Back to "Normal"

I'm thinking and hoping that life is going to start feeling somewhat "normal" again. Ever since Brandon's accident things have been...crazy, overwhelming, busy, emotionally draining, etc. BUT they are home now and Kirby is finished with their bathroom (which is awesome by the way, I should post some pics of it before and after). I'm feeling like we can breathe a sigh of relief and start getting back to business as usual. As I say this I can't help but think of Car and Brandon who will have to get used to a "new" normal. I must say, though, that they are doing extremely well and making the most of their unfortunate situation.

Yesterday I cleaned my house, CLEANED IT. I had been doing my best to keep things picked up, dishes done, laundry at least washed if not folded and put away. I forced myself to look the other way when I saw the dust bunnies multiplying under the furniture, the fingerprints on the windows, and the less than spotless toilets because I knew I just did not have time to clean any of it. So, yesterday I had no extra kids and I was going buckle down and clean. I got one bathroom done and realized my kids were not going to allow this planned "cleaning day" to happen, so I called for reinforcement (my mom). She came over and took the kids outside to play and helped me clean while they were napping! I can't tell you how good it feels to look around and see CLEAN!

We are planning a getaway weekend to Minnesota in a couple of weeks. Just to get away from the everyday and have some fun as a family. We are planning to go to the Mall of America, Minnesota Zoo, swim at the pool at our hotel, and see my aunt and uncle while we are in town.

I'm trying to figure out what to do for Lydia's birthday. To have a party or not. It's Memorial Day weekend which is a busy time for everyone, so I'm not sure what I'm going to do. And if we have a party I'm trying to decide on a theme. Last year we did ladybugs so this year I'm thinking about butterflies or bumblebees. Not sure yet.

Easter

All dressed up.


Opening Easter baskets from Daddy and Mommy.




We spent the afternoon with Kirby's family. Kohen and Abraham got a Gator too, so the boys...and Lydia spent the afternoon riding.

Clae on a 4 Wheeler. Scary.




The Easter egg hunt at Papa and Nanny Cass's.






They had to load up all of their loot into the Gators!

Benefit Pics

The benefit Saturday night turned out to be an amazing success. I still can't believe the support and generosity Brandon and Carly's friends, family, and community have shown to them. Saturday night was no exception, they raised a mind-blowing amount of money that will help them make a much smoother transition into their new life.

Brandon and Carly making their very emotional entrance. I can't even type this without starting to cry again. Brandon said coming into that room was one of the hardest things he has had to do since the accident.



A few crowd shots...
(I was helping with the auction all night so I wasn't able to get as many pictures as I would have liked to.)
I don't know if we have a final count on how many were there but it was over 500 for sure.




They are staying with my parents until Kirby gets their bathroom done. We are hoping today will be the last day he has to work on it, we'll work on cleaning tomorrow and they will get to move in on Thursday!

Benefit Update

Brandon and Carly Smith Benefit Dinner and Auction
Fairfield Arts and Convention Center
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dinner: 5:00-6:30
Auction: 6:30-8:00


The benefit is just TWO days away!

Here are just a few of the items that will be up for auction:

- 16 inch fresh water pearl necklace from Americus Diamond
- 1 Night Stay @ Pzazz Resort Hotel, 2 $25 Fun City Cards, 1 large pizza @ Boogaloo Café, 4 Breakfasts @ Edgewater Grill PLUS 2 $25 free play cards
- 2 month membership at Curves in Fairfield
- Coach Purse
- 1-18 hole round of golf for 2 with cart at Spirit Hollow in Burlington
- 1 overnight stay at Catfish Bend Inn & Spa PLUS 2 $50 free play cards
- Guided fishing trip with food & lodging Cass Lake, MN
- Iowa Hawkeye galf bag,
- 4 tickets Michigan International speedway print Cup Series, Sunday, June 19, 2011
- Sec. 8, Row 25, 2 tickets to Taylor Swift concert Arrowhead Stadium
- 9 hours of construction/handy man services provided by Custom Construction
- Genuine Skyblue Tapaz ring from Village Jewelers
- Discover Flight in Cessna 172 from Voss Distributing
- 1 Iowa Whitetail hunt from windy Ridge Outfitting
- 2 night stay at Betts Valley Branch Cabin
- 1 night stay at Red Fox Cabins
- 2 night stay at Pine Ridge Resort
- 1 NEW Social Membership at the Riverview Country Club
- gift certificates to both the Walton Club and Fairfield Country Club.

The generosity that has been shown by our community has been overwhelming. Thank you so much to everyone who has donated and helped make this event possible!

Brandon and Carly Smith Benefit

It's less than two weeks away...

Brandon and Carly Smith Benefit Dinner and Auction
Fairfield Arts and Convention Center
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Dinner: 5:00-6:30
Auction: 6:30-8:00

Hope to see you there!

It's Finally Spring!

We have been loving this spring weather the past couple of days.

Clae found a favorite spot to play in the dirt. He loves to dig with his diggers and loader tractors. When I told him it was time to come in for a bath his response was, "why? I'm not dirty!"




This is where they spend most of their time...on the Gator!


...And the after shot, ALL CLEAN!