Weekend of CELEBRATION!!!

Friday we celebrated a very, very special day. It was Brady's first birthday and it brought back so many wonderful and precious memories. It was hours after his birth that we even found out about his existence. We were chosen by his birthparents after his delivery and that evening we received the phone call that would change our hearts and lives forever. God had given us another beautiful son through the lives and love of a very special young couple. We know that our joy brings mixed emotions for Brady's birthparents that we have come to love so dearly. Their sacrificial love for Brady made our love for Brady possible. And I pray that one day he will grasp how deep the Father's love is for him.

On Saturday we had his party and it was a special day for us to celebrate with friends and family that prayed for this child long before they knew him by name. It was truly a blessing to share this day with those that walked beside us as we began the journey of adoption. We had a great time!

Sunday was equally as precious. We dedicated Brady to the Lord during our church service...on the one year anniversary of the day we signed papers and brought Brady home from the hospital. All I can say about that experience is that Brady and I, were completely inappropriate during the dedication. My precious son decided that since he had an audience, it was time to give the performance of a lifetime! I could see him draw his hand waaaaaaay back and I knew what was coming. He was whacking Mommy on the face and laughing during the dedication....time and time again. Why was I inappropriate you may ask? Because I was giggling every time I saw him pull his hand back. I knew it was coming and I couldn't stop it fast enough or without causing a bigger scene. Here we were talking about "training our children in the way they should go" and my baby decided to test out that training in front of everyone! I could hear the members of the congregation chuckling along with me. I have to laugh! It truly was sadly hilarious!

Take a Close Look

Mason...4 days after conception
Mason...1 day after conception.
Caleb...4 days after conception.
Caleb...1 day after conception.


I know that I am far from alone in my opposition to President Obama's decision regarding stem cell research. I can't help but wonder if he had seen his own daughters when they were only a few cells large, how it would change the way the way he views this issue. I have the gift of having amazing photos of Caleb and Mason...literally from conception on. Take a close look. These tiny, tiny, tiny embryos are human life. They are fearfully and wonderfully made by the hand of God.

I encourage you to take the time to read Psalm 139: 13-16.

Sick and Tired of Being Sick and Tired!

Two sick boys in isolation!
Poor baby's eczema got infected! They are MUCH better now!

If you read my title, you know where this is going. We are exhausted! It has been literally one thing after the other since Jan. 1st. We started this year off with a bang! Lets see...January 1st, Caleb got croup. Afterwards, all three boys got pink eye. Then, came Brady's RSV. Next, Caleb's second round of pink eye. Then Brady's RSV relapse and double ear infection. After that, Brady's eczema that got infected. Next, came Mommy's ear infection. Then Mason's bronchitis. Then Mason's stomach virus and/or flu. Then Caleb's respiratory infection and/or flu. Now Mommy's tummy doesn't feel good and I've been nauseated for the past day or so. It doesn't seem to end. I'd have to get out my calendar to count how many times I have brought some member of our family to the doctor. We've been to pediatric urgent care three or four times! My prayers have been, "Give me strength," and I keep reminding myself that "this too shall pass!"

In the meantime, the laundry piles never seem to shrink and the carpet doesn't get vaccuumed as frequently as I'd like. The boys haven't been to school in a week and when they finally return I keep wondering if I'll feel relief that we are all well or grief that I have a house that has sorely been neglected!

Though tiring when the kids are ill, I am blessed beyond measure to have three "healthy" children. After years of infertility and the loss of more than one baby, I shop the medicine aisle at the local store with joy and greet the pharmacist with a heart of gratitude. I have the blessing of caring for the boys that the Lord has so richly given to me. How can I complain?

Simple Pleasures

Yesterday was one of those days...you know those days when you wish time would stand still. There was nothing extraordinary about it. It was just filled with life's simple pleasures and there was a spring in my step. The weather was perfect and everyone is finally healthy. I threw the boys' bicycles in the back of the truck and went to meet them after school. We stopped by S*nic to get our 1/2 priced favorites...lemonade for the boys and a Diet Vanilla Cherry Dr. Pepper for me. We went to a beautiful park nearby and spent the afternoon riding and playing. The boys and I took a new trail and they rode for about a mile while I followed behind pushing Brady in the stroller. The sun was shining, everyone had smiles, it was one of life's simple pleasures.

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Walkin' on Sunshine!!!

Daddy calls this my "leisure suit!"
Thanks, Mimi and Pop Pop for the Valentine's gifts!

Brady is a walking maniac! He loves it and it is so much fun to watch him take off! The twins were very different from Brady. They never opened cabinets or got into things. Brady is a "curious" little fellow. He is so inquisitive and gets into everything...I mean everything. Even the toilet that was filled with one of the twin's bodily functions that were not of the yellow kind was not off limits to this little guy. We have to block off the kitchen, put locks on the doors to all of our armoirs and close all bedroom/bathroom doors. He loves to explore, touch buttons and doesn't like taking no for an answer. :) He keeps us on our toes and we love it! He loves walking because his eyes are now at a higher level and there is even more to explore...including looking out the window which is a new favorite pasttime. This is such a fun stage and we are soaking up every minute with our little guy!

Make a Smilebox slideshow

Valentine's Day treats!

The boys' teachers are getting bubble bath from Pier One. They really bubble. They also have lovely scents...amber vanilla and cranberry orange...yummy!
Mason had to sample our product!
We made pretzel sticks dipped in white chocolate and sprinkled them with little hearts!
Our finished product...the tag reads, "Dear Valentine, Good friends "STICK" together!" Signing their names on sixteen Valentine's was good kindergarten practice!

I love Valentine's Day. Yes, I know that we should be telling the people in our lives that we love them each and every day and show them by our actions. Yes, I know that many people believe that Valentine's Day is one big marketing ploy...but I love it anyway.

I'm not one for all of the red "stuff!" I prefer a picnic by the lake or dinner in front of the fireplace (neither of which have I done). To me Valentine's Day is a day to put thought into what you do or make or buy for the people God has placed in your life. I much prefer to make my Valentine's cards or make homemade treats. It's not about the money...it's about the thought and the heart behind it.

I am trying to convey these things to my boys who don't quite understand the significance of the day. Today we made Valentine's for our friends at their preschool. While working in the kitchen we talked about how Jesus shows love for us and how we are suppose to show love for our friends. We talked about how special it is to appreciate the people that God put into our lives. We talked about the importance of showing and telling people that they are special simply because God made them. The kids on the playground that say rude things...yep...God loves them. The boys who kick our shoes when we are standing in line...yep...God loves them. The boys on the other side of the fence that say, "Your name is Dumb-Dumb!" Yep...God loves them. The people who don't look like us...yep, He loves them. Most importantly, we talked about us...how we don't always do the right things or say the right things and yep...He loves us, too!

Cute little Mason said, "Well, then why do give presents for Valentine's Day because Jesus is the best present." Well said, Mr. Mason. Well said.

Karate Mom???

When I realized that God made me a mother to boys, I imagined years ahead of basketball jerseys or football helmets or soccer cleats. I imagined sitting on the sidelines and cheering my little heart out waiting for my little men with some sort of sports drink and a hug. Not once did I imagine myself watching my boys learn how to karate chop or kick!!!

We were invited by a school friend to come to a karate class ("Bring your Buddy to Karate Day") at a local karate gym. I wasn't sure if the boys would even like it. It was registration time for t-ball and soccer, so I decided we'd expose them to each of these activities and let them choose. They enjoyed watching soccer in the morning and were eager to join the team. In the afternoon, we went to the karate class and their smiles never left their faces. They had a ball!!! Afterwards, it was a done deal...absolutely no interest in soccer or baseball. They only have eyes for karate at the moment. So, we let the registration deadline pass for baseball and soccer and are driving from karate school to karate school in hopes that Mom will find the same sort of enthusiasm for this sport! I actually loved watching them! :) They'll be even cuter once they are in their little white uniforms!!! (Do those have a special name? I'm sure one day soon I'll know more about karate than I ever intended to!)

So, for now it's karate...maybe next year we'll encourage them to expand their horizons and if they end up being a black belt one day...I'll thank God that they sleep under my roof at night and make sure I have them with me if I'm ever walking down a dark alley!