VBS (vacation bible school)

One of the biggest blessings for us this summer was having a chance to attend Vacation Bible School! When I remember back to last summer we couldn't even make it to the concert one night and this year we were able to go the entire week with out getting even a cold!! It was truly a gift from God!
I was able to be a teacher with both girls in my class and God used me so much throughout the week showing other kids His amazing love! To know that Kaitlyn's buddies were with her having fun every day was so fun to watch! You never grow tired of watching kids worship with unabashed joy and they did that! We listened to Jana Alayra's music day in and day out!! We could sing it in our sleep! Some times I would grown and then catch myself, I knew that this was such an important time for us all to be together worshiping God and I couldn't have asked for more fun! Just when I think I'm going in to be the teacher those little guys always teach me something.... Jana was like the beetles to thees kids they just wanted to touch her and watch in wonder as she performed but I think mostly they saw her joy and excitement for God and a way to express that and they went for it with out holding back and I know God wants me to do the same!! To jump for Him and point to him and dance for him in front of everyone.... and our girl was with the best of them and I said to God

"thank you, thank you for saving her and letting us be here together worshiping you the way she wants with out holding back at all!! "

Fun times....

With Mrs. 'B', her Sunday school teacher, who made every Sunday amazing and full of God's love!!
Making silly faces at mom with big sis!! I just loved this one....so goofy and full of LIFE!!
Being so cute holding a new puppy (don't worry not ours) :)
Love faces to mommy always makes my hart melt.....and can get her pretty much anything....

End of Summer

Train ride at Irvine Park
Modeling for mommy at home
Out to dinner on a summer night
Pony ride at the farmers market

My Big sister....

Early this morning the girls came into our bed, which happens more than not :) I woke up and couldn't resist snapping a quick picture. God is so good to us and every day is a new day full of fun and joy and time spent together.
Kaitlyn absolutely LOVES her big sister and if she could she would spend every night snuggled up with her...
God knows exactly what we need and he brought our Madeline long before Kait Kait was even born. He knew she would need someone to make adventures all over the house and life full of fun! I think that maybe when they are in their teens fighting over clothes I'm going to show them this picture and remind them that God gave them something that is so special and God given!!
Kaitlyn is doing great! She goes to the clinic once a month and continues her oral chem at home. She still struggles during the steroids week and can use your prayer but over all she is doing wonderful and we thank God for each and every day!!

Having fun this summer

So my house may not be as clean as I like it and I know I have tons of laundry to do but God has blessed us beyond all we could have imagined a little over a year ago....Kaitlyn is feeling great and it's been such a good lesson for us! We are taking time to enjoy our girls and have some fun this summer! Kaitlyn has turned into such a little social butterfly and we LOVE it!

Angel game!














Lego Land!




















The Beach



















Road trip with my cousin

Pool time

As the summer starts to heat up Kaitlyn only wants to be outside! We got a blow up pool (like we do every summer) and she has been begging me to swim as soon as she pops out of bed in the morning all the way till bed time! She is so active and doesn't want to bother with watching TV or staying inside, there is way to many fun things to do out side....Daddy gets a kick out out of all the fun faces that Kait Kait and Maddie make.....endless fun and pictures!!

hanging with friends

Hanging out with friends even at Costco....
This is Justin she calls "her buddy"
Always silly and tons of fun with the Fly boys :)
Love's to cuddle with her puppy

Look my hair is so cute!!

Getting all cute with my jewelry at home.....
Trying to look just like my big sister and making her laugh.....
Hanging out with my cousin at church......
Being such a love with my mommy

Kait Kait's 3rd Birthday

A few weeks ago Kaitlyn turned 3!! Praise God!! She has been going strong and having so much fun! We tried to make her day (March 30Th) as special as can be......
We started the day with an old family tradition of birthday pancakes and boy does she love those!! As soon as we could get dressed we headed down to the mall for her first present. Birthday earrings! In order to get them she paid the lady with her most prized possessions.....HER BINKY'S!! We didn't expect the strong determination to do what needed to be done, but again our little feisty one past that box over and said ok mommy I want to get my ears pierced....
To dry the tears the best way a Daddy knows how, we headed over for a nice lunch and a big birthday Sunday... The party kept going through the night (she would have it no other way) with close family and friends over for some cake and presents.
Kaitlyn will continue to blow Eric and I away with her love for life and people. Around her Mommy and Daddy and Sister have all been sick and she still stays strong. To say that we feel God daily working in our little girl is an understatement!! Thank you for all who continue to pray and support us!!

As far as treatments go she is still going in once a month and taking oral chemo at home! She is so wonderful with her pills every night! It truly is a family event as we cheer her on each night. The appointments have gone well and it feels we have entered an new normal in the Cotter home. It's different than before but feels normal and ok. We feel so confident that God will be beside us each and every day, every time we are stopped and asked how she is we love to share the new ways she is making us smile. We will continue to do our best and let you know how this cute little feisty girl brightens up each day!!