Honestly

I don't know what makes me want to blog or not blog. I think sometimes there's so much going on that I forget to, sometimes I don't know how to put it into written words and other times I struggle with how much is too much. Am I the only one that struggles with this? Honestly?

While the menu on the right shows only 4 posts for 2011, you know there's been alot more than 4 things going on in our life. I love reading other blogs but I often wonder "Who in the world would want to read about us?" Honestly?

My desire is for this blog to be uplifting and encouraging.  But more importantly, when I share I want it to glorify God in every word. There are sometimes when I want to blog but don't feel it can be all of those things...uplifting, encouraging and glorifying to God and HONEST at the same time. I'm not saying that I lie about anything, but sometimes I might omit a feeling or statement that could be construed as a negative. Call it Pollyanna syndrome or whatever but I was always taught to find the good in every situation before looking for the bad and I honestly TRY to do that everyday.

I read a blog this morning from a mother who has a child with similar issues to Brynne. She was so open and honest about how she felt and what was going on with him. It wasn't a negative post...just honest. It was so encouraging to me to read from her heart. How she actually put it into words I'll never know, but I felt a kinship and connection with her. I felt able to relate. I appreciate her...honestly.

So what does all of this mean?

Big changes? No. Will I post more often? Can't promise anything :) Will I share every detail? No. (& I can guarantee that)

BUT, after reading that mother's post today I felt God telling me I needed to be more honest because maybe, just maybe, what is posted might be encouraging and uplifting to someone else and in that I will be glorifying Him.

So there it is...honestly.

The big 6!

Oh Kodabug! Happy 6th Birthday sweet boy!

I thought I would be able to type pages and pages about this day but I find myself speechless...in awe, of the amazing young man you have already become. You are the comedian, the "ham", the encourager, the friend, the great reader, the shoe tier (a BIG deal!), the athlete, the hugger, the constant helper, and the most amazing big brother. Oh how I love you!

and I thank God for you everyday!

Catch up...

Here's an update in pictures...

Taking after her momma!

with Aunt Cawey at Casey's graduation...

 so proud of their Uncle Casey...



 Supposed to be a picture of the Bigham men...Brynne didn't want to leave her Biggie!



Quick snapshot on the sidewalk after Casey's graduation...

Koda had a hard time "versusing" his friend Hayden during his first T-ball game

Koda's 1st at bat = Koda's 1st home run!

Datch & his biggest fan!

Craig was really excited about pictures as we had a blast at Aunt Christy & Uncle Zach's for Easter...

Here we go....

Payce, look...there's some over there...

Even Knox got in on the action with a little help from his daddy...

Cutest little bunny!

CHHHHEEEEEEEEEEESSSSSSSSSEEEEEEEEEE!

1st T-ball practice

Game faces on!

Trooper McDonald Golf Tournament tee off!

Sports, phonics & gammaglobulin...

Ok, so are you wondering how those are related? Well, those are the new things in our life. It's Koda's first year for "organized" sports. We started with in-door soccer in Lubbock and even though I know it is organized...watching a bunch of 5-6 year olds running around chasing one soccer ball looks anything BUT organized. But Kodaloves it and I definitely see a lot more of his daddy showing up...the desire to win, the frustration of not and the definite love of anything called a "sport"! Next, is t-ball... Craig is not only coaching Koda's team this year but he is also in charge of the t-ball program.  He loves it (& is awesome at it)! and I am so excited he is finding his place here in Post. I've had fun helping him organize, proofread, schedule and even name the teams...our team is the "Lugnuts"!

So where does phonics fit in? Koda is READING and doing so well. It is one of my favorite times of the day when we get to sit down and listen to him read and with such EXPRESSION! and to hear him practice the same phonics rules as I learned...and Brynne is picking up on some of it. Koda even reads her favorite book "Pete the Cat" (which, if you haven't read it...you need to). I've videoed it a couple of times but every time we've had some sort of interruption. I'll get it done and be sure to share it. I figured I better get their love for each other on video as proof to show them when they're teenagers!

The gammaglobulin?.I'm sure I've misspelled it but today we got a slight glimmer of hope in the mystery that is our Brynne Brynne. We have been doing some immunology testing and today we got a phone call that one of the tests actually came back not "normal". My hear jumped! Ok, I know you are thinking....WHAT? You were happy about this? YES! With pretty much every test over the last two years not really showing ANYthing close to an answer...we might actually have something to focus on. PRAISE GOD! We still don't have an actual name but we do know that at least part of what Brynne has been dealing with is an IDD (Immune Deficiency Disorder). She will start undergoing a monthly treatment to, in non-medical words that I can't pronounce, basically give her immune system a huge boost. We are so excited to have a glimmer of hope of a name of something. We have been repeatedly reminded that the doctor's believe this is only part of what's going on in her body...but we'll take it! Thank you Lord for your continued faithfulness!

In other news, we are completely and totally excited about what God is going to do through Brynne's Smiles. You can read more about it at http://www.brynnessmiles.org/.

Thank you for keeping up with us...we love having you as part of our lives!

Trooper McDonald Memorial Race

Today was an awesome event...the Trooper McDonald Memorial Race! We got the amazing opportunity to celebrate the life of our good friend Jonathan McDonald and show Laura and Kacyn how much we love them. We are humbled by the fact that Laura chose to donate the proceeds of the race to Brynne.

If you don't know Laura or didn't have the chance to know Jon, you are missing out on some amazing people. Alison & Stuart Blalock are two other people we are blessed to know and are looking forward to getting to know better.  Jon was Stuart's best friend and he and Alison organized the race.  It was AMAZING! There are over 275 people there to run a 5k or walk 1 mile. Brynne & I walked the mile and Craig and KODA ran the 5k. I'm so proud of my boys!

We are so blessed by the outpouring of love and support and some day we WILL pay it forward.

                                              

Jon, we miss you! And I know you are proud of Laura and the amazing woman, mother and friend that she is.

I didn't have the chance to take as many pictures as I would've liked but there were cameras everywhere so I'm sure we'll get some awesome shots to remember this amazing day.