Goodbye to Brody...

Oh sweet Brody, we can't believe he is gone.  Brody got really sick really fast (like within a week).  Parker and I took him to the emergency vet where they did an exam and blood work and came back with just awful devastating news.  He had kidney disease, possible cancer, super low red blood cell count, very anemic and dehydrated, and super low potassium levels.  Basically, his body was shutting down.  Tyce was in Neola for the week and the twins were at basketball camp for the week and we did NOT want them to come home to Brody already being gone.  The vet said if we gave him IV fluids in his neck and potassium twice daily that we could probably keep him alive long enough for the boys to see him, so we did.  Poor Brody didn't love the needle but he was an angel and it kept him going until they got home.  On Saturday early afternoon we had a vet come to our home to put him down.  I am so glad we did it that way.  It was so nice for us to be in our home to mourn and for sweet Brody to be able to pass at home.  It was extremely fast and peaceful but beyond heart breaking for all of us.  I don't know if I've ever seen Parker or Josh cry so hard, it is amazing how much we love this kitty.  He has been with Parker and I our entire marriage.  Every move, school, job, adventure, sorrow, stress, baby, etc-he has been there.  He has been with my boys their ENTIRE lives.  They don't know life without Brody.  He has been the best cat, a true member of our family, and we all miss him so much.  Here are some pics of his last week with us...

Before he got too weak to drink out of the sink, one of his favorite things to do...

After we got home from the vet, I was just a mess and wanted so badly to snuggle him but he was so uncomfortable he didn't really want me to.  Which made it even harder because Brody was ALWAYS willing to snuggle me.  He eventually got semi comfortable on the tile so I laid next to him on the kitchen floor...

 Even up until the day before he died Brody still loved going outside...

 He wouldn't eat any cat food but for a few days he would still eat turkey...

Poor kitty...

It was so sad because he kept trying to find places he could get comfy so I'd find him in random places throughout the house...

So, as I said before,  he wouldn't snuggle me or Parker.  But when JOSH got home from camp Brody jumped right up and snuggled him!  These two have slept together nearly every night so poor Josh took the news really really really hard. 

Saturday June 23rd was a hard hard hard day for our family saying goodbye to our sweet Brody after FIFTEEN years together.

Tyce had the idea to write notes to Brody on his box...

Josh is usually a kid of few words but not when it comes to his love for Brody!

We buried him right by our house and under our room and Josh's room so he'll always be close!  Parker said "this was a hard hole to dig."  :(

Our super sweet neighbor kids heard about Brody and decided to decorate his grave for us which meant SO much to our family!

Poor Chester, him and Brody were best of friends and attached at the hip.  We didn't know it until later but he was behind the couch (a place he NEVER goes) while we were putting Brody down and pretty much stayed there a few days after.  He is sad and meows and is more cuddly with us now because he misses Brody so much.

I am just so sad and wonder if I'll ever feel whole again.  I keep expecting him to be in his regular spots and doing his regular habits around the house.  I feel so blessed to have had him in our lives for so long but it makes it that much harder to have him gone.  I LOVE YOU BRODY!!!

Jackson and Josh Turn 12!!!

The twins turned 12!!!  They were thoroughly spoiled this year with THREE parties!  First up was their friend party at Lowe's...

Gannon, Jackson, and James...

Tyce and Bridger...

 I went ALL out on their cake, as you can see...

18 kids in total!

 Beaux, Josh, and Payton...

Gannon, McKay, James, and Jackson...

Luke, Emma, and Audrey even stopped by for a bit!

My attempt at getting a cute pic of the two of them...

 I managed to get most of them together for a picture!

Then we came home for friend presents...

They LOVED their new basketballs from Mckay!  Jack even slept with his!

Then Wednesday was their actual birthday...

That night we did presents from us...

Deodorant, body wash, and body spray...

New clothes...

New suit...

 And...CELL PHONES!!!!  They each got an Iphone 8 and were so surprised because I had told them the earliest they would get cell phones would be Christmas.  We had wrapped it in three different boxes and then while they were unwrapping it we called the phones and they started ringing.  They were so cute, Jackson even cried. 

Cake (same one as we had at their friend party because we ended up having enough cupcakes where we didn't even need to cut into the cake!)...

And then finally, on Saturday, we had a family party for them!  We were missing Abbi because she had to work, Kai because he was sick, and Mason and Livi were at their dad's house and he would not let them come (he's a big jerk!).  But they all still had fun!

 LOVE this pic!  5 awesome grandparents in their lives, my boys are so fortunate! 

Josh having fun with his glow in the dark football...

It sounds cliche but I cannot believe my babies are 12!  Such a big milestone.  They are really starting to grow up and it makes me both proud and happy yet sad and nostalgic.  Jackson is really coming into  himself, he is confident and social and fun.  He loves to be with his friends (boys AND girls!) and loves to hug me.  He gives the BEST hugs!  Josh is becoming more shy and seemingly less confident and we're not sure why.  He has a super fun sense of humor and loves to be home.  Apparently the twins' friends always ask Tyce "who is the better twin?"  Which totally bugs me but Tyce said he always answers "Josh because he's nice and funny."

I love my twins so much and feel so blessed to be their mom!!!