The Hughes Family: September

September was a big, exciting month! Not only was it Kyndall's birthday month, but it was also my transplant anniversary month as well as the month she would be baptized. We had been looking forward to September all summer long!

School was in full swing and we were finally getting back into the routine of being on a schedule after a summer full of traveling, sleeping late and doing as we pleased. Our neighbor/friend and official Hughes family photographer took some adorable back to school pictures of Kyndall to document her journey into 2nd grade. I just love them and I think Mandy really captured the essence of Kyndall's sweet/silly personality!

A few random videos of Kyndall and our dogs....She thinks she's going to train them into "show dogs"....Clearly she has a lot of work to do before that's even a remote possibility!

Our friend and neighbor Dr. Joe had a birthday in early September and Kyndall made him some brownies and a card and walked them down to his house. Dr. Joe and Mrs. Lindsey serve as Kyndall's "adopted" Grandparents here in Texas and she adores them!

Wearing a uniform everyday to school gets pretty boring but thankfully the school district allows special days where the kids can wear something different. On this particular week they had "college shirt days" and we she was proud to represent Vanderbilt and FSU.

Curriculum night at the school meant these PTO kiddos got put to work by their PTO Mamas!

Does your kid's principal take off her heels and play volleyball with the students?? Ours does! Kyndall was so excited to come home and tell me that Mrs. Rader played her class in a volleyball match during PE.

Friday lunches are my favorite!

Dinner out with her bestie after their Friday evening gymnastics class

I remember doing things like this with my own friends when I was her age. Sweet memories being made!

One particular Saturday morning we were pressure washing the back porch when Kyndall discovered an infestation of snails around our back patio. Being the animal lover that she is, she was overjoyed to "rescue" them and she spent several hours examining each one and playing with them before setting them free again. If this girl doesn't grow up to be a veterinarian I will be shocked!

On September 16th we celebrated my 4th "Liver-versary". Four years ago God looked down and said "I'm not finished with her yet" and He gave me my second chance at life thanks to the selfless act of the greatest hero I'll never know...My organ donor. Four extra years of life = four more years of being Kyndall's mommy, four more years of being Matthew's wife, four more years as a sister, daughter, aunt and friend. Four more years of adventures and vacations and birthdays and holidays and new experiences. Four more years of laughter and tears, joy and heartache, uncertainties and triumphs. There has not been a single day over the past four years when I have not paused to reflect on the miracle that took place inside of my body on September 16th, 2014. The beautiful scar that stretches all the way across my belly is a humbling reminder of the gift that lives inside of me and it gives me the drive to face each day with a grateful heart because truly, each and every breath I take is a gift. I am only here because someone else is not and it is my heart's prayer that I make my donor proud and that I honor them in all that I do.

But he said to me, "My GRACE is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in your WEAKNESS." Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness, so that Christ's power may rest on me." ~2 Corinthians 12:9

Grace was surely shown to me, though I was so undeserving....Thus how "Grace" the liver got its name. God has been so good to me and I will forever give Him all of the glory and honor and praise for sparing my life on that day. He turned my greatest test into my greatest testimony and even four years later I can barely share my story without weeping because I am just so incredibly grateful for His faithfulness in carrying me through so many dark and uncertain days.

I pray that Grace the liver and I will have many more anniversaries to celebrate because each year just gets sweeter and sweeter.

Matthew and Kyndall bought me some "anniversary" flowers and a sweet card.

Kyndall loves to feed the ducks in the neighborhood pond and I love admiring the beautiful sunsets as I go for my walk in the evenings....

September 20th arrived which meant it was finally Kyndlal's big day! The night before her birthday I snuck some decorations around the house after she went to bed so that she'd have a surprise to wake up to the next morning....

Lunch with the birthday girl

An after school treat at Sweet Frog's with her friend Karli

She didn't want to go out for dinner but rather requested pizza at home

She had to save most of her gifts until the Grandparents arrived, but she was able to open a few on her actual birthday

The next afternoon the Grandparents all arrived for the birthday weekend and they made it just in time to watch her gymnastics class

Birthday dinner at the Japanese Steakhouse...Her annual tradition!

Nonie is a good sport!

She was finally able to open gifts that night

JoJo headphones from Aunt Kelly

JoJo stuff from Grammy and G-Daddy

Another addition to her Beanie Boo collection from Nonie and Poppie

Cash from Great Grandma

Her big surprise was an XBox which was a group gift from everyone. She was SO excited to finally get this!

The next day was her party, but we couldn't let a Saturday morning pass by without the weekly daddy/daughter breakfast date. On this day she got to bring Poppie and G-Daddy along as well. These three men love this little girl more than she even knows!

I caught Kyndall teaching my Dad how to crochet! Ha!

Finally, it was party time! Kyndall requested a JoJo themed party this year and we held it at the gym where she takes gymnastics classes

Kyndall and Adara...Sweet friends since kindergarten

Everybody got a JoJo bow as a party favor

So much sass....

Ashlyn, Bailee, Kyndall and Malani

Kyndall and Bailee

Kyndall and Ryann

Sweet friends!

There always has to be a silly picture...

Dr. Joe and Mrs. Lindsey are always sweet to attend Kyndall's birthday parties

Kyndall had a great time at her party and I think all of her little guests did as well. I'm so thankful for the sweet friendships she's formed over the course of our two years in Texas. As a Mom, nothing makes me happier than seeing my child happy and Kyndall is definitely a happy girl!

After the birthday party we returned home where she opened even more gifts, this time for her Baptism which would be the very next morning.

September 23rd marked one of the most important days in Kyndall's life. On this day she made a public profession of her faith through baptism. She prayed and asked Jesus into her heart back in May and on that day she was saved but the baptism is the outward symbol of that most important decision. We wanted to wait until all of the family could be there for this special day, which is why we chose to wait several months after her salvation date. She was SO excited she could hardly even sleep the night before! She was baptized at First Baptist Church in Forney, Texas in the 11:00 service by the childrens' pastor, Mr. Kevin.

My talented friend Monica agreed to document Kyndall's baptism day for me and I am so grateful for these next few photos!

A few more pictures from my cell phone...

I was able to video from the side of the baptistry....

Just baptized and SO excited about it!!

Of course, Dr. Joe and Mrs. Lindsey were there to support her

She loves Dr. Joe!

We celebrated with a big family lunch at a local restaurant and then spent the rest of the afternoon playing with some of her new birthday gifts.

Dinner with the family later that evening

They're so special....

Kyndall had school the next day but she was excited when the whole crew showed up to have lunch with her!

On our last night with the family we decided to take them to Top Golf in Dallas. It was their first time but everyone had a blast!

This is how she felt about having to say goodbye to her Grandparents after four fun-filled days with them....

We always enjoy having our family here and only wish they could visit more often. Hopefully someday we'll live a little closer so that visits aren't so few and far between.

The next week Kyndall had her 8 year old check up and flu shot. Her friend Karli tagged along for moral support but despite it all, Kyndall still acted a fool when they came at her with that tiny needle. I'm not sure if she'll ever get over her fear of all things medically related. Perhaps she has some PTSD from all of my own surgeries and time spent in the hospital! Ha! Either way, those nurses in our pediatrician's office know her well and probably dread seeing her walk through the door because they know they're going to have their hands full!

I tried using Icees as a happy distraction before the appointment

Still smiling, but not for long!

Kyndall got to ride along in the Forney Homecoming parade with her GA's group from church. She had a blast! I should also mention how she strategically hoarded up HER favorite candies until she passed by us at which point she threw them directly to Matthew and told him to give them back to her when the parade was over. I'm not sure if I should be proud of her planning skills or ashamed of her scheming!