Spring where are you???

It looks so much like Spring! Just bundle up, because it doesn't feel like it. The twins don't understand that. They BEG to go outside. So we go out and 5 minutes later they are yelling it's COLD!! WHY does no one believe me? I'm really not that dumb :) Onto haircuts.....Macy got her 1st haircut. She's 2 1/2 and she had an AMAZING mullet. Business in the front, party in the back!! Her father really liked it, but we decided it was time to trim it up. She wouldn't sit by herself so she sat on Leah's lap. Good thing Aunt Kristi is patient. Now she has a cute little haircut for a cute little girl.

Well, I think Spring is in the air, so I'm into cleaning closets. If there is anything that people want to keep, don't bring it to my house. Everything goes! Anyway, I was cleaning the hallway closet and the girls wanted to "play with bubbles" aka do dishes. I thought that was a good idea, keep them busy and get clean dishes. I walked into the kitchen to find this.........

an overflowing sink!! So I got clean dishes, a clean floor and clean kids. What a bonus!!! Who knew how helpful twins could be. While they were at it, they also cleaned the kitchen floor with Pledge. Hehe :) If you haven't ever done this, try it sometime. Just walk carefully, it's slick!! Never a dull moment!! Well, off to clean some more closets. Have a great Spring break!!

Pre occupied

Have you ever been preoccupied? No matter what you do, your mind goes back to the same thing. Sometimes I think this is good. It's God prompting me to do something. However, sometimes is not so good. Well, I've been accused of being "snappy." Really, me? Sarcastic yes, but snappy??? As I think back to my week, I guess I am guilty. It seems the past couple Springs the same thing happens. My husband starts gearing up for planting and I get preoccupied with all the "Spring" projects. It seems since 2 beautiful babies came into our lives it's been a whirlwind of projects to make things better for Brooke. Well, I'm sick of projects and I want them FINISHED!! So instead of living life my mind has been running with what needs to be done and in what time frame. That makes me a little "snappy." My devotions today said, "I shower blessings on you daily, but sometimes you don't perceive them. When your mind is stuck on a negative focus, you neither see Me nor my gifts. In faith, thank Me for whatever is preoccupying your mind. This will clear the blockage so that you can find me." I was thinking, I wish I would've read this earlier this week (so does my husband:), but I then realize it's all about timing. I wouldn't have realized it earlier this week. At that point I thought I was still just making my list, not that it had taken over every thought I was having. It's so refreshing to stop and thank God for the very thing you are perceiving as a thorn in your side. My head is cleared, my heart is again focused. I DO still have the list :) I like lists. But 1 thing at a time. Everything will get done, but not all at 1 time. So I'll try and put "snappy" away and just stick to sarcastic :)

This is "brace face." Isn't she ADORABLE!!! She needs to get her wires on this week She's doing great with it. Can't even say she complains. When she got them on, Brooke asked her a question. Leah turned around to answer her and Brooke stopped what she was doing and said, "WHAT is on your FACE!" HaHa. Funny girls.

Brooke's week is going better. Her cold is getting better and she is coughing less and sleeping better. The last 2 days she has gotten her full feedings with minimal gagging. Another illness behind us. The girls also had Derby car races this week. Steve did a great job helping 3 girls make Derby cars. That is no small task. On to another week.

2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation: the old is gone, the new has come!

Overload!!

Have I ever told you how much I HATE getting groceries? I try to go the least that I can. Every 3 weeks or so, longer if I can. I've pleaded with my husband to get them and he says no. I heard you can order them online, but I'm too cheap for that :) I walk into Meijer and instant go into sensory overload. There are 10,000 different items to choose from. I need shampoo. It's not that hard, why are there SOOOO many. For curly hair, straight hair, permed hair, colored hair, volumizing etc etc. Same with salad dressing, really is all this necessary. I do fine with pop, cheese, milk, fruit and eggs. Other than that watch out! I even call and text Steve from the store asking him questions and expressing my dislike for the job. I think the icing on the cake is after spending all this money I will hear, "hey mom you forgot......" "I'm hungry there's nothing to eat." Anyway, that's my opinion on groceries. I just think it's a waste of money and it could be easier. Maybe we should all be tube fed like Brooke :) No preparation and it comes right to your door :) Kidding!

Today Leah had a tooth pulled (ouch) and tomorrow she starts braces. hehe. We have been calling her "brace face" for practice. She looks beautiful no matter what so we are excited for her. I'll get ya pictures when she let me take them. Brooke is hanging in there. She caught the cold Macy had. So far this week I have watch 2 year olds empty the dishwasher and lick the clean silverware, wipe there nose on the dish towels and lick the counter top. That's just what I've seen!!!! I can clean that up. I worry about what I didn't see (everyone is scared to come over now :) All we can do is try. I am still a fan of bleach :) Brooke has been doing her heaving again and we've had a hard time getting her feedings down her. So we pray this virus will pass soon and we can again, put another illness behind us.
My devotions today said: "Learn to take mini breaks from the world, finding a place to be still in my presence and listen to my voice." I just thought that sounded so great. A little vacation from the world we can take every day. Not at the grocery store :)

All grown up, (kinda)

Last night Leah had a forensics thing at school. Her and approximately 10 others were selected to read and act out their forensics poem in front of friends and family. So as all these ladies and 1 boy :) (girls are more dramatic than boys, go figure) got up to do their poems I realized, Leah and her friends aren't little girls anymore. What happened?!?!? They all had their hair done, nice clothes, and looked like ladies, not the little girls in my head. We know they'll all grow up, sometimes it just hits ya like a slap in the face.
Speaking of slaps in the face, Steve and I have a "bedtime routine" we have done with the girls for 12 years. Last week Megan told Steve she was "all set." Steve came out and said, "I don't know what I did to Megan but she's all set." So I went and talked to Megan and said, "what's up?" She explained to me half of her class doesn't get tucked into bed at night and pray with their parents. She's getting to old for it. WELL WELL WELL!! 1st I got all teary eyed and Megan started laughing :) "Are you crying?!" Then I calmly explained to her not all parents are as cool as hers, and who wouldn't want cool parents to put them to bed. She laughed and is entertaining us by letting us put her to bed. hehe I really enjoy the ages of Leah and Megan. You can talk to them, reason with then, laugh. And they know the consequences of their actions. It makes the crazy times easier. The other 3 are still in the "learning" stages of their actions. It takes alot more energy. Good thing we are up for the challenge.

1 John 4: 12 "No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another, God lives in us and his love is made complete in us."

This verse reminded me of last week. I went to drop off donuts for the girls. They were in chapel. My children have been in school for many years and I have never been to chapel, that's no good. But I heard the singing coming down the halls, so I was drawn to listen. WOW, a gym full of children praising God, together. Loudly and beautifully, the energy was instantly transferred to me as well. Obviously we all have our down times but if we could live with that energy life would take on a whole new meaning. Get rid of the negativity and turn things positive. It's been a fun week to get to see the kids at school more. When Leah was young I did more at school. As the kids get added on, and Brooke gets to stay home, I don't seem to get there as much. Tomorrow I'm off with Ashley's class on a field trip. We'll see what God has in store with a bunch of 1st graders. I guarantee there will be lots of laugh and noise :)

2 years Post BMT

2009

2011

So here we are! 2 years after Brooke's transplant. 2 years seems like a long time, yet it seems like yesterday. Looking back I don't think I'd change a thing that we learned in the past 2 years. I'd only change the pain Miss Brooke has had to endure. Steve and I are in a much better place emotionally and spiritually since this. Not that we weren't before, but I know we were much "higher strung." Our priorities are different. We are looking through life differently, more calmer, knowing that we aren't in charge. I think of all the conversations that have happened in the past 2 years. The conversations ranged from, "what are you going to do if you have to plan a funeral?", to "God only gives special needs kids to people that can handle this. We are chosen." I love and appreciate every conversation that we've had with people. People dared to bring up tough conversations and make us deal with what was happening. I am forever greatful for them. Brooke will still have challenges in her life but we know we'll all face it together. And I enjoy saying, "when" she goes up, "when" she goes to school, "when" she eats. I no longer think "if."

I can be honest and say there are times I feel alone in this. In general conversation things will come up like, "wow you haven't been there yet." Or "you haven't ever eaten there." You get the picture. This is not a big deal but you realize again, "WE DON'T GO ANYWHERE!" Brooke has taught us it's ok to slow down, it's ok to eat home, it's ok to be simpler than most. (Good thing I LOVE to cook and bake, it's my therapy :) And Steve and I are never alone. We have each other, 5 awesome kids and family that continues to help us. My "Goal" (which I hold loosely) is to be able to take Brooke out more in the Spring. I'd like to start taking Macy and Brooke to church and go from there. Right now it's flu and RSV season so rather than be stupid or paranoid, we'll just keep her home. Her next immune system check is in April. We'll see what God has in store. It's amazing where 2 short years will take you and transform your life. God has amazing plans and rather than guess what is next we'll just live each day as it comes. And give Him all the honor and glory! Thank you Jesus!!!

The girls once again decided we needed to celebrate! So we treated their classes to donuts and cupcakes. So if any of you have children that go to class with my girls and they are on a sugar high Friday, "you're welcome :)" Don't forget to hug your children 1 more time today!!