Wahooz and Pizza Challenge...

I'm not sure how Kacie did this, but she managed to get enough strength to go to Wahooz with her Choir class from school.  I know Taylor was really happy that she was able to go.

Kacie with Kassidy Hashagen, Madi Mitchell, Mallory Jensen and Taylor!

I'm glad they had so much fun!

When I got home from work I was shocked to find Brady getting creative with his pizza making skills.  First one had pizza sauce, cheese, blueberry Pop-tarts, Fiber-one brownies, chocolate chips and marshmallows.  He hated that one so then tried one with the same pizza sauce and cheese with Captain Crunch marshmallow cereal and mini-marshmallows!  He said it was a little better but still couldn't finish it.  He said I need to buy some pepperoni, bacon and ham! He cracks me up!!!

Girls Day Out...

Had a great time with all these girls going out to dinner at Olive Garden and then having mani's and pedi's!  Maya and Lea were in love with our server...haha!  Mom was also there but never likes to be in the pictures...

Kaylin's Day...

To celebrate Kaylin's life I brought home some pizza, squirt and a couple of movies.  We watched The 33 first about the true story of the miners trapped in a gold mine in Chile.  After Kacie got home around 10:00 we let off these lanterns and then watched My All-American about the true story of a football player for University of Texas...Freddie Steinmark. 

I love this picture!

 It was an enjoyable evening.  We sure love and miss Kaylin!!!

Six Year Anniversary of Kacie's Transplant...

Kacie was nine years old when her world got turned upside down and now today it will be six years since her kidney transplant.  The greatest hero we never knew saved my daughter's life! My heart goes out to the family today!  We love you and are extremely grateful for this gift of life!  Kacie's name means brave and she has definitely lived up to her name!  Kacie you have grown in to a beautiful young woman inside and out and we love you so much!  I know it hasn't been easy so keep fighting on! #organdonation #giftoflife #kidneykids 

Comments from Instagram:

jayneedgren said...So beautifully said! Kacie you show so much courage.  You teach all of us.  We are blessed to know you.

karlijo77 said...Beautiful tribute. <3

taylor.vickers said... <3

gmasusie said...Well said Tammy! Love you and your wonderful family!

gmakathy9 said... We love your family!  Kacie, you are a hero too!  Keep fighting!

tamijane1 said...Oh, this brings back SO many memories!  I will NEVER forget that phone call and running up to see you guys off as you headed to Portland! What an amazing gift and Kacie has been a rock star through it all!

dorena_dn1 said... What an amazing story and family you all are...So glad you shared this.

kacccieee said... I love you momma! <3

Comments from Facebook:

Cindy Sullenger said...Wow Tammy - God has definitely been watching over her and your family! Got tears in my eyes just reading your post! Hats off to you Kacie for being such a strong trooper and never giving up on your struggles in life!!! You absolutely ROCK girl!! Such a blessing!!! Sending positive thoughts and prayers to you and your family!!!

Ellie Cleaver said...She has the best momma in the world! (And of course she is beautiful!)

Alexzandra Talbot said... Kevin and I have no idea how you and Scott do what you do, Tammy. I say we celebrate with another family trip to Disneyland!

Janice McCrady Holliday said...You have been blessed beyond belief!  Keep up the fantastic work! You are beautiful!

Donna Seuell said...Wow, can't believe it has been that long already.  Kacie has grown into a beautiful young lady.

Sandra Henstone Sundquist said...Such a beautiful girl, so glad she is doing better Tammy.  God is good, praying she continues to stay well.:))

Bobbi Gurney said...Thank you for continuing to share Kacie's story and strength.  May the blessings continue for your family!

Katina Williams said...Continued prayers for this beautiful brave young lady!  God bless!! <3

Traci Lattimer said...Tammy she's a real beautiful blessing.

Photo Contest Winner...

It is so sad how much school Kacie has missed this spring or the whole year actually due to illnesses.  However, today I got a call from Miss. Weeks at 6:30 letting us know that Kacie won a photo contest and she would be given an award and a $50.00 check at the school board meeting at 7:30 which was way cool.  The photo was taken at one of the home football games supporting Coach Clark who was battling leukemia at the time and has since past.

 Being presented with her award...they also gave her a plate with an apple, cookies and a bulldog pin...

Photo taken for the paper...

 We had to get some more pictures...

Kacie and one other won and they used their photos for the cover of the school board's budget manual.  Kacie's was the sunset picture.

My Poetic Kids...

It's not everyday that your Junior in High School and your 5th grader have the same homework assignment.  Both brought tears to my eyes for different reasons! I sure love my kids! 

Kacie Goes Back in The Hospital (4/28-5/1)

April 28th I took Kacie to see her kidney doctor because she was still feeling pretty crappy.   Dr. Jenkins wasn't in town so we saw his associate, Dr. Bender.  She had a low grade fever and just about jumped out of her skin when the doc pressed on her kidney so she told Kacie you know your not going home because I'm putting you in the hospital.  It was pretty weird walking into the hospital and going right up to your room.  Lance Peterson came by shortly after we arrived which was nice.  It's crazy how the word spreads so quickly.  The worst part was we were not prepared at all to stay in the hospital so I had to tell Scott step by step where to find everything we needed over the phone and Tiffany was so nice to run over our things for us.  Mom was in Utah and Scott needed to stay with Brady.  She was so nice to also bring us Zuppas and visited for awhile, but unfortunately had to wait for us for a little bit while Kacie was getting her ultrasound which took forever.  

(Posted this picture after Kacie was admitted to the hospital)  It said...Kacie was admitted to the hospital again because she is still losing ground.  I haven't seen her this weak in a long time.  So far all the tests on her kidney have come back good which is a relief.  They did lower her Prograf (anti-rejection meds) again because it was higher than last week even after lowering her dose.  They are bringing in an infectious disease doctor today and maybe a GI doctor.  It could still just be complications from the Cdiff.  They want to make sure she is eating and drinking good without help before she goes home.  Can't wait to have our healthy spunky girl back! Lots of love for our baby girl!  On a side note: We had one of Kaylin's nurses and I told her I recognized her and she immediately said, "You have Kaylin's eyes!" It was a tender moment!

 The next morning we talked to her kidney doctor, Dr. Bender and she said that Kacie also had a kidney infection and that she took in three liters of fluids and only peed one which was pretty impressive with how dehydrated she was.  She also said her ultrasound looked fine which was a relief that her kidney is okay.  They weren't able to find both of her native kidneys though.  So she was on two antibiotics...one for the Cdiff and one for the kidney infection.  Later that day she tested negative for the Cdiff but they were in no hurry to send her home until she was eating and drinking better.

 Friday night Stacie brought all the kids (except Ryan) and Brady for a visit.  They brought flowers, candy and a little balloon which was very thoughtful.  I was so grateful to Stacie to let Brady stay the weekend because Scott had to go to Prairie City for prom and wasn't going to be back till 3 in the morning Sunday and he also had a track meet Friday.

 Cute girls...

 Jocelyn also came and surprised Kacie with some Dutch Bros...we had fun playing Five Crowns and hanging out.  Then Kevin and Alexz came and visited for a couple of hours.  They were so nice and brought some little stuffed Disney pals called tsum tsum.  Kacie loved them and it was so fun to get to visit with them.

Kacie going for a walk.  I can't believe all the weight she has lost...probably about 12 pounds.

Caleb wanted to cheer up Kacie!

Treyton came Saturday and stayed quite awhile.

Gerald stopped by after Brittany's track meet at BSU and Dad came by for a while and took me out to dinner at Chipotle which was nice.  Kendalee, Maya and Lea also came for a visit and brought the cute shirt and drink mix.  Tiffany also came back for a visit.  Treyton brought some more tsum tsums and the coloring book with crayons.

Sunday morning the doctors all told us she could go home but I think Kacie was a little nervous about it and had a little more diarrhea  but they assured us she would be fine.  We got home around 6;00 and Jocelyn met us there and we watched a movie together which was fun.  We were so grateful to all those that reached out to us and pray that Kacie continues to mend.

 Rosie and Mom both graduated from BYU... I believe in 1997 and 1967

 Betty Jo, Laura, Mom, Rosie & Pam...

I know it killed mom to not be with Kacie in the hospital, but I'm so glad she had such a good time at Women's Conference!