Happy Halloween!

These kiddos bring me such joy.
Each one unique.
Each one a very special part of our family.
My life wonderful because you are all in it…

CELEBRATING TODAY...

Dear Baby Girl-
Maybe I shouldn't call you that…
you are growing like a weed before my eyes.
It hurts my heart, but at the same time it bursts with joy
as I watch you taking in the world around you in a whole new way.
Almost 19 months old.
Crazy how time flies.
This month you would have started nursery.
But instead, you stay home on Sunday
while Mommy and Daddy do this crazy switch thing.
Someday, we will go to church as a family again.
You are such a well-mannered child.
Still a bit shy, but slowly you are opening up to others around you again.
Your personality is beginning to shine again and you make everyone around you smile.
You love to talk, and talk, and talk.
You can say so many words and enjoy making up your own.
Animal sounds are your favorite- dog, duck, and monkey especially.
You are simply wonderful.
And so easy to love.
You give me kisses, all over my face.
Give me a hug and pat my back.
Call my name and hold out your arms.
Our bond is special, but you love your daddy just as much too.
You are our snuggle bug.
Oh sweet girl, we love you.

What I really wanted to write about…
but got carried away was about today.
You took your first step today.
A miracle no less.
Seriously.
I thought you would never walk.
It has been a long journey.
I have tried to be patient, but ok I will admit this momma wasn't blessed with that gift.
We have worked and worked with you, but you refuse.
Crawling is your game.
It is less dangerous,
not so scary, and
comfortable.
I don't blame you, but didn't want you to be held back.
So today I prayed and I prayed hard.
"Father", I said.
"Evalette needs to walk.  Alright maybe she could crawl forever, but
I need her to walk. This pregnant belly is only growing
and I am getting tired of carrying two babies."
"I know that angels can surround her and help give her the confidence to
take her first steps and I know she will run from there. Amen."
I continued to pray in my heart all day.
Afternoon came and I told the boys, it was walking day.
They all gathered around and I placed you by the couch.
You leaned against it.  You were protesting.
"Come on…" I coaxed with a candy in hand, just over arms length away.
"Ready, SET, GO!"
You laughed in my face, sat down, and reached out your arms for me.
"Come on you can do it!" We all chanted
and you know what you did, you stood up right there in the middle of the floor.
All by yourself.
You wobbled, then steadied yourself, and stood hands free for a minute.
We all clapped, screamed, and cheered.
You were so happy.
"Come to momma, " I called.
"Come on!!"
Then you did it.
One wobbly step and you fell.
"See it wasn't so bad, get back up."
"Try it again.  Momma has your treat!"
You got up again.
I admit I was shocked and thanked the angels holding your hands.
You had never been this confident.
A couple wobbly steps and then a little fall.
You were so proud and loved all the attention of the family.
I was so happy.
God hears our prayers little, small, and even inpatient ones of a very pregnant mother.
You are still working out the kinks of your walk, but everyday you stand and take steps.
You no longer fear the unknown of the fall and you enjoy your new skills.
Celebrating you and God today BABY GIRL.
Keeping on Walking!!!

A NUTTY Story...

I thought we were home free…no more scheduled hospital stays.
No more rock hard couches to sleep on, no more monitors,
no more endless nurses and doctors, no more sterile surroundings, and
no more ridiculous hospital bills to pay.
Well during the month of October it wasn't so.
Except it wasn't Evalette, but Lance who decided
he was feeling a bit left out.
Let the story begin.
Rewind to Sunday, October 13th.
It was a quiet Sunday, after dinner, we were hanging out.
Tyrell had to have a snack, he was hungry.
And he loves nuts so he got the nut bucket out.
Lance asked for one, so Tyrell gave him a few.
I sat across from them, feeling lucky to have such good boys.
Then Lance choked or so I thought.
James and I both flew into action.
After we assessed the situation and Lance seriously coughed up a lung for a couple of minutes,
he was fine.
I was pretty sure he had aspirated the nut as the choking signs hadn't been there.
And he was wheezing a bit after the coughing stopped.
We looked it up on the internet.
It should pass on its own in about 5 days or so.
If a fever appears, go to the doctor.
So we decided to keep a close eye on him.
We didn't want to jump to conclusions.
We had been to the doctor's way too much lately.
Monday, he was fine, a bit wheezy but fine.
Tuesday night, he was a bit hot, but Jarom had been sick the weekend before…
maybe that was it.
So we watched him, by morning the fever had broke and he was fine.
Well, Wednesday at 4 pm,
he was lying on the couch, super lethargic, and running a high fever.
Daddy got home and mommy sent them off to the ER,
since no clinics had the X-ray stuff we knew they would need.
Sure enough.
An aspirated nut, causing pneumonia in his right lung.
UGH!!
So the doctor lectured us on the dangers of nuts, popcorn, and small candies for kinds under five,
did a scope, removed the cashew from his lung, and told us we had to stay the night for observation.
Lance was a champ through it all.
Seriously he had all the nurses wrapped around his little finger.
Everyone kept telling me what a ladies man he would be.
One nurse even said, he was simply the cutest kid that they had worked with in a very long time.
Lancee Boy, you are a charmer.
Gotta love his long eyelashes, dimple, and handsome smile.
They gave him tons of stuff because he was so good while they poked him
seriously 10 times to get the needle in.
A mickey, a dog, a car, blankets, and stuff.
He felt pretty special.
My favorite part was right after they gave him sleepy medicine…
he was talking about bananas and laughing his head off.
It was hilarious.
He is our banana boy!Daddy stayed the night with him,
I went home to send Alise home.
She had stayed with the boys while I rushed to the hospital.
Thursday morning, Lance came home.
Happy and chirper with no sign of the previous nights happenings.
Glad he is ok.
Grateful to have him home.
Please November, let us stay home!!!

Soaking It All IN!

carpet. 
bare feet. 
soft towels.
a stove. 
a fridge. 
Comfy couch.
my own bed. 
cooking. 
cleaning. 
evening walks and bike rides.
homework.
field trips.
giving children baths.
combing wet hair. 
tucking ALL my babies into bed at night.
my husband.
my family.
it really is about the little things.
sorry if this blog has been a little quiet lately, 
i am soaking in my life.
it is wonderful to be home.
We are now doing monthly clinic visits.
Feeling blessed.
Feeling grateful.
Loving the wonderfulness of it all!
Will update soon!