WE HATE CANCER!!!

When we started this process of creating an event to raise money for Ryan's care Ashley told me that if we raised $5,000 she would shave her head. I knew that would be easily obtainable because of the amazing family, friends and community we live in. I told her, "You better shoot a little higher Sis. We will raise that easily. How about if we raise $20,000 you shave your head?" She said, "Nope, $5,000."  We all know you don't argue with Ash when she sets her mind to something, but I honestly thought she was kidding. Well, two days ago I was going over our donations and we had $4,800. The past week the checks have finally started to pour in. I have been getting several each day, plus the paypal. I called Ashley and asked her if her razor was sharp because by tomorrow I was SURE we would have $5,000. She said "SERIOUSLY!" I gave her a list of all you wonderful friends that have donated, sponsored holes, and bought slots for the tournament. She put me on speaker and made me repeat everything to Ryan. They were SO excited!!! She said to Ryan, "Honey, looks like I am shaving my head." I reminded her that I though she should shoot higher. She said NO she said $5,000 and that is what she meant!

The next day I had set up a meeting set up at 5:00 with some fellow volunteers that are helping me with the fund raiser. Ashley called and told me she would be there at 6:00 to shave her head. I have to admit I tried to put her off on doing it, but again, you all know Ash. She, Ryan, the boys, Ryan's family, and our family showed up at 6:00 ready to go.  She was seriously going to have Ryan shave her head.

When the time came it didn't go as smooth as we thought it might. It was a VERY sobering, emotional moment. There was MANY tears shed.  It was so amazing to see th strength Ryan and Ashley have, and the love they share.  This terrible trial has brought them together in a way that cannot even be explained. Before Ryan shaved her head he tearfully told Ashley what an amazing, wonderful wife she is and how much he loves and appreciates her. She told him that he has been the most wonderful "FIGHTER" she has ever seen. That shaving her head was nothing compared to all he has gone through.  

When Ryan finished shaving her head he kept telling her over and over, "Honey, you are so beautiful. Isn't she beautiful?!" 

 I am so proud of Ryan and Ashley.  I must say Ashley, you can pull off being bald. ;) We love you both!!!

I had to kiss her beautiful hair goodbye

One last pic before the deed

The boys want to be next. They love the baldness 

True love!

My little baldy w/Ash

The Three Bald Amigos

Robin Red Breast We Love You!

My Christmas wreath is still up because a Robin started build a nest  in it several months ago. Needless to say we have even more guests now. I am not sure what the smaller eggs are. If anyone knows let me know. We aren't using the front door anymore (lol) because of our bird friends. You gotta love spring!!!

1st Annual Ryan Holaday Benefit Golf Tournament!!!

1st Annual Ryan Holaday Benefit Golf Tournament!!! River Bend Golf Course in Homedale, ID, June 19th at 8am. $250/4 person team. Dinner included. Benefit auction to follow. $100 minimum to sponsor a hole. We are also looking for donations for the auction. If you aren't a golfer, you are welcome to attend the dinner. It will be $25/person. Registration deadline for the golf tournament and dinner is June 12. We will also be looking forward to celebrating Ryan's 30th birthday at the golf course!!!

Ryan is 29 and has stage 4 adrenal cancer. He is married to Ashley Bieker Holaday and they have 2 boys. Brody, age 5 and Kolby, age 3. Ryan had a major surgery in November to remove a 5+ pound tumor, a kidney and his gallbladder. He and his family went to Chicago for 2 months to undergo a clinical trial which was unsuccessful. Unfortunately, we recently found out the tumor is back, about the same size, and the cancer has mets to his liver. Ryan is currently undergoing chemotherapy and radiation.

All proceeds will aid in his care. Register online at http://www.theholadays.blogspot.com/ or call Amber Stice at (208) 880-9940 or Zach Bieker at (208) 739-8543.

Thank you all SO much 

We love horses WAY too much!!!

We love horses WAY too much so we flew to Oklahoma to buy some. Quentin was SOOOO good.  He was perfect on the plane rides.  We were so proud of him.  We kept getting comments after we would get off the planes on what a good baby he was.  I would just smile and say, "Yep he is great  during the day."  (I didn't mention the night. lol)

It was a very quick trip we flew out on Friday and came home on Sunday, but it was so nice to get away. There we SO many beautiful and well bred horses it was extremely hard to pick, but we ended up with a 2 yr old palomino Hollywood Dun It/Reminic filly.  (Her dam is a money earner and half sister to Gunner) and a 4yr old Doc O' Lena/Colonel Freckles Bay filly. She has had 2 years of Reining training. I can't tell you how excited we were.  My dad ended up with 2 fillies and 2 bread mares.  WHAT A TRIP!

While we were there the kids had a horse show.  Jayden's horse ended up not feeling well and so he didn't show, but Jordi was able to show her new horse Dealer for the very first time.  She competed against the 12-17 yr old group.  She got two 1st places and two 2nd places.  We were sad we missed it, but so proud of her.

This is Jordan's new horse Dealer.

This is one of my Dad's

Quentin and Kris enjoying our plane ride

Q is dressed for the occasion

Leaving the hotel

Quentin fast asleep in daddy's arms.  What a good boy!

More of little Q and the girls

I took these pics with my cell of Q after Church on Sunday.  He is growing like a weed!  I think he has about outgrown sz1 diapers.  SO SAD!!! He is starting to smile.  He is such a sweet blessing!

The Girls and Quentin.  They love him!  In fact I heard them arguing yesterday about who loved him more.  "I do!" "No, I do!"  "NO!  I DOOOOO"  This went on and on.

It was pretty funny.

So Jordan is in Young Women's' at church.  This picture if of her at new beginnings at church.  All the girls wore formals. Let me tell you her dad about had a heart attach!  Kris is definitely freaking out. Hehehe!  She is growing SOOOOOOOOO fast. She wears a sz 9 1/2 shoe, is taller than me now, and has taken ALL of my clothes from before I was pregnant.  In fact a lot of the pants are now too short.  Crazy!  

Quentin 1 month old

Christie Petersen took these sweet newborn pics for us on Quentin's one month birthday.  He was soooo good.  He slept the whole time.   He is growing like a weed and a major chunk as you can tell.  For all of you that need your baby photos here is her blog http://petersenphotos.blogspot.com/

Welcome our sweet baby Quentin James

Quentin was due between March 1st and March 6th.  When I hadn't progressed past 1cm on the 1st the Dr said we should get things going.  He set me up for an induction of all times at 2am March 3rd.  Obviously we didn't get ANY sleep anticipating our new addition.  

We arrived at the hospital at 1:30am and the process was started....No turning back.  I was also induced with Raegan and had her in 2 1/2 hours, start to finish.  This time the nurses were making bets on how long it would take.  Most said under 2 hours.  By 7:30 when my Dr came in, still no baby and STILL no change.  I was a little frustrated with myself, but no big deal it will come I thought.  At about 11am STILL no change.  The babies heartbeat started to not look so good and my blood pressure was dropping.  They took me off the pit waited a bit and started over.  When the Dr came in at 12pm I had progressed to a 3 so we were happy.  Thinking we were just gonna have to wait it out we calmed down a bit. 

After that the baby continued to have problems with his heart rate and my blood pressure continued to drop.  Then I started to get a fever.  We started to panic a bit not knowing what was going on.  By 7pm not much had changed.  17 1/2 hours of labor AND NOT MUCH OF A CHANGE!!!  They told us they thought the cord was wrapped around his neck and he couldn't engage into the birth canal and that was why nothing was happening.  We were SOOOO worried.  (Great my baby is gonna hang himself.)  His heart rate now was up to 198 at times and then would go as low as 120.  My blood pressure was so low, I felt so weak I didn't know if I could push if I had to.  The Dr said it was time for a c-section and I never thought I would be happy to hear those words, but I must say I was.  I just wanted to know my sweet little boy would be safe.

They told Kris to get ready in some awesome scrubs, prepped me, gave me the meds to deaden my legs and took me back.  When we got back I ended up moving myself to the operating table.  Needless to say that wasn't gonna work.  They ended up saying Kris couldn't come back, there was no time to try and fix the spinal I had to go under general anesthesia.  I HATED the thought of not having Kris by my side, but there wasn't anything we could do about it.  

A few hours later I woke up in recovery in pain to say the least.  The great thing about a spinal working is the pain control after surgery.  I am glad that is over.  ;)  I also ended up needing 4 units of blood and iv antibiotics for my mysterious fever, but Quentin was as healthy as a horse.  He weighed 8lb 3oz, was 20 inches long and the reason he didn't engage and drop into the birth canal was his 14 3/4 head.  lol

We are SO happy to be home and healthy.  The recovery stinks, especially with 5 kids, but our sweet little man was sure worth it!

All dressed up with no were to go ;)

Dad and baby Q's first meeting

Kris trying to act like he knows what he's doing. 

Fatty himself. Isn't God amazing.  How that fit inside of me never ceases to amaze me.

The first time Jayd saw or held his baby bro

Sleepin on Mommy's lap

Happy in Daddy's arms

Raegan LOVES to wear Quentins clothes.  She keeps putting on his socks, but tonight she happened to come out in his pants.  She has been taking Kris around the house pointing at everything saying, "Dad thats Raegans, K Dad. That's not Quentins, that's Raegans, K Dad."