sweet nothings

It's Wednesday...

Around here we are stuffed up or as Mads says...stopped out. We are sneezy and snotty and just don't feel well. It's mainly maddie and I...the stuff blowing around is not on Nora's allergy radar so she's doing great! Rain is in the forecast so I'm praying that the rain will wash away some of the yuck in the air and on the cars and in the trees!

We made a stop at the pharmacy today and I was so limited on what I could buy to take...got to be careful of the peanut! I'm hoping I get a good night's sleep tonight! Something in this arsonal has to work!

We are right around 16 weeks...Took a little belly shot yesterday and thought I'd share. I'm a little late starting this tradition, but the first trimester seemed a little unsure so I didn't do any pics! So here it is...

And yes I'm sporting my favorite pregnancy shirt from my pregnancy with Mads...

Anyway...oh yes. The blog looks a bit different right now. The format is from our old family blog. There will be lots more changes to come within the next couple of weeks. This is post number 497...post 500 will have a special announcement and no it won't be the announcement of what gender peanut is! Although we will hopefully find out next Wednesday.

Until next time...S

 

 

Happy Birthday Mama!

 

(by Nora 2011)

My mom should have been 60 today. Instead she's in Heaven looking down on us. I sure hope they are having a celebration up there. In 2009 the first birthday without my mom, Tim and Nora and I went to Papadeaux's because it was one of my mom's favorite restaurants. I can't remember if we went to a movie or not...

In 2010, We went to dinner and to see Alice in Wonderland just Nora and I while Tim stayed home with Mads. In 2011, we went to see Rango...all 4 of us! This year we went to dinner and a movie at studio movie grill to see the Lorax. Which by the way is an excellent movie!

Maddie doesn't know Memee like Nora. So she doesn't quite understand why we have this little tradition. I don't even know if we meant for it to turn into a tradition or if it just happened that way...The first year it was to help us all. A way to celebrate Mom and remember her. We needed that. I think we probably all cried that night...including Tim.

I guess it might seem silly to some for us to celebrate the birthday of my dead mom. But it's not to us. It makes us feel closer to her. It makes us not forget (not that we do). It helps with the healing. It gives us a special day to talk about her and tell funny stories.

I miss my mom every single day. I HATE cancer. I'm not even sure HATE is strong enough a word. It took my mom from me and my brother and sister. It took her from my dad and her parents. It took Nora's Memee away. It has kept Madelynn and Peanut from knowing their Memee. It took my mom from doing awesome work with her little early childhood/headstart kids. It took away a Sunday school teacher. A sister. A friend. An amazingly awesome Christian.  I realize she's in a better place but I can't imagine that we are better for her being gone...we aren't. I feel like there was so much more for her to do here. It was not her time to go. So I'm pretty sure hate is not a strong enough a word for how much I despise cancer.

Today I'm sad. I've cried more than I have in a long time. I miss her like crazy. I need her here to help me and guide me...to know that I'm doing things right as a mom. I need her to tell me when I'm wrong or to give me advice on how to handle a situation. I realize I had a great example of what a good mom is but I've forgotten things and I don't remember exactly how she handled a situation or what she said...I need her here to tell me and remind me. I need my mom. Just because I'm an adult doesn't mean I don't need my mama. I do. Every time I have a situation I'm unsure of...I try to think of what my mom would've done.

Yeah...I know what you are thinking...a good Christian wouldn't wonder what her mom would do but would rely on God to help her through. I do most of the time but sometimes I want to know what my mom would've done. Sometimes I don't want to rely on somebody that's not there and that I have to fully trust in by faith alone. I want a living being here...I want my mom. 

So negative...yeah sometimes. I am convicted about my unwillingness to rely on my faith sometimes. to rely on God. to trust the Lord to help me make the right decisions, to know how to handle a situation. But see I'm human and I make mistakes and I stumble and I fall and I always turn to the Lord to see me through. So while there are times when I want my mom living and breathing right here to give me words of wisdom and to be my mom...I always, no matter how bad the situation...I turn to the Lord. 

Wow. I like how I managed to turn a happy birthday post into a gripe...sheesh. I'm a total party pooper. But I guess that's what this blog is all about. Just being honest and sharing my feelings. It's a lot easier to share them here than to say them out loud.

Happy Birthday Mama! You are truly missed. You are loved much! je t'aime encour!

until next time...S

 

 

Gender Predictions...how accurate will they be??

My first two pregnancies I really didn't try any of the tests to see if we were having a "boy or girl". I just went by the chinese calendar. It was right both times. I had a ton of sonograms with both of my girls so I pretty much new for sure and pretty quickly well...except with Madelynn.

With Nora we were going to wait for a surprise. At the 20 week sono we told Dr. Rose not to tell us. W few weeks later I had a dream...remember the mel brooks movie spaceballs? and the alien that comes out dancing?? If not...here is a video of that scene. btw i hate that movie!! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aVZUVeMtYXc  In the dream instead of an alien my sister came out and let's just say it was disturbing. At my 24 week appointment I cried and asked Dr Rose to do a sono and please tell me that I wasn't having a girl...yeah there were obvious 3 little lines. It's a girl. I only told my sister because Tim didn't want to know. So Sister and I kept the sex of the baby a secret until Nora arrived!

With Madelynn I was dead set on finding out because Nora wanted to know. She wanted a baby brother so badly. Yeah...they told us a couple of times that she was really a he...My gut said it was another girl. So I had another sono and sure enough...3 little lines. Definitely a girl! I even did two layouts...one for a boy and one for a girl. You can see them in this post.  Pretty funny. 

Here we are again...We all want to know. It seems the consensus around here...we want a girl. Except Maddie and she wants a boy named LuLu. ummm...ok. We even have a girl name chosen and I absolutely LOVE it!! We don't have a boy name. We always said if we had a boy we'd name him Henry after my grandfather but I'm having issues with that because it's become so popular. Yes, I know we have 26 weeks to name the baby but once we find out in 2 weeks what this peanut is I'm going to want to sew and monogram stuff and I'll need a name!!

Tuesday I had an appointment with Dr. Auers and got to have a sonogram (#5 already!) to check the twin sac to make sure it's shrinking. It is. My placenta is a bit low so let's pray it picks itself up and gets in the right spot!

Most sono techs usually won't guess about the sex until at least 16 or 18 weeks and the one that did the sono on Tuesday did NOT make a guess at all... But we got a pretty good profile shot of the baby. The first thing Tim said when he saw the pic...look it's a boy! 

So far I've had a dr and a sono tech give me their guess...one said boy and one said girl. I won't tell you which said what because personally I'd say the dr would be more accurate than the tech but that's just my opinion...sorry to all you sono techs out there! I posted the pic on an gender ultrasound forum and the opinions are divided evenly.

Here is the pic of Tuesday's (13 weeks 4 days) sono...Make a guess cause I'd love to know what you think it is...

I found numerous online tests you can do with the results telling you whether it's a boy or a girl...

disclaimer...Just an FYI - I used plastic disposable cups for my pee. :D and this is all silliness...I'm not responsible for your results if you try this at home! :D

Red Cabbage Test. You boil half a red cabbage. Then put two parts red cabbage juice and urine together...if it turns purple/blue it's a girl. if it turns pink/red it's a boy. 

Here are my results. The liquid A is what it looked like after it was boiled. The liquid B in the cup is after I added the pee. Looks like Girl.

Baking Soda Test.  Put enough baking soda to fill cover the bottom of a cup. Add pee...if it fizzes it's a boy and if it doesn't react it's a girl. Here are my results...no fizz so Girl results.

Intelligender. Goodness this one wasn't cheap :D But I figured what the heck we'll give it a try. My friend Emily has two boys and a girl. She did the intelligender with all three kids and each time her results were for a boy even the time she had a girl! The results of this one...BOY!

and for the record the other side...

Chinese Calendar. I've gotten two different results on this. On this calendar version http://www.babycenter.com/chinese-gender-predictor  I got BOY results. But if I use the one I used with the girls (which was right both times) I get GIRL.

Drano Test. This is a test I decided to avoid. Just seems a little unsafe to use drano. You can go here to learn about that test if you are willing to try it! http://www.fortunebaby.com/drano-gender-test.html

Gender Quiz. I did this one and the results were 70% chance of a GIRL. http://www.babygenderprediction.com/old-wives-tales-gender-prediction-method.html

Needle or wedding ring test.  Tie a needle or wedding ring to string. Hang it over the mother's belly while she's laying down. If it swings in a circular motion...girl. If it swings left to right...boy.  My wedding ring chose a circular motion...result. GIRL.

Heart rate theory. If the heart rate stays over 140 beats per minute...girl. If it stays under 140...boy. So far this baby's heart rate has stayed between 163 and 169. Result for far...GIRL.

 So there you have it...let's tally. 

sono tech & doctor              boy                girl

cabbage test                                            girl

baking soda                                             girl

intelligender                        boy

chinese calendar                  boy                girl

gender quiz                                              girl

ring test                                                   girl

heart rate                                                 girl

 

Looks like girl is in the lead...my gut thinks it's a girl. But my head is causing total chaos with me because I keep thinking it is a boy and really, I don't want a boy. Nora said she'd be really disappointed if it's a boy. Tim said another girl would be best since we already know how to handle girls. He said either way he doesn't care but girl seems more plausible. I really want another little girl. I know everybody that has a boy swears they are awesome and oh they love their mamas. That's great but I'm a girl mama and I love them like nothing else! I love pretty dresses and tutus and hairbows and sparkly shoes...yes, I'm getting a little less of that with Maddie but she's still all girl sporting her sequin purse and hot pink shoes with her darth vadar shirt! I've looked at boy stuff and it just doesn't hold the appeal. 

Plus boys play sports and they are loud and rowdy and stinky and dirty. I know. I have a brother. 

If we are in fact having a boy...it might take us a little time to adjust. Ironically when we were told that Maddie was actually a girl and not a boy...Nora cried uncontrollably in the sono room. I told her the other day that if we are having a boy this time that we will all love him and he will be just as important to us as the girls are...Luckily we'll have 24 weeks to adjust to the news it's a boy before he actually gets here. 

And please don't take my wrambling the wrong way...I'll honestly love a boy because I already love this baby completely!!

Looks like we'll possibly know mid March...I'll keep you posted!

until next time...
S 

 

 

 

 

The Michals family is growing...by a peanut!

It's official...Baby #3 aka Peanut is due to arrive in August!

In mid December I found out I was pregnant. The week of Christmas I had blood drawn and the numbers were very low. For some reason they asked me to come back the next day to repeat the blood draw which was only about 24 hours later. (HCG levels should double every 48-72 hours) Anyway, the results weren't much better and had only increased by a few. I was told by the nurse/midwife who I was seeing at the time that I should prepare for a miscarriage and then went on to give me details of what to expect. She then said that if nothing happened over Christmas (we were leaving town for about a week) to call after we got back to town.

I kept this all to myself. I didn't want to upset Tim or to have hushed conversations in front of the girls and honestly I didn't want to upset everybody at Christmas. Probably wasn't the best idea I've ever had but it made sense at the time. Over Christmas I prepared myself for what was to come...a miscarriage. I've had a tubal/ectopic pregnancy before but not a miscarriage and that ectopic was horrific. The anticipation was not fun. Knowing what was to come...very sad. I enjoyed Christmas with my family. The knowledge of how blessed I am kept me sane! And in my mind/heart I knew that my sweet unborn baby would go to Heaven to be with my mom...which gave me peace. 

Over the week leading up to Christmas and the week following I continued to expect to start bleeding or cramping...but nothing happened and quite the opposite did...I began to feel more and more pregnant. We came back home on Thursday after Christmas so I went in on Friday for another blood draw. I wanted to know what was going on. I told Tim over the weekend and so we waited for the Tuesday after New Year's to hear the results. He and I laughed and cried. I think he was literally in shock. I'm thinking it was probably a good idea he didn't know over Christmas because all weekend he was in an odd state of shock. The call was funny and the phone nurse said "you are Definitely pregnant and we need to schedule your first appointment" wow...after that i was pretty much in shock. how do you go from "you will probably miscarry" to "let's schedule your first appt" it's not easy to adjust to that.

Fast forward 2 more weeks...first appointment and sonogram. I saw that precious little "thing" and heard a beautiful heartbeat going 169 beats a minute. Estimated due date August 24th. That night I prepared a note "from baby" to big sisters and put it in a box with the sono picture and a pair of little white baby booties.

We shared the good news with Nora and Madelynn...Nora was really excited and Mads had no clue! It was funny! 

Fast forward two more weeks and I started having light pink spotting with awful cramps. Saw a doctor in the practice...she did a sono and said everything looked fine. If it got worse we'd go from there. That was a Wednesday.

On Saturday Feb 4th I was walking into Hobby Lobby with Nora to purchase a child's art kit for a birthday party Nora was attending that afternoon. As we walked in I felt a gush that just didn't feel normal at all. We went to the restroom and I was bleeding A LOT. I had Nora grab an art kit, we checked out and headed for the car. I explained to Nora that something was wrong and I wanted her to understand because I was going to call the doctor and I didn't want her to be scared by what was said. The on-call doctor called within a minute of me leaving my voicemail. She suggested I head to the ER.

I took Nora home and changed clothes. I told Tim to take the girls to the party (instead of going to the ER) and I'd be fine going to the ER on my own. The on-call dr had called ahead so they took me back very quickly. I had a pelvic exam, blood work and a sonogram. As the sonographer was leaving my room, Tim got there to sit with me. Our friends Emily and Nathan had picked up our girls and taken the girls home with them. It was nice to have Tim with me! Although I will say this...everyone at the ER was awesome and super friendly and attentive...but I was reading the first Hunger Games book and it was honestly quite nice to have some quiet time to read! :D 

The results...threatened miscarriage. In other words a possible tear between the sac and uterus. Go home and rest. Call your dr on Monday.

To be perfectly honest with you...at this point I really didn't know what to think about my pregnancy anymore. I had gone from shock to hopeful to miscarriage preparation to joy and shock of pregnancy excitement to pure fear ...an absolute emotional roller coaster. I was beginning to not know how to feel or what to expect. But after three sonograms I had seen a precious baby jumping around with an amazingly strong heartbeat. But that day leaving the ER I realized that I could only be cautiously optimistic and truly I just wanted to be excited!

I rested all weekend. Tim was wonderful. The girls were excellent! On Monday I called the doctor...I requested an appointment with the doctor that had been on call. I mentioned in this POST about my OB/GYN dying. I saw the nurse/midwife after him because we didn't think we'd have anymore babies. But after the messed up "you are going to miscarry" situation with the nurse/midwife then having the next doctor that had no softness and was too brisk for me...I felt like I needed something more from the person who I'll be spending time with over the next 6 months and who would deliver my baby. I liked the way the on-call doctor spoke to me. I decided to take a chance with her and it was a great chance! She was wonderful.

She did a pelvic and said the cervix is all closed up. She listened to the heartbeat and it was beautiful! I'm seeing her again on the 28th. Dr. Auers and I will be in the delivery room together once again only this time I won't be photographing a birth but giving birth!

For Valentine's day today I went to see a perinatologist. It would seem that when you are over 35 (I'm 37) they think you are high risk for all sorts of things! So I had an NTS or nuchal translucency screening. It's a detailed sono in which they measure the baby's neck for a pad or thickness. Those results, in correlation with bloodwork, allow you to know the risk of a chomosonal problem. (i probably didn't explain that well but if you click on NTS it will take you to a website with a real explanation.) 

I loved the perinatologist. She is great. I will be seeing her over the next few months. We will do a full body scan of the baby at 17 weeks, a heart sono at 23 weeks and then a few more throughout to monitor my placenta due to placenta accreta when I had Madelynn. We want to keep track and hopefully that won't happen again or at least be prepared if it does.

Dr. Abbassi asked me if we had seen a twin in the other sonos that I have had...um no. There on the screen today was an obvious empy sac with what she called "old placenta". Without seeing my prior scans, she truly feels that I didn't have a tear when all that bleeding was going on but that I instead lost a twin. Holy crap...can you imagine us having twins? Yeesh. That actually made me feel a bit better about the bleed I had and it really made more sense than the explanations of "threatened miscarriage or tear in the uterus) Although it did make me sad to think we lost a baby.

Dr. Abbassi said the baby looks good and she even gave me an 80% guess as to the sex of the baby...but my lips are sealed. I'm taking the girls over spring break to find out what the baby is and they can share the news at that time. 

So...here we are at 12 weeks and we are beginning to finally accept this pregnancy and enjoying everything about it...you know - bloating, nausea, peeing a lot, fatigue...no those are silly things...Honestly after seeing that sweet baby today I feel absolute joy. I'm truly excited about this baby. God has surprised us and he is blessing us yet again. We are most thankful!!

It's the final installment. The final addition to our family. We don't care whether it is a boy or a girl as long as it is healthy. The girls are calling the baby "peanut". Nora loves when I find the heartbeat with the doppler. Maddie prays for "peanut butter" when she says her prayers each night.

A slight downfall is that the due date is the Friday before Nora returns to school. So I'm pretty certain we'll have the baby a week in advance...so mid to late August.

We've had a rocky start and a scary start to this pregnancy. We are praying for a healthy mama and a healthy baby. I hope you will add us to your prayers! I look forward to sharing our journey over the next 6 months with you!

until next time...
S 

 

 

 

a small vent...

There are tons and tons of patterns, tutorials, etc on the internet. There are idea magazines, craft books and blogs to find inspiration. I try to link to the book or blog where I find ideas. And if I find something that I want to make or do that is similar to something somebody else has done, then I usually try to change it up and make it my own.

But I have never walked up to somebody's child, looked at the shirt and skirt they are wearing and said..."hmmm let's have a look and see how mama did this!"

That is exactly what a woman in JoAnn's did today. She went on and on to her grown daugther about what I had made (she asked if i had made nora's outfit) and then walked over to touch the skirt Nora was wearing. I was in a rush to check out and keep Maddie out of the candy so I wasn't really paying too close attention. And by the time I could've said something the lady had moved to the other cash register. I pulled out a business card and was handing it to her but she put her hand up and said, "oh honey i don't need that I sew myself!"

um seriously?

is it me or was that just this side of tacky and rude?

I was taken aback that I had no response except a weak "oh" and I turned and walked off noticing in my haste to get out of there that everybody (10-12 people) were standing there with their mouthes hanging open...

Really...I'll be the first to admit that I've replicated and made things I've seen before...no doubt there are some brilliant people out there. but to look at what I made in front of me and then refuse my business card was just flat out rude. Take the card and throw it away when I leave but don't blatantly turn your nose up after you'd spent a minute or two ogling what I had made and how she could remake it.

I shop on etsy and I buy from local crafters. I buy tons of the patterns I use to make my Etsy stuff from Etsy pattern makers! I support the craft shows around here whenever I can whether I have a booth or not. It's happened that I've spent more at a craft show than I made before! :D

But I've never blatantly been so rude to somebody before. Shame on your lady! (and FYI...she was wearing an aggie shirt! this is the second time I've had an aggie be so horribly rude! what is up with y'all I'm totally kidding but it was too fun to pass up that dig)

I don't like to be negative on my blog but this really bothered me! So when you see something you like and want to make...at least be nice to the maker! Give credit where credit it due!

that's all...gripe over! :D 

Nora and I went to Talyor Swift Saturday night so I'll be posting those pics and Rainbow birthday party pics in the next day or two! Yay!

until next time..S

 

 

 

Dear Mom...

1095 days or 36 months or 3 years...any way you call it...it's been a long time since I've seen you,

answered the phone to hear your voice,

called you for advice,

sat at the table and scrap booked with you,

laughed together over things nora said,

argued with you,

sang along with a cheesy song in the car,

bought craft supplies together we didn't need,

sat on the back porch having a coke and talking,

watched beaches or pretty woman,

hugged you

...so many things that I miss.

The olympics will be back around next year and you aren't here to watch with us. Seems silly that when I think of the olympics I get sad but it's not the same without you. So many things aren't the same without you.

Birthdays and holidays and first days of school, the loss of a tooth, or first words or any silly achievements... it's not the same without you.

Sometimes days or weeks can pass and I don't cry or get sad or let myself think about you because I don't want to feel that ache that absolutely painful feeling of knowing you aren't here of knowing I can't pick up the phone and hear your voice or your laugh or your stern words when I've done something wrong...

and so I block it out and just try to not think about you.

It's probably wrong to do that...but it makes it not hurt. I don't go long without thinking about you because your sweet Nora talks about you still. She picks things that are green because "that was Memee's favorite color" or she'll tell Maddie something that Memee did or said. There is a picture of you hanging in the hall next to their bathroom...Sometimes Maddie will notice it when we pass and she'll say "look it's Memee" and my heart breaks...Because I with you were here to hold her and laugh with her and read to her and teach her silly things...you'd love her so much and she would feel just like nora...you hung the moon!

I wish one day we'd all wake up and you'd be here and cancer would never have happened to our family. Because it did happen to all of us. It stole you from us and I hate it. Nora asked me the other day how old you are now...I told her that you would be 59. So young. You should be here with us.

But you're not. So we will keep on and we will talk about you and miss you and point out character traits that our kids have that they got from you and we'll tell stories and always always keep you with us...even if only in spirit.

You are so loved and so missed. j'taime encour!

 

A day of firsts...

Today was the first day of school for Nora. First Grade. A new school. Yikes! Up until a few days ago Nora was not excited. Truthfully you could say she was downright negative and ugly about starting school. But after the principal took her for a little tour, meet the teacher and finding out some old friends were in her class...she seemed to change her mind and attitude. You might say she got a little excited about starting school. I have tried to remain calm and upbeat about school. I've talked positive about the new school, her old friends that will be there, yada yada. Nothing I did seemed to help. But I guess Mrs Mattingly said something right.

Nora walked right into school, gave Ms Hood some flowers (yeah i'm a brown noser...thanks David :D ) put her stuff in her locker and got right to business. She pushed me to the side and whispered "you can go now" I snapped a few more pictures and left. I really just wanted to hug my baby and tell her how much I love her and that if she hates it or if somebody is mean then she can just call me to come get her...but I walked out of the room and down the hall. The pledge of allegiance was being said. At that moment it hit we were really in big school. I started to cry. Luckily our friend and neighbor (a police officer) was at the door as I was leaving. He gave me a hug and let me cry for a minute. Standing in the hall in front of the office with people looking on probably thinking I am a total whacko. I don't care. My baby started first grade today and tomorrow she'll be going to her first prom and getting her driver's license and graduating from high school and I'll still just be looking on and crying because my baby is just not a baby any more. 

I had a breakdown the other day...it just hit me really hard that Nora was starting first grade. She's turning 7 in just a few weeks. Life is changing. She's growing and changing. Exploring who she is and the world around her. It's a good thing...a wonderful thing but it ain't easy for mama!

I think mostly my breakdown had to do with my mom. She would be so absolutely proud of Nora. Nora was mom's lifeline. Her "mini me". Another kindred spirit. They were two peas in a pod. Throughout the meetings with the teacher, school nurse and principal...I just kept thinking about my mom. How she would handle the situation with Nora's peanut allergy and how the school handles it. I wish she were here to give me words of wisdom or comfort or something...it's not easy dealing with a life threatening food allergy and letting your child walk into a school for 7 hours a day in somebody else's care. It freakin' sucks.

When the principal took Nora around the school last week, I walked into the school library and had an overwelming desire to just pull a stack of books off the shelf, sit in the middle of the room, read the books, and cry. Mom would probably have called Nora the night before school and asked if she was ready...give her a pep talk and tell her what an amazing little person she is and that she would do great. Luckily my sister took on that job and gave Nora a great pep talk! 

While I know this day was hard for me because I was letting my baby go to first grade...it was even harder because I would've given anything to have dialed my mom's number and hear her voice comfort me after leaving Nora at school. I needed my mama today. Most days I'm ok. Today I needed my mama. I know there are always going to be days like this. It doesn't make it any easier. Today I needed the reminder my friend Leah gave me this morning when I told her that I missed my mom and that I wished mom was here to see Nora...she is here. She's with us in spirit. There is a little bit of her in me and for sure in my nora. My mom is with us and I know she is so proud of our sweet girl.

Maddie and I met our friends Leah and Evelyn for breakfast. The girls had a good time being silly while Leah and drowned our first day of school boo hoos in pancakes and syrup. It was a great distraction! :D

As for another first...Maddie started dance today. She has been so excited. We bought new tap and ballet shoes for her and a special new tutu that Maddie picked out at the dance store. She has been non-stop telling everybody about dance.

She did awesome! My biggest fear was the Maddie might turn shy and be a bit timid in a new environment with new friends. But she got right in there and participated with the other girls. She is the youngest of the group but other than the paci in her mouth you couldn't tell. She even showed Nora tonight what she learned at dance. She also proudly told Tim when asked what she did today " i went to dance"

I did try to take the paci away before class started...but as you can see that didn't go over real well. she came out of the class dug in my purse and said i need my paci. she got it and went right back into class. super.

So that's it...a great day. We met some friends for ice cream and barnes and noble after school. That was so fun! I asked Nora about her day when she got in the car this afternoon. She seemed excited and had a lot to tell. She said that lunch was just ok. She doesn't like having to sit at a special peanut free table. She thinks it is stupid to go outside for recess when it is this hot because she sweats and it messes up her hair. PE is the dumbest thing she's ever had to do. She said that first grade is just ok. I asked her to describe her day in one word. She said "Fine Fantastic...well sort of". Hopefully tomorrow will be a great fantastic day!  She goes back to dance tomorrow night and here's hoping musical theater is exactly what she hopes it'll be!

until next time...S

Prayer Warriors

Madelynn had a little stomach bug over the weekend A little pedialite, some ibuprofen, and a lot of vitamin a&d for her blister bottom. No big deal...it was gone in 36 hours. For some families...they'd take a virus in a heartbeat over what their child is going through. I am blessed to have two healthy little girls in my life!Too many times I forget how blessed I am.

And whatever we ask we receive from him, because we keep his commandments and do what pleases him. 1 John 3:22

Too often I'm told about a sick child in need of prayers. My heart hearts when I hear another story about a sick child. When I'm asked to pray for somebody (child or adult or other) I do it, no questions asked! I've spent nights on my knees begging the Lord to heal my mother...to take her cancer away and make her whole again. He answered those prayers...but His answer was to take her to heaven to live with him...she is whole again! God hears our cries and He does answer our prayers...in His way!

If you abide in me, and my words abide in you, ask whatever you wish, and it will be done for you. John 15:7

I've been following the story of Kate McRae since 2009! Not long ago things were looking up for Miss Kate...one not so good MRI and their world is in complete turmoil again. Throughout their journey with Kate and cancer...they have remained faithful. That family...the parents and siblings of Kate and Kate's courage are a testiment...I honestly don't know if I could have handled all they have been through with such grace and faith. I honestly don't!

 
picture from Aaron McCrae Blog

Kate is such a precious beautiful little girl...and all she wants is to be healed and cancer free so that she can be a "normal" happy healthy child going to kindergarten. You can follow Kate's story on caring bridge HERE

Therefore, confess your sins to one another and pray for one another, that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person has great power as it is working. James 5:16

My friend Vanessa, requested prayers for a baby boy named Levi. He was born way too early. He is in need of our prayers! He has a very long journey ahead of him! But he is showing signs of being quite the fighter!

 

(this picture from their blog)

I love that Levi's father is telling Levi's story. On Levi's birthday his father wrote this...

Of course we have questioned God at times but its from a human perspective just to try and wrap our little minds around this plan He has. I believe God answered me late last night. He answered me with a question. How many people can impact their world so much on DAY ONE of their life? I know I cant say I did. I know it changed my parents lives when I was born. Levi had a chance at one day old to show many people that God is alive! He does answer prayers! He does love us all! He is the wonderful designer! You guys should not be sad for Levi or sad for us. We are overflowing with joy right now.

You can follow Levi's story on their blog HERE

Be joyful always; pray continually; give thanks in all circumstances, for this is God's will for you in Christ Jesus 1 Thessalonians 5:16-18

This story is especially touching for me as this family is from my home town.

 
(picture from their Caring Bridge site)

Charley Rae was born with only one fully functioning kidney. What should have been a routine surgery to remove the bad kidney has now turned their lives upside down. This family is on a new path...taking dips and turns they had never anticipated they would be taking. You can follow her journey HERE

For with God nothing will be impossible. Luke 1:37

I've mentioned Miss Madie Skinner on my blog many times. Look at that sweet little face! Love it!

 
Madie was in a near drowning accident last summer. While Madie is making great strides and is healing...she still has a long journey ahead. It isn't going to be easy. Not for her or her family. You can follow her continued progress (because she is progressing!! she is healing!!) on their blog HERE

For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them. Matthew 18-20

I'm just one person. It says I have 50+ followers on my blog. If all of you share these stories with your familes and friends or on your blogs...so many more people will be praying for these sweet children and their families! Even if you don't feel the need to share these stories at least take a moment to pray for them each day. God hears all of our prayers!

I had a heavy heart today and just felt the need to share a few stories with you and ask for your prayers! Too many times I take each day for granted. I am blessed and I need to remember that. I need to praise the Lord for all his many blessings! If you have a prayer request whether it be a child or adult...please send it to me. I will add them to my prayer list and prayer for them daily!

until next time...

Stacey

It's just been one of those weeks...

 

Dear Madelynn,

Today you are 22 months old. The time is flying by! In just a few short weeks you will turn two years old. Wow. You are such a blessing and wonderful addition to our family. We love you so very much!

Nora loves you! She likes to show you how to do things and dress you up and read to you. You adore her! You follow her around and copy her every move. This past weekend when you were sick, Nora shut her bedroom door so that you wouldn't go in and spread your germs. You stood outside her door beating on the door, crying and screaming "nowa". So sad and so sweet. You guys have your days when you fight and argue over toys. It is really funny when Nora takes something from you that belongs to her and you point your finger at her and gripe at her in you "special language". But for the most part it is so fun to watch the two of you enjoy each other. 

If there were really elves that believed the four main food groups were candy, candy canes, candy corn and syrup...you'd fit right in. You prefer all things sweet. Maybe if I sprinkle sugar on your veggies, you will eat them! You like corn dogs and french fries. Beans and rice with guac and chips and salsa. Mandarin oranges and yogurt. You love chocolate milk.

You aren't big on watching tv but Olivia is your favorite. As soon as you hear the theme song, you jump up and dance and sing. You love the movie Elf and have watched it so many times that you can quote a few short lines from the movie. Ipad has a commercial out right now and you and your sister have a special dance you do each time you hear that commercial. (note to self...video) Nora's favorite is to watch old reruns of wonder woman. You are absolutely hilarious when you bring the wonder woman dvd cover to us and sing "wonna woma"

Speaking of singing...you LOVE to sing. You sing in your carseat while riding in the car and you sing while you play and you sing when trying to go to sleep. It's never really any song we know, but you just sing your own little songs and it is precious!

You love silky satiny blankets that you call "ganky" and you don't have one your are partial to. You carry a 'lovey" around the house that you call "babbit". For about a year you slept with yoda every night but you've let him go and now you like a tiny pillow instead.

You love to carry a purse and it's rare to see you without a purse. You are a junk hoarder...you "shop" the house and find random stuff to stick in your purses. And Heaven forbid we try to take the junk out of your purse.

You are a very loving and cuddly girl. Even though you are always moving and on the go, you still stop and take the time to hug one of us or climb on the couch to snuggle. You have recently started reaching for our hand to hold when we walk. You especially love to hug your sister. And when you have been mean and are told to tell Nora you are sorry...you always pat her on the head.

You love Edwina. She doesn't quite love you as much but she does tolerate you. You call her Weeny and feed her half of your meal every time we eat. It's really funny when we are out at a restuarant and you call out "weeny" so she can come eat part of your meal. When we get ready to leave the house, you call for Weeny to go with us and when we get home you are the first one to run to her and love on her.

I can't begin to tell you how much you mean to us. You are sunshine on a rainy day! God has blessed us more than we will ever truly know...Each time I look into your sweet face I see my mom. That makes my heart happy. You have little mannerisms like her and you have a quite a bit of her spunk. I thank Jesus for that. We need a little of her down here on earth with us! She would absolutely think you hung the moon. Of course if she were still here with us...there would be some serious competition. Nora still thinks Memee is only hers.

Miss Maddie...You are my sweet little angel and you have a personality that shines and lights up the world! Thank you for being such a sweet and funny and wild little girl! I am so excited to see what lies ahead on your road of life!

Love,

Mama

 
I took this picture of you yesterday while you were watching Olivia. I snagged your paci and you were trying to be pouty and not smile. I guess this picture without a paci and no smile is better than a picture iwth a paci and no smile :D