Farewell to the Throne

Almost 6 years ago we got the most amazing gift! 

 It is probably the most personal and well-used gift that we have ever received.

 We have loved it. It has supported us through many bad times.

 It has been there through many ups and downs.

 It has taken a lot of crap.

The other day, its reign ended. After several good years, it was de-throned, and a new one had to take its place.

Farewell good friend, we will miss you!

Never Forget

It has been 12 years since our world was changed dramatically.  For those that can remember, I am sure you do...and will never forget where you were at those moments.  For me, in some ways it has been a whole lifetime since then. In others, the memories are so poignant it seems like just yesterday.  I still tear up and cry when I see pictures or videos, or read stories of that day.

As a little girl my family went to New York City, and went to the top of the Trade Center. I remember the dizzying view from the roof, the feeling of slight swaying, and the incredible experience of being so high, and seeing so much.  We put our quarter in the binoculars and could see the Statue of Liberty.  I remember the long elevator ride up. I remember the busy lobby....the hustle and bustle.  I remember sitting in the car waiting, while my older brother got to go up a second time with my aunt.  I remember looking up at the sheer size of those mammoth buildings.   It was an experience I will never forget.

12 years ago I remember going downstairs to exercise before work...and turning on the TV. I remember the initial confusion as I started to clue in to what people were talking about.  I remember the tears that started to flow, and the shock and the pain as I watched live as the second plane hit the towers.  I remember dragging myself away to get myself ready for work. I remember my mom telling me the first tower collapsed, and watching the second one go.   I remember the concern for for my brother and sister in law, who were in Germany at the time, and how this would effect their return....which was delayed a few days.   I remember the stillness in the skies as all planes were grounded for a day or two. It was somewhat eerie when seeing planes in the sky was an everyday occurrence. I remember the prayer in my heart for those who were hurting. For those who were directly affected, and for those indirectly affected.  If you remember, you were affected.

I remember the trip we made to NYC in 2004 when I was 6 weeks pregnant with Aynsli.  I remember peering into the large holes where the towers used to stand.

 I remember so many people there...looking, listening, reflecting, remembering.

 I remember the reverence about the place. 

I also remember the feeling of resolve. The readiness to rebuild.

And I will never forget.

None of my children were born at that time. It is my opportunity to teach them the how and the why.  To teach them to be strong, to rise above, to rely on the Lord.  To teach them that they are the good in the world, and they can spread that goodness and light in all that they do.  That they can be examples and a force for good. And  THAT will never be forgotten.

It is a day of reflection and remembrance.  A day of gratitude for good.  

We will look forward to the future, knowing we can never forget the past!

Where Do I Even Begin?

It is true. That is totally and completely how I feel.  Where do I even begin? How do I ever even TRY to catch up? Is it possible?  Highly un.like.ly!  I did change the background and update some of the photos though.  I should get credit for that :)!  

Look at those kids! I do claim them all!  Craziness.Busy.Busy.Busy.So.Much.Fun.

We had Wesley with us for 6 weeks this summer, and it was so good to have him here. We so wish he lived closer so we could see him more.  He is such a good kid and the girls adore him. And Zachariah loves him.  They got to be such good buddies!

My kids are growing up! How did that happen? It seems like just last week we were waiting for Aynsli to arrive, and now here we are, almost 9 years later. With a whole crew!

Feeling tired, but feeling blessed. Grateful for this sweet family. Grateful for my sweet husband!

My baby girl turns 8!

It is hard to believe that this sweet little baby is turning 8!

It seems like just yesterday I had her, and started that amazing, incredible, sweet, emotional journey of motherhood. I still can't believe 8 years have passed.

For a couple months now, Aynsli has wanted her own room for her birthday.  Last year at Christmas time, right before Zachariah was born, we moved all 3 girls into one room, to move my office to make a boys room for Zachariah. (Little did we know it would be nearly a year before Zachariah would actually use that room---but that is a post for another day)  

So we started working on a plan to put Aynsli in my office and make it both.  Well, lets just say that mom no longer has an office, and there is still a large pile in our bedroom corner that is trying to find a home.  We worked hard to get everything done for her birthday.  We painted a wall, painted a dresser, moved a bed and a couple other furniture pieces, and bought new bedding in preparation for the "reveal".

So early this morning, we let her in to her new room.  I think she was quite pleased, and her sisters love it too!  The trick now is going to be keeping them out of there!

Instead of a party, Aynsli wanted to go to breakfast with her two best friends.  So we took them to Black Bear Diner.  If you haven't been there, go.  Our kids love it, and if you walk out of there hungry, it is your own fault!  The food is good, the people are friendly, and on Saturday mornings they have an awesome balloon guy who makes some pretty impressive creations.

This is a picture of my breakfast---and you can't even see the pancakes on another plate.  Needless to say, we brought some home in a box.  The kids all had a great time---they all got ice cream with their breakfast, and a balloon too.

8 candles on her cake already!  Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

Zachariah's New Ear Wear

Zachariah never did pass a hearing test in the NICU.  They did two of them, and could never get a good reading.  The results they did get suggested that there may be fluid in his ears.

The way to relieve the fluid is to do tubes.  But they couldn't do tubes until his breathing was more under control.  There was so much going on, that we didn't really worry about his hearing.

 He got his tubes when he was 6 months old.  They said we had to wait at least 4 weeks after tubes to have a hearing test.  So we waited 4 weeks and had a hearing test.  They couldn't get a good result.  The fit wasn't good, his breathing was too noisy.  We didn't worry too much, because he responded so well...even better after tubes.  Another month went by, and we did yet another hearing test.  Same result...couldn't get a good read, he is too noisy, wouldn't sit still...blah blah blah.  So our ENT said that the best thing to do would be to do an ABR while he was already under for his cleft palate repair.  So that is what we did.

On December 4th he had his palate repair.  (Someday hopefully I will go back and post about that one...) His surgery went quite well, but we were slightly surprised to find that Zachariah did indeed have a hearing loss.  It is a fairly mild one...he hears normally in the middle tones, but doesn't in many of the low and many of the high tones---which is where a lot of speech sounds fall.  Our audiologist said that it is mild enough that if he already had a speech and language base, they probably wouldn't address it.  It would be more annoying to us that he isn't hearing us speak, than it would be to him in understanding...BUT, since he has no speech and language base, it needs to be addressed.

So, 9 days after his surgery, we met with the audiologist to be fitted for hearing aids.  They did ear molds, which have to be replaced every couple months as his ears grow, and we picked out the pricey pieces he wears behind his ears.  There isn't anything cheap about this "accessory".  We went on January 7th to get them fitted.  He did really well considering.  We are still working up to wearing them most of the time, and most of the time he does well wearing them.  And he is hearing normally in all tones with them.  We don't necessarily notice a difference, but if it helps with his speech and language development, we will press forward!

What a trooper this kid is!

A New Year!

So, it is January again.  Time to make renewed resolutions to do better with our blog.  Lets hope I can stick to it better than I have in the past.  Hopefully this year will be much calmer than last.  I think we are due for some calm.  Hope your year is wonderful too, and that you check in often. And call me on my slackiness...if that is a word.