On the road again

Tonight marked the start to the lady tiger basketball 2013-14 campaign. We opened with a hard fought win over a scrappy sacred heart griffin team. It wasn't pretty, but the first game never is. Many people probably wonder how I can coach while Brooks and Meredith are still in the NICU or be away from Oliver. I know it's a bit selfish, but it's my out my time to relax (right coaching is relaxing) to forgot how hard this all really is. I love each of the girls I coach and have such special bonds and relationships with this young ladies. I hope that I'm helping then mature and learn about life and become more equipped to handle life. I feel like I'm an example to them: of faith, courage, love, dedication, sacrifice, and determination. It's also some more adult time for me, away from nurses and doctors and all the dings of the NICU. Sara(the head coach) and I have a very unique relationship and have really grown through a lot of challenges our team or ourselves have/are facing. We lean in each other for a lot of different things and reason and I'm so thankful for her. We also talk basketball and I don't have another friend like that in Kirksville. Getting to brainstorm plays, match ups, defenses, scouts, practices; it's all part of my passion for the game. We both get it about each other, Kevin tries but wrestling just different for him.

So I thank basketball and my lady tiger family for being my distraction.

We had kind of a rocky weekend, but things for Brooks and Meredith seem to be on the up and up. Both had to get another blood transfusion, they're bone marrow just can't keep up with how fast they are growing right. Is-part of being so premature. Both of them received good news that their eyes are mature and look good, that means no ROP and no trip to the specialist in St. Louis. That was a huge weight of our shoulders-prayer answered. Brooks now weighs 5 pounds 1 ounce yippee, that's a huge milestone. Meredith is right in his heels at 4 pounds 8 ounces. At times I feel like my life is surreal, all that we are going through and learning about medicine. Everytime they give me a little grin or open their eyes and look at me my heart melts. I'm so thankful to be their momma. I am excited for the adventures out family is going to have down the road.

Oliver is such a funny kid. He is in love with Dorothy and the wizard of oz. we watched it Saturday and Sunday! He remembered this morning apples and tornado. It's amazing the parts of the movie that leave an impression on him. We also watched the grinch last night and be called in scary grinch and said grinch in his meanest deepest voice. It's hard  it to laugh at his behavior or what he says, especially when he is doing or saying something we don't want him to. I love rocking him to sleep at night and singing (in my bad key tone) even If it takes an hour.

Kevin doesn't talk much about it all, I know he's trying to be th rock, the man, the steadfast driver of our crazy train. I think he is constantly thinking about the twins and their medical care, questions for doctors and nurses, treatment plans, where are things going, what to expect, what's going to happen next. I'm glad he's been able to hunt this fall and have that time to relax. I'm glad we have each other to get through this.

Well mom and dad are going to be here this week, maybe I'll post some pictures of the work their doing! I have the best parents ever. I know I haven't always thought that and I know as teenagers and kids we don't have the perspective, but boy I'm beyond thankful. From their support; emotionally, mentally, financially, and physically they are amazing. I wish we lived closer but love knows no bounds!!

Well this bus ride home from Marshall is drawing to a close so will this post. Thank you again for the caring, loving thoughts, prayers, words and actions. 

From Powellland

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