Wednesday, June 20, 2012

Not a professional

 I am not a professional at anything parenting... but I have tons of opinions!! :)  One thing that I love to tell other people how to do - but have not succeeded in doing it in the said way, is potty training!!  Potty training is sooo hard!!  I'm sure most moms would agree.  With this little girl, it has been next to impossible!!  I thought girls were easier??   Well, she is very strong-willed and with all the crazy changes in our lives I guess she decided to have a little control in her life....
I am proud to say that after constant talks, her holding it in all the time to the point of me getting extremely worried, and some tears (maybe mine) Miss Abigail Anderson Maddox has officially started going on the potty!!  She is not "trained" but let me tell you, we are sooooo much closer than we were a few days ago!!  Thank you Jesus!!

Friday, June 15, 2012

Hello again!


I finally called my grandmother (Memere) yesterday and I realized that I'm not the only one who reads my blog. This beautiful, amazing woman; who we once saw about once a week now only has this blog and facebook to keep up with my rascals
So I decided I needed to get back on the horse and try blogging again. I love blogging. I love telling all of you my stories, random thoughts, crazy moments, and so forth, but 2012 has been a bit crazy and scramble with all the moves and house decisions so I'm still readjusting. God is great, and I have some amazing children, family, and friends, so this to shall pass and things will feel normal again (or is this the new normal?)
Anyways, a few weeks ago we were blessed with a visit from my cute little nephew Henry L. Murphy III (a.k.a. Bing). I promised my mother, his mother, and myself that we would get a picture of all five of them....hahahaha! Children are hilarious
Not sure Bing thought Stephen was so hilarious (but don't worry Nikki, Bing had enough sense to get out of there before things got too rowdy!)
Happy Summer!

Thursday, May 10, 2012

Did you know?

 Did you know that I love this guy?
I love so many things about him, especially how amazing of a father he is!! 
and well I love that he is as silly and crazy as me :) 

Friday, May 4, 2012

Happy Friday!

I just put Abby and the twins down for a nap
grabbed my computer so that I could maybe finish this post
Walked down stairs
And behold....Alan walked in the front door!!!
Happy Friday!!!  Thank you shipyard for whatever reason the power went out! 

Friday, April 27, 2012

A little lost

 Happy Easter everyone!!!  Things around here have been crazy busy - like most families I know :)  I do feel a little lost these days though - hence the inability to blog.  Things are just a little different right now with the whole not having our own home thing :0  But I know how blessed we are to have a free place to stay while we find "the perfect one." 
 There are far more bonuses to minuses when it comes to living with family and having four small children! 
I won't go through the entire list, but one of my favorite is how all of my sweet children jump for joy when a grandparent enters the room!! 
Even when moments are hard, and I start having a little anxiety about getting a new house I remember that this will always be a special time in my children's memory.  I should cherish it with them and enjoy the extra help!!

Friday, April 6, 2012

No news is good news?

So I once again have to begin this post with an apology. I have been so bad about blogging, even though I love to do it. Things around here have been crazy - and to be honest I haven't had much to say.
As you all know a few months ago we noticed some stuff going on with Cecilia, so we started a four month journey to finding out exactly what. We knew almost immediately that there was in fact something, possibly something very serious going on so we prayed, and asked you all for prayers
I'm happy to say that we did get the best diagnosis possible. Still I have to admit, it was hard for me to hear and harder for me to say out loud the first time - but still out of all the things that could have been going on a Stroke at birth was our best option.
I remember when I first realized that Cecilia might have had a stroke or something else. I started reading websites and blogs and stressing out more than I can explain (but I know there are so many mothers who know what I mean and who have gone through so much more, my prayers continue to be with you and your family) One particular website had a story. It stated that when you find out that a child has some sort of set back you go through a mourning moment. She compared it to planning a trip to Paris, getting excited to see the sights, having all the hotels and restaurants lined up, and then your plane lands in Amsterdam. You find out that there is no way you can get to Paris for your vacation and you are stuck there for the entire two weeks. At first you are frustrated, sad, thinking about all the plans you had - and then you end up having the time of your life!
I had some of those moments, more or less when I thought something could have been worse. But still now. I know that our road with Cecilia will not be exactly the same as it will with Jude or the others (but really, is any road with any child the same?)  But it is going to be a road that I will love, and trip that I will enjoy (almost) every moment, and I will never look back.  She is so amazing, and so smart, and I think I am finally able to see the absolute miracle that my children are. God is so good, He knows what He is doing, and I know that this Lent has been a great opportunity for me and our family to grow in a deeper trust and love of Him, and I feel that I have, and pray that I continue on that journey.
As for my sweet Cecilia, she is doing great - she actually took her first steps the other day!! I know that our journey will start to change a bit as she grows and we learn more about how this stroke has effected her, but no matter what I know God is with us and guiding us through this entire adventure!
As for everyone else, they are doing great! We still have not found "the one" when it comes to a new house - but again we have faith that God has a plan and as long as we continue to seek Him we will find it!
So I hope everyone has had a peaceful Good Friday, may your Holy Saturday be filled with true anticipation for a wonderful joyful Easter! I know God has taught us a lot this Lent, may we keep those lessons and Graces close to us!
God Bless you all, and thank you for your prayers! :)

Thursday, March 8, 2012

This every changing life!

 So things around here have just been down right crazy!!!  Hence why I haven't blogged in a really, really long time!!
 A little over a month ago we got an offer on the house, that was amazing!  So after two months of delay and delay we finally closed this past Monday!!  Oh my goodness, I can't tell you how happy/emotional that has been!
 That house that I went into labor with for all four babies, brought them home, kissed their boo-boos, and watched them grow....that house is no longer ours. 
 It has been an emotional rollercoaster for sure, but in the end everyone is happier!  Their's nothing like living with your mimi and popi and playing outside everyday. 
one of the first posts of this year I shared that it was going to be a crazy buys month in January.  Well, as you can tell it spread into Feburary and right into March - we celebrated three birthdays, and kept on keeping on. 
 Abby benifited from our move, and due to the lack of home she got an awesome birthday at Kangarooz!  Seriously, what kid wouldn't love that (and mom)
One thing I did share is that this family  has been going through a minor speed bumb, I'm sorry it has taken me so long to get back to this point. Once again God has truly been working on my patience.  truly, truly working and helping me!
 Here's the deal, when Cecilia was around six months old we started noticing some differnces between her and Jude.  We brought them up to her doctor and immediatly started physical therapy.  From there we were recommened to see the neurologist.  (this was all before Christmas)  the Neuro ordered an MRI and EEG, and we waited and waited, then the day I got my cast off we finally got the call that the tests HAD JUST BEEN SCHEDULED!! two months after we saw the neruologist.
All that being said, sweet Cecilia will have those tests done March 23rd.  I will of course let everyone know what is going on.  On the bright side, she has been getting stronger everyday.  She went from not being able to roll over at 9 months, to now she is standing on her own!!!  Whooooo, hooooo!!  So please, say some prayers for us (ok, me b/c Cecilia seems to be doing great)  Thanks, and I will try so hard to post more often!!