Good Bye Grandpa

Last week we packed up the kids and flew to Colorado to spend the week with family and friends remembering my Grandpa, Gramps, Grumpy who passed away just shy of his 80th birthday. I named my son, Hayden Thomas, after my wonderful Grandpa. He was a very important man in my life. He always made me feel like I could do anything. He was more than a grandfather to me. At one point I lived with him growing up when my parents were getting a divorce and the rest of my childhood he lived just down the street. I was his oldest grandchild and he always made me feel like I was his favorite (sorry cousins).

My Grandpa was a real cowboy and true cattleman. He was a gentleman and a loving person. I could call him on the phone at anytime and talk. My Grandpa was a strong man who overcame Polio, left home when he was 17, and raised 6 daughters. He traveled the country for work and always knew the best places to eat in almost any city. He always said that I would eat so much that I would get to be as big as Dallas. I bet he didn't think I would ever move to Texas. I still have a healthy appetite, but I am not trying to be as big as Dallas anymore.

He called me a chatter box, but that didn't stop him from taking me along with him to cattleman's conventions in Orlando and Chicago. My best vacations as a child. While I miss him, I am not sad for him because I know he returned peacefully to his Father in Heaven.

Thomas F. Spencer
passed away April 16, 2009, in Pueblo. He was born on Oct. 14, 1929, near the Missouri River at Leavenworth, Kan. Mr. Tom Spencer was the son of Grover C. and Clara H. (Bollin) Spencer, who preceded him in death. He was a past president and honorary lifetime member of the Colorado Cattlemen’s Association, past president and 12-year member of the Colorado State Brand Board, past president of the Central Colorado Soil Conservation District and served on the board of directors of the National Cattlemen’s Association and was a 50-year member of the Kansas Livestock Association. Mr. Spencer leaves behind his wife, Mary Josephine Guilfoyle Spencer; and six daughters, Clara Hodge, Mary Hanna, Patty Bruce, Susan (Alan) McNew, Nancy (Michael) Demmler, Laura Jane Spencer as well as nine grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren.

Dell Children's Hospital Spina Bifida Clinic Results

Hayden did great today at his first SB Clinic doctors apmts. We started our day off early at 4am getting ourselves and the kiddos ready for a long apmt at Dell Children's Hospital. Hayden met with his nutritionist, Neuro, SB nurse, physical therapist, ortho, urologist, radiologist, x-ray tech, social worker and many more nurses all concluding by 11am.

It was amazing and Hanna was amazingly good. The short of it is that we feel like we are on a high after all the great test.

Hayden weighed in at 12lbs and was in the 95% for height and weight. He has some work to do with PT with his feet, hips, neck and toes to lengthen his muscles. His bladder and kidneys continue to look great and his shunt works well. Even with all of the good news, it was also discovered that Hayden has a hernia at this belly button which will also need to be corrected possibly through surgery.

Easter

How far we have come. I am so glad to feel peace and joy in my life again. I am humbled to be blessed with such wonderful kids and for friends and family that prayed so earnestly for Hayden. His big SB clinic is tomorrow with the team of doctors at Dell Childrens' Hospital. There they will let us know what if anything we should expect and work on before our next visit. He is such a blessing in all of our lives, even Hanna loves him:).

Easter was wonderful and Hanna had 3 eeegg (as Hanna calls it) hunts. Here she hit the mother load! Hayden looks like he swallowed a few eggs because he could hardly fit into his 1st Easter outfit!

It is also Texas wildflower season. The draught didn't help the blue bonnet flowers much this year, but we got to enjoy a few on the hillside. It has been beautiful here this Spring.

This last picture is just pure cuteness!

No April Foolin'

Today was great! Hayden slept 8 hours through the night and Scott went back to work today after being home with the family for the past 2 months. Didn't know how I would do it without Scott, but everything went wonderful. Here are a few pictures of the chubby baby and his wonderful big sister.