Adventures with the Pikes

Thanksgiving!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 11 Dec 2009 19:56:00 +0000

We had a great time visiting family in Oklahoma. Now we are amidst the busy time of the year. Take time to relax and remember the true reason for this season, the birth of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ!!! I wish each and everyone of you an amazing Christmas filled with lots of memories!!!!!

Fall Fun

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Thu, 12 Nov 2009 01:22:00 +0000

We have had so much fun this fall with riding the train and heading out to the pumpkin patch. The weather has been pretty good so far. Now we are looking forward to Thanksgiving and Christmas as they are quickly approaching. I better get busy shopping!!!!

Kaleb & Kamden's Birthday Party

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:31:00 +0000

Since the boys b-days are so close together we did 1 party. Kaleb got to have his Thomas party and Kamden got to have his Elmo party. So everyone was happy. And as you can tell they both got lots of goodies!!!!!

Kaleb's belated birthday post Happy 4th Big Boy

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Wed, 09 Sep 2009 16:18:00 +0000

Well Kaleb mommy is so sorry for being a bad bad blogger. Your birthday has come and gone and you had a wonderful celebration. It is so hard to believe that you are 4 years old. In less than 1 year you will be boarding that big yellow school bus. Well if you have your way you will. I would much rather drive you to school. You have brought so much love and laughter into our home and you made us a family. We love you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean. You will forever be our baby!!!!! Te Amo Mi Hijo!!!

Bad Bad Blogger

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Mon, 24 Aug 2009 19:17:00 +0000

Facebook has taken over once again and I have not posted in a month. Kamden is 13 months today and Kaleb turned 4 on the 16th. I am a horrible mom as I didn't do a birthday post on Kaleb. Oh facebook why have you taken me over and what do I need to do to get back to my love of blogging???? Anyone out there feel my pain?

Feliz Cumpleanos Kamden #1

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 24 Jul 2009 16:28:00 +0000

These pix are totally out of the order I had planned for them, but you get the gist. 1 year ago I was panicking b/c we had just moved into our house and nothing was ready for Kamden. I received the call around 10a.m. that she was at the hospital and in labor. I had a huge anxiety attack which freaked my MIL out. Tim was trying to get everything at work ready for his departure, so getting the packing done was up to me. Basically we just threw anything and everything into the van and finally around 4p.m. took off for an 18 hour drive to Texas. I stayed awake the whole time so that I could keep the driver awake. So when we got there I was a bit delirious. At 4:43p.m. on 7-24-08 Kamden was born. It was so cool to talk to Pauline and hear him. Our first meeting was when he was 1 day old, and we haven't left his side since. He has blessed our family in so many ways. Kaleb loves him most of the time. You know how sibling rivalry is????!!!!

As I think back on our years of infertility and now sterility it was a difficult time, but we are so blessed to have gone through that and to have these precious boys as our sons. It is so easy to forget that I didn't give birth to them. Kaleb is so much like me it is crazy, and Kamden is still working on his personality. He is quite the character though! Happy Birthday to the bean. We love you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean. You make us smile and laugh. You and your brother are much more than what we could have ever dreamed or imagined. We love you!!!!

Time Going By Way Too Fast

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Thu, 16 Jul 2009 15:38:00 +0000

Kaleb very happy after defeating the big kids slide!!!!
Kamden is just happy to be getting ready for breakfast. This boy loves to eat!!!

Today is July 16th and in 1 month our big baby will be 4 and next week our not so little baby will be 1. It is so hard to believe!!!! Where did the time go???? Next year we will be preparing for Kaleb to start Kindergarten. The thought makes me want to cry. The last few years I have watched the neighborhood kids get on the bus the first day of school and I always cry. I know that he is excited about going, but I know that it will be hard to let go. Letting our kids grow up is not an easy task. But unfortunately there is nothing we can do about it. We just need to be there for every minute so that we can relish in everything they do and say. The Lord has so richly blessed us with the job of being our children's parents. They are each little gifts just waiting to blossom in this big world. Take care and take time to enjoy every minute possible with your little gifts!!!! Happy Thursday everyone!!!!

Pictures!!!!!!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Tue, 14 Jul 2009 21:46:00 +0000

At Build a Bear in Destin, FL
Kaleb just slid down a very tall slide and he is quite proud!!

The happy family

My handsome big boy

Kaleb and his cousin Tyler running around

Me and the bean

The bean, also known as water bug #2

Here is water bug #1

Gabby at 7 weeks, she now weighs a whopping 22lbs.

Everyone looking outside

Well here is a little bit of what has been going on. There are TONS more pix but for some reason they are not showing up. I will have to get Tim to take a look as he is much more computer savvy. I can't believe that is the middle of July. I guess that it is true that time flies when you are having fun. The next big happenings for us will be Kamden turning 1 and Kaleb turning 4. I can't believe that at all!!! Just last year we were preparing for Kamden's birth and now here we are. It seems like Kaleb was never a baby. He is so independant which is good at times. We are so happy with our boys and who knows what the future will hold for us. Kaleb still asks regularly for a sister and I still tell him to talk to the Lord about it. If He wants us to have a daughter He will make it happen. Happy Tuesday and there will be many more pix in the not so distant future.

WAYYYY Behind!!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Mon, 13 Jul 2009 17:01:00 +0000

Well once again I have falled prey to being a blogger slacker. We have been super busy with vacation and just life in general. There are lots of cute pix on our camera that I plan to download today, so keep checking back. Tim had an orthopeodic appt. today and his knee is progressing nicely, slow, but nice. We had to be extra careful at the beach, but we had a great time. Now we are back to reality and right around the corner is football season. I am trying not to think about it. Happy Monday everyone!!!!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures!!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Wed, 27 May 2009 00:36:00 +0000

Drinking water from the sprinkler
Having a blast

Kamden's dedication at church, he was not amused one bit

First time eating cheerios

First time eating egg, most of it is in his hair

A fun day at the aquarium

Such a chunk

Doing our silly face for Daddy

We get this look alot

And this one too

I realize that I have been MIA yet again. Tim had ACL reconstruction done on his right knee the 14th. This ended up being a much bigger surgery than everyone anticipated. His poor knee has taken a lot of stress over that last few years and he had lots of arthritis that they were able to clean out. So needless to say our household has been a bit busy. I am doing well on the new meds so praise the Lord for that. Hopefully things will continue to get better for all of us. The boys are doing awesome and growing like crazy. It is amazing to watch them learn new things everyday. I hope that you all are doing well and having a great week so far. I hope to get back to being a better blogger in the very near future. Take care and have a great night!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

FFF a day late!! MOM & ME

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Sat, 09 May 2009 14:09:00 +0000

Easter Sunday at Nana and Poppy's house.
Me and the boys shortly after bringing Kamden home

Me and the bean

Me and Bub

Mother's Day is in so many ways just another day, but now it has a very special meaning. Like many of you it took us a while to become parents and now that we are we want to celebrate the little ones who make us a family. Happy Mother's Day to each and every one of you. Have an awesome day and enjoy every minute of it!!!!

FFF

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 01 May 2009 13:17:00 +0000

This is what happens after a long day of playing nonstop!!

Gotta love that smile!!!

Kamden is 9 months old

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 24 Apr 2009 15:40:00 +0000

After bath and getting ready for bed.
Loving the outdoors and the beautiful weather!

Having fun in the church nursery!!

I can't believe that my little baby is now 9 months old and crawling. Time goes by way too fast!!! We love you Kamden so much!! It seems like forever ago when I got the call that you would soon be here. Then we frantically got everything together and jumped in the van for a LONG ride to Texas. You and your big brother Kaleb mean the world to us and we love you as high as the sky and as deep as the ocean!!!!! Momma & Papa Daddy

Happy Friday everyone!!!

Pictures!!!!!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Mon, 20 Apr 2009 16:13:00 +0000

Kaleb being his silly self and coming right up to the camera!!
The boys all decked out in their Guatemalan outfits!!!

Brotherly Love!!!

Discovering new things

Easter Sunday, Kamden is wearing the outfit that Kaleb wore when he was 2!!! He is such a chunk!!!

Me and the bean; this is Kamden's nickname

Easter goodies: he would love his new set of spoons

Kaleb very excited to get a new train

Eating jelly beans as fast as he could find them

Excited to have his egg

We had a great Easter spent with family. The greatest part was celebrating the resurrection of our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. We are so blessed to be the mom and dad to these 2 precious boys. They mean the world to us!!! Happy Monday everyone and have a blessed week!!!

Wednesday Update

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Wed, 15 Apr 2009 15:59:00 +0000

I hope that you all are having a great week. The weather around here has been quite yucky, but that is to be expected with all the spring showers. I am hoping to be done with doctors very soon!!! The latest test was the tilt table test. It was not fun and I did pass out after they gave me nitroglycerin. The tech along with the Dr. told me that I am classic neurocardiogenic syncope. Basically when you are "normal" your brain will send neuro transmittors to your heart telling it to pump blood here and there so that you don't get dizzy. Well my brain doesn't fire neuro transmittors like it should. Basically the blood pools in my legs and causes me to get dizzy, my heart to beat iradically sp?, and my breathing to escalate. I am going to the endocrinologist tomorrow as before I can be put on any meds my Calcium and Vitamin D levels need to be taken care of. After that I will see a cardiologist and hopefully I will be rid of doctors for awhile. This has been a long road, but I can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Please continue to pray that they won't find any other issues. I am waiting to hear if I have Addison's Disease and should know by the end of this week. Sorry to have been such a slacker in the blog dept., but this wears me out and I haven't been able to get very much accomplished around here. But as the saying goes it could always be so much worse. I am thankful to have so many of you praying for me. The Lord has so richly blessed me!!! The kids are great and we had an amazing Easter with family. I have tons of pictures that I hope to download today or tomorrow. The greatest thing was Kaleb being able to tell me why we celebrate Easter. Children are so amazing and there childlike faith is what we should all strive for. Have a blessed Wednesday, and get out there and celebrate our risen Saviour!!!

FFF "Beach"

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 03 Apr 2009 15:45:00 +0000

Our last beach trip was summer 2007 b/c last summer we were in Texas for the birth of this little one. I can't believe that he is 8 months old. Time has flown by way too quickly. This summer he will be almost 1 when we head to Florida for a much needed vacation. I can't wait to see his reaction. Kamden is sitting up really well and babbling up a storm. His favorite words are mama, dada, bubba, baba. And this little one loves to eat!!!

At the harbor behind the Fisherman's Wharf restaurant in Destin, FL. MMMMM seafood sounds so good!!! Kaleb loved all the boats. Kamden will be wearing that outfit this summer.

Just look at how little Kaleb was. I love his tan. Hispanic children are so beautiful and we have 2!

Enjoying being outside and building sandcastles. He is getting a bit hot here.

Time for a water break. That FL sun will wear you out!!

I hope that everyone has had a good week. I had a tilt table test done yesterday to confirm the neurocardiogenic syncope. It was not fun, but hopefully very soon I will be on the meds that will help things out. My body has not felt the greatest lately, but I know that soon things will be back to "normal." Have a great weekend everyone!!! God Bless!!

Kaleb's Forever Family Day

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 19:37:00 +0000

Gotta love this face!!

Looking all grown up!!

Loving to touch everything in site while in Guatemala.

The awesome market, we have got to get ourselves back to Guatemala!!!

3 years ago today we held Kaleb for the first time. I keep thinking of all the awesome memories we have of our short time in Guatemala. We will cherish those memories always. It is our hope that we will be able to take a family trip back to Guatemala. Every year on this day we do whatever Kaleb wants to do. Tonight he wants to eat dinner at Chick Filet and head to some stores hoping to find a special toy. This is always a great time for us as a family. We are blessed beyond measure with our 2 beautiful boys. Have a wonderful night and weekend everyone!!

Reflections

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Sat, 21 Mar 2009 02:40:00 +0000

Over the past few weeks I have went from being scared to death to have surgery again to a person trying to heal completely. This has truly been hard on me, Tim, & the boys. First of all I am feeling much better. Hopefully soon the cramping will stop which is quite painful at times. The worst part has been my emotions. I don't think that I grasped just how hard this was going to be. After seeing a picture of the fibroid tumor attached to my little uterus I understand why it needed to be done. The hard part is the finality that I will never carry a child in my womb. There seems to be a huge difference in knowing that you can't conceive but still hoping and coming to terms that the chance of conception is impossible. You may say to yourself, well she has 2 boys, what more does she want? What I want is for that switch to be turned off that gives the yearning desire to conceive a baby! We could be like Brad and Angelina and adopt tons of children, but that desire would still be there. Now don't get me wrong it has gotten much quieter, but after my hysterectomy it seemed to be a bit louder. More than likely it was the hormones talking along with the pain meds, but it has made me feel crazy. Tim was worried that I was never going to snap out of it. I still have my moments but am much much better. Basically I am almost back to being Kelli: Christian, wife, mommy, daughter, sister, friend, etc... The great thing about Tim and myself is that we had always wanted to adopt. This has been hard, but the Lord has blessed us beyond measure with not 1 but 2 sons. Who knows He may even bless us with more children in the future!! It seems that most of us as children dream of our future finding Mr. Right and then having a family, house, white picket fence, you know what I mean. Well thank God it doesn't work out that way for everyone. The bumps in the road are what make life LIFE!!! These bumps make us stronger and help to mold us into who we are. What all this boils down to is that I am trying to get over my bump. The most awesome verse is Philippians 4:13 "I can do ALL things through Christ who gives me strength." I hope to be back to regular blogging very soon and I know that you are all dying to see pix of Kaleb and Kamden. I am just taking it easy, well trying to take it easy, and I know that very soon this will be a thing of the past. Thanks so much for all your prayers and kind words. They mean so very much!! God Bless each of you and have an awesome weekend!!

Sorry for being MIA

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 15:15:00 +0000

I joined facebook as many of you know and well it has taken over!!! My blog time seems to be nonexistent. I want to try and work it where they will both have equal time from me. There are lots of snapshots that I know you all are dying to see. Hopefully within the next few days I will make time for the blog and get them on there for your viewing pleasure. Our house is being looked at today so I pray that all goes well!! We found the house that we really want so now we just have to sell ours. Have a great day and God bless!!

Happy 7 months Kamden and more San Antonio Pix!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Tue, 24 Feb 2009 19:49:00 +0000

Some kids throwing bread for the birds!!!

The state outline on a park bench.

Some artisic work which I thought was great!!!

The River Walk which was awesome!!!

Me trying to take a cool picture!

A building at the Alamo

Random buildings that looked amazing with the crisp blue skies

I love to take pictures of doors!!

My baby!!!! I can't believe that he is 7 months old. It is hard to believe that 7 months ago we were frantically trying to get on the road to meet him and now here we are, one big happy family.

A bit blurry, but sooo sweet!!! The Lord has blessed us beyone measure with our boys. They are definitely the love of our lives!!!! Happy Tuesday everyone!!!

FFF: Theme Fake Out

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 13:30:00 +0000

This is not really a fake out pic but I couldn't do the post without atleast one pic of Kamden!! Yesterday he started saying DaDa which is sooo cute. Of course I am working on the Mmmmms for Momma!! Oh he weighed in at the Ped at almost 20lbs. and they weighed Kaleb with clothes and shoes and he was 29lbs. This little one is truly a chunk!!

The let me eat my happy meal fake smile look.

The fake teeth smile!! Gotta love this one!!

The true fake smile. But this seems to be the norm around here. We are scheduled to have pics done tomorrow and this is how he plans to smile. Look at his little physique. He eats constantly but must burn it off immediately b/c many of his 3T clothes are too big. Have a great weekend everyone!!!

San Antonio!!!!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Sun, 15 Feb 2009 01:10:00 +0000

Here is the picture with us and our judge. There were several divorces before our case so everyone was happy when we came along!!! Kamden and Kaleb were at home with family.

The Alamo!!! The weather was beautiful and there are so many great buildings to take pictures of.

The courthouse where everything took place. This courthouse has been here for many many years.

I think this is a catholic church. Many of them have cafes and we ate lunch at one of them. It was fabulous and of course look at the crisp blue skies.

A fountain at La Villeta. We felt like we were in Mexico b/c everything seems to be in spanish. Thank goodness I know enough to get by. We bought some awesome things from Guatemala here for the boys. They will not be wearing the traditional outfits on Easter. I can't wait!! Have a great rest of the weekend!!! I hope that next week will not be as eventful. Sunday I almost passed out at church again and then Tuesday I fell down the stairs. And of course Wed. was the crazy storms that sounded like our house was going to blow away. It will be nice when all my health issues are leveled out. Take care everyone!!!

Pictures take 2

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:17:00 +0000

These are just some random pics from last year. Enjoy and there are many more to come!!! Have a great Thursday!!! Friday is almost here and it will be Tim's birthday!!! Happy Birthday Babe!!!!

Random Pix and More to come

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Wed, 11 Feb 2009 17:12:00 +0000

These are some pictures that were taken this past summer and fall!!! We just now got the CD with the pictures on it so that is why we are posting them now. Enjoy!!! Many more pictures to come!!!

OK Blogger is making me really mad!!!! Why won't it download my pix? GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

Kamden is official!!!

kdp111@hotmail.com (Kelli) — Sat, 07 Feb 2009 21:02:00 +0000

We got home last night from San Antonio and boy are we pooped!!! It was nice to get away, but it was great to get home to our boys. Court was a breeze and the weather there was amazing. We went to the River Walk and the Alamo which were both awesome. There are so many great places to eat there. We even found a few places that the locals go and they were fabulous. Needless to say we are all tired. We slept late this morning and are just hanging out today. Tim, however, had to head to work at 4, but hopefully he won't be gone too long. Kamden was happy to see us. Kaleb was all over the place. He was happy to see us, but didn't necessarily want to go home with us. Not exactly the reaction we had hoped for. Well I have tons of pictures and I promise that you will get to see them very soon. Have a great rest of your weekend!!! Oh I finally joined facebook so you can check me out on there. I just did it today after everyone that I know has one. Eventually I seem to join the crowd!!!