I am still here.....

I really need to blog. I have so much to blog about but not enough time to do it! I am really spread thin right now while hubby recovers from his surgery. I am the only TAXI in our family right now so you know where I am most of the time.... yup, sitting in that damn expedition!! Hubby did drive to a clients today and stayed there a few hours. He was beat when he got home though. He is getting stronger everyday.
Once again, thank you to EVERYONE that has supported us during hubbies surgery and recovery. We couldn't of gotten through it without your love, support, prayers, food, donations and hugs. It's amazing the generosity from you all!!

Here is a few pictures from our last few weeks. Soccer, halloween at my gramas with all my relatives, and getting to meet Ellen Stumbo at their garage sale fundraiser! Things are finally starting to feel normal again...little by little.

Praying for Polly

When Mayson was almost one, we went to Chicago and met part of our new "second family". It was several families that got together and met for the first time.... all with one thing in common, Down syndrome. CJ and her family were there, Terri and her family were there, Barbie and here family where there, and my friend Gillian and her family were there. Gillians sweet little Polly is also the same age as Mayson. It was so fun seeing them together. Working on the same struggles. One more person that "got it"! We truly all felt like one big happy family, as we gathered at GIGI's PLAYHOUSE... Just us families had it all to ourselves. The Whole place! Our kids got to be kids, enjoy themselves, play, laugh, and have fun. Us parents could sit and talk about our angels and how yes, its hard to have a child with a disability, but how they had been the greatest things that had ever happened to our families. It was an amazing experience.
Last week sweet Polly had a seizure out of the blue...... ended up in the hospital and has been recently diagnosed with Moyamoya syndrome. She is now scheduled for brain surgery in November. So, I am asking for you to do two simple things for me.....
One, place her button on your blog.. you can go here to do that.
Secondly, to pray pray pray for this sweet girl. The power of prayer is amazing!!

recongizing the alphabet!!

Mayson now knows the complete alphabet and can also recognize them too with flash cards. She loves learning this stuff! I am so proud of her!

Photo and video editing at www.OneTrueMedia.com

A fall walk

Today is day 2 I got hubby out for a little 1/2 mile walk around our neighborhood. Its not the most enjoyable walk for him, but in the long run will help him heal so much faster! I took a few pictures around our yard. We are almost at peak leaf time here in Iowa. Things are so pretty. The sun was shining and in the 60s's today!!! A perfect fall day!





Our burning bushes are beautiful right now!!!!!!





























We have 4 Autumn blaze maples on our property.
They are my favorite maple tree....






















A little fall decorations..
















A few of our pumpkins from the pumpkin patch!

















Speaking of pumpkins.... I found this one on our front porch!!!!! Isnt she a cute one??

Live auction!

My dear friend CJ, who is also the one that started the T21 Traveling Afghan has done an amazing thing for our family. She has started an Online auction benefiting our family while my husband heals from his open heart surgery. If you would like to donate something to by auctioned, its not too late!!! You can email CJ and let her know!!!
Thanks again for all your thoughts, prayers, donations and support! We couldn't of gotten through it without you all!

With that said, go check out the auction!!!!!!!

We are home

Sorry for being missing in action. I have not been concentrating on my blog. Hubby had his open heart surgery and I was trying to keep everyone updated on facebook and his carepage. For those that kept up with it on facebook and the carepage, this is old news to you, but for those who didnt.... he did great!!!!!! The mitral valve surgery was a success and we are now home recovering. I thank God, for him watching over my hubby during this whole ordeal, and for our friends and family for all their love and support. I know we have a long road a head of us but, it will all work out in the end!
Our pastor, neighbors and my sister are having a benefit for hubby this saturday at our church. If anyone would like information regarding donations or directions please contact my sister at gigishiba@gmail.com It will be nice to see our friends and family again!!

Swallowing your pride....

My Hubby, Mike or Stacy (His first name is Stacy, middle name Michael---He goes by both names but he has always been Stacy to me) is having open heart surgery this Friday to repair is Mitral Valve. When I married him 18 1/2 years ago, I never in my wildest dreams thought we would be having to deal with this...
After losing his job last year before Christmas, he was finally able to get another. It hasn't been easy catching up after that, but we get by living on one income while I take Mayson to therapies, etc. Unfortunately, his new job does not offer any vacation or disability, etc. So, while he recovers from his upcoming surgery, we will have no income!!! Can you say stress??? Poor Stacy is not worried about his surgery. He feels good about it but what is killing him is the whole financial piece of it. I guess its the CPA in him.
We have some wonderful family and friends who have put together a silent auction for us to our surprise!!! All we can say is WOW and swallow our pride! We are usually the ones on the giving side so its hard to watch everyone doing something for YOU. All we can say is thank you!!!
The Silent Auction is October 17th, at St. John Lutheran Church in Ely, from 4pm-7pm.
If you would like to donate something for the silent auction, make a donation or have any questions please contact Angie at gigishiba@gmail.com
Hugs to you all!

Buddy walk 2009

Now that the buddy walk is over, hopefully, I will be able to start blogging again! Our walk was a huge success despite the weather and having a home game for the Iowa Hawkeyes! We had 540 walkers and we raised $30,000!!!! Thanks to everyone that contributed in some way, whether it was by walking, volunteering, or donating! We couldn't of done it without you!!! We already have your walk date set for next year, so mark OCT 9th on your calendars!!!!
My cousin Shelly came with sister Shanda and was our clown! He did a great job! We ended up with 49 walkers on our team. Not all showed up though due to the weather. There was a professional photographer there so I will be getting our team pictures soon!!!Here are a few pictures of our walk!!!