Just the Two of Us and Goodbye 2012

Yesterday was Paw Paw's memorial service in Foley.  I decided it would be best if I stayed home with Jude, since he was just released from the hospital on Saturday; so I sent Wood, Foster and my Mom down without us.  I was sad to miss out, but got a lot of snuggle time at home with this little guy.

Several people have asked why we waited so long to do the service and it was because Paw Paw's wishes were to be cremated.  He said that because he was really old, all his friends and a lot of his family had already passed away, there really was no point in a funeral.  I have never known anyone close to me to get cremated before so that was new to me, but I understood why he wanted that.

It puts life into perspective when you think that at the end of our life all we are is dust.  

"For dust you are and to dust you will return."  Genesis 3:19

We strive and work, and of course those are all good things but then it is just over.  Makes me really think hard about what I'm doing with my time I've been given.

Jude and I didn't leave the house at all, so I was able to take down the Christmas decorations and do some things around here that I've needed to get done.  I had some sweet friends bring me supper last night and that was great! 

This happy boy is doing much much better!  Thank you everyone who prayed for him!

I had Jude all fixed up in our  bedroom.  He slept in the swing, with the cool mist humidifier going and that thing works great for congestion...get one if your child is stuffy!

It doesn't look like the hubby and I have any exciting new year's eve plans this year.  I rather enjoy new year's eve shindigs, but oh well... there is always next time!  Here's to hoping the hubby doesn't completely die of boredom staying at home with me and the children!!

I've been thinking about my resolutions today, and maybe I'll share them later...Or maybe not, in which case if I don't follow through, I won't feel like such a slacker!

2012 was a very blessed year for my family.  It was a year that we began to finally lay down some roots and "become grown-ups."  We bought our first house, had a baby, I was able to start the hardest job I ever had as a stay-at-home mommy, made some wonderful new friends, lost the sweet man that took my Daddy's role 12 years ago and many other blessings I can't even think of right now.  God taught me a lot of important lessons and I'm excited and expectant about 2013!  

I know that at times in 2012 it was a real test of faith for me and people that I know and love.  I pray God's will and richest blessings as we strive to hear the Lord for how He wants to use us for His purposes in this new year.

Happy New Year, everyone!

A Whirlwind Christmas 2012

This is the first year Foster began to understand Christmas and it made it so fun!  We gave him his own nativity and explained to him Jesus' birthday, but he kept pointing to Jesus and saying "baby Jude," so I think we have a little while before he really understands that.  

My husband grew up not doing Santa Claus so we had the discussion of if we would or not and I was like "Are you kidding me?!  Santa Clause for sure!"  I remember the magic and wonder of Christmas as a child and being in awe of all the excitement.  Of course, Santa isn't the centerpiece but definitely a fun part!  

We asked Foster what he wanted from Santa and he wanted a guitar and a horse!  Santa delivered on that short list and there were a couple presents for him to unwrap under the tree since he was getting so much from other family and he's only two.  At first on Christmas morning, he was a little apprehensive to come out of his room and into the living room to see his toys.  Wood and I were both asking him to "come on and see what Santa brought you!"  Foster looked around and said "Where Santa?"  He was scared to come out because he thought Santa Claus brought the toys and was still there! He's always a little apprehensive to meet new people;)

We had a wonderful morning at home just me and my little family, including my Mom who spent the night on Christmas Eve. We opened gifts, ate breakfast and got ready for the day.  

That morning I knew something was a little off with Jude, his congestion seemed worse than what we had been dealing with and I just hoped he would be ok.  The day was cold and dreary and I hated to get him out in it, but he was sleeping fine so off to do more Christmases we went!

First we went to Woody's parents' house to open gifts with them and that's always nice.  Foster got some fun toys and he loves to help everyone else open their presents too!  

I have always been the type that just rips my presents open, but the hubby's family is the slowest present openers! I'm like "Aaaah, Open them already!!"  Ha!

After that we headed over to W's Uncle Bill & Tutter's house for lunch.  I love their family so much and its so fun that there are children for Foster to play with.  He especially loves to play with his boy cousins Rives & Jack.  It's so nice to be with family that is loving and fun.  While we were there, Jude started coughing more and gagging on his milk more than he had during the morning.  I started to worry more but hoped that when we got settled at home he would feel better.  That wasn't the case and in the middle of a tornado warning, I loaded him up and we headed to the ER.  That was the hardest thing watching my baby get tested and stuck.  Broke my heart.  He tested positive for RSV, so he was admitted on Christmas night to a packed floor of many children with the similar things.  Not what I had in mind for Christmas, but I just wanted my baby to start feeling better!  

The 26th was my birthday and I spent it getting two shots in the butt for a sinus infection, then holding a sick baby, and eating fries and a milkshake for my birthday dinner.  Also, not a great way to spend a birthday but I was blessed to have sweet friends and family come visit us in the hospital.  

Could not have managed up here without them!

 I am just sitting here picturing in my mind the first Christmas and the helpless baby born in a manger, but still a KING that came to set us all free.  What an amazing gift!  

And because of that sweet gift of our Savior we have peace that surpasses all understanding and abundant life both now and in eternity.  That is the greatest gift of all!  And that is the meaning of Christmas, no matter what is going on around us.

Today Jude is very slowly improving and we still aren't sure when he'll get out of the hospital, but just as soon as his breathing and eating is better we will go home. Please keep my little man in your prayers, because this is super hard on his little body.  They just lost his IV and they are going to take him to a room in the back to redo it and I can't stop crying.  Foster just called me on the phone and said, "Jesus please heal brother" and now I'm crying like a waterfall.  

I'm just glad Jude won't remember and hopefully I can forget.  I know many parents have much more serious things to deal with and my heart goes out to them.  There is nothing more humbling than to be helpless when your child is hurting. Thanks for the prayers, friends!

Some family photos & a heavy heart

Yesterday I was coming home from doing some Christmas shopping and Wood called.  He told me about the horrific events that happened in Connecticut and my heart broke.  I rode home for the next 30 minutes in tears just trying to imagine what those parents are feeling, but I can't.

I can't imagine the pain of getting the loves of your life brutally killed.  

There are many questions that surround a horrible event like this.

 "Where is God when things like this happen?"  or "How could He let this happen?"

As I try to wrap my mind around terrible things happening, all I know is that the Lord is the only truly good thing in the world.  On this side of eternity we will never have all the answers to bad things happening to innocent people.  

As a nation, what do we expect to happen when we kick God out of our schools and government and don't want to have anything to do with Him?  God doesn't go where he isn't wanted.

I want God to be the center of my family and my children's lives.  I want them to grow up surrounded by others that love the Lord, but most importantly for them to be a light in this dark world.

These children are my greatest blessing and biggest responsibility. 

Every day I will lay my hands on their little heads as they run out the door and ask for God's protection.  

I couldn't be more thankful for an amazingly kind and wise husband who wants to raise our children to be full of integrity and character and to always do the right thing no matter what is going on in this crazy world.

My prayer is that they will love the unloveable and show mercy to those that have been unreasonable.  My children will learn from my actions and I hope I will always set an example of kind words and a gentle spirit.

And no matter what, when they aren't in my arms and they are out there in that big scary world without us to protect them, I want them to know  that they are not only deeply loved by us but more importantly they are loved by a Heavenly Father that loves them more than we can imagine.

So today, as I hug my babies a little tighter I not only pray for peace and comfort for everyone involved in the tragedy of an untimely death, but I pray for our country.  I pray we will stop being complacent and hard hearted.  

God was in the same place when those precious babies were killed yesterday that He was when His child was killed for this world.  He never leaves us or forsakes us; it is us that leaves Him every time. 

Jesus, let us see you in the faces of our children and turn back to you.

12.12.12

Yesterday, Santa came to Foster's school to get pictures with the children. I took Jude so I could get a picture of the boys together with Santa.  I didn't get the picture on my phone in time with Foster still in his lap, so I'll have to wait until the proofs come in.  

Foster's Christmas List this year:

Tar (Guitar), Horse, Fren Fries (french fries), and a Football  

He did make sure he told Santa the guitar part, the "tar" is very exciting because he sees Uncle Luke playing guitar during worship at church.  It's very cute that he wants to be just like him!

On Saturday, the Charity League had their Gingerbread Wonderland; since I'm still on maternity leave we picked up a house to decorate at home with Daddy.  Foster thought tasting everything as he decorated was the best part!

He is telling me he wants a horse!

My little helper wants to feed the baby all the time.  I'm still only breastfeeding, but when I have a bottle made it's nice to have some help and Foster did a great job-  he is so sweet with his little brother.

Today we had Jude's one month appointment and I'll post about that soon.  I'm going to compare him with Foster's one month pictures.  They are already so different.  

Tomorrow I'm taking Jude to have his little hips checked and I'm sure it will all be fine, but we have to check them since he was born breech.

Christmas is right around the corner and this procrastinator needs to get on it!  I have a ton left to do, but I have been enjoying my babies so much.  That is what this season is all about- just being with those that you love, and I have already had some great times with my family and friends.  

Looking forward to the rest of the season celebrating the birth of our Savior.

The first couple weeks as a family of 4

We have been a family of four for almost a month now and we are adjusting really well.  Things are busy and the laundry pile never goes away, but I am loving being a momma to these two little boys.

Foster is not so sure what to think about this baby, but he does love him.  Some days I think it's just me he is mad at; after all I am the one who had the baby so that does make sense.

Foster loves how popular we have been the past few weeks!  (We just don't tell him they came to see the baby!;)  He loves having friends (& cousins) to play with and it makes life for me much easier when he's not bored.

Foster, Rives, Jack, and Jude

Mallory and Ron stopped by after they took their Christmas card pictures to announce that they are having a baby too!  I am so excited for them and can't wait to meet Jude's little friend!  We love it that there is already so many babies here or on the way that will be in the same class with Jude.  It's weird to think about that!

Maggie Scott and Lauren stopped by too. It was great to see them and catch up for a little while!  I love these two girls and am thankful for sweet friends.

This is one of the first pictures I took of the boys together at home and I love it.

 Jude is three days old.

This should be in a post about the funny things Foster says and does, but one of his favorite snacks is peanut butter, which he calls "Lalala"..sounds like a mouth full of peanut butter.

Uncle "Duke" came to visit too, but of course he mainly came to play with Foster;)

 Foster thinks that Luke is his own personal toy and he bosses him around and shuts him up in his room to play.  I think he may be his favorite person ever because he does almost anything Foster says.  

And in case you were wondering it was obviously "No Shave November."

"I want you to live forever."

My sweet friend Kay just sent this to me!    

I love seeing pictures of my babies and this song is a great one.  

She was too kind to make this!

one week.

It's been one week since I've been mommy to two little boys.

We are so in love with our newest addition and big brother loves his new little friend.

Foster says, "I wanna hold you baby," and gets in position on the sofa.  These holding sessions don't last long, before he says, "I done!" and dusts off his clothes;)

Jude is nursing great and gaining weight so well.  He seems so tiny to me, so I love it that he is gaining weight on schedule.  Thank goodness, he never had any jaundice and at his one week doctor appointment everything looked great.

Because he was breech, he has an appointment to get his hips checked at one month, so I'm praying that everything is still fine with that!

Foster hasn't missed a beat being the center of attention, even with the baby here.  

He has been acting out some, but his teachers at school still say he is being sweet to his friends.  

He is giving out extra love between tantrums and he and his Daddy have been playing a lot of baseball!

My Mom has been helping me so much this week and she even kept Foster while I was in the hospital, but she will be heading home today.  I'm not sure what I would have done without her, so I'll be sad to see her go, but glad to try and find my own routine.

With a second baby I didn't need as much help with the baby because I knew what I was doing this time around.  I was clueless with the first baby!  

This time around, it's Foster that I need help with, so any help with him is awesome!  He loves having someone to play with!

Happy one week to you, sweet Jude!  We love having you in our family!