infection. We had no idea... she has not shown any symptoms, but that could explain her being fussy yesterday. Her pedi says that it is mild and clearly not bothering her so we will just keep an eye on it... I am happy to say that she is almost 2 and this is her first ear infection ever!!!

She noticed the books!! This girl loves to read.

The weather is super nice out today, so considering Bentley is in desperate need of Spring and Summer clothes and she was feeling just fine... we made a run to Target. One of my favorite stores. They have the cutest clothes and such a great price. Here are some of the things we found.

These were only $4.00 each!! These are so great for summer. The shorts below match and they are also $4.00 each. Love them!!!

These shoes are so much cuter in person. We got them too!!!

I have to run.. we are off to softball practice tonight and hubs is rushing me out the door!!

ps. Not proof reading this.. so if anything sounds odd, sorry for the typo!!! =)

Have a great day friends!!!!