Hessel Ray Roorda

I haven't updated the blog in a few weeks and honestly the only thing I could think about was my good friend Hess. I work for an attorney's office. We had 2 attorneys and I worked for Hess doing probate, real estate, wills, etc. April 12th we received a phone call that Hess passed away unexpectedly. We don't know the cause, all we know is that it is shocking and saddening. Hess was a wonderful person . He was always willing to lend a hand. Hess was involved in many things. He loved music and dance. He was a son, brother, uncle, cousin, lawyer, teacher, volunteer, advisor, friend. I can honestly say I am blessed for having known him. Everything I know in the legal field, I learned from him. We had such a great relationship. It still feels like he's on vacation. I look for him when the door opens. The whole office is reminded of him. There were tapes he dictated the week before that I am still going through. It's hard listening to his voice and not seeing him sitting in his office. Every Monday we would share our weekend happenings with each other. I've lost one of my closest friends and it's hard. It's not going to be the same without him, but I know he's happy. So I tribute this post to Hessel Ray. You're one of a kind Hess and I think of you often. I hope you're happy. As Tracy said, you're truly tapping with the stars!!!!

I've experienced death with my Grandma and Grandpa. Although that was hard, this is hard on a whole different level. Hess was like family, I saw him more than some of my own family members. I know things have to move on and we need to grieve this loss, but I won't lie, it's not easy.

Hess finalized my son's adoption and for that I am greatful.


Adoption Hearing~ June 9, 2008 (please excuse the pregnant belly :-))


Hess in New York~ December, 2008 after losing nearly 100 lbs

Easter 2010

We had a fairly good weekend overall. It started off not so great with Isaac up for 3 1/2 hours Thursday which made for tired parents and tired baby. We gave the boys their Easter baskets and I tried to get some pictures. They weren't up for cooperating but I still got a few. Friday night Ross and I had talked about going out but we weren't up for it so we decided to order pizza instead. Saturday I had a bridal shower to attend so Ross babysat the boys. I guess both boys fell asleep on the couch at 11:00. That put their schedule out of whack but it worked out.

I took the boys over to Grandma K's that afternoon because Aunt Gina and cousin Caden were there to dye Easter eggs. Caleb enjoyed it but seemed to like trying to tip the cup of dye over instead. Isaac was having a blast. He could barely get one done before grabbing for another one. It was so much fun to watch him. He liked to do it by himself but he needed some assistance yet. Maybe next year he'll do better. After we finished dying eggs we all went downstairs to watch some tv. Isaac told me he wanted to go home and headed upstairs. Caleb followed. We heard them walking around and then we heard "smash smash smash". Grandma and I ran upstairs. Isaac was standing on one side of the counter and Caleb on the other. They were chucking the Easter eggs across the room. I bet they threw out nearly a dozen of them. Thank goodness they were hard boiled. Those two were laughing so hard. It was a site to see and really hard not to laugh at them. Boys will be boys!

Sunday we enjoyed our morning at church for Sunrise service, breakfast and normal service. We left a little early and headed to my parents for dinner. It was a good time. Great Grandma and Grandpa J and Aunt Marline and Uncle Bruce came over for dessert in the afternoon. The boys had a blast!

Here's some pictures from our weekend, enjoy!

"Did they tell you what Isaac did today?"

Yesterday I picked the boys up from daycare at the normal time. I was buckling Caleb into his carseat and Isaac was inside the van waiting for his turn. Pretty soon he starts yelling out the door "bye Brenda bye". He was saying goodbye to one of the workers at his daycare. Brenda asked if they told me what Isaac did today. This is when I began thinking "oh no". I swear this kid is the funniest little boy. Apparently one of the workers had taken a small group of boys to the potty. Somedays Isaac will sit on the potty and other days he just washes his hands. I'm not sure what he decided to do yesterday, but he was the last one washing his hands and apparently he thought he should wash his hair too!!!! Yep my kid stuck his head under the faucet so he could wash his hair. I guess it could have been much worse because normally if you went looking for my son at daycare you would find him wearing a stocking cap, even during his nap.

The things he comes up with....

Last weekend I bought him a new John Deere cap to wear since it's getting warm out and I don't want him wearing his stocking caps all the time. So much for that, I pick him up and what is he wearing? Nothing else but his stocking cap of course.

I know my boys are not biologically related, but even if they were they could be this different. It's really fun to see the differences in them.

Isaac~
Strong willed
spitfire
independent
funny
busy
climbing on everything
running everywhere
loves Barney
obsessed with stocking caps
loves tractors and trucks
everything needs to be "his" idea
has no time to do puzzles or the like
very good at sharing (unless it's his favorite tractor)
very protective of his little brother
loves playing outside
loves his pop up books

Caleb~
quiet
laid back
Mommy's little shadow
loves to read books and do puzzles
doesn't care for tv unless it's right before bed with his bankie and paci
loves to watch the tractors and trucks
funny
easy going
good listener
slowest eater on earth
likes Little People but usually gives in to watch Barney
obsessed with shoes, especially his crock shoes
loves to read books, especially lift and see books
loves to brush his teeth
impatient

Despite their different personalities these two are best friends for life and love each other so much!!!!

It's been a long week

Wow! We were hit with sickness yet again. Monday Caleb starting coughing and my hopes of it being nothing more than that were shot by Wednesday morning when he was running a 100.6 fever. He couldn't go to daycare so he stayed with Grandma K Wednesday. Thursdays is Grandma's day to take one of the boys and luckily it was Caleb so she had him again Thursday. Grandma called me at work around 3:30 and wondered if I could get Caleb into the doctor. He was coughing/wheezing and just crying. They had no openings so I scheduled him for Friday morning.

I picked Isaac up from daycare Thursday around 5:15 and they had just gotten back from a buggy ride since it was so nice outside. Isaac was half asleep in the worker's arms and barely woke up for me to take him. She said he slept the entire time which is unusual for him. He didn't talk on the way to Grandma's and when we got there he didn't want to go see Grandma. I knew right then something was up. All he wanted was for me to hold him and to go home so I figured he was coming down with something too. I took his temp and it was 103. So Friday morning the doctor saw both boys. Isaac was a bear at the doctor. He's never been too good with doctors but this was the worst, probably because he felt so rotten. The doctor diagnosed them both with a respiratory infection. Isaac was given an antibiotic shot at the clinic and Caleb was sent home with zithromax. The boys were "ok" during the day but not themselves. Friday afternoon Isaac became very tired and all he wanted to do was sleep. I couldn't keep him awake and he was very lethargic. I took his temp around 7:00 Friday night and it shot up to 104.8. That was very scary since he was so lethargic. I called the hospital and talked to the doctor on call. I was instructed to give him a tepid bath, alternate Tylenol and Motrin every 4 hours and keep pushing fluids and if he wasn't better by Saturday morning to bring him in to test for RSV.

Isaac went to bed at 8:00 without a fuss, so then at 11:15 I woke him up and gave him some more medicine and a drink of water. He slept the rest of the night and woke up with only a 101 fever. Yesterday he managed to keep his fever below 101 and by last night he was fever free. He still needs the medicine every 4 hours though because I can tell he doesn't feel good. Poor guy.

Today I am staying home with Isaac from church but Caleb is well enough to go. I just hope by tomorrow Isaac will be on the mend and can go back to daycare. On a good note, both boys ears looked great so no infections for either of them, wohoo!!!!

We're ready for summer

I say we're ready for summer because spring at our place usually looks like a complete disaster. Right now it is a huge muddy mess and I'm justing waiting for the day when I get stuck trying to back out of the driveway. I'm not sure when the boys are going to be able to get outside, but by the looks of things it will be a while.

We're looking forward to spending some quality family time this summer and hoping to be able to take a vacation with the boys. We haven't really done much with them yet since they tend to be quite a handful, but this is the year for family time! We're planning a trip to Omaha and of course the wonderful zoo. I know the boys are going to love it!

This weekend Grandma and Grandpa K were at Village West again so we went over there yesterday and were able to go swimming with the boys, Grandpa K, Uncle Nolan, Aunt Gina and cousin Caden. The boys had their swim suits with the built in floaties but I don't think those will be used anymore. They really aren't that great when a certain child decides to lift his legs up and begins spinning under water! We'll be making a purchase of a couple puddle jumpers instead!

Isaac still has no interest in potty training but I'm not too worried yet. He'll be 2 1/2 next month. Potty training is a battle I don't feel like participating in. In my eyes he's not ready yet. He has attempted by sitting on the potty at daycare when his little buddies do, but that's as far as it's gotten. He refuses at home. Caleb however tells me when he's dirty so maybe he'll want to potty train before Isaac, hard to say for sure. I guess I could wait a little longer and just do them at the same time!

I caught a couple photos of the boys. Taking their pictures now is hard work!

Caleb~ tired boy with bad ear infection

Where did my baby go?

My smiley man!

He's looking so grown up

The boys love to ride Sam as a horse and Sam doesn't mind too much!

Daddy's turn to be a horse!

Isaac loves to say "cheeessseee"


Handsome little man!

Another ear re-check

Caleb went back to Dr. Springer Friday to see if his infections were gone. I was not real confident about his appointment because at daycare they had been telling me he wasn't himself. In the evenings all he wanted was his bankie and to be held which also is not like him. Last Wednesday Caleb was sitting on my lap and I asked him where his owie was. He pointed to his ear. Well we went in and I convinced Caleb that he was good he would get a sticker. He actually let Doctor look in his ears without putting up a fuss. The left ear was clear as a bell, looks good and the tube is actually still in place. The right ear was a little red but not much and it looks to be healing just fine. Dr. Springer said with the warmer weather coming we might be in the clear. We just have to monitor him and if he starts acting up again or seems irritable we'll take him back in. So for now we don't have to worry about another set of tubes. Thank goodness!!! We weren't looking forward to paying for that again this year.

Since his appointment he has seemed better so things are definitely on the mend.

Imagination...

The other day I was in the laundry room putting some clothes away and Isaac came running in "Mommy Mommy". He had some big long story he had to tell me but from what I got out of it, he had something to show me. So we go back in the living room where he had been playing with his soft blocks and he exclaims "Mommy a truck, a truck". My little man was so proud of his creation and you know what, it did resemble a truck. It's amazing what little ones learn. They are little sponges and their creativity amazes me. Isaac doesn't care for his picture to be taken that often but I asked him if I could take a picture of him and his truck and he gladly obliged by saying "CHEEEESSSEEEE". Caleb insisted on building a truck too, well we have to work on that a little bit yet.

Oh Isaac Avery you are a dream come true!!!!

Isaac's creation at 28 months old

Ear re-check

I wanted to keep on top of Caleb's ear infections to prevent the need for a 2nd set of ear tubes. February 13th I took Caleb to the Saturday clinic and the on-call doctor said that Caleb had a double ear infection. She said she couldn't tell if the left tube was in or not because of how red his ear was. So I went to our regular doctor today, Dr. Springer. I was sure that the ear infection was gone as he has been eating and acting normal. Well I was in for a surprise. He still has a double ear infection. The right tube is still laying in the canal and he thinks the left tube is out now. He's not sure because there was some wax in there but he thinks it's out. So now we're on a 10 day dose of omnicef and go back for a re-check. If the infection is still there we will have to go back to our ENT in Sioux Falls, Dr. DeSautel. I'm afraid Caleb will need another surgery this year.

When I was growing up I never heard of kids getting tubes or having many ear problems but it seems so common these days. Neither Ross or I ever had ear trouble. I know my Grandma Bronson had trouble with her ears most of her life. I hope he's not inheriting that trait. I know once he gets a little older his ears will drain better, but for now it seems he will need a 2nd set unless a miracle happens and the medication works. He was only 9 months old when he had the 1st surgery so he was pretty young then. I guess we'll just see what happens and go from there.

Here we go again

We made it 8 months with no ear infections so I should be happy about that right? February 6th both Isaac and Caleb came down with a cold. Tuesday Caleb started running fevers and had a loss of appetite. I figured it was just part of his cold as he never gave me any indication he had an ear infection. Friday night his fever was still at 101.9 so I took him to the clinic Saturday morning. My boy has a double ear infection. I was shocked. Caleb's right ear tube is still laying in the canal and not completely out but obviously the tube cannot do it's job anymore. At our last ENT visit the left tube was still in where it should be. The doctor looked and his ear drum was so red it was hard to tell if the tube was in place or not. I'm beginning to think it's out too because there is no drainage. We haven't even hit the 1 year mark yet. So now I guess I keep track of the ear infections to see if a 2nd set is in his future. Caleb was given a shot at the doctor and is on Zithromax for 5 days. I can already tell he's feeling better.

Isaac seems to be getitng over his cold and no fevers or signs of ear infections with him so we might be in the clear with him. I hope so anyways. At his last ENT visit both tubes were in place so that's promising for him. We know the tubes have done their purpose with Isaac. His speech has improved so much. It's amazing what those tiny little things can do in the ears.

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

I got a few pictures of the boys for Valentine's Day. I think they turned out pretty good. So what's wrong with bribing the boys with suckers for a few good pictures??? They had a great time with their suckers and I had fun taking the pictures. Next year we'll have to do something different, maybe cookies next year.

Enjoy!

Isaac~27 months 25 days

Caleb~ 19 months 12 days

What a day

Lately the boys have been behaving pretty good when I have them all day with me. Today was a different story. They were into absolutely everything and boy was I tired at the end of the day. This is pretty much how the day went after Ross left the house.

Me: Sit down with a glass of milk and check email/facebook
Isaac: Pull activity table out, climb on top to reach all books and hand them to Caleb
Me: Put all books back on shelf and put activity table back where it was
Isaac: Take truck to the kitchen, turn it on it's side, climb on and reach the cake pan sitting on the stove
Me: Take cake pan back to the kitchen where it belongs, take truck back to living room
Caleb: Take every toy out of toybox and get in, take tub of play food and dump all over the living room floor
Me: why bother picking it up
Me: put dirty clothes into washing machine
Caleb: take dirty clothes out of basket and run as fast as he can away from Mommy
Me: Gather items Caleb took and bring back to laundry room
Me: take boys upstairs to help Mommy put clothes away
Me: put jeans away in bottom drawer
Isaac: open drawer and take jeans back out
Me: put them away again and redirect said child
Me: go to Isaac's room to put clothes away
Them: take books off of bookshelf and throw them down the stairs
Me: grab boys and go downstairs, fix dinner and send boys to bed for their naps

Phew...and that was just the morning.

Update on us

It's been a while so I figured I should share something. There's not really anything exciting going on. Time just keeps ticking on by. It's amazing how fast time flies when you have children. Some days I wish time could stand still a little longer so I could enjoy these moments with them a little longer. Before I know it they are going to be 15 years old and want nothing to do with their Mom. But for now I'll take it, I'm pretty cool in their eyes for the time being.

Isaac~ oh what to say about Little Ike. He is a charmer that's for sure. Honestly, there are times that I forget this boy is adopted. Life without this little man in our lives would be awfully boring. There was a time we were worried about Isaac's speech as he wasn't talking very much. Well he's done about a 360 and is talking in sentences. It's not always totally understandable but for the most part I can understand him. He is a social butterfly at daycare. Most mornings as we walk into daycare he opens up the door to the infant room and waves and talks to all the babies. Next he has to stop and talk to Dawn the bus driver. She says his morning talks are something she looks forward to each and every day. He's really growing and maturing. He's not a baby anymore that's for sure. I can even say that he is better behaved. I'm beginning to think the odd years will be the tough ones for us. He was worse at 1 then he is at 2. We started the 123 Magic discipline with him and now I never have to spank him and he doesn't go to time out all that often. He is still obsessed with anything farm related. He enjoys tv and Barney has become a favorite of his. Saturday mornings he gets to watch Bob the Builder and seems to enjoy that and Thomas the Train. Isaac is starting to undress himself more and more. I'm just thankful he hasn't gotten his diaper off yet. I'm sure he would if I let him but I usually get him back into his clothes before he has that chance. Isaac likes to color and do small craft projects. He loves to sing and read books. He is counting to 4 all by himself without any prompting. He is such a snuggly little guy. He loves to be held and cuddled after his naps. He is one of the funniest little boys I know.

Caleb~ this little man is getting to be more like his Mommy every day. He's quiet around new people. He talks a lot at home but out in public he is more reserved and lets his brother do all the talking. I can see this being a trend as they get older. I think Isaac will do all the talking, be the popular "class clown" so to speak and Caleb will be doing all of Isaac's homework. Oh it's fun to joke and wonder how these 2 will turn out. Caleb loves puzzles, he will do them over and over. He is not into tv and will only watch it if I'm there with him. He tends to cling to me in the evenings and just wants his Mommy. He has quite a stubborn streak and I've been told that comes from me. He can be quite the little michevious boy too.

Last weekend we went to Village West and took the boys swimming. It was a good time. Caleb had no fear of the water and went in right away. It took Isaac a little while but once he got used to it he loved it just as much. I forgot the batteries to my camera so no pictures this year of our swimming trip. Hopefully we'll get to do it again in March.

I took some Valentine Day pictures of the boys a few weeks ago and will get those uploaded soon. There's nothing like bribing them with suckers to get a few good shots.

Cousins are fun!

The boys and I were able to spend some time with Bjorn and Norah on Saturday while Ryan and Michelle took in some Winter game activities. It was quite fun and busy. They all play really well together but they are all so busy! Caleb is about 5 weeks older than Bjorn and they are just about the same size. Ironically Isaac and Bjorn were dressed in the same shirt on Saturday so I had to get some pictures. Getting a picture of 4 kids under the age of 4 is quite a task.

Isaac- 27 months, Caleb- 18 months, Bjorn- 17 months, Norah- 3 1/2




Good buddies


Too funny!


Buddies~Cousins

Just had to share

Saturday I took a bunch of Valentine pictures of the boys. While taking a break from pictures Sammy was trying to get a lick of Caleb's sucker. I soon found them nose to nose and snapped a picture. I think it is the cutest thing ever. The boys love their dog, the feeling is pretty mutual except when Isaac thinks Sam is a horse and sits on his back and says "go horsee go".

18 month update

Caleb is 18 months...what, how did that happen? He is such a little ham. He tries to do EVERYTHING Isaac does and I do mean everything. If Isaac sits at the table without a booster then Caleb must do the same. If Isaac sits at their little Toy Story table, Caleb does the same. It's so cute. Lately Isaac has been treating Caleb pretty well. It's so cute when he comes over to Caleb and kisses him on the cheek. If Caleb is naughty and in time out, Isaac tries to come to his rescue. Caleb is talking up a storm, he copies everything we say. He's already putting 2 word sentences together. He loves doing puzzles, especially farm puzzles. He loves trucks, tractors, combines, trains. He's not into movies or tv shows like Isaac is, but he does know who Barney and Elmo are.

Caleb now weighs a whopping 26 lbs 3 oz. and is 32 3/4 inches. I can't believe how fast time has flown by. I miss the newborn days, but then I remember how much I love my sleep and I'm thankful we're past that point.

Christmas celebrations

Finally!!!!!! We finally had the chance to celebrate a few Christmas gatherings. January 1st we celebrated with Ross' parents and siblings and January 9th was with my family. This year we went to Brandon and celebrated Ross' side at Brad and Gina's house. Grandma W fell and broke her hip and has been in the hospital. We figured it was a good location being so close to Sioux Falls so we could go visit her afterwards. We had a nice meal, a good variety of soups, bread and crackers. The boys weren't the best eaters but they were also missing their nap so I didn't worry too much about it. They did surprisingly well as tired as they were. Cousin Caden kept them quite entertained. The boys got a lot of neat presents. They both got a Hawkeye stocking cap from Grandma and Grandpa K. They had already gotten their kitchen so that was their big gift from the Grandparents. They both got a White tractor from Aunt Erin and Uncle Nolan. That was a BIG hit and they love them. They also got some books, puzzles, nesting cups, and a hand me down toy guitar. After spending Christmas with the family we went and visited Grandma W in the hospital. Then we made a quick stop at McDonald's for a couple hungry boys and headed home.

Saturday, January 9th we had 2 family gatherings. My Aunt Marline and Uncle Bruce rented a big room and we celebrated there. Just about everyone was able to make it except for Aunt DeAnna, Uncle Mark, Lydia and Leah. We had a great time. The room was quite large so I brought the boys playland tent to play with and I think that was a hit. The boys behaved quite well and enjoyed running around with Bjorn, Norah and Addison. By 4:00 they were really tired and both ready for naps. Ross and I joined in on the Grab Bag again this year. I ended up with a label maker which is really nice because I intend on organizing the boys toys as soon as I can get my 9 cube shelf. Ross ended up with a mini flashlight which is great too. It seems we are in need of smaller flashlights now and then.

At 5:00 we headed to my parents. I don't think we were out of the parking lot and Caleb was asleep. Isaac was asleep before we were out of Arnolds Park. We ended up driving around for a while so that they could get a quick nap in. Then we went to my parents and celebrated there. We had a great time. The boys ended up with some nice toys and clothes. The biggest hit was their big dump trucks. Bjorn got one too, but he was quite content to play with his basketball, football and soccerball. The little kids exchanged names this year and I held the master list. We had a little bit of a mix up and poor Emily came out short handed. I felt pretty bad for her, but it was a pure mistake. We'll just have to be careful next year.

Here are some pictures from the Christmas celebrations!!!!

Uncle Nolan with his nephews...Isaac, Caleb & Caden


Isaac trying out Caden's old boots


Isaac kissing Aunt Erin for a drink of pop


Aunt Erin and her nephews...Isaac, Caleb & Caden


Caleb trying out the guitar


Caleb trying out Caden's boots



Boys trying out their new tractors


Isaac and cousin Norah


All the little kids at the Johnson Christmas~
Caleb (18 mo.), Isaac (2), Emily (8), Daryan (12), Bjorn (16 mo.)
Norah (3), Kim (13) (Colton 2 mo.) Addison (3)


Caleb (18 mo.) Bjorn (16 mo)


Johnson Family Christmas ~ (Front row) Michelle, Kim,
Colton, Emily, Daryan, Bjorn (2nd row) Ryan, Grandma J,
Grandpa J, Amber, Isaac (3rd row) Di, Dad, Mom, Norah,
Addison, Marline, Bruce, Caleb, Ross (back row) Chad,
Will, Travis & Juli


Isaac opening presents


Caleb with Grandma J