Monday, November 9, 2009

A Day in the LIfe

Actually, just 10 minutes. These were the "interesting" comments that could be heard just a little bit ago.

1) "I can't go out to the table to eat because my leg hurts too bad. I may have to sleep here on the couch." -Now, it WAS a big scrape, but seriously?
2)"I'm going out to milk the cow." - Hmmmmm.
3) "You're ruining my life!" -Wow! Thought I had a few more yrs before I would hear this one.

The funny thing is, these three statements were made within a 10 minute time span. Random and interesting thoughts.

Now, any guesses on who said what? (Mom, you can't guess cuz I told you :)

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

Zac-isms


Zac's been saying some cute stuff lately....
-In the van the other day he asked Daddy to "beep the corn".
- This morning instead of asking for a chocolate MUFFIN he asked for a chocolate
NOTHING.
- One of my favorite things he says is " I want to hold you" when he wants me to hold him.

He's growing up so fast. I can't believe he'll be 3 in 2 months!

Tuesday, September 22, 2009

Monday, September 21, 2009

Happy Belated Birthday Mom!!!!


So, I forgot to post this because we were on vacation, but my Mom also just had a birthday. I am so thankful for our relationship. She has become one of my very best friends. We talk every day (usually twice a day) and she always knows when I'm a little down and need some encouragement. She has also has been using almost all of her vacation time this year to come stay with us for long weekends. She comes up to help so we can have a monthly date night or to help watch the kiddos for doctors appointments or just to be with us. I love watching her be a "Granny" to my children. She absolutely adores them (and everyone around her knows it-just ask her co-workers :)

Mom (Granny) we love you very much and we thank God that you are in our lives!

Friday, August 14, 2009

T.J. says....

Yesterday, my little reader (TJ), caught a glimpse of my Respectable Sins book on the table.  He saw the word sins, and asked me why I was reading a book to help me sin more.  After a good chuckle, i explained to him the real purpose for the book.  Too funny!

Friday, July 31, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!!!!!!


I'm so blessed to have you as my dad.  You have always been so supportive, loving and a wonderful, godly example.

I'm so happy that my children also benefit from your love and guidance.  We all hope you have a wonderful day.  We love you!!!!

Friday, July 17, 2009

tj funny

TJ got a "sir"-tificate from the library for summer reading. Lainey got one too, and he wants to know if hers is a "miss"-tificate since she's a girl. He wasn't kidding either :)

Saturday, June 20, 2009

Father's Day Tribute





As we are about to dedicate two more sons to the Lord at our church on Father's Day, I am prompted to reflect on the "fathers" in my life.  I am blessed to have several who are near and dear to my heart.
 
The first is, of course, my Dad (Gary).  He has been a constant spiritual and emotional strength in my life.  My dad, as many know, often shows love and care through acts of service. He will stop whatever he is doing to help a neighbor with a car repair or any other household problem.  He has brought many people to our church, and I don't just mean invited them, but he picks them up and drives them to church.  When I was younger, his love manifested itself in working several jobs to pay tuition for private school and in him switching his schedule to be at all of my basketball games.  He was always at school events, which is why my former classmates still recognize him when they see him.  Now my Dad, who still has three young children at home, takes the time to make sure we have wood to burn in the winter to help save our heating cost. He calls and checks up on me and Donny, to make sure we're doing OK physically and spiritually.  And I KNOW he prays for us faithfully.  There's so much more I could say about you, Dad, so much in my heart, but I'll just focus on this one aspect of your love this time  :)
 
Then there is my "Step dad", Greg.  (I can't believe someone hasn't come up with a better term yet.)  He has been in my life since I was 6.  I have never felt like anything less than his daughter.  Greg has always shown me love and support.  I know that he too prays for us and supports us as we seek to raise our children in a way that honors the Lord.  I am so blessed by how he brings my mom up to see us anywhere from one to three times a month, regardless of gas prices or how tired he is.  Thank you.
 
My grandfather, "Pop", always has been and always will be a very important part of my life. Even though he is no longer with me physically, he will always be "with" me.  He was so much more than a grandfather.  I spent over a quarter of my life living with him and my grandmother, so he also helped support me emotionally and financially.  Pop NEVER missed an important moment in my life.  Whether it was preschool graduation, a basketball award dinner or even the chance to take pictures of me before prom.  Pop was always there.  One of my greatest joys was seeing him with my oldest child, T.J.  Gram and I always wonder what he would say now, looking at me with FIVE children.  (He would have no room to talk, though, since he and Gram had EIGHT :)  He was a wonderful man and I am so thankful for all of the time I had with him.
 
And last, but certainly not least, the father of my children, Donny.  Before we were married, I pictured him as a wonderful husband and I knew that he was good with kids, but I never imagined what a great dad he would be.  Our children ADORE him.  There are many projects around the house that he would like to do, or days when he would rather just rest,  but those things will have to wait because he knows that his children need him more and he would rather show them care and attention.  The kids demonstrate all day long how highly they think of him. They ask me numerous times, "When is Daddy coming home?"; they think about him and pray for him throughout the day; they greet him enthusiastically as soon as he walks through the door.  Why?  Because he is a loving, caring, fun and all around excellent daddy. He's not just fun, but he seeks to instill godly wisdom into their lives.  It is not unusual for them to have a deep discussion about God or heaven before bed.  Oh, and bedtime is a VERY special time with Daddy.  He puts the older three children to bed every night (unless he has a meeting). They start by singing "Jesus Loves Me", then they each take turns praying, then Daddy tells them some elaborate story involving Mario or Dora or Batman, depending on who the kids pick that night.  I often look at our gang and say, "Wow.  Four Boys.  What was God thinking?".  But I know what He was thinking.  He was thinking that Donny would be a wonderful example for them to emulate and so, the more the merrier :)  I also have no fears about his relationship with our daughter.  Having been so close to my dad, I, of course, want the same for them.  I have no doubt that he will continue to show her the love and attention he does now.  She is definitely "Daddy's little girl". Donny, thank you for being such a wonderful husband and father and for exceeding my expectations.  I love you more and more each day.
 
I am also blessed  to have a wonderful father-in-law, brothers-in-law and uncles who are a very special part of our lives.  I truly am grateful for all of these men and I am so thankful that our sons  have such godly, humble and loving men to look up to.  

Happy Birthday Grandma K !!!



We love you very much and we pray God's blessing on you this year.  Happy Birthday!!!!!!!!!!!!

Thursday, June 18, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY NANA!!!!!



Why we love Nana:

TJ says,  "Because she plays with us and she cleans up downstairs for us (toys) so we don't need to. And because she had green hair (St. Patrick's day).  And because she helps with the babies and she plays games with us.  And because she is our BEST Nana."

Elaina says, "Because I just do (love her).  She brings Easter stuff and she paints my nails and she brings me nail polish."

Zac says, "Nana plays in the dirt.  She brings me pink gum.  She reads me books."  (Ok, so the first he said on his own and I helped him remember the other two :)


We love you so much and we are so thankful to have you in our lives.  You are so special to us and we love spending time with you.  We pray that God will continue to bless you throughout this year.  Happy birthday!!!!!!!!!
 
Love, Timothy, Elaina, Zac, Caleb and Luke

Saturday, June 13, 2009

Monday, May 18, 2009

4 months: Where has the time gone?????


I know, I know, long time, no post.  It's been a LITTLE busy around here.  Adjusting to having TWO babies has been a bit... interesting.

They are both doing well and growing, though.  Caleb only wore the heart rate monitor for a couple of weeks AND we were able to switch him to the cheaper formula.  Praise God!

Their stats as of the 4 month check-up are (drum roll please:)  
    -Caleb :  16.4 lbs and 25 inches
    - Luke:   17     lbs and 26 inches

They are smiling, cooing and they have each rolled over once.  Luke from back to front and Caleb from front to back.  (They gotta keep it balanced, I guess:)

This week, we will probably start baby cereal.  Oh boy!  It will be a whole new degree of craziness at feeding time.  (But I'm sure it will be fun:)  We're still waiting for them to sleep more than 3 or 4 hours at a time.  In the meantime, coffee is my best friend :)

Nana comes over to help us almost every day that Donny works and she is a HUGE blessing.  Without her, I think we would NEVER have clean clothes to wear. 

The "big kids", as we refer to them, are doing well.  TJ will be graduating from Kindergarten at our church school next week.  I am so thankful for all he has learned there.  He can read!!!!  It's so exciting. ( It also marks the end of an era as Donny and I can no longer spell words we don't want them to hear.  Oh, well.  Time for Donny to learn sign language or for us to brush up on our Spanish. ) I will be home schooling TJ for first grade.  We are excited, but I'm also a little nervous.  I know God's grace will be there.  

Elaina continues to be a good helper with the babies and she is becoming more "girly" every day.  This year, she took dance classes (tap and ballet).  She loved it and we all enjoyed watching her dance like a princess in her recital.  The highlight, was when all the girls in her class danced on stage with their daddys.  Sooooo precious.  (Donny did great and had to restrain himself so as not to steal his daughter's thunder :)

Zac is growing up before my very eyes.  He is talking so much now, and in sentences.  He is quite, what's the word, ACTIVE.  He definitely keeps us on our toes.  He is full of energy and always exploring.  He loves to pretend spatulas are guitars and any stick and flat surface becomes a drum.

Phew.  I'm tired just recounting all these fun facts about my kiddos.  I'm going to try to upload some pics too, so everyone can see how much they've grown. 

Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Happy 4th Birthday Elaina!

I can't believe my sweet girl is 4 today.  We were so surprised when she was born (we didn't find out what she was, but were both convinced she was a boy).  For some reason, I really had it in my mind that I was going to have all boys.  Well, almost.  Anyway, Elaina has been our special little "princess" as Granny calls her.

Elaina is finally interested in "girlie" things, which makes me happy.  (I was afraid she was going to be a tomboy like me.)  She loves princesses and ponies and going to dance class.  She's a little more shy than her big brother and it usually takes her a little while to warm up to people, but once she does, watch out.  She likes to talk and play and sing and dance.  

She is LOVING being a big sister to the twins.  She's been a great helper, bringing me diapers, wipes, etc...  I'm sure she's only going to get better at this.

Happy birthday sweet girl.  We love you! 

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Reunion

We are all under the same roof for the first time and loving it.  I will try to post some pictures tomorrow.  For now, we are so excited (and maybe a little nervous).
It will be hard for me not to call my friends in the NICU for support (although i'm sure they wouldn't mind).
It's time to get used to "Double Time"   :)

Thursday, January 29, 2009

Still Waiting

Caleb's sleep study went well.  It actually didn't show reflux.  However, in the past two days he has had 6 heart rate drops.  So, now we are waiting again.  It looks like he will have to come home on a monitor, so he won't have to go 6 days without any episodes, but he does have to have a few days with fewer and less drastic episodes.  We are doing OK with this, but it is obviously disappointing.  We are trying to focus on the fact that, overall, he is healthy and he will eventually grow out of this.

We really are thankful for all of the people God has been using to bless us.  It has been wonderful not to have to worry about dinners.  I can't imagine what we would be eating the evenings I've been trekking down to the hospital.  Thank you to all who have been making us meals and especially to Bri for taking on the task of organizing this.  We definitely feel God's love and care for us. Thank you to our family and friends for being God's vessels of care for us.

Monday, January 26, 2009

Sleep Study

They just inserted the tube in Caleb's esophagus for his sleep study.  It's supposed to last about 12 hrs.  This test should determine if the heart rate drops are from prematurity or reflux.  Hopefully, we will know the results by tomorrow afternoon or Wednesday.  

We are really enjoying Luke and I will try to post pictures soon.  (I'm too busy cuddling him to stop to take a picture:)

Friday, January 23, 2009

Caleb

We are again battling discouragement.  After 3 days without any heart rate drops, Caleb had a significant one this  morning.  We were really thinking he would be home by Monday, but now he has to go another 5-7 days without one before he could possible come home.  The doctor now thinks it could be my milk causing the problem, so he will only be doing the Alimentum formula for the next couple of days.  If he does this, then he will stick to just formula, which saddens me, but I want to do whatever it takes for him to come home.  If doing only formula doesn't stop the heart rate drops, then they will do a sleep study, which is not comfortable for him.

So, while we are thoroughly enjoying having Luke home with us, we also long to have Caleb home.  Please pray that the doctors can solve the problem soon and then we will find comfort from the Lord as we wait.

Wednesday, January 21, 2009

Luke's Home!!!!!!!!!

I'll have to post more later, but Luke is home and we are so happy!!!!  The kids are loving their new little brother.  Zac keeps looking at him and laughing.  He also keeps saying "I want to hold it".  Elaina has been at Luke's side since we walked through the door.  She can't wait to hold him.  TJ is the proud big brother and happy to have Luke home.  I'll post pictures later.  For now we are enjoying having one of our precious babies home.  (Hopefully, Caleb will be joining us soon too.)

Tuesday, January 20, 2009

Update and good news

It looks like Luke is coming home tomorrow!!!!!!!!  Please pray that he has no episodes between now and then and, more importantly, that he is strong enough and ready to come home.

Caleb is now completely off of tube feedings.  He is still having 1-2 heart rate drops a day, but they now believe that they are related to reflux.  They have switched his formula today (to the Really expensive stuff) and if that doesn't help after a couple of days, they will try him on reflux medicine.  The good news is that he SHOULD be able to come home once they get this figured out.  They told me today that the 6 day rule without heart rate drops doesn't necessarily apply to reflux issues.  So please pray that they figure it out quickly.  

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TJ!!!!!!!!!!!

I can't believe my "baby" boy is 5 today!  He has grown up so much in the last 5 years, but some things have not changed... his absolute ADORATION of his daddy (he LOVES to do anything and everything with him); his affinity for any and all superheroes (but especially spiderman and batman); his love for people (he loves "company" as he refers to visitors :).

A few things have changed though.  He is in school, and, for the most part, loving it.  He's starting to read and add.  Along with superheroes, he is now a fan of video games.  (Yes, he is Donny's "mini me".)  He is a big brother to 1 sister and 3 brothers (although he hasn't even met two of them yet.)

Timothy is such a sweetheart and very loved by our family.  We are so blessed by his tender heart for others and we look forward to seeing God work in his heart even more.  

Thursday, January 15, 2009

Please Pray

Well, we're really fighting discouragement right now.  It was looking like Luke was going to come home this weekend, and then he had another heart rate drop today, which means an automatic extra 6 days.  Caleb is not even close to coming home yet.  It's looking like they could be in there all the way up to my due date, which was February 7th.  It's just getting hard because I feel like I'm missing out on so much precious time  with them.  So, please pray for us emotionally and pray that the boys would get better and come home.

Friday, January 9, 2009

Praises and Prayer Requests

God has been doing a lot this week.  First I'll list the praises.

1)  Both boys are off of their IVs, jaundice lights and oxygen.  We can actually see their sweet little faces and they are wearing cute little outfits now instead of just diapers :)
2)  The boys are also both taking bottles, which has been fun to help with when we are there.
3)  Luke's second echo cardiogram came back normal!
4)  Luke did NOT been require his feeding tube at all today.

Prayer requests:
1)  That Luke would continue to improve.  He has made great strides but the doctor said it's not uncommon to take a few steps forward and then a step back.  Pray that he takes no steps back.
2)  Caleb is still having episodes of bradychardia(sp?), which is a drop in his heart rate.  He is also still having some apnea.  He has to have no episodes of either for at least a week before he can come home.
3)  Caleb also has not been finishing his bottles, which means he needs to have some of his feeds through the feeding tube.  He needs to consistently get nourishment only from the bottle.
4)  Please pray that both boys would start to gain weight.  They have both lost quite a bit, which is to be expected, but now they need to be consistently gaining.

So, as you can see, God has been good to us and the boys have made a LOT of progress and they will only be a week old tomorrow!  Thank you for your prayers and support :) 

Thursday, January 8, 2009