Life

I'm taking a moment to Breathe.

I just got back from picking up a prescription for Abby, she has Strep for the 2ND time in 11 days. Avery has a stomach virus ( use your imagination on that one! ) and Grace has muscle spasms and severe itching!

Thank God for Breast milk that's keeping the Baby healthy. Anyone who knows me knows that I am a germaphobe and this is really testing my yuck factor big time!!!

We have really great friends and Family that have been sending Grace care packages. They really make Grace happy and to see her smile right now makes our day. So Thank You all so much and I love you for bringing joy to her in a very tough time.

We took Grace to see her Orthopedic Doctor at Children's ( Via Wagon )on Wed 2-18-09 for a x-ray to make sure that the bone is still in place and I'm relieved to say that all is well and we will see him again in two weeks. Yeah for that...

Gracie ( AKA Supergirl )

I'm going to add just a little Post while Gracie is sleeping.

Wednesday Morning we stopped off at the store for just a minute and while we were there a cabinet fell on top of Gracie. Crushing her whole body underneath it.

The store manager had to help me get it off of her and then she called 911,

David made it to the store thank god before the EMT. The ambulance rushed her to Children's. (David followed in the van with the other kids)

They took x-rays and found she had a badly broken Femur ( right thigh)

They rushed her to the Operating Room. That was very hard, letting them wheel my baby away and she was so scared and I couldn't go with her.

A couple hours later as I waited for her up in her room, They wheeled in a very groggy little girl with a purple cast ( Spika body cast) That goes from right below the breast all the way down both legs to the toes.

I will post a picture now and I will try to write more later right now I just want to go lay down next to her and Thank God she's OK.

Avery is 9 years old Today.

OHH my gosh, look how little he is.

Valentines Day at Preschool.

Helping Daddy Built the deck.

Lovin on Baby Grace

Daddy took him to visit some friends at the Fire department

Our Baseball Star.

Fishing off the boat.

My Abby Girl is 7 Years Old Today!

Abby's first time in the Snow, I could just squeeze those cheeks.

Daddy in the Hot Tub with Abby and Avery.

Giving Bubby lovin.

Abby on her 3rd Birthday.

My two Girls.

Wow, I can't believe it has been this long since preschool.

Fishing off the boat on our Camping trip.

Kindergarten Graduation Day.

Grace and Abby

And Life goes on.

Well I have not written in the Blog for a while. evidently you can have to much Iron! who knew?

Today I am enjoying a snow day with the kids. We had a big breakfast and now cuddling by the fire and watching a movie. Brady is sleeping in my arms ( one of the best parts of being a mother ) David is coming home early today so we can play in the snow.
I have great memories of playing in the snow with my sister in the front yard and we would design our house and make sections for the bedrooms and bathroom, It seems so silly now but I remember how much fun we had back in the day! HEE HEE HEE.

Sometimes grownups just get all caught up in grownup stuff and get all to comfortable with that, Sometimes you just need to jump in the snow and be silly with your kids!

Oh On Monday after school I got a call from the kids principal. like most parents you take a deep breathe and get ready for something bad. She said word for word- I didn't want to go home tonight without calling to tell you how great I think your son is!! ( What! I mean OK Wow ah What happen. ) He comes down to the office everyday to see if there is anything he can help with and he helps out the custodian after lunch. She said He is really a special kid and that we are doing a good job with our kids. That was a great call to get and we are so proud of Avery. a couple of months ago we had a bit of an issue with his attitude, He started hanging out with a kid that I swear was raised by Wolves! Well we have never really had a problem with Avery before, he generally is a very polite kid that people comment on at school and out in public about how kind and considerate he is. Well he started mouthing us really bad and saying things that were inappropriate and out of line here at home so David and I thought about it and even though to most people it just seemed like a typical phase of Independence we thought that we needed to treat this as something more severe and nip it in the bud right away. after just a couple of weeks he was back to normal and he decided, His words: that he was not making good choices for himself. We stressed to him that being a follower will only lead you down the wrong paths. He has seen that with some family members. If you speak your own mind and make your own choices life will be good and he now knows that you will feel great about yourself as well.

So do your sanity some good and make your kids happy and go jump in the snow and be silly ( I KNOW I WILL )

My Babies

I really can't handle how fast he's growing.

This was his first taste of rice cereal.

I really could do nothing but kiss him all day.

It's been a difficult few days here. The kid's have been asking more detailed questions about their Grandparents.( My parents ) These are the same Grandparents that has rejected them as members of their family and have even been publicly snubbed at a family members funeral. The kids now know that their cousins ( Who have not had a relationship with the grandparents either for over a year ) Received Christmas presents. My husband and I kept that bit of info a secret from the kids last year to protect them.

You can only imagine what a 8 and 6 year old was thinking at that moment. I guess I was in denial about them not being old enough to remember or that they didn't care but before now when they would ask a Question about their grandparents David and I would just give them a Short and Generic answer like It's an Adult thing that really isn't about you kids and not to worry about it. Now they know that it is very much about them!

One of the kids asked David and I why does Mamaw and Papaw Hate us And What did we do to make them mad at us? I cant even express in words How angry I was. I had to leave the room before I said things that

would only confuse the kids more.

I have been Hurt and rejected by my Own parents. I swore that I would Never allow them to hurt my kids and I now realize painfully that They hurt my kids.....

I am so Angry right now about this because Grandparents are supposed to Love all of their grandchildren and never want them to hurt. Not my parents, No they were determined to hurt me at whatever cost Including withholding their Love from my kids. They knew ( Hurt her kids, Hurt her! )

Well I hope their happy, My heart hurts for my kids who feel rejected by them and the worst part about about it all is the fact that they didn't even try ,They just didn't care.

David and I knew we were gonna have to sit the kids down and explain things to them but I knew I had to be careful how and what We said.I don't want to lie to them and prolong the inevitable but If we tell them the whole truth, How will they handle it? So I called for reinforcements.

I spent yesterday morning with the school counselor getting her advise and suggestions on the best way to tell the kids. With the counselors help and the support of my sister, David and I sat the kids down last night and talked. In the end We told them that Mommy and Daddy love them very much and will always be there for them no matter what! We told them To remember that Words mean nothing that in the end actions will always tell you the truth. My kids are strong just like I am Strong and they will get through this because they have people in their lives that truly love them and show them love. I don't feel sorry for my kids, I feel sorry for My parents. They are missing out on 4 really Cool kids.

Christmas 2008

We had an amazing Christmas this year and Boy did our kids make out!

We spent Christmas Eve with David's Parents and the kids got really nice things and had a great time there.

Christmas Morning we had breakfast and then opened our Christmas gifts. The Kids got everything they asked for this year and we all just feel very lucky.
Brady was enjoying himself as well and loved watching his brother and Sisters open their gifts.

We spent the whole vacation putting everything together and playing with everything.

New Years Eve: We spent the evening eating a bunch of food, watching home videos and Having a Wii competition. We all made it till Midnight
then crashed shortly after.

It was very hard when Vacation was over and David went back to work and the kids went back to school.

I feel very lucky and I know this year will only get better.

News Years Resolution: To Not Have A New Years Resolution.

Yeah Christmas.

All of My Christmas Shopping is done Yippee! I'm so excited, The kids are going to have an amazing Christmas this year.

We can't wait until Friday, When the kids vacation begins and David will be home for 2 weeks. The kids and I will start our annual Baking. We first decide what cookies we want and then spend several days in the kitchen just baking and listening to Christmas music. It's so much fun and I look forward to it every year.

Brady is Celebrating his First Christmas this year. We are all so Happy he is here with us and he loved meeting Santa for their picture on Sunday.
Grace surprisingly was a bit apprehensive so she wanted to just stand with her sissy and not on Santa's lap this year.

I hope all of you have a Magical Christmas as I know I will!

Braden, Grace and Cayden.

You have all seen this one of course being our Christmas Card Picture.

Isn't he Yummy?

Our Little Monkey!

Thanksgiving 2008

Thanksgiving Dinner ( We have so much to be Thankful for This Year. )

Mommy's Girl's

Mommy's Boy's

Mommy's Little Lizard.

WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... something perfect to wear
if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . a youth she's content to leave behind....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE . a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age....
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and... a black lace bra...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. one friend who always makes her laugh..
and one who lets her cry...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a good piece of furniture
not previously owned by anyone else in her family...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored...
A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE a feeling of control over her destiny..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend, without ruining the friendship...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder...
and WHEN TO WALK AWAY...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents..
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that her childhood may not have been perfect... but it's over...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do...
for love or more...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. . whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally...
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... where to go... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming Inn in the woods.... when her soul needs soothing....
EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. What she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month... and a year...

Be yourself...everyone else is already taken.

MAYA ANGELOU

Isn't She an Angel? LOL

THEIR WATCHING YOU!!!! We don't even remember that being said but it's a reminder that they are always paying attention even when your not!

Halloween 2008

Brady spent the whole Trick or Treat in the sling, He fell asleep almost immediately).

Grace is a witch ( she said a good and Pretty witch ) Avery and Brady are skeletons and Abby of course is Hannah Montana.

Cayden with Pumpkin on his head.

Brady's Picture on the Midwives website

http://www.choicemidwives.org/?page_id=102

Brady already Adapting to Daddy's Nap Schedule.

Don't you just want to eat um up?

Uncle Bill and Brady

Here are some new pictures of our little man.

Yesterday the Mohel came to the house for the dreaded circumcision! As horrible as that is, trust me it is much more humane here at home then in the hospital. The Mohel was wonderful and Loving with Brady. Most important the whole thing took 45 seconds then I nursed him immediately after.

I have had some mild discomfort being that I had 1st and second degree tears and have decided not to stitch. It will be a longer recovery but smarter in the end.

The kids are madly in Love with their little brother. So many hands to hold him and not enough time in the day. ( exspecially when I want to hog him to myself ) the midwives say that water babies are calmer and he is certainly a calm baby. he is just perfect. It's funny how Avery and Grace look alike and Abby and Brady look alike, Amazing how that happens.

Family Pictures

Cayden (Cool Dude )

Peanut and Cayden

Brady and Grandpa

Brady and Grandma

Daddy, Avery, Grace and Brady

Brady with Cousin D.J

Brady's Birthday cake we shared with Aunt Susi,

Uncle Billy, Peanut, Bailey, D.J and Cayden.

Video of Brady

Call from Grandparents.

Yesterday I received a very nice phone call from my grandparents. My grandma has had some medical problems this last year and It was such a relief to hear her voice and to know she is doing better.

They called to congratulate us on Brady's birth, It was a nice surprise and very much appreciated by David and myself. Everything that she is going through it would be understandable to not get a call but for them to set that aside and take the time to acknowledge my children just proves to me what I already know that there love for me and my kids are genuine and I Love and respect them for that. My kids will always know how good they have been to us.

Braden Rowan ( Brady) Born 09/28/08

He is finally Here.

Braden Rowan ( Brady) was born at home Sunday 9/28/08 at 3:15pm Weighing 9 lbs and 8 ounces 21 inches long.

Labor began Saturday evening and I called for the Midwives at about 11:00 am Sunday Morning. It was very calm and relaxing. I chose not to have my water broken but to wait and Labor slowly on my own.

Around 2:15 I got into the pool. That relaxed me enough to progress things along pretty quickly. I then started getting Back Labor so David was great and pushed really hard on my back during the whole process

( which now is very sore but was heaven during delivery).

About an hour later I was ready to push and when the water broke he was born within 2min. Avery was the first to see his face in the water. (He also was the one to cut the cord).

The kids were amazing, As I knew they would be. It was the most challenging thing I have ever and probably will ever do in my life but as tough as it was, I felt so empowered and just almost euphoric after he came out. I have said that when he was placed into my arms that I heard harps in my head (LOL) I have never felt so good as I did at that moment.

David and I were so pleased with how it all happened. It was perfect and was more fulfilling then even we thought it would be.

Thank God for my incredible Husband for knowing exactly what I needed at the very moment I needed it the most. my kids that were just as in amazement as we were of the whole miracle of life. To my wonderful Midwives that did everything the way we wanted it. To Brady for coming out as quickly as possible and coming on the most perfect day ever.

and To God for seeing me worthy enough to have given me everything I could ever dream of.