My Kids

 

This boy has decided that he will wake up at 5 am EVERY morning...

 BUT...that means I get extra cuddles in bed with me to start the day.

He has also decided to give me a heart attack by attempting head stands just days after having surgery on his HEAD!

 BUT...that means I get to see this smile.  

AHH...nothing better than that smile.

 Yes, 13 months has been the most challenging and the most enjoyable.  

There is nothing that he is not into around the house 

BUT he is full of life and personality and we just adore him.

This girl has decided to be extremely clingy and needy and she wants me every moment of the day.

 BUT...that means I get to pour into her.  

I get to love on her and shepherd her precious heart. 

I have decided to take on homeschooling in the afternoons.

 AND...it has been amazing, wonderful, a huge blessing for both of us.

 Ava loves being at school in the mornings 

AND... is attentive, involved and excited about school at home in the afternoon.

We are seeing her mature and grow into such a beautiful young lady and it's truly amazing. 

We have a few good friends who are adopting.

One who is adopting a toddler.

As I've talked with her through some of the things that come along with adopting an older child, I realize just how far she's come. 

How far, we've come too.

How God took loss and tragedy and formed a beautiful family.

Even though I'm finding it difficult to find a balance between therapy, school, and play, it is good.

This is good.

When I am walking close to the Lord and trusting him with my days, they are just so sweet.

All those challenges aren't such a big deal and I'm able to appreciate and find joy in them.

I'm able to keep perspective.

When, I'm not...well that's bad news for everyone.

"The LORD has done great things for us; We are glad."

~Psalms 126:3

Dermoid Skull Tumor...gone :-)

The sight of my kids in this little tiger hospital gown, is becoming all too familiar.  

see...

But truly we are overjoyed that this surgery is behind us and that this dermoid has been removed and will hopefully never return! 

Yet another opportunity for James and I to trust God and see him work in the lives of our children.

We are so thankful.

Every sweet text and email sent throughout day has meant so much to us.  

Thank you everyone.

 

It was amazing to see that, not only did God protect little Juddy during the procedure and recovery, but he worked out so many details throughout he day.

From the Dr. taking Judson in 1 hour earlier than scheduled, to the nurse gently carrying him into the operating room (rather than wheeling him in his hospital bed.) 

God met us and took care of those potentially stressful moments.

 We even had a friend show up with Starbucks and Prayers.  

Nothin better than that :-)

Unlike sissy, Judson woke up from surgery happy as ever.

He stuck in his binky and was ready to roll after a little nap.

He has this lovely blue stripe down the back of his head.  

It's soap and should keep the area clean.

You can kind of see the little patch where they had to shave his head and make the incision.

Ick.

At the moment he is taking his 4th nap of the day.

Aww, sweet baby, we are so thankful that you are home safe and one dermoid lighter!

This hymn was really comforting to me throughout this tough week.  

His love is so great...

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Vast, unmeasured, boundless, free
Rolling as a mighty ocean
In its fullness over me
Underneath me, all around me
Is the current of Your love
Leading onward, leading homeward
To Your glorious rest above

CHORUS
Oh the deep, deep love
All I need and trust
Is the deep, deep love of Jesus

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Spread His praise from shore to shore
How He came to pay our ransom
Through the saving cross He bore
How He watches o’er His loved ones
Those He died to make His own
How for them He’s interceding
Pleading now before the throne

Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Far surpassing all the rest
It’s an ocean full of blessing
In the midst of every test
Oh the deep, deep love of Jesus
Mighty Savior, precious Friend
You will bring us home to glory
Where Your love will never end

CHORUS
Oh the deep, deep love
All I need and trust
Is the deep, deep love of Jesus

Rapunzel, Rapunzel

The Rapunzel party has come and gone.

We had a great day.

I become somewhat of a "Momzilla"  when it comes to my kids birthday parties but it always turns out fine and dandy.  

I just worry so much about everyone having a good time and having someone to talk to.  

But, anyways...this year we bit the bullet and hired a Rapunzel to run the party.  

 Best. Decision. Ever.

She was super cute and had the girls enthralled the whole time.  

 She read stories and sang.  

She had a beautiful voice. 

Look at the cute little one sitting in her Rapunzel hair and soccer uniform :-)

 

Ava liked listening to the story and when Rapunzel started singing, she would turn the page, as if to say, "Get on with the story Missy!"

 Princesses waving lessons and running after bubbles followed story time. 

More girlie fun with nail painting.

Baking is not my strong suit and James enjoys it.  

It has become his tradition to make the dessert on the kids birthdays.

They are SO good.  

Seriously...so good honey!

We are so blessed by friends and family that love our kids!

 Ahh, yes.  Baby Brother was there of course.  He is just about as curious as can be.  

If he isn't under the table, weaving between the chair legs, he's on top of it! 

Love this boy.  

He was a fabulous brother of the birthday girl :-)

 Some of the little ladies left before this group picture :-(

What a sweet group of friends you have Ava D!

We will always look back on your 7th birthday party and remember how much you loved Rapunzel!

We will remember how excited you were that your teacher came, how you wore your long golden braid till bed time that night, how sweet and gracious you were to your guests, and how proud we are that you are our daughter!     

Happy Birthday Ava

Ava is 7!!!!!!

 Birthdays for Ava are always a little bitter sweet for me. 

I LOVE to celebrate her.

I still mourn the birthdays we lost.

Maybe one day I wont feel that sense of loss when he birthday rolls around but for now, I do. 

I love to take special pictures of the kids on their bday.

I am not too happy with how these turned out.

My nice camera is in the shop so this is just with the point and shoot :( 

She still looks gorgeous of course!

But the color is...bla.

Ava is wearing a beautiful Rapunzel dress, handmade by her Grandma.

The big Rapunzel Birthday Bash is this Saturday.  

SO now for the details of the day...

Ava had the day off of school and I really did not know what we could do to make the day wonderful!

She woke up to see the Happy Birthday banner hanging in the house and her presents all waiting for her.

She got the Leap Frog Tag Pen and books. 

She loves them! 

I then took a deep breathe and decided that I would take the kids, by myself, to Disneyland for the day.

It was so fun...to my surprise.

She got a special button that said "Happy Birthday Ava" and everyone wished her a wonderful day.

She really hated the attention (yeah right!!)

  

That night we met Daddy at Farrells for a yummy dinner and more crazy celebration.

And then the kids and the Mama were incredibly tired and crashed :-)

 

Happy Birthday to YOU Sissy!

Take Courage

There is a time and season for everything.
God has done a lot of refining in our little family over the past three years.

It seemed like challenge after challenge, adjustment after adjustment.

And, although our joy is not, and should not, be based on our circumstances, I've been feeling rather thankful and down right HAPPY that we are in such nice, non-stressful season right now.

AND THEN, we had Judson's one year well check and it turns out that there is a little bump on his head (a cyst), which has been there since birth, that will need to be surgically removed.

This is the third surgery for one of my children in 4 months.
I AM NOT HAPPY that our sweetie has to go through this.
And even though it's a very minor procedure and very low risk, I AM STILL VERY UNHAPPY and have moments when I break down in tears.

But we have peace.
This verse has been on my heart since hearing this new on Thursday.

“These things I have spoken to you, so that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have tribulation, but take courage; I have overcome the world.”  John 16:33

Aww, just rest in that for a moment.
No matter what is going on in your life.

Here are some of the sweet blessings and joys in our life this week.

Mr. Juddy is walking everywhere.
It's so FUN!

Ava can walk up a flight of stairs without holding onto a rail.
She's been working on this in Physical Therapy for two years.

First grade is amazing.
We couldn't ask for a better situation for Ava this year.

Judson loves to play peak-a-boo and hide behind anything he can find.
It's the cutest thing ever in the whole world.

This beauty turns 7 on Monday and I took some special pictures of her to display at her party next weekend.

 Daddy had Friday off !

We swam at the pool today and I didn't touch my make-up bag.

Thanks for your prayers for our little man and for our family. 

Back to Busy

It didn't take long.

But I like it.

I'd much rather be busy than have not enough to do.

Running Ava to both school and therapy is proving to be a little tiring on me and the baby.

I feel like I have the poor thing in his car seat all day.  

We just have to get used to everything again.

So, while Sissy is working hard at OT, Jud and I play in the grass.

Then when we got home I wanted to sit.

Ava wanted to fly her kite.

She won.

She worked all day and deserved time to play.

We packed up on Friday afternoon and headed down to San Diego for Family Camp with our church.
It was wonderful.
We loved the teaching, the fellowship, the getaway.
We are so blessed by our church family.
Words cannot say!!!
We never thought this kind of church existed and are so grateful that God has lead our family to Faith Bible Church.

As wonderful as it was, let's be honest, it's hard work having your children away from home.
Little sleep, lots of complaining, busy busy busy...but lots of fun.

And, on Saturday night we cut out for a very special event.
My handsome cousin and his beautiful bride were married.
It had been a long time since we'd been to a wedding.
It was so emotional, so special, so sweet.

My kids behaved!
That made it even better.

 

 

SO...school this week should be interesting.
Change is hard on most kids.
It's insanely hard on Ava.
I'm praying hard for her.
I really want to share more about what God taught me this week at our retreat.
Maybe another night when I can keep my eyes open
;-O (that's a yawn)

First Day of First Grade

 When Ava started Kindergarten last year, my biggest anxiety was over the time she would spend away from me.

This year, that's not the case.

Yes, I will miss her greatly during the hours she's at school but she needs this time to be independent.

She wants it.

 This year everything just seems so big.

Last year was all about introductions.

Getting the basics of letters, numbers, and sounds.

This year she's expected to use that information to do things like solve math problems and read books.

Yes, it all seems so big.

Ava, today you start first grade and we are so proud of you.  We know you will grow this year in your academics and in your relationship with Christ.  You have a passion for knowledge and the will to succeed.  We praise God for the teachers and students that he has put in your life this year.  Go tackle first grade Ava D. We love you so much!