feet

feet

Monday, September 24, 2012

Blue Zone







 We were generously gifted tickets to the September 22 UNC vs ECU game.  We were not just gifted any ol tickets.  We were given a parking pass and Blue Zone tickets.  For those of you (like me before this) that don't know, Blue Zone is a special seating area in one of the end zones.  It has free food and drinks, nice cushy seats, clean bathrooms, and best of all an indoor area that is AIR CONDITIONED!  Let it be said, that I was spoiled and will not be attending games with all our children unless this is how we roll.  In all seriousness, this is the only reason we were able to make it about half way through the 3rd quarter with out any meltdowns.  (the boys skipped naps so we knew we had limited time for fun).  The boys had a blast and continue to talk about it.  Ellie, well, she drew the attention of Heel and Pirate fans alike because she was so flipping cute. 
 

Gearing up for the game

Ready to cheer on a win

Getting our tickets punched

Getting our lanyards

Showing off their cool lanyard and tickets

First stop:SNACKS

Quick get a family picture while no one is crying!

Zeke loved any kicking, and especially liked when they rose the net for field goals

Ben was very concerned with the "sneaky pirate"-
The mascot (who was quite the sketchy dancer) was right below us

Get her some pearls and she is set!

Check out these baby blues

First Family of Five Football game- Say that 5x fast :)

Thursday, September 20, 2012

We waited longer to feed Ellie solid foods than either of the boys.  I had recently read a study linking earlier feeding with pneumonia.  Well, we started Zeke as soon as he turned 4 months and he has been hospitalized with pneumonia.  We waited with Ben and he has not had it.  I'm not saying that every kid who starts eating solids early gets it, but in our little family's personal experience, we looked at our history and chose to wait.  (and honestly, it's just so much more work to have to really feed a baby). 
 
Ellie started with avocado
 

She was more interested in the spoon

Like with most babies, she got more on her face than in her mouth

We are also working on a sippy cup.  Not sure how much she actually gets, but it's a work in progress

Monday, September 17, 2012

September 17

It’s September 17.  This date will be forever  burned into my heart and my brain.  We didn’t get a birthdate for our Joanna Rae.  We have dates that will always be tied to her though.  The day we found out that we were pregnant for the fourth time, January 9.  The day we lost her, February 28.  Her due date, September 17.  As I approach each date, I have such weird feelings.  I keep thinking that they will get easier.  So far, it still hurts.  I’m thinking it will hurt forever.  But it isn’t an all consuming pain.  Thankfully, by His grace,  I know our Lord and Savior and he has taken on the brunt of pain for me.  Psalm 23 says we walk through the valley of the shadow of death.  Our pastor tells a story comparing this to an 18 wheeler.  Would you rather be hit by the truck or the shadow?  Obviously the shadow is the answer.  I can’t imagine what I would feel without Jesus taking the full force of pain onto himself.
 As today has gotten closer and closer, I have thought about how I would have been planning a first birthday.  How she would have fit into our family.  If she would be walking.  That our upcoming vacation would be very different with a one year old than with a 7 month old. 
As I am thinking these things and trying not to dwell on sadness, I also think about the goodness of our God.  He has poured out such grace and mercy onto me especially over the last year and a half.  Yesterday, our pastor spoke on suffering.  It was such a hard thing, but just what I needed to hear as I faced today.  The rest of this post will be focusing on what I took away from the sermon and then some Scripture that I continue to meditate on.
·         Jesus’ power to give life means that we can trust Him in our suffering and hope in Him in the midst of loss. 
·         The Bible doesn’t wrestle with the problem of evil as much as it marvels at amazing grace
·         God in His love and mercy has reversed the curse by suffering in our place
·         God now uses our suffering redemptively for His glory and our good.—I know it’s hard to believe but I do believe that God is working our loss into something for my good.  My relationship with Him is so sweet and different than it was before.  I know God in a way I would never have known Him without losing our daughter
·         When it says that Jesus was “deeply moved” in John 11, it wasn’t just a warm and fuzzy feeling.  It was more like a fighter entering the ring.  He was about to do battle with his greatest enemy (death)
·         In John 11, when “Jesus wept” it shows his compassion.  Jesus wept with Mary as a friend. ---This is such a sweet picture for me because I have had friends who have just held me and cried with me over the past year. 
·         Scripture to ponder: Romans 8:18-25, Romans 5:12-14, 1 Peter 1:3-7, 1 Peter 5:6-7, 2 Corinthians 4:7-12. Psalm 34:18, Hebrews 4:14-16, Isaiah 40:31, Hebrews 6:19-20, Genesis 28:15, Joshua 1:9, Job 19:25, 1 Thessalonians 4:13-18  (yes, I am making you do some work and actually looking them up.  It’s good for you)
Thank you to those who continue to walk with us.  We really do always appreciate and covet your prayers and words to us. 

Saturday, September 15, 2012

7 months

Miss Ellie is 7 months!  We happened to go to the doctor because she was having some tummy troubles earlier this week.  She weighed in at 18 pounds and 14 ounces!  I love me some chunky baby! 
  • She hasn't been doing so great with sleeping recently.  She has decided she can't roll over off her belly anymore.  So, at night she is getting stuck and super mad and awake.  Basically, we are up every.two.hours.all.night.long. 
  • She is enjoying food.  It has taken her a bit to warm up to it.  Currently her favorites are yogurt and avocado.  (peaches are on the least fave right now just because that is what she threw up last week)
  • She loves her brothers and is squealing a ton and laughing up a storm
  • She still babbles dada, and has started saying baba a little.  Still no mama
  • She sits up well
  • She has no teeth
  • She is wearing size 3 diapers and 6-9 month clothes

Look at those thighs!

She is so precious with her sweet giraffe

This is her dress from Amber and Emie

Shopping buddy

Nerd alert!

She doesn't like drinking so much, but chewing on this is fun

Those cheeks beg to be kissed

Ellie vs Buzz Lightyear wings... the wings won :(

Big brother helpers

first time in a swing

So happy 94% of the time

Loves her daddy (this was a LAAAATE night when she should have been asleep, but was up playing Settlers with daddy and some friends)

E.D.I.B.L.E.

thoughtful baby

that smile

early morning sleepy eyes

Shoes from Amber

7 month basket picture

Tuesday, September 11, 2012

Sweet siblings

This is totally just a dumping of all the recent pictures of different combinations of our kids









Saturday, September 8, 2012

Ellie's first Marble's trip

We haven't put our Marbles membership to much use this year unfortunately.  I just am not ready for that place with three on my own.  We can navigate a lot of places with 3 on 1, but it's just a little crazy there.  So, Spence went on this adventure with us.

Miss Ellie enjoyed her first visit

She loved talking to herself

Ummm... YIKES

She sat there and talked to her daddy for a while

Sweet mercy, these boys and trains!

We love the outdoors water play

These are my boys