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!!

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! :)

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!! 

Happy Birthday!!!

Has it really been a year!!!  I truly can not believe it!!  This has been the most amazing year!!  We have grown so much as a family and I have been so overwhelmed with watching all my children grow, I just can't wait to see what the next year with all of our children brings!!

 After the twins were born things got a little foggy around here, lack of sleep and two toddlers needing some extra loving might have had something to do with it - but I was able to not stress out, enjoy my new babies and love on my sweet toddlers..... Because of the amazing gift of family and friends!!!

 Therefor I would like to dedicate this post to all those wonderful people who jumped in without hesitation and helped us through those first few months!!!  We planned all year on having a big birthday bash to celebrate all those who showed their love, but due to my broken arm (which I did just get my cast off!) selling the house (still no closing date but we're on track for the end of this month) and the big kicker..... Alan got sent out of town for an entire week (he left this morning, so we had to spend the majority of the weekend packing the house); well that being said we decided to have a small family get together...... but our love for all of you is still there!

 I would like to start off by thanking my dear friend Lauren and her family for jumping in her car in the middle of the night b/c my water broke! :)  Thank you so much for watching the kids my parent's really enjoyed being able to be at the hospital when the twins were born!! 

Thank you to the twins godparent's Sonja Brueck and Kevin Clausius! We love you guys so much, your prayers and love are such a blessing to us!! 

 Thank you Mom and Dad for all your love, taking the older kids while I was pregnant and after!!  All the yummy food, and many many more things!! 

 Thank you Mama Maddox, for all your love, watching the older kids, holding the babies so I can go play with Stephen and Abby outside, babysitting for date nights, and all the yummy yummy food!!  Lisa Cowart you are so wonderful to have come to your mama's and cooked all that food for us!!  Thank you!

 Thank you to my dear friends who came by the house to visit and to take Stephen and Abby away for a bit to play, those moments were so special to them (and me)!  Trisha Lyons, Lisa Melnick, and Lauren Johnson you and your wonderful children got us through those first few months!!

 I have to give a big, big, big shout out to my "old" book club (old b/c I haven't been able to go since the twins were born).  They all got together and organized a food system that kept our family feed for two months!!!  Wow, wow, wow!!  I loved all the food, and the drop offs - seeing you all and your generosity was such a gift!!

There are so many more people who stopped by, sent food, held babies, sent gifts, I just can't name you all; but please know I know who you all are and I love you dearly!!! I would also like to give a shout out to my dear friends from out of town who have gone out of their way to come by and say hey, visit, sleep on blow-up mattresses just to show their love :) Stephany McLaughlin and her beautiful family and Alyson and Meredith Gramley.  Thank you Missy, Stephen still plays with his coloring notebook you sent(he calls it his spy book)! :) 

Again, I know I couldn't name everyone, I have a great book club and Rosary group and you all have helped out so much!  Thank you Sheena T, Elizabeth V, Elizabeth B, Alyssa, Courtny, Britney, and all those on facebook who have given us moral support and prayers!!

I have to stop now, I am just so thankful for this past year!!  I know these past three weeks have been a re-peat of a year ago, so thank you to the same people for all the help with my broken arm!!  Mom, Shirley, Trish, Sonja and Lauren - your visits, dipar changing skills and coffee got me through (um, of course the food too!!)  Thank you, I am deeply touched and overwhelmed by your love!!

A little broken

 yep, that's me - and don't think you noticed incorrectly....I broke my right arm.  this will be a short post!!!  For my non-facebook readers, I am the frustrated owner of a broken radius near my elbow :(  after years of discusion and debate i joined an adult soccer leauge....... first game = worst injury of my 20+ competive soccer years!!!

 so now i am just able to sit here and try to type with my left hand :(  i am 100% dependant on my amazing family anf friends to care for my children, seeing as can still not change dipars, drive, dress litle ones....blah blah blah (notice the cute 4yr old picking out his own clothes)

i'm going to go now, this is qiute difficult.  one more note about my previous post, cloising has been pushed back to mid-feb, and we might get some answers on our road bump after six weks of waiting!!!!  this is all in God's hands, i can do nothing without him!!!!

oh, and i did save thw goal :)

This crazy busy month!

 I alluded to the fact that this month was going to be really busy - well it has!!  I have to back up a bit to let you know just how much of a blessing this month has been. 

 In December our little family hit a minor road bump, we're still dealing with it and once we find out all the details we will of course share and ask for prayers.  I mention this b/c right not we are in a waiting stage, and I am not a patient person (I know God, I can only grow in patience by you giving me opportunities to be patient - but I'm still struggling)

 Anyways, God has actually come to the rescue (like always!) After a much need and wonderful vacation to the mountains we returned home to......AN OFFER ON THE HOUSE!!!!

 So, though we have not sold the house, we ARE IN CONTRACT!!!  After two years of having this house on the market, we are on our way to selling this sucker!!  Thank you Jesus!!

So we've been busy busy, finding out that our roof needed to be replaced and enjoying my sweet children being locked in our house entertained by the workers swarming our house these past four days! But, hopefully we're going to close on this house by the end of January - please say some prayers.....we still have the appraisal!! It has just been

such a blessing to keep me busy, and my mind off all this other stuff!

In the meantime, we have officially started to pack!!!  Crazy, crazy, crazy!!  When we moved into the house we had just gotten married, had no furniture, and no babies!!  Things have most certainly changed!!!  I'm going slow, just in case this thing doesn't go through....but still trying to keep moving! :)  Hope my next post is with a closing date!!!  God Bless you all, thanks for all the prayers, we'll keep you updated!!

What an AMAZING year!!

 So I'm running a bit late on the whole "year in review" post, but I know you will all forgive me  - you're just so nice like that!

 This post is dedicated to my wonderful, loving, beautiful Memere (pictured above with my nephew Bing)  She has move back north and we miss her so much; and I know she misses seeing the kids - So Memere, this post is for you!

 This has been one of the most amazing, crazy, blurry, blessed year in our lives!

 Looking back I can't believe that the twins are almost a year old, and Stephen is about to be 5!!!  What, my baby will be 5 - I can't handle it

 Every year (ok, the last two years) I've sat back and decided that I wasn't going to do a big post on the past year - then I start going through my pictures, and I just can't help but share

 It amazes me every year, and I'm sure it will for the rest of my life - just how much my sweet little children have grown!

 So I think I will leave my words at that.  Well I'll try at least, and I will let you just scroll on down and enjoy and let me know about how your family has grown this past year!!!

 I don't believe that Jude the Dude was that small...ever :)

 Every few pictures I'll type something in just to make sure you're not to board.  I think this might be my favorite picture of the year!!  This is a great and beautiful example of having young children! 

 Our first 5K....I don't think I've run since then :)

Goodbye 2011, you were wonderful to us!!  Hello 2012, things are looking pretty good!!  God is great!