I guess they aren’t babies any more but it doesn’t seem possible that Derek 
is four (May 24) and Monet is two (May 28.) I can’t believe how fast this all goes, they weren’t kidding when they say “Don’t Blink” in that Kenny Chesney song (seriously listen/watch the video – it means SOMETHING.) Parents will know the meaning. I 
definitely realized all the things I didn’t stop to enjoy over th last four years and now I am going to make it a point to relish in every moment I can.
We had over a week of birthday celebrations that kicked off 
on Thursday with a few hours at Barnes & Noble to spend gift cards from Nancy & John in Alaska. Saturday morning a photojournalist, Diane Wallace, stopped by to take pictures of Derek & Steve for a local magazine Perfectify. An article about Living Donation and Steve’s gift of life to Derek, will be in the July issue. We decided that this would be a perfect opportunity to give Derek his gift a New, Blue Bicycle (just like Curious George’s!!!!) Let me say that Derek just loved it and we have been taking him for several rides everyday. And to think a year ago we were
so close to not seeing this day. *Thanks again Daddy, Steve, you are our hero.*
After the picture taking was done we played outside for a 
while letting Derek ride is bike and Monet followed on Derek’s old trike. She so wants to be B-I-G like her brother and I think next year she will be getting her own bike as well. Grammy spent the entire day with us. She baked the CRAZY star shaped cupcakes I found at the party store to go along with the theme I 
came up with for their birthday party. Later the kids 
“helped” us frost and put sprinkles on the cupcakes. That night we had a special dinner with a chocolate cake and ice cream of course, Grammy & Papa joined us for dinner, dessert and bedtime rituals.
Sunday Morning at 10am the Supstars had a birthday party. Kids played on 
the trampoline, swingset, ate lunch and then jumped in the pool (and we forgot to take pictures.) We then moved inside for some present opening. It was chaos all over the place. I am still trying to figure out who got the kids what so I can send out the appropriate ‘Thank you notes.’ Derek’s favorite gift of the day seems to be his camers, he sees me running around with mine all the time I’m sure that has
a lot to do with that. Finally we had birthday cupcakes which turned out pretty good and ice cream. It was a fun day but I was sure glad to rest at around 2 when everyone headed out.
Wednesday was Monet’s birthday we took both kids to the splash park in the morning before Steve & I had to go to the dentist. For as warm as it was 
outside that water was FREEZING. Monet didn’t get too wet but Derek braved the cold water and tried hard to get to try too. Grammy took the kids to play while Steve & I got our 
teeth cleaned, we met up for lunch. That night I made enchiladas and we had another chocolate birthday cake…have you figured our kids L-O-V-E chocolate? Unfortunately Monet’s birthday and the high school graduation were on the same day…cake selection was limited 
but the decorator at Bashas’ definitely tried to make it look as good as she could
. It tasted good just the same.
Monet’s gift got lost in “FedEx land” for a few days and 
finally arrived Friday afternoon. Both of the kids love it and it is packed FULL of food and dishes already.
As you can clearly see we are all doing fine and ready to rest up since we are exhausted from all of the birthday celebrating at least for a few weeks, until Jaycee’s 6th birthday on June 20.
So this morning Derek discovered the first RIPE tomato in his little patch. We have TONAS of Green ones but tryingto prevent Monet from pickingthem has become quite a chore…but this one little ripened and Derek found it and enjoyed the little thing so much – he took care of it and grew it in our own backyard. I guess their may still be a bit of farmer blood floating through his veins.
lot about Derek but it is time I share some BIG things happening in Monet’s life. She just got her BIG GIRL bed and “slept” in it on Thursday night. I think she got maybe 5-7 hours of sleep and I got maybe 3 hours. She has quickly learned to hop out of the bed and come running down the hall to our room yelling & crying “Mommy, I want my mommy.”
it already for her. We are buying a fluffy Hot pink comforter and adding some bright melon and purple accents. Our little girl who wants wear “a pwitty dwess” everyday will have a girly bedroom to go with her personality.
This last week Derek became a “victim” of a healthcare argument or even temper tantrum, I’m still not completely sure which. On Tuesday morning I woke both kids extra early to get his labs done at the new Mercy Gilbert Hospital operated by CHW and he was turned away. Why? CHW pulled their contract with our insurance provider. I guess I could have lived with having his labs done somewhere else but his Nephrologist (kidney doctor) is also a CHW provider and the main hospital he operates from is a CHW facility. Not too forget the previously mentioned surgery was scheduled at a CHW hospital. They cite the reason for the dissolved contract was costs. Medicare and State funded healthcare costs generate losses for doctors and hospitals so this “NET LOSS” is passed on to the rest of the consumers, those with private insurance. This results in higher insurance premiums and copays. I’m sure the timing of this fiasco couldn’t be better, during a BIG political battle for President. I never thought that this election would directly effect us in such a way. Anyways, I went into panic mode and started calling around trying to find someone to help me grease the wheels of the insurance industry we call “CIGNA” and get Derek the care he deserves and needs. Steve called his employer’s benefits department and shook the world up there (along with several thousand other employees.)