The Special Olympics come to Boise

Garrett and his friend Carter stand in front of the torch

The Dines' children and Carter are proud to be a part...

The Special Olympics came to Boise! What an experience... Garrett was really into the Olympics last summer when Michael Phelps won and won and won... and he talks often about when the Olympics are coming on TV again- time is a hard thing to teach a 7 year old- 2 years is a long time in their eyes! Well when he heard that the Special Olympics were coming to Boise- he was so excited! It was hard for me to help him realize that they weren't quite the same thing... but super close- they both include athletes doing their very best! So we decided to go participate in some of the activities. Not only was Garrett excited- I also thought it would be a great learning experience- and not to mention A ONCE IN A LIFETIME event! I am sure they won't be coming back to Boise anytime soon!

So we went to a Sunday down on the Grove... the kids were able to play the Wii with some athletes, play floor hockey and watch the ice skaters perform. We had a great time and I think it made Garrett think a lot! I saw the little wheels turning in his head! Sometimes experience is far greater than mom's explanations!

New beds!

After many months of researching bunkbeds- we finally got them! Here they are! The kids love them and even Anna knows how to climb to the top! We have really learned to keep the door shut! I really don't want to visit an emergency room anytime soon! She is fearless and can climb FAST!

Happy 5th Birthday Claire Bear!

She did it! She actually turned 5 without my permission! How dare she do that!:) My sweet baby girl turned 5- she is no longer an infant, a baby, a toddler or really a preschooler- she is just 5! Soon she will be going to kindergarten- ahhh!

Claire is a special little girl- to me and to all that meet her. She is ALL girl!! Claire loves the color pink, princesses, make-up and anything that sparkles and shines! She loves to shop, go to church and make cards for anyone and everyone. She is so compassionate and sweet. I love her tone of voice when she talks to her baby sister, she loves her more than you could imagine. I love it when she sings and mimics every word to High School Musical. Claire is not a dare devil- she really is a chicken. She doesn't like dogs, being alone, or trying new things. I believe that all children are a gift from God- but for some reason, I believe that God sent Claire to me specifically! She lifts my spirits like no other child (don't get me wrong. all my children do... but there is something very special about this little girl- in a different way than Garrett and Anna). I hope in 10 years from now, I still feel this way!

Looking back 5 years ago...

Claire Ann

February 2009

5 years old

Claire Ann

February 4, 2004

5 years ago

I have realized that I write this blog for my own memories and so I can actually have some things in writing for my children... Some memories are in your head forever, but lose the details, just like labor and delivery stories. I wrote out Garrett' story of how he came into the world, so I have decided to do the same with the girls too! So here it goes...

On February 2, 2004 I was rushing to the hospital to have a stress test, Ihadn't felt my baby move all weekend. I got the hospital (by myself) and was hooked up to monitors to check the status of my baby... all was well, but my blood pressure was a little high (sounds familiar). I had an appointment later that day, so I went to my doctor's appointment and she put me on bed rest! I couldn't believe it- I was 38 weeks pregnant and put on bed rest! So, the next day, it snowed pretty hard so Ryan was off work. We took Garrett to the babysitter's house and went to run errands... nice bedrest! We went to TGIFriday's and to the tax man's house- I didn't want to be on bedrest and thought it was dumb. We got home that night and I laid on the couch and immediately started having contractions. We timed them for a while then decided to head to the hospital. When we got to the hospital, I wasn't very dialated, so they had me walk! I hated EVERY minute of it. My sister arrived and helped us walk the halls-every few minutes a contraction would hit and I would grab Ryan- I hated that pain, and it still brings tears to my eyes when I think about it!

We walked from 10:00-10:30, then they admitted me... I was in active labor! My doctor arrived and informed me she had a plane to catch at 6 am, so I better deliver by then! I thought she was CRAZY- it couldn't be done!

Well, if you remember right- all I wanted with Garrett was an epidural and my mom! Well, my mom didn't make it, and either did the epidural! The doctor came in to give me one- and he tried and tried, but I have scoliosis of the lower spine, so it wouldn't work. All it did was make me sick- so I threw up and threw up (Ryan had to leave the room for that), then the MEAN nurse made me get in the jaccuzzi tub. I sat in there for a while, until I felt some pressure. I told my sister that I was feeling pressure and I needed to get out. She informed the nurse and she told my sister that they were just contractions... well, she finally made her way into the room to check me and yelled at me to get out- the baby was crowning!! We were so mad at that nurse!! I walked carefully to my bed and a couple of pushes later, Claire Ann was born at 1:32am (in time for the doc to leave on her airplane!) She was 7 pounds 13 ounces and beautiful! I love that feeling right after a baby is born- it is a feeling like no other! It is the greatest high and beats any drug out there! I finally had my baby girl that I had dreamed about since I was a little girl!

Claire's new do!

Claire decided she wanted to get a new do... she said "just like yours mommy!" So, she found a picture of a little girl in a magazine and we took it to the hairdresser... and this is what we got- the cutest girl in the world! So, it isn't really like mine- but it makes her happy (and it is much easier to brush!) I can't believe she is almost 5! They grow too fast!!

Happy 7th Birthday Garrett!

I can't believe he is 7 already! It is truly amazing how time flies! I love birthdays and anyone who knows me well, knows that birthdays are a big deal! Well today we had Garrett's birthday party at Meridian Bowling alley. We planned to play 2 games and have pizza and cake and ice cream. Garrett invited 5 friends from school (this was the first year we have done a "school" party). We also invited his cousin Shelby, our friends the Luthy's and Nana and Papa. Well, to say the least, I was very dissappointed in the turn out. NONE of his friends from school came- nor did they call!! I just wanted to cry for him!! I think he still had fun, but my feelings are hurt for him. I don't know why none of the Kuna kids came, or called- I hope it had nothing to do with Garrett! He still had fun bowling and eating dinner- but we will really have to think about next years party!!

Garrett is a truly amazing little boy! Although he is difficult at times (very stubborn), he makes me laugh and enjoy life. He looks up to his daddy and papa like no other! He wants to be a cowboy just like his daddy and wants to be tough just like his papa! He loves to dress in his wranglers and button down shirt and boots, but he always must put his long underwear on underneath (just like Papa!). He always tells me (when I am freaking out about him being dirty) "Don't worry mom, Cowboys get dirty!" Garrett loves his baby sister Anna more than life itself! He is always telling her the nicest things, even when she is in his "special drawer!" He loves and hates to play with Claire-they are the best of friends and the worst of enemies. However, I think one day he will protect her and want to beat up any guy that breaks her heart! Garrett is not a TV watcher or a little boy that can hold still very long- but he is a great outdoorsman that likes to shoot hoops, ride his bike, and make jumps. I am sure he longs for a brother! (but that is not a birthday wish that will ever come true:)

Little boys make me appreciate the little things in life that I missed being a little girl! Dirty fingers, playing in mud and peeing on the toilet:)- are all things I now get to enjoy through the eyes of Garrett Richard! Happy Birthday my little man, Garrett! I love you like no other!

7 years ago today... seems like yesterday!

Garrett Richard 1/3/02

I can remember it like it was yesterday... I was 36 weeks pregnant and went to my weekly checkup. My blood pressure was super high, but after waiting around in the office for an hour, it went down. The doctor checked to see if I was progressing- nope- nada! I was safe for a few more weeks. I got in the car to go home- and ouch- I had a sharp pain... and another. I had them all the way home. They were weird- kinda like cramps... so I ate a bowl of cereal and called my friend Rachelle. She said "oh Kacy, you aren't having contractions, you are only 36 weeks". I called my mom, she said "Oh Kacy, you are only having braxton hicks". I sat around for a little while- Ryan was pacing the floor. I finally called the doctor, she said "I am sure it is because I checked you, just relax and lay down". After another hour of painful cramps- we called the doctor again, she said "what is your blood pressure? I am sure you aren't having contractions". We went to bed, but Ryan had a watch in his hand, timing the "contractions" that nobody believed. I finally called the doctor for the 3rd time (I am sure she was tired of me!) She said, "Come in so we can check your blood pressure...(underlying tone, "You are not in labor") So we trekked to the hospital- I had to sit down in the parking lot because my "not contractions" were so hard. I got checked in- and they admitted me to antipartum because of my high blood pressure (I wasn't in labor...) They offered me a sleeping pill (because remember I WASN"T in labor!) After an hour of moaning and groaning, (I refused the sleeping pill- I KNEW I was in labor), they came to check on me- and sure enough I WAS in labor!! I should have been the doctor!!! All I wanted was the epidural and my mom! Well, a girl doesn't always get what she wants... and I got NONE of those! After 6 more hours of hard core labor, screaming and crying(I am not sure why we took birthing classes)- my baby was born! He was 4 weeks early, so I had a room full of NICU nurses ready to take him away. He was 6 pounds, 6 ounces and 20 inches long- and very healthy!

That was 7 years ago (tomorrow)- however my labor started the night before. It is a memory I will remember forever... there is nothing like becoming a mom- especially for the first time! It was all so surreal. Now he is big, active and full of energy! He is certainly not the same little baby that I delivered 7 years ago- but I still love him just as much~

Garrett now-what a difference a few years may bring!