My letter for Step Up for SIDS

Step Up for SIDS
Saturday, April 17, 2010
Wichita Sate University’s Cessna Stadium


Step Up for SIDS is a memorial walk/balloon release and fundraiser for the SIDS Network of Kansas. This helps the SIDS Network of Kansas to further their mission of serving those who are or may be touched by the tragedy of SIDS by providing supportive services for all those affected, community awareness, professional development and support for medical research efforts.

In Memory of
Connor John Underwood
June 20 –August 28, 2007




I value giving back to an organization that helped me so much, but I also selfishly love this event because it allows me to do something in Connor’s memory. Sending out his picture and spending the day remembering him are things I cherish. We have raised a lot of money to contribute to the SIDS network over the last two years and we have had wonderful days remembering him.

If you would like to walk with our team on April 17th please go to their web site www.sidsks.org and register. If you would like to support our team by donating to the SIDS network in Connor’s memory please either donate online at
http://www.active.com/donate/stepupforsids/connorunderwood
or send your donation to me to take up that day.

Thank you for taking the time to read this and remember Connor. Our family is very blessed to have your love and support. – Julie

Spring Break

We had a great break. We didn't do anything too exciting but it was sure nice to just hang out.
We had JQ's funeral on Saturday. Sunday night Callie had a sleep over with Shelby at Grandma Linda and Grandpa John's house. She loves that but the house seems so quiet to me with her gone. I did enjoy some Chase time on Monday though. He is starting to sit and play for a little while longer at a time. Tuesday my mom watched the kids while Shannon and I ran over to Joplin to run a few errands and go eat for our 9th wedding anniversary. Mom spent the night Tuesday night which Callie loved too. Wednesday Shannon kept Chase while Mom, Callie, and I headed for a girls day in KC. Our first stop was a pediatric dentist office in Overland Park. Callie was pretty much hysterical when we first went back. They were great with her though and kept encouraging me not to push her. So after she calmed down and we had been back there forever watching nemo and getting no where, I finally told her that she had to "try" to let them do what they needed to do or we would go home rather than to eat, build a bear, and shop. She decided to let them try. The nurse was great with her and let her try it out on her hand, then do it herself, then the nurse did it. Callie ended up letting them do everything they wanted/needed to do. She had no cavities! So we had pizza, built an easter bear, shopped and spoiled her the rest of the day. The rest of the week was nice and quiet. We played outside a lot in the nice 60-70 degree weather on Thursday and Friday. Then watched it snow on Saturday :-)

In Memory

JQ passed away this week. We will go up to his funeral tomorrow. He is my great-uncle on my mom's side. My aunt on my dad's side is going to keep the kids at my parent's house. The memories make me smile. Here is a picture from this summer....

Outside

Chase wants to go there all the time. He brings his jacket to you and goes to the door. Before the couple of nice days we had he loved to look out the window, but now he knows actually going out is even better. He loves to look at the neighbors horses out the window and wants to go see them when outside but isn't too sure once you get up up close.
Shannon, his Dad, and Chase coming back from the pond. Watching them walk up I had to take the picture and think of the times to hopefully come.

Enjoying the outside.

This heat wave was too much for Max - he had to take a dip in his pool to cool off.

Last weekend

After all the whining I did, Shannon did end of feeling good enough for us to go to Joplin Saturday evening to I think the name of the place is Maccaroo. They have a burger type restaurant and lots of inflatable jump things for the kids. We had so much fun. There was one Chase could go on and he loved it. Someone would jump and he would face plant. I would expect him to come up crying and he would get up laughing every time. He had a blast for the first half hour and then was tired and ready to go to bed. Callie on the other hand took the first half hour to warm up and then starting have fun. Two hours later we bribed her out with ice cream. Chase was asleep before we could get to the drive thru.

When things are just too quiet

I was getting ready and the house just got too quiet so I thought I had better see what Chase was up to. Someone had left the bathroom door open. He had taken my underwear out of the clean clothes basket sitting in the hallway and was "cleaning" the toilet with them. Since the damage was done I went to grab the camera - Callie however was NOT amused and immediately began damage control.

Max

It is a rough life when kids are home sick.

Picture of Sickness

From our sick week.

They felt too bad to fight over who got to rock and just stayed there together.

Whining

Last week the kids were sick all week. The Friday before Callie was not too good when I picked her up from daycare and by Saturday morning we went to quick care. She was sick until really Wednesday before she was back to herself although she was good enough to go to preschool. Chase got sick Monday and was sick with fever all week long. Even over the weekend we kept him home cause he wasn't quite back to himself. Linda watched the kids Tues-Friday last week - can't thank her enough! So this week all have been healthy. Last night I told Shannon that I am ready to do something fun this weekend. A weekend when we were all well and the weather was finally nice. We discussed the options and fell asleep.....a couple hours later I was asking Shannon what was wrong.....he had a high fever. So much for all healthy. I won't complain too much though as these are such small problems/illness when some are facing REAL illnesses. We will enjoy the weekend and count our blessings.
Enjoy the nice weather this weekend!