Our Week in Pictures

Something Missing............

Well not to be out done by his sister, Jack lost his first tooth after school today. He was very startled when it happened but was very excited. He has such little teeth to begin with but the gap is there on the bottom row. Hopefully the tooth Fairy can book us in tonight (and doesn't forget....HAHAHAHA!!)

TTFN~

Some picture fun......

As we just recently celebrated the 12th anniversary of the day we bought our house, it was cause to celebrate. Most people don't celebrate that day. But I remember it like it was yesterday. I took a half day off from work, and Phil and I met at the lawyer's office for closing. When we left the office we thought it was some type of joke. We were only required to pay half as much as originally quoted to the closing table. Since it was in fact April Fool's Day we asked ourselves if it was some type of joke. But in wasn't. In hind sight it was the way God provided for us to also buy a refrigerator that we paid cash for and did not have to finance. This past weekend we were able to get some new pictures of us and the kids. My dad was wanting a picture of himself and each of his grandchildren to feature on his facebook page. This time it was Kaitlynn's turn. Since I had to nicely dress one child I figured I should nicely dress them all. Then the truth comes out. We walk in the door and my dad says, "Oh good I can take your picture too, I really don't like your facebook picture." It made me laugh coming from dad the perfectionist photographer. But I also reminded him that Kaitlynn took that picture when she was six. So needless to say if you reached this page from my facebook page, you'll notice the picture has changed.

As I looked through the pictures, I am reminded of how lucky I really am. I have a wonderful family starting from my dad who was a saint for trying to get my box of puppies all looking in the same direction and smiling. To my husband who silently sat there for an hour while I was smiling with my children. He really didn't want to sit and smile but he did for me so I could get a new picture of us. But he also let my dad take pictures of the kids and I but he doesn't always remember to do that. Usually I am the one taking the pictures.

Then I see these B-E-A-utiful (Jim Carrey reference) pictures of Madelynn. I was thoroughly impressed with all my children as they played in between pictures and turned the smiles on when needed. But I see Madelynn and it takes my breathe away first that I was intrusted with such a gift, to know she could have died and today she amazes me everyday. I hear people talk about they are waiting for their Miracle. Well she is mine and I Thank God everyday that she lived.

The picture below has only meaning for one person. In trying to get the picture above I told Madelynn to stick her piggies out so everyone could see that Miss Amy had painted them. However, initially it had back fired because Madelynn leaned over to pointed to her painted toes, then sat up and smiled. So the picture below is for Miss Amy. I know it will make her laugh, and some days a good laugh is all we need. Thank you Miss Amy for all you do for us.

Hope you enjoyed the family picture updates. Have a great week!!

TTFN~

Swimming Goggles

I simply couldn't resist......

I will never understand the kids fascination with wearing swimming goggles around the house but it makes for really fun pictures.

TTFN~

Where have we been.....part 3; Procrastination is over.

During my 30 day hiatus from blogging it wasn't because I didn't have anything to post. Some days I just had too many thoughts drizzling around in my head I wasn't sure I could put it into words and it make sense. So here's hoping I don't sound like a blithering idiot.

I received an email at work telling me there was an opportunity for a little mini-retreat on company time. During Lent things are very different around the office, just very quiet. The Director of Adult Ed brought in this wonderful guest speaker to tell her story about a stunning journey of forgiveness.

Listening to her tell her heart-wrenching story about the kidnap and murder of her 7 year old story was very sobering. Her encounters with the man who did it and how she came to forgive him was very compelling. Everyone in the room was very touched by the journey as there was not a dry eye in the house.

However, I was more in awe as the mother spoke about her journey and how God carried her, loved her, taught her and strengthened her along the road. She showed an almost impossible blind obedient faith like I have never seen. She spoke about how she had no idea how when she said Yes to God she was going on the ride of her life.

That was it. This was exactly how I felt. I had no idea when we said yes to God about every decision for Madelynn that we would be on a ride some days; I would beg Him to let me get off. I am not sure why for so long we endured this ride. That is until recently I would pray that I have had enough I can take NO MORE. Over the last two weeks I have watched my children play, laugh, sometimes cry but mostly smile. I forgot about the fact that Madelynn was a heart child. Instead I just saw my youngest child who LOVES to smile.

I still hold my breath at every doctor visit praying the other shoe doesn't drop. Sometimes I let my mind get away from me and worry about, I could not handle walking this rode again. I will never measure up to this blind obedient faith this mother carries with her. But everyday I get up saying Yes to God. I just want to make it through today being a normal family of five (whatever that is). As each of these days pass, someday I will find peace no matter where Madelynn's journey takes us (secretly hoping it would be no where).

Honestly, I am not there yet and I still carry alot of rage about this whole experience. But if this woman can find peace with God after her daughter was kidnapped and brutally murdered. My daughter is still alive and sharing sunshine where ever she goes; I don't want to miss it.

I believe and hope that each day of sunshine Madelynn spreads will make whatever darkness we may encounter later just a little more peaceful.

Here's hoping you find a little sunshine no matter what form it is in. With the pictures I posted over the last few days how could you not find sunshine.

TTFN~

And then there is part 2

I have talked about this before but in our master bedroom it is painted two different colors. One color is called coffee bean but it looks like I smeared Hershey's Syrup on the lower part of the wall. The top part is an antique lace which is a very light brown, beige color with a white chair rail separating them.

Because of this paint decision all of the art on the wall is either a picture I or my father took converted into this sepia tone. I took this pictures at the same time took the ones I posted yesterday but I converted them to these tone. I was very excited about the result and hope to get them printed and on the wall soon.

Enjoy!

TTFN~

Procrastination just a little longer part 1

I am not sure if it is procrastination about writing or the last few days I managed to get a few pictures that just made me laugh. I had been watching the weather and cold tempatures and rain is coming for about four days. I finished mowing the grass Friday late afternoon and about 30 minutes after I finished I saw the clouds rolling in. Before long I heard the rain. It hasn't stopped since and is to continue through Tuesday. Our 80 degrees days are a thing of the past.

In an effort to make the best of it I let the kids play outside till the last possible minute. With everything I accomplished I still managed to sqeak out a few pictures. I will have one more post of pictues and then I will finish my part 3. Part 3 is a little more difficult to write about so I figured I would procrastinate for a few days more.

So some made me just laugh out loud, some made me smile and some just melted my heart. I'll let you decide between today and tomorrow which ones they are.

TTFN~