A Great Day with a Sad Ending

Yesterday, July 30th Elizabeth turned 10 years old. I remember how cool it felt to turn 10- double digits, and trust me she thought it was super cool. She had an great birthday this year- full of excitement and smiles (I'm a little partial to her smiles). Her Godfather Uncle Don took her to a dinner theater and saw Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dream Coat where she got treated like a lady, got a special birthday announcement, and some delicious chocolate birthday cake.



It's hard to believe that we have been parents for 10 years- what a ride! We are very blessed. Elizabeth is turning into not only a beautiful young lady, but she is a beautiful child of God- so faithful, so inquisitive, and such a servant. She is an amazing help with the little kids and around the house. One day she said to me, "You know Mom, I've been sweeping so long it doesn't even feel like work anymore." At least I have one who gets it; she's definitely not afraid of hard work, and almost always has a very willing and cheerful attitude. We love you.

Elizabeth is turning into quite a game player, so she is looking forward to this one from her Auntie Missy and Uncle Dale.

Elizabeth's Godmother Auntie Julie has been giving her Precious Moments since she was born; the series is called "Growing in Grace" which she definitely is.

We decided that this year we would get Elizabeth a new bike, and maybe start a tradition of getting a new bike when you turn 10. I bought one bike which wasn't really bigger than her old one, and on the very day I bought it she started riding my bike. Back to the store we went to get her a BIG bike; it's a little big for her, but she couldn't care less. She loves it.

Papa decided to give Elizabeth a little lesson on hand breaks before she ventured off. I just couldn't pass up posting a picture of the notorious finger- you know he means business when it starts waving like that.

Daddy decided to give a little less intense hands on training of gear shifting; isn't he purdy?

We got her a pretty aqua helmet to match since she is very safety conscious.
I had no idea what I was going to do for her cake, but she decided she really wanted a 10. I wasn't exactly sure how I was going to accomplish this, but I decided to give it a try. It was not pretty. I had two pans of cake figuring I would cut the numbers and then just frost them. Unfortunately, one pan came out in probably 10-15 pieces with some still in the pan. Anyone who knows me knows I'm pretty stubborn and proceeded to form a one with all the pieces like I was making sand art. It turned out better than I thought it would, and thankfully the zero gave me little trouble. I got the inspiration for the multicolored frosting since she had just seen Joseph. One would not think it could take so long to do this type of frosting, but it did, and it was well worth it when I heard her exclaim, "It's so awesome; even better than I imagined it would be."

Had to throw one of me with my brood; I gotta say we're a pretty good looking bunch.

Happy birthday Elizabeth. We are so proud of you. May God bless you always and may your faith and grace continue to grow and grow.

Baby Matthew-

Unfortunately, after the party had ended and we had finally settled everyone into bed I got word that little Matthew had died. This little boy has become such a part of our family. We have prayed and prayed that he would live, and yet the Lord had other plans for him. Emily has posted some very precious pictures of their time with Matthew while he was on this earth, and they display such an amazing amount of grace and peace in God's will. If only I could have an ounce of that grace. Please offer up a prayer for Emily and John, their 5 beautiful children and all their family and friends who grieve the loss of little Matthew. Heaven has a new little saint. http://www.godscanvas.wordpress.com/

Our baby-

Also, wanted to let you know that Paul and I went on the 29th for an ultrasound- hard to believe I am half way through this pregnancy. We found out we are having another little girl, well the dr. is 95% sure. She was turned inward, so it was difficult to get good images. He's not concerned, but wants me back in a month just to get another look and get some crisper images. It was wonderful to see her, and now we are thinking pink- totally excited.

Baby Matthew Born

I got word today that little Matthew was delivered last night, July 26th, by emergency c-section. His mother Emily went in because she was concerned that he had not been moving. When they evaluated him, he had developed hydrops which is excess fluid buildup in the abdomen I believe, and his heart beat was very erratic. They attempted to withdraw some fluid with an amnio procedure and also gave him heart medication through the umbilical cord, but his heart rate dropped dangerously low to about 15bpm. He was 6lbs 7oz, but his lungs are very underdeveloped. It took drs quite a while to stabilize his heart rate, and they are unsure if there will be brain damage due to lack of oxygen. Last I heard, he is on a ventilator and is very quiet and still. Please storm the heavens for this beautiful little boy and his family. Emily is in a lot of pain from the surgery, and I can't even imagine the worry. Jesus, we trust in You.

Happy 7th Birthday Pauly

Today our Pauly turned 7. As I think back to what I was doing 7 years ago, I am reminded of throwing up orange sherbet and almost throwing up at the smell of the meat loaf they tried to serve me for dinner. When I declined, Paul gladly accepted. My dear father who was also there and interested in the meat loaf was lucky enough to get one of the extras. I don't know who I was more upset with, the nurse who brought in yet another stinky meal into the room with a woman who had a nausea patch on and still couldn't keep down sherbet or the men in my life who sat there and ate in front of me. When I told Pauly the story he said, "ooh meatloaf, I love meatloaf; can we have that for dinner soon."Oh the irony. To say our life has never been the same since he arrived would be an understatement.

We had a good day. I cooked a big breakfast which of course had to include sausage and scrambled eggs but changed it up and made homemade waffles instead of the usual pancakes. Pauly then got a chance to play with his buddy Carter and got taken to DQ for a birthday treat. I should mention he was in sugar withdrawal from the previous days adventure with his Auntie Shelley and Uncle Don. They took him to the zoo, and he had lots of sugar I'm told. Despite a nasty fall on his scooter the night before, he spent like 7 hours touring the park. I wonder who slept better- them or him.

While Pauly was playing I made his cake. This one took quite a while, but I had fun with it. I get teased a little about my cakes, but I really do enjoy it, and I think it will be a fun memory for the kids. I just need to get more ideas.

A little later the troops came over so the "boys" could celebrate their birthday together. Thomas turns 5 tomorrow.

A handsome boy don't you think? We'll keep him.
Some new balls and game ideas; good hand-eye coordination practice.

No birthday is complete with out K'nex.

Aren't they cute? Lucy and Mary looked so innocent, and then went for it as soon as my back was turned. There was no denying it- the blue and green frosting and missing letters were a dead give away.

The birthday boys.

We love you Pauly and are so proud of all the progress you are making. You are a gift from God, a challenging gift but a gift none-the-less. We love your smile and your dry sense of humor. We pray God blesses you in this next year+.

Our Goddaughter's First Birthday

Our Goddaughter Rose turned 1 this past weekend, so we threw her a little party. Fun, fun, fun.

She had way more fun with the paper than the actual present, so cute.

Kristina and Rose caught a little cat nap before cake; I couldn't resist blogging it.

You know how I love to make cakes, and this one hasn't been done since Elizabeth's first birthday. It was a fun challenge.

Ok, so Rosie didn't exactly like all the attention when it came to cake time. She had no interest in anything but getting out of the highchair.

Simon didn't have any issues with eating the cake.

Neither did George.

All better now that the attention is off her.

Happy birthday Rose. We love you. May God bless you.

Storming the heavens for baby Matthew

About 10 weeks ago I asked to join us in praying for a friend's little boy Matthew. He has successfully gotten to just over 30 weeks and has continued to grow in size, but his condition is getting worse, and it looks as though he will be delivered by c-section at any point the doctors feel he just can't take it anymore. They are begging for prayers for a miracle that his heart will be able to withstand delivery and the beginning stress of trying to breathe on his own. For more details go to www.godscanvas.wordpress.com. Let Matthew live Lord, so that You may be praised for Your mercy and greatness. Jesus, we trust in You.

Happy 4th of July

Yesterday, we took a trip to the cabin. We grabbed a couple friends and had a fun day. The kids kept VERY occupied. My parents got a new floating raft, and the kids put their imaginations to work. One minute they were a ferry boat, and the next they were chefs on a floating restaurant. They whiled away the hours.

A break for ice cream and swinging.

One of Pauly's favorite things to do is dig a huge hole until he hits water. Well, this time he really dug, and Gabriella and George turned it into their swimming hole.

Of course, we had to take a trip out in the boat. The kids had a great time, and I loved hearing all the laughing and squealing.

And what trip to the cabin is complete without making smores. The kids did a great job roasting the marshmallows. My mom did her best to keep up with the smore making as all their marshmallows finished up, and she did pretty well. They really gobbled them up and got super sticky.

A few random pictures.

I found this hat and couldn't pass is up. My dad, George's namesake was so smitten by it that he had to go out and by one of his own. He forgot it this particular day, but as soon as I catch them both with their caps on, I'll be sure to post it.