Happy Birthday Baby Boy!

Happy 9th Birthday Baby Boy!

                                                              

Happy Birthday!

3 years ago today my twins were born.

Never Forgetting ... Forever Grateful

God Bless the USA

by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone
I'd worked for all my life,
And I had to start again
with just my children and my wife,
I'd thank my lucky stars
to be living here today,
'Cause the flag still stands for freedom
and they can't take that away.


I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.


From the lakes of Minnesota
to the hills of Tennessee,
Across the plains of Texas
from sea to shining sea.
From Detroit down to Houston
and New York to L.A.,
There's pride in every American heart
and it's time we stand and say:


I'm proud to be an American
where at least I know I'm free,
And I won't forget the men who died
who gave that right to me,
And I gladly stand up next to you
and defend her still today,
'Cause there ain't no doubt I love this land
God Bless the U.S.A.

Circumstances

In life, in my life, circumstances are always changing. Shortly after my Lovin' Man and I were married I became very ill with a virus called CMV. It made me weak and very tired, exhausted actually, to the point that I had to go on disability and eventually quit my job. Over time, with rest and a weird diet, I got better and rather than re-enter the work force we decided to try and have a baby.

Our sweet first born baby boy came shortly after and if you have kids, you know that they flip your world upside down. The first year was rough but soon we found our stride and I thought we would coast down Easy Street for a while. And we did... for a while. Shortly after his first birthday we found out that baby number 2 was on the way. Our second bundle of joy arrived without incident but when he was 4 months old he was hospitalized with a serious case of RSV. He spent a week in the hospital, it was an agonizing time. But, he got much better and soon began to thrive.

Then, we decided to move to a bigger home. It seemed like a good idea at the time anyway. Our sweet little girl came along shortly after and we soon found ourselves with 3 kids, all under the age of 3. That first year after she was born was a swirl of ups and downs, highs and lows, and general growing pains. But, again, we found our stride and moved along from day to day with little incident. Kids started school, lost a few teeth (gross!), friendships grew, and life in general progressed.

Then we decided it was once again time to move to a larger home. It seemed like a good idea at the time. We moved to our current house, feeling comfortable with our decision until "the bubble" burst. You know the one, the big housing bust that sent the economy in to a tail spin now known as The Great Recession. Our particular area was hit hard. We also found out we were pregnant.

Unexpectedly.

With twins.

Yeah, soak that in.

So, while I was freaking out a bit I decided to take things one day at a time.
God has a plan for us, right?

There is something somewhere about closed doors leading to open windows, right?

My new mantra became "Bloom where you're planted" and I have tried to adhere to it every day. Over the last few years we have gone from a family of 5, to a family of 7, and I wouldn't have it any other way. We have gone from a comfortable income, to a nearly non existent income, and survived and evolved. And soon, we will go from a roomy 4 bedroom home with a yard, to a small 3 bedroom apartment, and we will thrive.

 I know that God does not give us anything we cannot handle... I have had twins and lived, I know I can survive anything! I know I have not handled every situation with grace or elegance but when I have lost my way I have tried to learn from every lesson. You have to... if you don't learn, God gives you another opportunity... and another, and another, and another until you get it right. I know there are many bible verses about prayer, perseverance and overcoming hurdles but the one verse that helps me hold my head high and tells me in my heart of hearts that everything will be alright is this:

2 Timothy 1:7
For God did not give us a spirit of timidity, but a spirit of power, of love and of self discipline.

In all of life's circumstances, as ever changing as they are, I can bloom because God has given me the power, love and self discipline that I need to thrive.

From the kids

Each Friday I would like to let the kids create a post. I am going to let them decide what they want to write and how they want to say it. Normally I would let Tyler go first since he is the oldest but I think I am going to shake things up a bit and let my Sweet Girl go first....... take it away Sweet Girl!

I really like to make crafts. I have a very cool cookbook that also has crafts in it. There is one craft where you make a box and decorate it with felt, glitter glue, paper, ribbon, sequins and stickers. Then you make some cookies or something and put them in the box. Then you give it to a friend. I want to make one this weekend and give it to a friend. I want to put cookies in the box. I want to make Banoclate cookies. I love to cook because I want to be a professional baker when I grow up and I like to practice!

* Here is the cookbook she is talking about - she LOVES this book!