Tuesday, April 17, 2012

Easter 2012

This Easter was particularly special to me and my family. After being in and out of the hospital it was so wonderful to have a happy sunny day together to celebrate our Savior's life together. I had so much to be grateful for. Even being up until 2am the night before prepping for the day was all worth it.

First thing in the morning we set the table for Easter dinner.


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Next we made up the Easter cookies. Here's my little sue chefs hard at work.


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Easter hunt.


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We were all so excited to have Kira and Andrew come share the day with us. Just a few minutes after they pulled up, so did my parents! I had no idea they were coming since they had just been in Boise. They had decided to stop on their way home. I was screaming! (literally) I was so excited to have my home filled with my family. Luckily I had made lots of food!


I had to take this picture. It made me so happy to see everyone's car in my driveway. They brought us gifts too. So sweet. Gifts from aunts and uncles who were thinking of Kamryn, a big Easter basket from Great Grandpa Thompson, Gift bags from Great Grandma Thompson with pretty little church purses, gloves, and head bands in them, hand knit hats, and a big gallon of bubbles. (I told my mom I was grateful that the Easter bunny showed up :)
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Kira and Andrew also got us these beautiful tulips from Trader Joes.

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It was unfortunate that my dad could't come in the house. He was sick with a bad cold. Here's mom with the girls.

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We dyed egss too.


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Last we went on a walk around the neighborhood. It was perfect. Glad I could share it with you.

xoxo-kate

Friday, March 16, 2012

Signs of Life

Did I tell you that Lauryn got sick too? And it's been raining all week? Spring break week that is. Today is Friday and the moment it stopped raining for a bit we ran outside. There is a cute park literally around the corner from our house. On our walk there we looked for signs of life. The girls really got into it. It was fun to see how excited they were about new growing plant life. I am incredibly grateful for days like these. Here's to more like them! Hope you enjoy what we saw and did!

xoxo- katelyn


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Tuesday, March 13, 2012

Kamryn's Hospital Stay

On February 28th at 6:30pm Kamryn and I headed for Sacred Heart Children's Emergency Room. Her Doctor said it was finally time to go and get admitted. She has been ill for about 5 months with cyclical fevers, diarrhea, and vomiting. They come in cycles of every 3 weeks. She had been sick for a week when I drove her to Spokane.

We got to the ER and my wonderful mother was waiting for us. I was so grateful she was there for Kamryn and I. After being in the ER for 5 hours and finally getting an IV started we were moved to our room up on the 3rd Floor in Oncology. It was about 2:30am when I finally got to sleep. I was woken up at 4am by a doctor who's face was just inches from mine. I totally gasped! He didn't even try to tap me to wake me up. He just wanted to talk about Kamryn and what had been going on.

The second night we were there my sister and her boyfriend showed up to visit. We were talking in the hall while Kamryn was playing in the playroom and Kira whips out her left hand and says, "GUESS what?!" There was a gorgeous emerald cut diamond on her ring finger! I screamed out loud! (Never a good idea to do in a hospital) I had to explain to the nurses what had happened......

Nights were the worst, at least until my mother in law Robin came to save me. Kamryn had a hard time falling asleep in the hospital and by 9pm I was done. Thank goodness she swapped in for my mom to cover the night shift. Couldn't have done it without you Robin!

The next 4 days in the hospital were spent doing more blood tests, urine tests, stool samples, x-rays, biopsies, and a scope. She was also on a liquid diet the whole 4 days. After her scope came back clear on the 4th day they said she could start trying solids. She had a great appetite and was happy to be eating again.

On day 5 we went over discharge papers and took her IV out. About 30 minutes after that she threw up all morning and had diarrhea all day again. I didn't handle it very well. I was so upset and emotional the whole time at the hospital but after this happening again I was a mess. I had hardly any sleep the 5 days we had already been there and since Kamryn was on a liquid diet, I ate next to nothing. Did I mention, Bryan went out of town and the girls had to stay with my mom? I was completely drained and stressed.

After the fifth day we stayed 3 more days to make sure she could tolerate solids. The IV went back in because she was dehydrated again. Also, a full CT needed to be done with medication. As far as food went, we tried Pediasure first. The Doctor and I discussed that if she could keep that down, at least we knew she would be getting enough calories.

We finally went home after she kept down food for more than 24 hours. The doctor said that she was fighting a bad virus, one she needed help to get over. I was so grateful that they kept her safe. I am so grateful to be home with her now and that nothing serious was wrong. She is just the sweetest little girl. I love her so much. My heart goes out to all those who have children in the hospital. I got a taste of what it's like and it was one of the hardest things I've ever done.

I am still recovering from it all. Thank you everyone for your love and support. I think spring will be helpful in the healing of it all. Glad to be back blogging.


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She was so happy to have a kitty with her. Other patients in the SHCH nicknamed her Kitty Kamryn.
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She made a good friend while we were there. Her name was Makayla. They spent the evenings together.
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Yes, we used medicine cups for the paint.
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Every morning after breakfast she had a tea party with all the dinosaurs. It made everyone who walked by smile.
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Downtown Spokane
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She started to get some energy the day before we left.
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She would walk the halls when her IV was out with her dog that aunt Kelli gave her.
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Monday, February 27, 2012

Luncheon

Last Thursday Robin and Lori came to visit us. As I was deciding what to feed them for lunch, these beautiful tulips helped to inspired me.


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We had croissant sandwiches and French Berry Lemonade (found at Safeway). It felt so good to have visitors in our home. Our sweet Kamryn has been sick for months and it's been very difficult. They made the day very special. Robin helped me paint Lauryn's Room! I was so grateful! I was not feeling the chartreuse color in there and was so happy to see the new Serene Haven on the walls.

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While we were painting and chatting we decided to put together a monthly Craft-Get Together. In March we will be making Personalized Inspiration Boards. Our location for the month of March will be Spangle, Washington. If you are interested in coming please email me to have your name on the guest list and get an address to send a small supplies fee. 


katejenningsphotography@gmail.com





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One last thing, don't forget to see my latest studio portrait session.


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Happy Monday! I hope you all have a wonderful week! 


xo- Katelyn

Tuesday, February 21, 2012

lately

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1- Our new home, 2- Breakfast Club, 3- Painting, 4- Playroom, 5- Michelle working on my studio, 6- First newborn shoot in my studio, 7- Valentines shoot, 8- Craft Room, 9- Bryan switching the fridge door, 10- Lauryn making Valentines, 11- Cookies for my sunbeams, 12- Our dryer broke so I took 9 loads to the laundry mat, 13- Bryan participating in Family Night

"Mom, I a super hero!"

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Lauryn made a rockin super hero cape connected to a fabulous necklace for Kamryn yesterday. She was hilarious. She kept running around the house with the hat over her eyes like a mask. She ran into lots of walls......


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Tuesday, February 14, 2012

Me-Chelle My Bell


My dear friend Michelle is moving away. I am devastated. I will miss her dearly. She is going to be very happy where she is going so, that makes it a little okay. We had a surprise chocolate fondue party for her. She had no idea. I love that.

Michelle, I will always miss you! Thank goodness for the internet. It will help with my separation anxiety.

I love you. xoxo-

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Sunday, February 5, 2012

We are still here!

We have been in our home for about a week now. Buying a home is quite the process but, so worth the time, paper work, and the wait. Some of our family came down to help us move and several of our ward members came too. I was glad I had been cleaning and packing for at least 6 weeks because when we got to our new place we had to clean and clean! Luckily our Realtor was nice enough to pay for the carpets to be cleaned. However, during the carpet cleaning process, their connection broke on their water hose and they ruined the hardwood in our entry. For four days now we have had a large air compressor running 24 hours a day, to dry the area. The sound drives me bonkers in the day but, at night it puts me right to sleep.

Other than that, we have been so grateful for the new larger spaces, the hardwood floors, fireplace, and the beautiful warm sunlight that pours through our windows all day long.

We have been painting our new craft room. It's been tough trying to keep Kamryn out. Here you can see a streak of white paint in her hiar.

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Before and After pictures of the craft room are coming soon!

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We have also been working on a huge opportunity for my photography business. I can't wait to share it with you!


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Friday, January 27, 2012

Friday, January 20, 2012

Cheri Chic Giveaway: Chalkboard Calendar

Meet my lovely friend Michelle (pictured below). She owns Cheri Chic and is doing a giveaway today on my blog!


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{pic via}
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She is giving away 1 Vinyl Chalkboard! Entries must be in by Friday, January 27th. One lucky winner will be chosen at 12pm on that Friday. 

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5 ways to enter:

1. Follow the Foutch Coutch.
2. Follow Cheri Chic.
3. Add Cheri Chic's etsy shop to your favorites. 
4. Pin a picture from this post to pinterest. 
5. Leave a comment on this post telling us how many ways you entered. 

Be sure to visit Cheri Chic's Blog to see all her lovely products! She hand paints all her signs and uses reclaimed wood. 



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