tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5657103325466355472024-02-06T22:27:10.939-08:00WELCOME TO DECKERVILLELaurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.comBlogger115125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-18520841199521068132021-06-07T19:06:00.001-07:002021-06-07T19:06:35.811-07:00The day Lyric got saved. <p> Here I come running to the place I have so many memories I want to save. Even though many incredible ones have happened over the last 2 years that absolutely deserve a space on the blog...this one is of upmost importance! LYRIC ASKED JESUS INTO HIS HEART TONIGHT! I went on a walk with my friend Dianah tonight and when I got home we started brushing teeth and getting ready like usual. I was going to read to him and Daddy was going to read to Levi. He was a tad frustrated because Matt was teasing him that he was going to read to him and he wanted me too. When Matt came running at him down the hallway Lyric slammed the door. Of course Matt didn’t like that and told him if he did that again there would be a consequence. He got a little upset (tired of course) so I was sitting with him on the little couch in his room and telling him how much Daddy loved him and Mommy loved him and God loved him. Then I went on to telling him that God is love. He said “God is not love God died He is in Heaven” so I went in to telling him that God didn’t die to GO to heaven like we will....God created heaven and earth and every single thing remember? Then I said do you want to read a book about Heaven? (We have the children’s copy of Heaven is for Real and I had never read that to him...only to Lane and Luke...so I went and got it off the bookshelf.) He loved it. He smiled the whole time. When I said “The End” he said “God IS love” and I said “yep God is love and God loves you so much He sent his son to die for YOU! And now Jesus and all of God’s love is IN you Lyric” and He said yes it is pointing at his little own chest. I proceeded to ask him if he wanted to pray a prayer asking God to be in his heart forever and he did. So we prayed. Together. I prayed. He prayed. And he smiled the entire time. We hugged so so tight when we were done and he was so giddy happy! I put him to bed with a big smile on his face and then got him some water and shut the door. I was sitting on our bed in the next room telling Matt the whole story. And how Good God is because I had just prayed that morning asking God to give me and my little boys a special encounter with Him this week while the big two boys were at church camp. Asking God to give us all a deeper revelation of Him so when they get home he was putting glue in between</p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftyxLwj3zo-MFDzHDqZLAnvDt3Vkv1sYOSFjhyphenhyphenGJP9qvsUnuNzV0AymyNnBVTyjSTiuqLheiAi4uZw-j-dHhZAGc-R9hslhfxaMXL8xQE9QreoiHp6IKfJEuTC5UvY-eCw5HjuGS49YZ8/s2048/E805D35C-026C-4466-95FC-A130F0937D98.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiftyxLwj3zo-MFDzHDqZLAnvDt3Vkv1sYOSFjhyphenhyphenGJP9qvsUnuNzV0AymyNnBVTyjSTiuqLheiAi4uZw-j-dHhZAGc-R9hslhfxaMXL8xQE9QreoiHp6IKfJEuTC5UvY-eCw5HjuGS49YZ8/s320/E805D35C-026C-4466-95FC-A130F0937D98.jpeg" /></a></div><br /> us all bonding the pieces together after being apart. As I’m telling Matt my early morning prayer....my friend who I had walked with (and had left and went to pick her daughter up after we were done walking) texted me and said. RAINBOW! Then the next text she says “Amazing double rainbow ending right by your house”. 😭😭😭 We would have never ever seen that. Like I said we were sitting on our bed on the other end of the house. I read the texts and we jumped off the bed. Ripped open Lyric’s door and said “Lyric come on run outside there is a rainbow!” Anyone that knows Lyric knows he loves rainbows! Things being in rainbow colored order is very important to him. We know that a rainbow means God’s promises are true. Even in the book we read tonight it talks about how there are rainbows all over in heaven and he of course said “What! Wow! Rainbows are all over in heaven!?” While I was reading about it. This double amazing rainbow appeared at our house....right out our frequently used Kitchen door within less than 5 minutes of Lyric praying and asking Jesus into his heart. We were covered in chills. And snapped this picture to never forget this incredible moment. God....you are SOOOOO good and Heaven most definitely is for real!! <p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-9687662092309153262019-03-03T00:17:00.001-08:002019-03-03T00:17:38.494-08:00The day Luke got saved <p>February 27, 2019. Nothing new that day...dramatic incident or special church service. Just a boy and his momma laying in bed chatting about the "Sweet Sour Service & Savior" part of our day. We like to do this with the boys at dinner or at bed sometimes to hear what good things happened, what not so good things happened, how they helped someone in their day, and how they saw God in their day. </p><p></p><p></p><p>Luke and I were doing that and then we got talking about how my sister’s dog had recently died. Luke asked me what happens if you don’t go to Heaven. So I explained the Hell and Heaven and the difference. When I said to him once you accept Jesus into your heart and pray and declare with your mouth that He is your Lord and Savior than you’ll be saved forever and ever. Then we started talking about getting baptized and why you get baptized and I explained it to him that it is kind of like a trophy. It’s not the trophy that made you win the game....the trophy is just a way to celebrate what you did! When you accept Jesus into your heart and decide to get baptized we celebrate our inside decision by celebrating on the outside and declaring our love for Jesus being washed in the water. Then we talked some more about baptism in the Bible etc. Luke with the very sweetest real face says "I have Jesus in my heart" and I said I know you do buddy and when you’re ready and want to pray the prayer to accept Him for eternity you will be saved. </p><p>And in Luke fashion he says "I’m ready right now" In that moment my whole body got chills. He was ready. So of course I told him we would pray and I would help him by saying somethings first and told him he should mean it from his whole heart and pray it put loud of his mouth. Oh how the video memory in my mind will never ever be able to be replayed in words. He was so sweet and so serious and his little eyes laid gently closed...never opening, never squeezing tightly shut, just a peaceful, purposeful, heartfelt prayer. He smiled big when he was done and I was so excited to run into Lanes room and tell daddy about it after Lukie and I hugged it out. Of course Matt was so happy for him and spent sometime with just Luke after a little bit later. </p><p>After the boys were asleep I was telling Matt that for some reason during him praying I had this flash memory of him as a new baby, before his surgery, the way the bow of his lip was, his cheeks, his long face....all of it flashed into my mind what he looked like before his plastic surgery. It was the newborn face of the baby I literally sat up holding in a recliner for 6 weeks every single night barely sleeping a wink worn feelings, wondering, worried, prayerful, post pardum, and so in love with this tiny human who had a BIG hurdle to overcome. It was a moment while he was praying that even though it was a visual flash memory of Luke’s little face as a baby (the pre surgery baby face....) it was a reminder that God is real, He is for us, and that He WILL come through for us) </p><p>We are so so so SO incredibly grateful for Luke and his decision to follow the Lord and accept him into his heart all the days of his life forever and ever. </p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-37659680915196629752018-07-26T12:31:00.000-07:002018-07-26T12:31:49.616-07:00Luke's Strep Throat Journey<div>
I have been wanting to document this for a while now and am so glad that I am finally getting it on the blog to reference back to as opposed to just having the info all jotted down in the note section of my planner that I know someday I'll never be able to find again. </div>
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So let's start at the begging....</div>
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April 2017: Luke got his first round of strep throat and was prescribed an amoxicillin for it...10 day's of the "pink" medicine and then we had a recheck after that and it was still there so he got another round of the "white medicine" (Augmentin- is the white amoxicillin with a booster. After a few trials with the pink we just started advocating for him and asking if they would start with the white every time because he clearly needed something stronger because every time he had the regular amoxicillin for ANY thing we would need to go back for another round of the white.)</div>
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May 2017: Strep throat</div>
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June 2017: Strep throat</div>
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July 2017: Strep throat</div>
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JUNE AND JULY 2017- MONO (very rare for children under 8 years of age to get mono...and at this point he was 5...not even 5 1/2)</div>
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August 2017: Strep throat</div>
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September 2017: Strep throat</div>
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October 3, 2017-Strep throat and his tonsillectomy and adenoidectomy consultation</div>
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October 31, 2017: Tonsil and Adenoid removal surgery by Dr. Carney (who now has moved! We absolutely LOVED her and could not say enough good things about this ENT specialist)</div>
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November: Check up from surgery...All looked well and he recovered and healed wonderfully.</div>
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Nov.-Feb : GOOD! We had a good winter for Luke and he did not have strep....</div>
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until....</div>
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March/April: His P.E. teacher and school teacher had both mentioned that he seemed "less interested" in activities. His p.e. teacher especially said "Luke just usually is all over running all around having fun and playing the games and he just doesn't seem like himself and I wanted to be sure everything was ok at home." And of course all was fine with us at home and I asked Luke that day "Buddy does your throat hurt"....and he replied.... "YES it hurts every day". </div>
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Now through all of this he had never said he had a sore throat but maybe one or two times out of all of those dates above. We either noticed that he seemed different by attitude or behavior OR we took him in for a re check to be sure it was gone and it wasn't. One time he was bringing the garbage cans up the hill and was crying because he "couldn't do it" and I said to Matt "I bet he has strep throat and sure enough he did." They would always ask him when we brought him in if his throat hurt and he would usually say no and of course they would say to me then why did you bring him? My response would be..."He's sleeping more, eating less, lethargic like and not as active and is super moody." Almost every time they would mention how strong he is because the strep would come back positive when to them he seemed not sick at all. </div>
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So the teachers mentioned that to us and we take him to the doctor.....BOOM</div>
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End of March2018/Beginning of April 2018: Strep Throat</div>
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After his 9th round of antibiotics I saw the on call pediatrician since mine was out of the country and asked if we could get some blood work done on him to be sure all other things were ok. I know that kids will still get strep throat after having their tonsil's and adenoids removed...they did inform us of that at the time of the surgery. However, they also told us that it is the first 2 years that you would noticed the biggest improvement and much less( if any at all) strep throat cases for him would be dominantly non existent and then after the first 2 years post surgery strep throat could return like regular children get and catch it from friends at school, sibilings, during cold season etc. Luke did have 4 months without strep which was a blessing but it sure wasn't 2 years...or very long at all. I did however hope it was just a fluke...but wanted to get the blood tests to make sure that strep wasn't metabolizing somewhere else in his body that was causing him to just constantly live with an "infection". That isn't good for you nor can it feel good to have your body working in overdrive alllll the time. For me I also wanted to know because It's also a terrible feeling to put your son on antibiotics that often because they too have cons to them. </div>
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Luke has complained about his stomach hurting for months and months, that I too have been tracking to see if it's a byproduct of the medicine or if there is something else going on with an allergy, intestinal bathroom type things etc. </div>
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So we had the on call pediacian do the blood work after a very good and through appointment and this is what Dr. Spellmen suggested we should check for and look at in regards to his throat, stomach, and overall health:</div>
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April 2018 Blood work:</div>
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Bacteria Culture </div>
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Tested for Influenza A & B </div>
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Tested his thyroid stim hormone </div>
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Heterophile antibodies</div>
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Mycroplasma</div>
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Auto Hemogram w/ Auto Diff</div>
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Group A Strep Screen</div>
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Epstein-Barr Ab test</div>
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Praise the Lord ALL LOOKED GOOD! Once you have mono once you're apparently more susceptible to it so I was so curious if it was back but thankfully it wasn't. So maybe just a fluke strep throat in the spring.</div>
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But then.....</div>
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End June 2018/Beginning of July 2018: Strep throat AGAIN (time number 10 in 14 months) This time he did have a fever and that's how I knew he had it. I am assuming he had it much sooner though by his attitude and such but the fever didn't come until the end of June. </div>
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So we made another appointment and this time We saw our family doctor at Morrison Medical Associates and she just felt awful and said she felt terrible even have to give him ANOTHER round of antibiotic. But she reminded me that strep throat left untreated can be very dangerous as well so she gave us another prescription and referred us back to the ENT to have him looked at by a specialist. </div>
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July 17, 2018 : ENT appointment. I had to take him to Dr. Geisler since our wonderful ENT moved away. This doctor unfortunately was so not helpful and down right rude. I left sobbing and my sweet and so loving husband even went as far as calling the clinics patient advocate department infuriated over it all. They addressed the situation with the specialist and she agreed the appointment did not go as it should. We were not charged out $75.00 copay for specialist appointments due to that situation... Thank GOD! So after that we scheduled an appointment back with our pediatrician to see his thoughts. The good that came out of the ENT appointment is she agreed this repeat strep isn't normal however the surgery was and still is successful. None of his tonsil tissue started growing back(that can happen) and everything looks very good from a surgical stand point. So that was nice to check off my list. </div>
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That leads us to Today</div>
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July 25, 2018: Dr. Corpuz enjoyed all my detailed info from above on top of being able to see it all in the computer from records! Hahaha!! But hey...I have to keep track because sometimes we go in town if we can't make it to Clinton.</div>
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Here are his thoughts....</div>
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Luke's strep throat has colonized. That basically means it is now a resident there. It is a bacterial infection of the throat that lives there. Unfortunately that means that it is either "active" or "non active". But if you swabbed and cultured him on the daily it would probably always test positive for strep. If it causes symptoms of a super bad sore throat or a fever for more than 2 days then getting antibiotic is best....if it doesn't than it is apparently ok to leave it be. It is a little bit of a struggle for me to hear that because I know under treated strep throat is dangerous. I have a very good friend of mine that had her son's travel to his brain and after going to iowa city they finaly realized that he needed a seriously strong medicine to clear that infection. So of course I beg the question with "How do I know when to treat and not treat him...I don't want to give him ONE MORE ROUND of medicine but I would hate to leave him untreated and cause more problems." </div>
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His reply was:</div>
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"You're his mom....follow your heart...if he has a fever get him treated with medicine and if he doesn't then let his body heal itself. In the mean time keep doing what you're doing (we have been giving him a good live probiotic to hopefully help with his gut health and restore the good that has been stolen over this past year.) and be sure to give good nutrients, proper rest, lots of fluids, vitamins (extra in the winter etc) to keep his colonized strep laying as dormant as possible and he will be fine. </div>
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He did decided to run another blood panel and check his urine. He had 6 tubes of blood taken and successfully went pee in a cup for the first time. He wanted to be sure his liver isn't being effected by all this strep and to check for any other stationary infection. </div>
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We got the results back from part of it...so far these all look good and are normal: </div>
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CBC<br />Platelet count</div>
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Electrolyte count</div>
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Kidney function</div>
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Thyroid function</div>
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Urine (liver) function</div>
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SOOOOO very thankful for all of that!</div>
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The one test they did also take today that will take a few days to get back is a celiac panel. He is thriving and striving in growth so that is a great sign...</div>
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however they wanted to rule out his chronic stomach ache issues just to be sure by running a celiac panel test to make sure he doesn't have any food allergies or celiac disease. I will update on that when it comes back. </div>
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For the future....we just pray...that he is DONE with it. All the doctors do agree that it's not normal he seems to be getting it again and again especially after his recent surgery. We are going to boost his immunity and watch him carefully. We pray these probiotics will restore his tummy and those aches will go away. Dr. Corpuz did say that if they don't go away that he would possibly want to send us to a gastrointestinal specialist to take a look inside his tummy closer but from what he can tell the abdomen seems fine and the positive blood test reports also seems like a good sign for as far as any major issues go. He said effects from antibiotics on a stomach (if that is what the pain is from) can take quite a while to restore back to "normal" feeling. </div>
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In our own efforts we have:</div>
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*changed his toothbrush so many times</div>
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*tried new toothpaste just incase for some crazy reason the one he was using wasn't right</div>
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*implemented gargling mouth wash daily because one doctor told us it may help with bacteria in his throat</div>
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*changed pillow's and pillow cases</div>
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*Daddy pulled back the carpet and all the ceiling tiles to ensure there was no mold or anything causing this chronic strep throat</div>
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*Changed the fan from air purifier to regular box fan</div>
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*started running a dehumidifier by his room (even though we live on a hill, have never had water, he has huge windows we open often, and air circulates so well in our split level house...we couldn't help but try that too) </div>
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*live probiotics</div>
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*oils</div>
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*diffusers in the house</div>
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*lots of water, juice only once a day, healthy food, lots of good sleep and naps when we can, etc</div>
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*and much more I'm sure I can't even think of. </div>
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Now we just wait for the celiac test and keep praying he doesn't get another fever and need more antibiotics for his strep throat. </div>
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IF that does happen in the near future....I am assuming they will send us elsewhere. </div>
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God is good...Luke is thriving and a super healthy boy. So many other children have it so much worse....so we will choose gratitude and have faith for the future. </div>
Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-77683827509964365162018-07-24T06:06:00.004-07:002018-07-24T06:56:36.769-07:0027 days leftYesterday Lane asked "Mom how many more day's of summer break" while we were on our way to the pool. After counting for a few moments I managed to squeak out "28". HOW did that even happen. I enjoyed every second with them after that at the pool. (which I always do) I felt so intentional in that moment to sit and stare at them. To just enjoy watching them swim around and splash and jump. I watched the bites Levi put in his mouth while snacking like he always does when he is at the pool and how he just loves to watch his brothers play. I had a moment where I almost had a flash of these 4 little girls I use to babysit growing up. The Schmidt girls lived right next to me when I was in highschool and their great Aunt is the house that we all so luckily get full pool access at. When the boys were jumping and laughing and reaching their arms up high and falling into the water I had this moment where I remembered those girls. I could even picture in my mind what Jordan's (their oldest) swimsuit looked like. I could picture Ellie's Spider-Man swimming trunks and cubs had and her sweet face in goggles and her sweet toddler teeth. I could picture Gracie girl's chunky little thighs and dark hair and huge smile, and sweet Jaycie's precious eyes staring up at me and that hat she wore outside. These girls are now all grown up. 2 in college, 2 in high school. They drive, work, and live their life going to the pool without their mom. They are stunningly gorgeous and all such amazing and respectable human beings and I am so proud of them. But that moment...wrecked me to my core yesterday. They were just screaming, fighting, splashing, laughing, snacking, napping, sunscreen covered, little kids....YESTERDAY.<br>
That is how fast it goes. Not just for those girls but for all kids. I am so thankful I had that moment and that reminder. I smiled at the thought of them all and then I held on a little tighter to the moments I had with my sweet boys. I want them to remember that mom said yesterday "boy's lets get 2 of our chore's done and then I have a surprise for you"! I want them to remember the moments we ate on a blanket instead of the table, the moments I said "ok yes you can have that" at the checkout. I want them to know that we enjoyed the ordinary moments of everyday life. I want to celebrate each day with them...not just at the pool but even when we have to clean up toys. School is such a different time. There is so much pressure on a mom to have their clothes ready, lunches packed, homework done, and then there is after school activities. If I don't find joy in those things then a lot of times there won't be joy. Because school days have so many to do's....you have to turn your to do's into fun memories. In the mean time we will inch by with popsicle sticks throughout the yard, sticky door handles, and floors that never seem clean even after mopping and inch by inch sink into every moment because these 27 days and this 1 out of the 18 summers we get with them....will never be again.Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-27984426746768622692018-07-20T13:06:00.001-07:002018-07-20T13:15:33.924-07:00Simple summer moments <p>While the boys and I love going to the pool, the park, the discovery center, having play dates, and doing "all the things"....there is nothing I love more than the simple moments. <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhOu0i-MygtVBJ26uwZbrIifJD3kW7l3LM45yUEU7kC4ZG7zd5jOld4KdtIxemebJCapmDKJud74GBR1UqsoXrq5ew6XiwwNL_cz57haZEp_NCkbWmM6QEHS-2ncPCtkeXutcechPvxrYPW/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7Clg2oOI2FiZa6LvDCRuII7OEEwsv8y_Qq9r83TWN8EHiJuNqox1bc63HAGDc6cpwDeUcUtONGoNkU9gHY-sYzaOU-A90BXAdBQ5wUhL1Diatw-rcKF26BaYla-a6G3K0Y-tI-66Mcm9H/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLBE_aGwkFsuk_TqhqSJDgcFu0vnfWpHzQihpSjR8eEV2thm5ey8JlyzyWqVLGJfR8kswvC2CSRlOfUIOi2e6MwBX5KdL22XPVw84arwuczIyGhesGq2dDSQb2lKiRltvsrWNPn6qo8d1O/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJ0auPjaQbEPipCrhmR8C5d0G35PPQFv_CB_5ObRoFjT2VSakb9c-zKyDbSYLxCQs2N6aXqnCn18Puw68PWsozRf2jA1cUGN2b4tqe3QoIJbaOL-9dqgOIkCLxs8wLTO_P6zvySz3aARge/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiCyYoB0zYiOEhPV_VPJ51yKDwP2AEHBNKgLVDIQBy-bOVvVaDvra2_cGJplp7cV54OGnavZo0WPDT_YHARh1s-nU8YvDX72sxdbKwvPRXht0wHx9nbBPhf_6AYBoigNz4Iuw28YvCBSrwR/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-tdRSpJkecHs/W1JACc_N04I/AAAAAAAAa7Q/AnDFGapOPEQ0n2T1EbCkwe2M4G0VFE3PgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-k1yTfyCTrdg/W1JAGz82qPI/AAAAAAAAa7U/tRpbtI8Yqls0wb3q3lU1x4fYfDsn1mhgwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgxbBpBcGgqbqid1otibo7q3B_QawqhOVjVXT7LaZSDMfl6bvezGVMW-E9An4AvPonb88YHEwAf16OPs21Ec6cyGCZLUw1QW_GgcUaQgoR1-vx3aOjdG9HxU2aZX0C8OpAqIYAWCKPaBHo2/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-c8QCHZXocsU/W1JAPFRtg6I/AAAAAAAAa7c/_LN5yoEYilMcbmW2grQCOK-0QZC4MJNLQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-otNjaprRh4w/W1JAWYr1scI/AAAAAAAAa7o/eCk5rUmhP5kgwREuYj9ituhYbVWuyQ4FQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8XSsaCVFHchuXb-ttv4-IcXJLGW9CzWVdndsoal8hOxzuZngepV93dgdLrAU6LT-u8GBpXpuA5NXLNRKULuiVqios3m9ui-zsQgkLjXud64-spUrvaXX4bzp6h9vAIGsDmhksv64MCQXf/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-BIl8dWkS4ZM/W1JAlS6_KYI/AAAAAAAAa74/0hgVlpkkXWIoOKWCqKVzyyXXO0BkTExpgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-59643196801862181052018-07-20T10:24:00.001-07:002018-07-20T10:43:50.434-07:00Little hunters <p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MCQo1Isx7W8/W1IaErvBBJI/AAAAAAAAa50/HejCg23Q1-YTx6wP406jKXSRPM9nFPypgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiyd9i-ePSR4cgoV1zktPei8T_fZsfeq34udK7XdcMXrSj9NCNEXlh2kYrHoVjTwY4gCyo8pe9IsPl0czLsVRCFBwNAHcnnIb2vXoetaHOEU_-g26CvFsg7B3pZfYrynpdIe2mqwNcWoghe/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgS9MUctQZXn0ef1kKmAxIknsKx1Q9oWWhB6c_W4m_sQxu3BmTTQTlcvMyJf9mNAJHP-luGGqRyfDuvJKAQUgH6f4tMKPugBX2o2sYuj2FlqxejBT3AgvPCT8ubF-46XML8KTv9Gm-EtoLI/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--fSFDPB9Ep8/W1IaQ-WNd1I/AAAAAAAAa6A/5thpmK2NKRYgoJUtLyey_AAtNcdfVVheQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjvL7ybZMp3L9OhU1ejREQJfnm7VIvtwq_FeBJRZz5H4vTyngYrI-0wZa8LDEkHL-1x_pkiuTnGqbtpfJ18_-nX7jANLmgSAYAnH6vv90xQOQ5b4R4tA__4iUa_2O1ChyDkJ04LB5xfxiXn/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-SNCbpuWySC8/W1Ia2SZwWjI/AAAAAAAAa6U/067FTPsX4nojcdfqv1jMGHmFgec7ZXfRwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-74748430397818217492018-07-16T05:55:00.001-07:002018-07-16T05:55:34.607-07:00Gordon’s retirement <p>Matt’s Dad (Gordon) retired from John Deere after 42 years....that’s right FOURTY-TWO YEARS!!! We had the privilege of getting to have cake and coffee with his whole crew on his last day and take a 90 minute tour of where he worked at John Deere. It was incredible to say the least! People looked at him like a celebrity and it was amazing to see the honor and respect everyone has for him. He raised 4 boys and raised them well, drove semi during shut downs, and stayed committed for over 40 years driving daily 1 hour each way. I wish I could have taken pictures during the tour but we couldn’t because no photos were aloud. We had an awesome lunch afterwards and a week later we took Gordon out for dinner and to celebrate him!! We are so thankful for our parents and Matt has a stellar role model in his father!! The boys adore Papa Gordon and hope for many fishing experiences with him now that he has retired. </p><p><br></p><p>Here is my hubby and I on our way to dinner...<img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-19i92_edjY0/W0yVLx7f7tI/AAAAAAAAa4E/3k2PcgPLHyIruCmmJud7CWF99rmSy7exwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p><p>Our Decker Family<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEghjC2-l1cgpF_rtD8rUD1Qo5bVoAX3pFSC_m45k2MlWg0m4tS80n2a_OwmCvrlhdHsxwfbLewtobXQ9y14ifMMaUfAS4ririAvg13t2k6ElS8ziNZwQGqe_YfUByzH0GJrwkfpgCBaVNHX/" alt=""><br></p><p>Sil and I after dinner! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhCMaqjuwJ7Fd2p70UOpLFm84_era_bRm5sudREVP_HkeuRL6PrjaEv1TuDSA6X4VyiCZJz-cQw_YDzsBQJMvOpMqQFjL5Ys3g8UVeQnFMhvxHz1zYZ3RiV6fuQaKkuhicaEMEzMZAUyr9p/" alt=""><br></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-69034315785038962432018-07-14T01:46:00.008-07:002018-07-14T19:33:40.080-07:00Cousin fun<p>We have had a great week with extra cousin time with Cohen and Winnie! We had everyone over at our house on Wednesday to celebrate (belated) Jess’s birthday, then we went swimming together Thursday, and then we had Tball (cousins on the same team Thursday night!), then Friday night my boys went to Aunt Jess and Uncle J’s for dinner and play time so Matt and I could go to his dad’s retirement dinner and then today Saturday we had Cohen and Winnie for dinner and play at our house so Jess and J could have a date night! LOVE our family so very much!! Cohen is like another brother to the boys and To say Winnie is adored is an understatement. Levi is SO OBSESSED with her, Lane and Luke live to make her laugh, and Lyric talks to her in this sweet sweet higher pitched voice oh and of course uncle Matt and I fight over who is going to hold her or do anything for her! And Matt loves to make her say "Winnie Wroble" because it is just the cutest ever! And Aunt Wowo got to braid her hair for the first time today because it is getting so long! They are such a sweet crew and we are SO blessed to be in the same town and so close with them!!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj17FZI9HHf3Pxu-quUesmXB7Q1yIy7IGI2zQknuHi1707g_acSKBZYl2xPGohJhtlVy6_nxC3aBGMI2531p5azXFuE8ZAhXBncfrFqgpDcpI7jkJOf59siOKjPebh7fD3m-bY665-LYYDm/" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1rXv8aCZcIE/W0qg40EbP8I/AAAAAAAAa1Q/gT27OK7UG9gNn_PFN21kJQUQZLS69Um0QCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-R_B2mJRkIiM/W0qhKs4oAiI/AAAAAAAAa1c/8Uywy-c2-8sqBuCFiLtwQ6sbdzICcdW3ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ScTBg0WpZj0/W0qh1hR9ZpI/AAAAAAAAa1k/IFTedIT7sfIk6pnO9InbVEI4UucmrW5kACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgOLnrhWa3aMJ6UpJjrFRShb7B19BpsnLArIFPKBSu_7lwQynuEt-PdytmjHr22UK-yd6fZmfhZ1QQA3EzANnCsnFXEaHwBCi9QWwBy7xQ37sqiOP2k0SuWXfEtk97gyGCndsH55gurGi2i/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGDCsgV1-1QWcZmg84BBy9nB2ihpbrboOJ50HuZhUyOZMEhDLYyTl_2IJ1GyxABlFxkke9jq_Mp3oqSIdkJ_qa32iJ5Bg-6mDG4WTzAs4zQk_Arc7dPARTbKyjTnTtppCjlx7Cv0pMPmAU/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgj-AedcERNATWA3PPO2zVD4UDZ34Vf_CDn5XWWkKC4-1_qosXwWAyl9R-pqIFnbcZ4DpuNQ8ROBqoY6J_img-9J1dC1xcz0s0QH8W-48zJMeEEH-ncmt5s-TGapp2tQOG6wykMEuXqND3V/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj8dCKIBoP27T6lr7lGLDlVUm8QsqKSNoh8ZrXcdCDvyPBvYyksL3mnevcIGkw_eX-PTgHnZ_Le8iOvF-Vxeu1BIcFxMefhGVzki9aGSwFOmwUXlk8LDzAJfOLwXs1Qzn2d2s_7UH1P2n0p/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiuyYN9svUmlGN6okeJPy2chSiZK5h7kmJ6cLYlMYLYGrjrBQQdt3mZouOptC4jSY8XCmFj7ybow15L9b9i_gaS30pnCVpS6pRZl-GHyr8b6tmn5vtuyb-ghh-tNrSdl3Qq7QZ6oO4ZMNY2/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-XF0f7xjKSAk/W0quHl3d4NI/AAAAAAAAa2Y/NTwBUSEFtvM90gTguFMYAeai5fDaw-G2wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-xDVRlHyzDR0/W0qwvr7n9DI/AAAAAAAAa2s/98MLtDxfT_o5F7ikBcr4G_IupknGquZ4wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-50724634693560599322018-07-13T05:38:00.001-07:002018-07-13T05:38:54.754-07:00Luke’s 1st T-ball game <p>Luke had his first tball game last night and did GREAT! We were so so proud of him. He loved chasing after the ball and trying to throw it to first base. He played 3rd base and pitcher and hit off the tee great. He even hit one out to the grass! He’s got some wheels like his big brother Lane. It was so fun to watch him run so fast. Lane was a big help catching and helping in the dugout and Matt is the assistant coach for Luke’s team. Aunt Jess helped in the field and dugout too and Cohen is on his team! <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Uu9aBkTA8ro/W0ibSM-eiqI/AAAAAAAAarE/IRJ77RWIFcg5eqg87DLQG9VVvPnQDOaBgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZk2RV7cII3M7TXoS4J95YATr5Y8u2raFcXOzn8WwI-WFHXk3gpBaWBhYsCv8bwNMv1LgZOfcFGX1hqvc0jXXVWcEU0RyJTjhdz7QHJN2QzSkEhAIh2sCKdi89njNMUqiwDrn79NrTv-zD/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-uxmkHqdEEFE/W0ibCGXYdsI/AAAAAAAAaq0/eNQ5gZre69kF8RQwrMiNz8aqd-Gjc3qygCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi_8XNGzvsERXdPUT-LfnLXFPGrzC3UT2T_5yNMNz-kvufPjvm2GxlXqfynoku0Ki2eQAmNIO9cQ0ZE9CkcYN7sksp7RL6wtxzFNw7CjIVIiU2MNRQidSDGOBt420TOgRpaG-F3eJAvaqpg/" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p><p>Luke had his yearly eye doctor appointment and had his eyes diated just a few hours before his game so he has to keep his sunglasses on in order to see!<img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhbjljBAIZwP7FwI3HZul08zJkzsl1FCfTvPtXWBRkJVmm-8dQVuQzlGHCN8K8L30TDbEPk3DY7nKOUzzGLOxKm2odkBD2tl_MB3iEmOlVM_SWUY7ZTnwjchZ2epYl7vI0NOYsivX7iRye-/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-gXOZnN3dE7E/W0ic6vMgllI/AAAAAAAAarY/GBw42f4q7f4II8aibOlwibobKBiUm2I4ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-sojWoRZpAyc/W0ic9EMWb5I/AAAAAAAAarc/lsCgbtWPxP0FgvDwY4BPK08wYbEjhiE-ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-49tL8Kk-f78/W0ic_bXrvPI/AAAAAAAAarg/IINYM1VfSWkEqi_JOd2rAHBErziQO8mLwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-1WtwzgFXNK4/W0idBW_VULI/AAAAAAAAark/DkgBUSuj-ig77E4xUcgXIeTwt1c0TdZlgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p>We chose these grey glasses for 1st grade! <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-larb5c6mPM4/W0idDbZgJWI/AAAAAAAAars/zpTSOeaYmSIHsJEgjTWDIgdeweEMvhjVwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-7813528312149587292018-07-11T17:28:00.001-07:002018-07-11T17:28:08.463-07:00Lane’s final coach pitch all star tournament 2018<p>What a fun and amazing season these boys had! Last night Lane played his last 2 games of the year. (It was also game 8&9 in a row for him! They played 9 games and had one practice from Friday-Tuesday!)</p><p>Monday and Tuesday night they played at home in the Morrison All star tournament and did SO amazing on Monday! The first game they only played 3 innings because they got 5 runs each at bat and was up 15-0 in 3 innings and they called the game. They then won their 2nd game also Monday night! These pics don’t do it justice...there was 18 people (including Matt and I and his brothers) there just to watch Lane. We are so thankful for our family!! </p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEivW0wQi82HE0WPIKSoLp1mOOUgM_EWUen1pGM60TSxZFTh5YOiDnCEpBSsJ2o2J2Lffc0f4rT4ksWVe6XN_lVHmvcUeE3rLUBMu5GFV5Fm3b9SZKM1zIt0NCQ1vyZ60EUQGnSBz6ihj2Ld/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjSycwx_WlecC_soMJYNwNi-DSJvKB76PnKzuSe5uodDFDrAblmORzS7Oad5jRUuv_MN4XepE6JOLU0qoLe7LJzwSAwrX-1l3JcV5si1XGRVN_ihvxy83RwfS-61JK_PLCvfa5u4rGoxw-N/" alt=""></p><p>Tuesday we lost one game against Fulton and that made them tied with us for first place. So At 8:00pm we played the very last game playing for the championship it went into double overtime and those boys played past 10 o’clock into a full 8 innings scoring 31 points!! They ended up losing by one point and ended the season in the most intense (and fun) game!</p><p>*I am so grateful we hired a babysitter for the other 3 boys on that particular night. They game to 7 out of 9 games and handled it so very well but I knew the last 2 would be a late night and having a break from baseball to play at home with the sitter would be best! </p><p>*My neck and throat hurt so bad today from straining while cheering last night!! You can see the final score in the backround if he photo of Lane, Matt, & I! </p><p>Here are some photos from the last night after the game getting their 2nd place medal! </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Qoo9CJxkwsA/W0aOrpU_twI/AAAAAAAAaYw/41-oYdeBQHYlwnpeqXck08gSp5UXNzSegCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJawHtQnv0zjjIZLN4ewuzdRrp3n82ndvew9OjYgz5Hyq3pCmfQLHp1TInEoXayjbA9jXeQYh8gw480_OielUXy0l_fuildtgtJX1cKay_L3Cmi0tCCJ3Sj7JHfaF97g7Yathl9p7K1k1-/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgbBYBgA_y9z099xYK7k9k82SH5ltZnYbiVIlLHF2vegRHlenPpL8RGK7ZcAJPdWCVYn3x4ZLA-C_m3KAximi3U1acqTQOMbkChlrWouChipVP79OyyMZBIw4xqsdLwpMuBDepRdy6qsrhd/" alt=""></p><p>SO proud of our biggest boy! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5ARGZ8pEPpN5x1sPCFjTwY363pTem-sMfNMYiCQ-h7D2N4XzoolNyrTAAsCr4XNpt1gJy9GhuCV5Km6_7cpJd3jlTgIWQ_GrOiX6Q2IO2j023bNEuWbZm33Wyjgb0NzpYauLoE8V_OmY4/" alt=""></p><p>And here they are today...Lane dressing Luke up in one of his shirts from this season and playing baseball teams tonight. Oh how I love them! <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-PSbh-2xIwNI/W0aWnqLkzRI/AAAAAAAAaZY/42-VC5A6I2U6ryCEdGOHZKVoqx2LZo__QCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p>We may be done with baseball for the year but Tball starts tomorrow night with Luke’s first game and I think Lane is even more excited for his brother than his brother is! <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-FaQsrJLbnDA/W0aWrCO4uOI/AAAAAAAAaZc/wDlsMRqcofAF7tvdZz5uAmZ7qa43oNkngCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-69092976693262461732018-07-10T13:05:00.002-07:002018-07-10T13:05:41.807-07:00Father’s Day Pictures 2018<p>This year for Father’s Day we surprised daddy with photos just for him! He LOVED them! (He also got a new stocked tackle box from the boys!!) </p><p>We are SO thankful for the man he is but being a Dad is what he does best. I am so thankful that he see’s the boys for who they are but also see’s their potential to become what God has called them too as well! <img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-wfd6Zt23R14/W0UNAZ-sGfI/AAAAAAAAaNE/UJLg3fqqAkY11rJAKRWrxujbcVMb6x7pACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nJFCS1JQQRA/W0UNBWV1N5I/AAAAAAAAaNI/btSv2s4Ogd0whFg7DUX9gr_Ql6r96eiAQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-dSsjdYxfEXc/W0UNC73lY5I/AAAAAAAAaNM/hd_PDZvKOl0ZhHx9_wtkQT-r_vkR87YXQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj6Vzjfi81Hs_lQ5dfwJmPRrecyFVCmVpVYu1c1-daTVjI-EA3G8Xmh9QEbc3H9Ty3WLzKYLQ8gd20K9gpk84bLc1hCS-UOXJxkmoitVdM2H8OLS_yjoHc3iJ-2jp1y4sXOUofddx68Uvr5/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Eyeimg-oHB0maTEAbVJFuya4DrPh6pNjCxgP9Cs3UoPqd0gg10a8fIfL9cYvgLZlSOB-45cidvuOi8ykzT0Us7nQcbFwbWuGtJL794gQo9hpsIbLp1StsmkjIrlqlegaVqqM7_tvlsoS/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3ECe1V4xQVHf1DIsZNrk7leWT_W0HYHhZ3nab24q5DD2f-7bACrODR1Hno87dSVPqWF6T0dMTPV0gRDg7i2PTcjUkRVuNSowg6ITGPuzsQUdrcyfin_OA5dATLOdPhL6jzJQVZ2HZJvQd/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgTTPzapB2kRybqnN8GMsNHvx30LtD28BKLxy5kBlLWNF3AjqiXKJnX_fhLG-heb35qfMSyVNKWSZHAetTTwalbaoiyUq2xCdgXvl4ta3Ycv4dBhoHEXA0V0nCt1jh2u1r2C-DPBjI0b3Ad/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjKBcrcstZ9aMsFXxD-G7WzA1YRtJZ6TXcGzLLlmglp_UlDOC7MzsooOmSq1wnYr6KIaOZAhwwtB5ikST1gb-7l9Srn16wRIJiONkothkbM95GMfdjk7xTM9a8taSRAq-EmlAAZwb090Xo2/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-FJIM6x6_VMaghvRMopFUQ-bnb42DA4cQ4FDuwtSpnJYL569F5vVjIGpPUUAyrkXLaQ6K91Q0xsD_O49uU3ajBdlPXlsMm-S7kX8KJMV4C_KgR-UOOpS6ag853pHJBkZ_feB_QOXxFbia/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgetXx07s-E-l7AiLnZKXyBMMEAfWHdhBcaH-dmIhIkgSZn9tiRFCX920dEWYIMM4BixI5Jz-R1tfz0kHLniQB7zSkblHO8ndVd2Uqf4Q-1nEPCP_ljW22l472anLLoZjheATfJDQ3Lu64K/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4EWRuHWV4CZkv0n9DwOPetEzxz4WpUHcdJDJNxC1hIS39x5FtrtC2k4tEiY_Fjmg0v_2h46pkxXZ3eMHExfH4LzBlh-fPgxlTxBKFne_q7L5Trrq0yHmZVXcbjAtpSiA-X4rLVN5qTUhZ/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-te_ZpRuDass/W0UNU-p-MEI/AAAAAAAAaOE/iTz4BeGl72YhcZ0DAWLXEYMP6V2U772oACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTTQyJj-tgu2dKtO6cRKrszy8-p5mAFV3JGiYZhRmkucONCakJKSbZViSOvPRmi9EOXk_oSsxzf6yxEt1hD_FPGMemuglI4o2jJrCIc_nVDYqGGNcXAU-ULzkH2Qml72z0xrhsX7i3pwDM/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-LoZcoo-yclI/W0UQkYOTCiI/AAAAAAAAaOk/wTRLejPDdkM9Myym7oryBbKjJrR_mqqbgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-4pMk8G1vTko/W0UQlVRCjXI/AAAAAAAAaOo/Yh7ed8UHwsA1k1shTtvyS1_nLEW46Y7NACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjv7NPD4zBmoNHT3BoK0TSdEEWMrOJh3Sbq5KvbWjQD7FEqg2SP3Ck-fLeUw89CAuMrdK-zIg_Q93sIkbLRLnVM83MOK-R_24x_9LtlgosLwulUKwZ51PiFalTeFd0oY6vvlB6OZhU5JCIn/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjGQ29fIv2w4Nj4A46w_55q_jLwdmY_BOiO9g4gKpXstQT5rbO4xFx9GwuVWR74ETbcMm9-leXIDZTr-V8YPAKr8XqyZWBoDJ-2cEDnzOG6kr34aMr1LMbcMwEajJHb2XY2d_BYkHTBW-K9/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj-E0Pc7YqkKqRVGVrzHXsJl6rm7xHGbM_61hfAxZd5rijlxGJHKQEDFCIAGw1luoYyAHgnAlGrVQo83KvTtqCC34e2wLcEoXxgyGuSKe6mI2FQ4Nkv6JPHXz8F-r1jGQ59Ot3QgvLzlIBl/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjNBESMReMgTUkz0iLo7nkxdnyWOtDzvp4dei13VsA_Mlw5R-t7eaorrvNcDRcMM7X8G9v1vm0sOTOvZjru1qG4DKY18oAug2NnjrDkn274JhmZL19q5xGr6NYBdH_KWrQjTE6bw4i0xB5S/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg04_rY2TO4fvEcj-ZB7-aJ5I1m4dKD2huCdMJkW91L-cF0KZs8ntlIUj52t0PSt8H3fuGvvLawM2HCDwMv8xeiRyX1pB1bp6eZOQhjvk78fc6cWpNaOGHI0o0cOTOpqZ9ynbk6cJO4hcSF/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0pnZ-TCYfvg/W0UQ95CTAWI/AAAAAAAAaPY/iCmocp6j7UcwfcV_FGnZkMCzmnTiVSfVgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-481069913366790532018-07-10T12:43:00.001-07:002018-07-10T12:43:51.792-07:00Lane’s Riverbandits Game <p>Aunt Jess and Uncle J got Lane tickets to the Riverbandits game for his 8th birthday! After playing in 5 baseball games this past weekend he got to finish the weekend off by going to the best rated minor league ball park in the country! He rode a huge Farris wheel (which he was nervous about at first but ended up loving it), he got autographs, a penit for his room, front row seats, a snow cone as big as his head and memories with his Aunt, Uncle, and Cousin that will last a life time!! </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DYZq_k8E_eU/W0ULGehrSgI/AAAAAAAAaL4/uV6af8-M9ooKuytFS272uctFBCb894s0wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiMcuI2xtvjWGu-2Kmdneiq00cd_bU78rExY8vPRtbDwXyNzjzdjZKh74KRkRd75i7SBVSteqqvQU4q5Ct-Dpm4P1mddoyMNKxvh1Q3j7nAAjOVKC5rSlA-3lqj1RetQzEWeW3ePdgbY5ZZ/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj3MRj_W1QZpZ7hpp2FRosDXKEZUIyRYM9Biv_CTkOrRX-oVMEO8cw2mg-BufWltIFrDKeUUR1rwPnkdgyEqPcBS7ogcMIzO42dp5o4RuSDT693lGpsbF05iG7-4jR-JT-ueuh6HiDEwOqq/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhNNBQ7aAuc2-hRsproTJfjWyIWDvqokpvQZwcX8AO5NVSJEZkECrAc6GdLpekh6GGmlAiz1pwxtbD5vBoirnj7bVMnLwAZdEjks9olJIPG5bUWKjXGU0l-YgkgV_5x0Kl0wOaSwb-mIrm8/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-EBa3NRXT-6w/W0ULHwXMWFI/AAAAAAAAaMI/-GOp9FRaLMskJFJVZUn9G5BVL1vses20wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgjeBYDSrDchXhA-FWMSfDA7Ga6EmvFi62RgCyyktVtNTjqLej78F0Iv3Tl98J3GV1eDSRbSKgQouLnc8IqTZNi4xCWUuUezWJFgf_3powJH_UAHW_48JccLUntxzN13sSfuMbZ_okOhyphenhyphenrb/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_JbuqZw0cOqSL5T2F52GfwGaiICyoDBl8W0tZVQ4mj61IRVXcnAvhvyJf5memLeDwzKHK5RZdQJpRjUmvlLPgiR-uTV-oyl6SzWvLesZKkxw09c8epn8mFPBcYcTm3ODHRLKeyEajFRrV/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-nokptytfP70/W0ULJXbgLmI/AAAAAAAAaMU/wfi8jMBbVzIgtgjYJiBAqqh8cTQqdzTMgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p>This next photo is Lane’s all star game watching the flag during the national anthem! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgk-OSPNjFM86HcuOQqZNDnpNO7PJWUSaTs3SU2Qm-b5B4Qx5tD6nife-sUCedImDgafBKPi_-qcbxT-dOxoMOKVGwxP5rXluamHGuB4CeVqNPHssu0dk3Df09TXjYhRZ0bsaPRRiS1o2Xa/" alt=""></p><p>And of course "aunt wowo’s" and Uncle matt got to keep Winnie girl for the game and she and Levi were hysterical! Love having some special time with our precious niece! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh570L_XhEUFA6pVfOFlDB9YVpfA1HX3GbeKVPN9CtFt0dYOm2fr3D9UALmVz_h0ALyR20Fj25nUWySEw9A2JuSyo9XA81WiWh-TAe9tsXOd2vDPLvYbK-nW69nt_wqbQmzfGLGM5abUb6t/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg-OEJAx8PNdhyphenhyphen8xNIMdHzy47DZh4nkpbqCZ2Jd-XoRFAkEekI11TKWR-pVYjTr7xqm119t0KB23ObHW8-RTmXAr_yiW8MmRoRZF9BGfIupoBbXQoHrsmQ5FIetEA0kJk1udshGp450HZvo/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-RrZQNp1rGSI/W0ULNH2PO-I/AAAAAAAAaMk/VEQDAbFNQIIyBrWFywpND6Y5D2wnXAe0wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-3ySCxweWRb8/W0ULNtzOgGI/AAAAAAAAaMo/g7XlMYiHoN831T8wiG1zENxDObvyd9VLwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p><p></p><p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-10581871783213582592018-07-07T16:16:00.017-07:002018-07-11T20:44:37.333-07:00Lane baseball 2018 <p>This year is Lane’s last year for coach pitch baseball and he is having a great year! He played for the black team and His daddy was the assistant coach for the season!</p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-MMPQFu1obvs/W0FjO5b7aHI/AAAAAAAAZ9c/1EZfqJPRsKYxrRCr9P8bI8hfvof0O9nDACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-WCyxfd3lcO4/W0FjVmvpVrI/AAAAAAAAZ9o/tvWtfKFHya8iX412KtUVtNODwCyXNPlGwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p> He also was chosen to play on a team called the Bandits and they played a Saturday tournament in Long Grove, Ia. He received the MVP medal in that tournament. It was a great day and Lane always has the best cheering squad! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhIS1ZFas6kUsUURF8ccJEQtxY8iWZLszdf35df4mt7Su_1ifsOUryj9yuy-heNnRev58W6xJXenxA4qRlDa0Dyc-_9YlvvJw3OQKL7AGWbnpoa7lbaRTptlzX9mcjqEt5T63BVJ3cVt46o/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-E1h8kJy_mUs/W0FePANzDBI/AAAAAAAAZ8M/9ZytuZqJOPoMKRkRZuzD_9khLv5qN82NQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-NvI25VROd7s/W0Feb_o65fI/AAAAAAAAZ8Q/oEw8ue7yjhMAMw8kbU0wq80-shG4YiajwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhretPWsX3za4Be8rqkzbl4PFcgyQE6dMrnC62etKEpMeg86fSZ52Hgt3J-cCGqnn59NZCc6SPR2HKP8argPHqmzMFf1ngkPIUv0PD-fBubhTAusDTQmFRuEPhqJUQzHJDA6YYCR1MwRBl3/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--8ir8Qnwa5Q/W0Fez1u-RsI/AAAAAAAAZ8g/j01quGU8xMcxqZdF9OaGDH3Lm6XZEmaiQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-v-9cHVk_SL8/W0FfcOZhj9I/AAAAAAAAZ8s/ZusMVwz_cSQ6WhhQPzdBTYfD-52WPIzzACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kl9p7blaKHc/W0Ffi9H6XWI/AAAAAAAAZ8w/u_cH3qGNIHUiABJJxSYMN7drcH7QcztpwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEggip2gTEYewMX9hphssFecPPFp1PI6ycKcNXeEJ-G95KR3Vn14xGfoh3ehIuzHuHYLt8sWmV0qXw__eG08zX7hoGAk7RbDg9SeebnSOxEZnhQ-l1Bu9KvRR45dXhcW9Wj8pMQmMXVhB0GX/" alt=""></p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg4kS29eEm4CKNmDbahURDP0hs-AoBXikQ3buZfffVnS7-aAKpd2orHATGfo36p6dKI-fCeSDsbv0is5XgCIKwDMEsu6ca6cj_6UGLep2g04booN6N9VN9NrZfgdOj15Kpmdv0uhCxa0EFZ/" alt=""><br></p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYS8B1H7CK3O8odOVW6c_M4sZFPyFoB9YwDOiv2PxVgaeyZHlFoiiE-LmuMYDwk6-fVfcfbP3AIMvZJu4a6Dy775OXJQSMsWgzRasURRgHMsR_3qkU4vYAy5DT_USBGTa1_vVRed-QPC3L/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-H2msD3tTByU/W0FjwyEeZqI/AAAAAAAAZ94/6or0KwgABZgmp4cfdgtsfWxewrTUBjacgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0CqX_nZO1DpMXXRzxyMM8K6Z-mRrZcVurgLMK_ETrt803BjVSJhtlLe53nXP3iR_GlQoyjJV9Hn5uWkyzf8dlCxP6bwgrfdp360z5rSXA2-wsl8nH7_xRDRGdXjE8kUtGUjTAqAHf58lI/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiP0bo17F4Pof4sFBiXOXYu5aN4pYsDYIHmTXK7f68IF_otXTR-MJrHmELUqJdnwcb67jYIsZMxiBkFtJi9XHIGZgXXJjxdOMzKX5vsEh48wrtIli1mSf8T3PbTEfXBhLMIaalHWFzsw21T/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgLKJCuS8QovZeUFvvFdQCUjrYvv2iSTC7EEU7f3rhlSNN_3-t2NxmX6YykcoouTNtaPageevVxNQgaYvGsrNj85FfuXJq6clUuqfh56Gg_FUE7-tRCp2zQcqtrfPIRlTtE_6O8jOE1BZu/" alt=""><br></p><p><br></p><p>He also made Allstars this year!! We were so proud of him!! </p><p>His daddy is THEE BEST daddy in the world! Always encouraging him, teaching him, practicing with him, and investing his time into making him better at the game. He doesn’t just focus on that though; Matt has fun with him, makes him a more positive person, and strives to make memories with Lane in baseball! I am so blessed to have been given such an incredible husband to be the father of our children! </p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjpqs9YjRNVyQXCup4Q5bs1QErnSQrLT6vLWfiwq89KQ0n4-BIXaisBDmraE2U4dIrmxP-egsPE3p2mmTo2TiazpvDB_2UvV1dSa4ElvX_XfOZdydAhKQMliEn1TK1rA58LSz-lY_y-R_YL/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMVV67AVRVAw5589mx-4vcVQk5rSNBwaA4W6TKfGAkb0JGkE8e7TeF3hqxDBovwXtoLNxqt19C0hRXemB6XL5M1fEpQ1iw4P4JVSP5aOXNkZtDftku1ABj1bcU7rTlSJxl8qDFo1Olnw-3/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-DfCeneXDi1k/W0FkyZ6sw-I/AAAAAAAAZ-w/gd8EskuOPP0Y8WszjS0tHNJ7L6RrbnPQwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiV0Cow8lm3i0ydthWqd34TDgeJUokH6y6GE4K-Zv7M54Q_IAw56Y-HOgSOz4A6NYKe5nmiqwtVgXghBS9AXnbrO4FJoRoSW1-rIgQp6nqqsVjX7Fova9b5_FadcD-ph1yoxae0LZiXHNqK/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OFyD5i-sp8A/W0Fk5XUkJAI/AAAAAAAAZ-8/RonrgA5XjEQnwWbd_bELFRCVJmTKelqJACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p>It was such a fun summer having Lane really grow into a good baseball player! He writes and eats right handed but naturally he plays sports left handed! (I am not convienced he wouldn’t have been a total lefty had it been for the forceful placement of a certain teacher but none the less it sure is fun to have left handed pitcher and batter!!) We love you number 40 and are so proud of not how good you are but of how hard you try!! </p><p></p><p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-15834769607099496032018-07-05T20:04:00.011-07:002018-07-05T20:43:08.363-07:00Back to blogging <p>This may be the longest time between posts to date here on our blog. And it already feels good to be back. I have been using our #welcometodeckerville so frequently in place of actually updating our family blog this past year. Each summer I take a break from social media to ensure the time well spent with my kids, a break from the constant contact, and to dig into other areas that I may not be doing as much when I’m using my time online. To be real honest I do not scroll or use social media often in zone out mode. I use it frequently to post on my business page (more to come on that in a moment!) and to post stuff for my own benefit of having it upload to my chatbooks that I have set up through my Instagram account. (Chatbooks is a photo book subscription that we pay for each month and every month they send us a book of photos we posted on Instagram! It is so very convient and I’m so glad to have those photos with the dates and captions printed for me. A quick easy way to get photo books print and in order none the less!) However that hashtag and those Instagram photos are not the total elaborate memories of our family and I want to use this time this summer to get back to recording that here. </p><p></p><p>Here is a quick recap of where things are right now...</p><p>Lane had a great 2nd grade year. His teacher had the sweetest things to say about him, he got all great grades, and enjoyed playing football in the fall, basketball in the winter, and currently is in baseball. He also did boys hip hop and did a great job performing in the spring dance recital! On top of all that he is an amazing son, always helping and loving his brothers, and is so kind to friends! We are so proud of him and I can’t believe he is going in to 3rd grade! For some reason him changing schools and being the youngest grade in it has given me a lot of overwhelmed feelings. Lots of prayers going up for my boy. </p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvIDgEbutHzQyjZGxJibTCGOhrv7_xq3VWtmEV4LI8pOWbO3WAem_IdXWTCsTxH32AJ8CFWyx7t7VJC5s8BrG0YtK5hcSbD6g6zSulzX57uEUpu6Y1pA2_R7qZPgcUtUC769RawSYOIC2D/" alt=""><br></p><p>Luke had a wonderful year in kindergarten. He missed a lot due to strep throat over and over again. He even had a tonsillectomy and adenoid removal this past year and actually has strep throat once again. That makes for 10 times in the last 14 months We will see another specialist in a couple weeks to see why this keep’s reoccurring. He finished kindergarten reading at a 3 grade level! He is incredible at reading and loves reading books but his biggest love is building. He is so creative and builds the most amazing things with legos. He loved going to LEGO club at our local library and he is currently in tball for the first time and is so excited for his first game! Lane and Luke also already finished the reading club at the library this year and went to vacation bible school this summer too. Luke is always using his imagination, is a constant helper, and loves to spend one on one time with each one of us. He is the sweetest boy with all the words of love to us and is still so brave. We can’t wait to see how 1st grade goes. I am praying for good good friends for Luke this year. </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--tE7fvbe81c/Wz7foWn_R5I/AAAAAAAAZ1E/BCmlh-3SQbAGEJCtdH_TINQQCYMBIyGbACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p>Lyric finished his first full year of preschool this year. This boy is SO smart. Beyond smart! He is still in love with numbers. He has counted up to 638 by 2’s. He also can count into the thousands by 1’s, 5’s, 10’s and even to 20 in Spanish. He knows all his letters, sounds of letters, and over 50 sight words! He reads books so so well and loves to learn. He struggles with writing but can write his name. He is getting better at coloring but pressing down crayons, markers, and using pencils with the proper grasp is where he struggles. He is currently in summer school and will start preschool again in the fall. He still has a one on one aide who we love and he is also recieveing speech and occupational therapy at school. His communication is so much better and he seems so much less frustrated now that he can talk so well. His sensory aversions are so much better too. I never thought I’d hear him asking to play play doh but he does. He is also a swimming machine this year. Jumping off the edge and getting fully underwater and having a blast in the pool! It has been so so fun to watch. We pray so fervently for this boy and believe with our whole hearts God is using him for such a time as this. </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-I-ZZOu6x66M/Wz7fbKXEtWI/AAAAAAAAZ1A/xDc3vzQbLyQ9hmg9ejX1r0TFIr_vnD3hQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p><br></p><p>Levi 18 months old and a talking machine. He talked well at 1 but now at 18 months there isn’t anything he doesn’t say, speaks great sentences, sings songs, asks for what he wants, and is starting to know some colors, numbers, and letters too. He is so smart, so funny, and loves all things boy! He is obsessed with balls, loves throwing them with anyone that will play, doesn’t really watch tv but loves loves reading books. He is so adored by all of us and we wouldn’t change one thing about him!! He has had a great summer swimming and enjoying all the parks around here! </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-bNFawWg7CEE/Wz7gxzAiVmI/AAAAAAAAZ1U/Ozb1YiX1Lx8PcrPEAF5NN_ipwtDpUaCzwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p>Matt has been coaching all these sports for the boys, continuing to play in the praise and worship band at church, and being our sole provider all while loving his baby, teaching and encouraging his preschooler, and making special memories in the ball field and out fishing with his big 2 boys. He is an incredible husband who does a great job of still dating me and loving me and supporting me so very well!! We are so blessed by him!! </p><p>And I have been teaching total body fitness classes in my Healthy Whole & Strong program for almost a year and absolutely LOVE it!! I feel so passionate about living a healthy lifestyle and I’m so thankful for the interest and full classes that I have had. We workout 3 days a week for 1 hour and the women in these programs get daily motivation, reciepes, tips, etc as well on a private Facebook page. I love getting to do this so very much and am so thankful for it! </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-zVRlL0YSoDU/Wz7ZCgZba-I/AAAAAAAAZ0I/m746HVUppa8h7ZdLSdcJdtaWYvlPzkcRwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh2icoswbcTYbIQXtQHyT2vhDTzvVbCjX7PArimCqkpxY7y3n5EfXVnouXkLutethmgkXPgj2GQq3dg2aCTTCXujQUOKhuIuoUl9GPE1ePjfQuCbpxzemCL5Bsh0yUbWHev92f3i9ymSBt9/" alt=""></p><p>It’s been a great start to summer and while I know I will continue to use my hashtag and Instagram in the future I look forward to posting much more about what’s going on in Deckerville back on our blog! </p><p>This week we swam on Monday and Tuesday at our friends pool, enjoyed the 4th of July at Matt’s brothers house swimming and having a cookout with family, and today we went on a walk, played at the park and looked for tad poles in the fountain. And This weekend we 2 baseball practices and a tournament. This is Summer for us and we love it!!</p><p><br></p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-kyGtUuxadLM/Wz7kCPcj0GI/AAAAAAAAZ1g/Te5TgwjHNhAXm8vjxmzKyI3JnKSa7fnjgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p><p></p><p></p><p></p><p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-4239226868559217192017-10-31T07:14:00.003-07:002018-07-07T13:14:31.989-07:00Another surgery for Luke (tonisils and adenoids) <p>Luke has been battling strep throat after strep throat since April 2017! It started Easter weekend and hasn't stopped since. Today is Halloween and he has consecutively had strep throat since that weekend. He has been treated 7 times in 6 months and today is the day to have his tonsils removed. He has been so incredibly brave and strong each and every doctors appointment.
</p><p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiijdMJKf5KkSSQE391ypY91FmYIIydflulEWk7jaddncS6OSl5oQPL51KhNDXBiJvjWrQETbz956I_v-SU0vfevCBUKQ4FLUkFPok-lDqMVvqmi7twA5th4nMmBKy24QQF4x18sGM7yqzM/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgNXP1otSMN3I9JsGfB3tdkbUJymUP34La84WVtZ2IMayAWgIxbZtSwfJZJ5ae-55TuObMNhKPQlz193nRZHkzjfRbzeDatZ59Fyg2ZDvIeVyrpnJuuwZKNLdJKXTg8RMwoNJdrQLwpZ_hZ/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjVj0HB_YAGBkIxw06ysZBm-Ghgx3MyLqoKOsEAGB2BlKntnNBBQkON1XpSkLYvvyXmVGg3jStfWDyMD7C35kHY3d3mUtfmDaq1MLqAGZy-75w-CnhlmEHqBJS42musU9oEaHnOwIL0uhf7/" alt=""><br></p>
Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-24527871650074610022017-09-25T18:50:00.002-07:002017-09-25T18:51:58.556-07:00Lyric...gluten free <p>Just wanted to document that we decided yesterday (after a couple weeks of praying, researching, asking Lyrics teacher, and some trusted resources) to put him on a gluten free diet. GFCF(gluten free/casin free) diets are very beneficial to help with kids that have any sort of set backs, delays, disorders, spectrums etc. We currently aren't doing the casin part of it as we want to slowly step into just eliminating gluten to see if it helps and we have tried a few products here and there to see how he would handle the change of it. Apparently when that is removed from their diet it can improve symptoms from whatever they are going through. Like anything else... all we can do is try it and see if it helps and if it doesn't then we'll just go back to his regular way of eating. We don't feel stressed out about it because after doing lots of research and getting an app and scanning lots of barcodes in our house so many things are naturally gluten free that he eats that we use all the time and already had (such as ketchup, peanut butter, jelly, dum dum suckers, fruit snacks, Fritos, spaghetti sauce, Tostitos, white cheddar popcorn, chocolate chips, yogurt, cheese, pistachios, fruit, veggies, hot dogs, milk, apple juice, applesauce packers, yogurt pouches, butter, etc, etc!) the few things we did but for him that are gluten free musts is a different loaf of bread, different pasta noodles, different taco shells, different pancake mix, different mac and cheese, frozen pizza, and chicken nuggets! We are not going to be paranoid about the fact either if he rips like some goldfish crackers out of another kids hand or something like that and gets one because it's not like it's an allergy. We are keeping a food journal and trying it until the end of October and we are going to see how it goes!<p>I will have a gluten free cupcake for him for my moms birthday party here this week and will be finding a gluten free cookie to give him after church this week and we bought special gluten feee bars for his school snack and brought fruit snacks and starbursts(which he has never had!) to school for potty treats today and the good thing is he really isn't picky about much so I think it should go good! ☺️</p><p>Oh And He can have crunch bars a, starbursts, suckers, butterfingers and all sorts of good Halloween candies still too in a few weeks!😆 </p><p>So with all basis' covered we are thanking God for blessing Lyric and anything we put our hands too on HIS behalf that HE will get all the glory for any and all benefits! <img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidXLnbw5vMw7SOAJTfZGkQiyUnRYMWocN1fZhtzrN0GV_pNx6sI8JEBUuvV_HgIQfyzjyh4G6dbxEzCPRYfrNpMKFN3tRbaa3GaBfMDYBzo6k96_RnqZ8cEineRdyDawnQ1n3mVe1Pptpo/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjI3ZVYkDQv6XwEF3BmQ9RGZDfTd5VUB3KmagCykH7LM4txOVx6QkeBL9PbFTUzuV3AhqaPDWqIUNlx9LHCTo949zN4mBxJ8_zpeX_wZ72iTQ-qkLKiyVquHbeDChrWK1ALfyE761g_z7uX/" alt=""></p><p><br></p></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-76591567342538996442017-08-29T12:15:00.003-07:002017-08-29T13:30:25.706-07:00Finances and Kids<p>Since last school year when Lane's teacher used "tickets" to encourage good behavior and then allowed them to "spend" their tickets at their classroom store we have been doing the "Decker Family Store" at our house. I bought a big ole' roll of tickets and the boys made cute little ticket containers (recycled out of oats containers) and decorated them to hold their tickets. I put things inside there like candy, matchbox cars, dirt bike toys, gum, movies, a "trip to the movies" etc...just basically random little things that they could "buy". Our smallest being one piece of gum for 1 ticket...our biggest item being a trip the movie theater for 50 tickets. (toys were 5-20 tickets, to earn a dvd 20-30 tickets etc...) </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-fvr1zV26_Aw/WaXLFWaOaGI/AAAAAAAAHQE/OQFAmMK4UmAOkgGrQs8H0uPxcy-V_QKmACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p>
<p>It was basically a way to kind of teach our two oldest how to spend and save. We had tried money before...Lane and Luke have had red solo cups for save, spend, and tithe since they were 3...but I am not sure they were "getting it". It was more of ritual than the respect of money and how it works and knowing how to save and spend. So when Lane came home so excited about tickets last year I just knew I had to follow suite. (*parent tip of the day....do what your kids are excited about when it comes to learning! Basketball? Well then shoot hoops while you work on spelling words, Race Cars? well then use the color of the car, counting the wheels, sounds etc! ) SO with his excitement about tickets... I jumped on board and wow did it take off. "What gets rewarded gets repeated" and the boys were all about being helpful, respectful, responsible, and going above and beyond what is expected of them to earn the tickets. (It was a fabulous way to stretch out the holiday candy too!) And best of all it taught them exactly what "saving" up was like. They both LOVE gum! But if they really wanted something for 10 tickets and had 8 tickets...did they really want to use that ticket for a piece of gum when they were so close to earning that 10 ticket item? Once they looked at it like that and had the tangible items in front of them...it clicked. I think what helped them most was SEEING it! </p>
<p>All kids visually learn and audibly learn...but some kids are more visual and some are more audible. Lane is for sure an audible learner where Luke is more so a visual learner. (they both are kinetic learners...they do better when they DO what we are talking about. Boys tend to be movers and shakers and just goers in general so the more physical the better.) But I have to say they both really thrive when they see the transaction taking place when it comes to spending and saving. </p>
<p>Well through out the summer I would add things here and there but their ticket store wasn't on the fore front of my mind because like most things summer just becomes more relaxed. Well the last week of summer we were going over our new routine for school. (I always hang it on the side of the fridge...seeing it helps them both!) And that is where our "D-tickets" list hung. We got to talking about it and I added some stuff to the store and wouldn't you know they got all jazzed again about the store. (Luke is currently dying to earn the movie "Walle"). </p>
<p>Around that same time we had registered Lane for flag football for the fall and Lane was begging me for under armor football gloves (that he see's the NFL players on TV wear.) I kind of went into a mommy mode rant after signing him up reminding him...<br><br>
"Lane, we registered you, got you the shoes, jersey, pants, and all the things you need (including the sweat bands and sleeve that you got last year)...BUT YOU DON'T ALWAYS GET WHAT YOU WANT...If you want those gloves than we can ask for them for Christmas or your birthday. Well of course that followed with him reminding me that Christmas and his birthday are after football season and I <strike>kindly</strike> said I understood but that then he would just have to wait til next year to wear them because we just don't always get what we want and as I am reminding him of this life lesson my sweet hubby blew me away...<br><br>
He interrupted me telling Lane that he can have whatever he wants (parent approved of course), whenever he wants it, as long as he works for it. </p>
<p>It was such a great statement. It was so perfect for that moment...and it is so true. </p>
<p>After a more in depth discussion Daddy told Lane that he could call his Poppy, Papa, Uncle's, go to his neighbors etc...and explain that he is trying to make some money to buy his own football gloves and ask if he could do a job for them to earn a dollar. The phone calls were SO adorable. Time stood still watching him call them and he even left his Uncle J the cutest message while laying on his bed chatting on my cell phone and he just looked so big.(one of those stand still momma moments ya know?!?!) And low and behold...</p>
<p>HE DID IT!</p>
<p>3 WEEKS LATER AND LOTS OF LITTLE JOBS....HE EARNED THE MONEY!!!</p>
<p>We are so proud! We of course bought the gloves that first week and I have been hiding them in our dresser. I know we could have just gave them to him the minute he "X-ed" off the last square on his envelope (and man did I ever want too) but I knew that wouldn't teach him the transaction...</p>
<p>"the visual" like the tickets...</p>
<p>is what helped him learn.</p>
<p>So he had an envelope that I drew 24 boxes on and he had to personally put his dollars in there and put an X for each dollar in each square. Once that envelope was full it was off to the bank to make the deposit and THEN order something on amazon and then wait until it comes in the mail! He knows somethings come in one day and some things in a few days...so once he earned the money, deposited it, we gave him the gloves that came in the mail!!</p>
<p>To say I am proud of him is an understatement. But it's more than just earning the money. It's the understanding that things are worth working for, that if you want it...there isn't a limit if you have the determination to work for it(such a good daddy), it's that sometimes it takes even years to complete saving for something and that isn't a bad thing....it's a GREAT thing because it's worth it (a good reminder for all of us), it's the understanding that you can't use amazon like a game...you have to have the money BEFORE you click buy now, it's being proud of what bought with your OWN money and learning a job you may have not known before you tried to work for something...it's just so so so much more than making money. </p>
<p>And now...as the 7 year old (like all things thus far) he will pass down his knowledge of this to his brothers and encourage them to work for something too. Right now Luke does great with the tickets! He SO gets that way for earning and spending and I think for 5 we will stick with that...but some how in just one short summer...our sweet Laners is doing laundry, mowing the lawn, and braving up the courage to call someone and ask if they have a way he can make some money and working for it. </p>
<p>I think my next step for Lane is doing monthly allowance. At the end of September (and each) month he will receive $10.00 if he keeps up on all his chores around the house. He will give $1.00 to tithing and he will be able to save or spend the other $9.00. (We have helped him understand this for a while. We believe we give God the first 10% off our pay day and we want our boys to do that as well and understand that theory and when they are little it's just been understanding offering, giving, etc...and since they were 3 those tithe cups have been a blessing showing them put some in this cup first if there is change but the tithe principal and earning and actual money is so much more teachable now at age 7.)</p>
<p>And of course if he wants to earn more than $9.00 in the month of September he can always call around asking for work. :) </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CidK7b6aO9A/WaXLZbmnQNI/AAAAAAAAHQI/HdDDcpm-I8ouJbDv1MdxsWyROl3hfzg7wCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ok3oGrmomv8/WaXLa0xkFcI/AAAAAAAAHQM/oj9I9j7gSVQCaQNvpJo4A6qpcF99zLlTwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-l1DYMDndT_o/WaXLcTjPGNI/AAAAAAAAHQQ/M64MPSQ8C4MXviblqh9N0lUqF2Y0kzOqgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-neqVeVdCH5M/WaXLdh9inMI/AAAAAAAAHQU/yDXA46PbXloDeNk2VilSgoCzgywHlNkugCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p>
<p></p>
Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-6314119409941794702017-08-23T12:23:00.007-07:002017-08-23T13:59:28.636-07:00What it is like to have a "different" child. <p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It has taken me a long long time to write this post. I have considered writing one for almost a year now and never really had the courage to. But today I have finally found it. NOT because anyone gave it to me but because I realized that putting this out there may help somebody. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My current circumstances do not stay concrete just because I talk about them. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Just because I speak about the facts does NOT mean that my faith isn't greater.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(because trust me it IS)</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I am writing from a place of faith and flesh. Before I begin I have to get it out there...what's been there all along....I KNOW, THAT I KNOW, THAT I KNOW....my son is going to be fine and live his life to the fullest potential that God has called him to. AND For no other reason than...</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I KNOW the creator as my father, as my family, and as my friend and HIS words and true and HIS promises will never fail.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So now that everyone knows that about me and my truest of truest feelings....let me elaborate on what goes underneath that. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other feelings....and other thoughts....(still with all that said above in highest regards...)I am human and I have a fleshly nature....and even with the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ and with all my hope in HIM and all my faith in HIM and all my trust in him and all my burdens casted upon HIM....</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"><br></span><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I worry about my children.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">(and I presume some of you reading this do to.)</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I have never wrote about this before because I felt like maybe putting on paper...or on our family blog would then solidify it. Which I am realizing now...why haven't I put this on year yet? Don't I want him to know someday all that he(they) have over come??? </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So today's the day.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Today </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Is</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Day.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So a little over a year ago (the end of last summer to be exact)...I will never forget the moment I said out loud what I had been thinking for about 6 months. The thing I know my husband was avoiding too, and the thing that I know without doubt people were thinking. (looks...especially the ones your own family try to cover up and pretend they aren't looking when they are....don't lie).</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I said it out loud to my husband while laying in our bed....</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"Something is wrong with Lyric"</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A quick little preface for you...Lyric is our third son. Our oldest was still 3 when he was born and our second oldest turned 2 years old four days prior to his birth. He was an AMAZING baby! Easy to calm, snuggly, loving, kissy, giggled on time, clapped on time, rolled, sat, crawled, walked, waved, "so big", babbled all the things on time. He was breastfed for 13 months...ate homemade baby food and toddler food like a champ. Self feeding and always loving all foods. (We actually nicknamed him the "crumb dog" because this kid would eat anything of his, anything of yours, and when he would get down out of the highchair he was looking on the floor for crumbs! I'm so serious!) He went with the chaos so well. He LOVED to watch his brothers...loved taking baths and swimming or playing outside...he loved stroller walks...being worn in a baby carrier....loved to swing....laugh at his doggie...went down and took naps wonderfully with no problems and went to bed like a dream child...book, song , pray, lay down with blankie and pacifier and right to sleep on his own (still is a rockstar sleeper at 3 1/2 might I add). So all good things! I have videos of him at 1 year old saying colors of things, repeating some words, and babbling but not a huge talker. Not super concerning...but then at about 18 months I noticed he talked a lot less than his brothers did at that age. And EVERYONE (even his pediatrician) told us that he is the third child, he doesn't need to talk because his brother talk for him, he'll catch up etc etc. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">One of the first red flags for me besides noticing a delay in his speech was his 2nd birthday party. I will never forget how much he didn't like the candle on his cake. (He wasn't that way at his 1st birthday or anyone of his brothers birthdays) He also did NOT want rip the paper and open his presents. And now looking back at Christmas 2 months prior he did not like to open them either. We did go to the water park that Christmas though and he had a blast. No red flags. Totally an angel boy and had all the fun and was exceptionally behaved for an almost 2 year old at a water park! </span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Really everything up to 18 months was grand. He turned 18 months in August. Lane started 1/2 day kindergarten that year and Luke started preschool 3 days a week that year. I have so many pictures of Lyric and Lukie being sweet playing in my car waiting for Lane to come out of school and of me and the little two at the park and playing in the leaves before pick up time and stuff like! Such a fun fall! But then a few months later is when I noticed like I said the aversions to the wrapping paper and then the super sad meltdown about his candle. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">After I said that sentence to my husband I elaborated on what I was feeling. We had just moved into a new house and Lyric handled that wonderfully as well. I was newly pregnant with our 4th child and we were getting ready to go on a lake house vacation with my whole family. I told Matt that by the time Lyric was 2 1/2 if he wasn't speaking more I was going to see about getting him some speech therapy. Clearly all the reading I was doing to him, the flash cards, and all the things I did with his big brothers was not impacting him enough in the area. And while my husband STILL(and still does today) thought he would catch up on his own...he agreed to see about some therapy. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sure enough after vacation (and 2 very dramatic- never had I ever before seen a melt down like that melt down from any child in my life-melt downs while we were at the beach (wet sand, I believe now looking back,was the culprit) we decided to research about some therapy. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A friend of mine had a son with speech delay issues so I reached out to her asking her how she went about starting therapy. She was a wonderful source of information (thank you Katie Deets) and I went ahead with her suggestion and called the learning early intervention program. After TONS of paper work, multiple meetings, multiple evaluations from a developmental therapist, a speech therapist, and an occupational therapist, and psychiatrist, we went ahead and started speech therapy.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We started speech the last week of September 2016. I took Lyric to therapy in Clinton 2 days a week and one day a week a therapist came to our house for an hour and worked with him. He had speech a total of 3 days a week equaling 2 hours a week.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We got about 8 weeks of therapy in before our sweet little Levi made his surprise arrival 5 weeks early! Then when Levi was 4 weeks old and things had settled a bit(by the way Lyric LOVED his little baby brother with his whole heart. Said his name when we asked him too right away upon meeting him and he handled the transition like a champ! All our boys did and that is because God is good and we asked Him all through out my pregnancy to work in the hearts of our children to prepare them for change and HE DID! All the glory goes to HIM) we continued the same therapy for Lyric for 1 more month until Jan 25th when Lyric was still two years old....he (again after an evaluation, a big ole' IEP meeting with lots of people, and another boat load of paper work) started preschool in the special needs class(that is blended with a regular needs class) here in our town. Putting him in a "special needs" preschool was honestly embarrassing for me at first. SO was him having a one on one aide. But after this whole past year I can reassure you that I feel SO very special in a GOOD way.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lyric completed roughly 13-14 weeks of school last year as he started in the 2nd half of the year (because they don't accept you unless you are almost 3 ) AND because we had a week of for spring break AND he had a week off for strep throat (that poor boy grew his immune system fast last year) so it was right around 13-14 weeks of school total. Preschool was 5 days a week receiving speech therapy 60 minutes total a week (being pulled out of the classroom and going into a classroom with only the speech teacher one on one either in 15 minute increments, or 2-30 minute increments...what ever worked for them that week) and then towards the last few weeks we did request an OT(occupational therapy) evaluation to see if he qualified for services (because it was very odd to me that he doesn't like play doh and things of that sort and apparently there are sensory aversions that people have in this world. This was all kind of new to me. I mean I had a sister that would yell at me if I slid my fork between my teeth because the sound made her cringe and I have a husband that doesn't like tags, which are all a thing similar, but Lyric had straight up aversions to things...like gagging over touching play doh) He did not qualify for OT with the learning intervention program because he was very "physically" qualified in all areas and while I explained my concern to them about the aversions and they did agree they should be addressed....I would have had to take him an hour away for services and the waiting list was 6-9 months to get in and he wasn't even going to the correct age to receive them by the time we would have received a spot. (Learning intervention through the state of Illinois is birth - age 3).</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lyric did great in school last year. His one on one aide was (and is) an angel and his teacher was (and is) incredibly gifted, talented, and so amazingly passionate about helping these kiddos.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lyric had a FABULOUS summer!! He seriously developed and thrived SO CRAZY MUCH withOUT therapy! (God told me not to do therapy with Lyric this summer but that's a whole other post for a different time.) </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So here we are. The start of his first "full year" of preschool. Him and his 2 older brothers all go to the same school. Lane is in 2nd grade, Luke is in kindergarten, and Lyric is in preschool.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">A good friend of mine (thank you Katie Tucker...yes two good friends named Katie AND a sister in law named Katie and yes I often screw up text messaging the wrong Katie) sent me a podcast from this page called "Focus on the Family".( If you listen to KLOVE radio maybe you have heard of it. I read a book a while ago called "Bringing up Boys" by Dr. James Dobson. Incredible read and his Focus on the Family Christian station, websites, books, AND APP is so amazing.) Anyways the podcast she sent me was a podcast of a mom and her son speaking about a book called "Different" that they wrote together. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Listening to this mother and her (now 28 year old) son speak about him being "different" and the disorders he was labeled with and suffered from....it effected me like nothing has ever EVER effected me before. And not because I am experiencing the same things she is...because while some yes...a lot of them no...BUT because of the feelings she talked about. They were very spot on. My heart sits in the same spot with my 3 year old as hers now sits with her 28 year old. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And that is where this courage is coming from. It's coming from a place of wanting to share (not my perfect heart or my perfect parenting ways because I can assure you that is very far from the truth) how I am completely and honestly 100% ok with DIFFERENT. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">ALL OF MY BOYS ARE SO VERY DIFFERNT. I am VERY different from my sister. And the word different is NOT BAD!!! Why is that a thing? It always has been. I have always thought "bad" when someone would say "you and you're sister are very different aren't you?" Like when a teacher that she had a few years before me would say that to me when I was growing up I would instantly think different meant that she was smarter (she was) but maybe different meant...she's an more of an introvert while you're more of an extrovert. BOTH GREAT THINGS....different ...yes....but both wonderful. And quite frankly both so very needed in this world. I mean hello can you imagine all introverts (insert crickets chirping) or all extroverts (Lord help us all). I mean we are different and that is so great. One of the many things this lady said in this podcast that touched my heart so deeply was "God is NOT a cookie cutter God. I mean look at creation. All different kinds of plants, animals, people...you name it! Different!!!" All good....but different. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My boys are the same way. Lane is SO different from Luke and that was SO very evident right away. And now that I have four....all 4 of them are so different. Currently Lyric doesn't "fit the mold" per say of some other 3 year olds....BUT he also is crazy brilliant and blows our minds about some stuff he can do that neither of our "mold fitting" older children ever could have done at 3. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My sister ( like I said is extremely smart) is a teacher...not only a teacher but has her master's degree and is a reading specialist, and sits in on IEP meetings all the time and is just is a wealth of information on children and their learning abilities etc....had told me this (long before I even had Lyric) </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"That to make an average there is a high...AND...a low"</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Let me repeat that...AND.A.LOW.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Actually I think she said this to me when I was possibly talking to her about some "difference" between Lane and Luke...which by the way Lane was a CRAZY early talker and like a 25 year old by 15 months old so there was that...but obviously now at 7 and 5 Lane and Luke talk just the same even though Luke was not high above average at 15 months like Lane was. And now Luke is a fabulous reader and I think may have knocked his "smartie pants" brother out of the water with his ability to ready by age 4 so there's that😉 </span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where one might excel in one area at one age, one may seem delayed or struggle in that area at that same age. Again....a high, and average, and a low. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Where one of my boys may play sports, one may not be gifted with the desire, talent, ablity, or passion to play sports. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">AND THAT IS A-OK.</span></p>
<p><span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> Actually that's more than OK....that is GREAT. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Because what I have come to realize as I have to relinquished my sweet Lyric's "situation" into God's hands. And like the momma that I listened to speak of her son...I LOVE Lyric and ALL our boys NOT for what they can or can not do but simply and deeply for WHO. THEY. ARE.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">They are God's children, who He gifted to me to be a steward of. For a short time...a very short time. And while I know delays, differences, and challenges look different for everyone....I pray that you too can realize that it isn't about you. It's about them...it's about their life and what GOD has for them....if you can let go and let Him have the control. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Maybe your struggling with a mouthy daughter, or maybe your son bites people at daycare, or maybe your pre-teenager is lying all the time(sorry mom that was me), or maybe you have a delayed child with a one on one aide in a special needs preschool(me)....whatever your current situation is....</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">guess what....</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are all more alike than different.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and the even better news than that is.....</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">WE have the God of this universe that (Psalm 77:14) who still performs miracles; who displays His power among the people.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I fully believe with my whole heart that HE will get me through every situation...with every child...with every struggle...no matter what the lable...no matter what the disorder....no matter what issue may be...HE created these boys. They are all unique parts to the puzzle of our family and if we were all the same we wouldn't fit just right. I am thankful....BEYOND thankful....for each and every season I have with them. Even the challenging ones. </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Lyric may be a little bit different right now. He currently doesn't like to use his fork...and somedays its a struggle to get him to wear shoes...however God will see us through. He will overcome those things with God's help and all our boys will overcome their struggles in due time. In God's time. And by God's grace(....which I know I need ALL. THE. TIME.) </span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">If you read this...just know...no matter what...with God...the struggle and issue is still there...but it's easier and it's a better road when you follow Him. He want's to carry your burden and lighten your load.</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Someone once said...</span><br><br><br><br><br>
<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">"The pressence of trouble isn't the absence of God"</span><br><br><br><br><br>
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<span style="font-family: "Helvetica Neue", Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">God is ever present...He is ALWAYS there....and quite frankly I don't know how I could ever parent ANY of my children without Him. </span></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Listening to this mother and her son talk about all the years and the things that they went through during his many disorders and many dysfunctions, was so eye-opening not because of all of the struggle but because the one thing that he has to say that I vow to live my life the same way... was that no matter what box culture tried to fit him into or what mold he was supposed to be a fitting into and more often than not...was different.... </font></p>
<p><font face="Helvetica Neue, Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">when he came home he was loved exactly for who he was, and for exactly the way he was wired. </font></p>
<p><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue', Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And he had parents that tried their best to get him through and to bring him to where he needed to be to have a fully "acceptable life"...he never once Felt like his parents were disappointed or sad about the situation. And the mother spoke so much about relinquishing guilt that she had put on herself and how she had learned to live fully in the joy of what it was to be a parent to her 4 children NO matter what! </span><br></p>
<p>And that is why I am OK with putting this on paper because after listening to that podcast I realized that I am fully OK. I truly and honestly am....</p>
<p>I am ok with different. </p>
<p>Sure...Before I wasn't and before I didn't want to write or talk about this...but now I want to remember where He has brought me from and I am excited where these little boys will end up. And I am SO thankful I get to be apart of it and be their momma along the way. </p>
<p>If you are a good friend of mine, a grandparent, or an auntie or uncle to sweet Lyric (and all our boys!) please know God has placed a calling and a special role for you to play specifically for each of them and we are so thankful for you and the part you play in their lives. </p>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-6h_O8-MtpoQ/WZ3fYNq8oII/AAAAAAAAHMY/atVCO5Y_ciIGgLT_2OGRwjADTlm6pF8uwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p>
Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-43468681356924377302017-08-11T11:40:00.007-07:002017-08-14T05:18:59.501-07:002017 Summer Recap <p>How can summer be coming to an end! Every year I think it will go slower and every year it goes inevitably <i>faster. </i>
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<p><i>I was taking a load of laundry out of the dryer and my eyes fell on a sandy little digger (Luke) that was sitting on top of my washer and I felt completely overwhelmed (in a good way) thinking about how much I have loved this summer.</i></p>
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<p><i>These last 2-plus months have been such a sweet balm to my soul, I wanted to record a few memories here for the 5 people – other than my mom – who might care. 😉</i></p>
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<p><i>Vacation</i></p>
<p><i>We tried not once but TWICE to go on vacation! Poor sweet Luke had strep throat 4 times in a row and ended up with mono for over a month of his summer. And little did we know when you have mono it is very important not to rough house or do sport like activities due to your spleen being enlarged and the possibility of it bursting. Lyric also has strep throat then later on and a double ear infection (twice which ended up with him bursting his ear drum) </i></p>
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<p><i>SUMMER STAY-CATION </i></p>
<p><i>That was more like it. BUT this year was so great. We swam and read books and baked and ate a ridiculous amount of cookies and popsicles. I took the boys to a small trips through out the week, and we went to the park or pool almost every day when we were all healthy! We went on more bike rides than I could ever count and, when we felt we had burned a sufficient amount of calories, we went and ruined it all at Dairy Queen. I even got to slip away for an hour to have my nails toenails painted before our family pictures we had taken (which turned out amazing!!!) </i><br></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i>After a massively stressful end of the school year, I finally felt my head clear and my breath lighten! Summers are always refreshing but THIS summer was needed more than any summer thus far. 🙂</i></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i>The Boys</i></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i>I was telling a friend recently that one of my favorite things about this summer is that it has been the summer of best-friend-bonding between all four boys. Lane is now 7, Luke 5, Lyric 3 and Levi is 8 months. The four of them have become so close as they have had so much more time together. Case in point – they wake up at absurd hours that the sun doesn’t even think is acceptable, so they have plenty of time to destroy the house with their shenanigans before Mommy and Daddy get out of bed. Ok not really they don't destroy the house and Lane is the only one up that early BUT they have bonded and made more messes through out all the extra hours and I wouldn't have it any other way. </i></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i>For starters, the big two are really into creating their own stories and scenarios and using their imaginations like crazy. This typically involves them jumping on Mom's bed while making up storylines followed up with a lot of wrestling. Pretending Luke is Lane's pet is pretty typical. And riding "dirt bikes" (regular bikes while making sounds I can't even begin to attempt to make) out front and around our house is a daily event and usually before 8am! </i></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i>After breakfast on the daily we played outside and usually it was baseball while I was either the pitcher or the cheerleader. I'm loud by nature but Lane ALWAYS requests louder cheers! We are currently into football now and I'm always cheering the "big red rumble" super loud and super early...I wonder if our entire neighborhood thinks we are seriously WEIRD.</i></p>
<p><i>Lyric is SO into sports now and playing tball or playing football! I love seeing him interact with his brothers and him and Lukie have spent many hours digging in the sand under the slide. And Levi is a swinging machine soaking it all in....loving every single kiss, tickle, and fly by his brothers give him! All three of them never cease to amaze me at the attention they give that babe and we are so blessed by the love they have for each other!! </i></p>
<p><i><br></i></p>
<p><i>As I type this, it is 5:30 am and I just can't wait for them to wake up and start another and the final summer day as the day to follow will be like a school day technically because it will be a night to get ready for bed for school and I just wish I could hit rewind. I love seeing them all grow close. I tell them all. the. time. that having a brother is like God saying, “Here is a best friend forever. You’re welcome.”</i></p>
<p><i>Other great memories from the summer besides lots of doctor appointments was visiting Papa Goose, vacation bible school, a million rounds on the fire swing, Lane's first year of coach pitch and lots and lots of play dates with friends, enjoying our annual day at the Oregon splash pad, multiple cookouts with family and going swimming and to the pool with Ammy and Poppy and they boy's cousins and also We took the big boys to their first drag racing experience too and they absolutely LOVED it. </i></p>
<p><i>The memories that sink deep right into my heart are the lunches in the toy room, all the books we read before nap time, the morning walks, the after dinner family bike rides, and the sleepy summer sun kissed cheeks in the morning. Oh how my heart aches of summer being over. </i><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhmsgY_eYTYG6_Ly8CPcCB2wYSZpNVWDVmxl1DZUpHJUOGln576_7h788sVqf_eByQkEL849ZwkaBfcYhGCB4pDNBMfRz_R7N5EyY0W42-UkjF_fbF7QOAMJa9MZFSy5ZhDykjvv-bxVIu9/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi-eNxxWVgMa_aeCAmemzi7Bpd17CsjJuaHZBcIFANmjWmiYPksOqdmOKXg7kvl5lDUZzthH_n4HjHseSuXEDf2oLvAITY7ZzxhX_C-M14Cam3fmXjpprYI8oquaXFows2A-xbxrQ0HGVqf/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-OCjlvY-lXxc/WZFQ5OmuvPI/AAAAAAAAGto/2fzsbcBgnbEuHPsATao3mP5mdhV29EEhQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-yrC644s3jcc/WZFQ5y_MSmI/AAAAAAAAGts/F39lWIdxCMsDgODNEDX5HodiFiILSvN1ACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-vw7Bfka6CEU/WZFQ7CYc7RI/AAAAAAAAGtw/lB5iwJMtF64WP27IEV4CZ4-a7pleE_OSACHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-ifdAw2sJI-g/WZFQ8McD5pI/AAAAAAAAGt0/Iixm0mg4N5MeeQGKYUNSMEUT3FHJYf1HQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6RjzLxdlcQYQPMYvgSRzILyEghxAmDkVdx97BuNan7O35-F-1b2SVp8UmkCYFxUBo57S9htZcJdw3xudFuZrGIocPR3akHyNH7b1PduJ2jwzaKdUkkhro3AFWtRWEsEyJGrUXZFpzgBWz/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgMTn-6GYH3YPJu40JDBatPeDcib-pkp_vSWoH1HduChUkozhOs8VpS4_Lm2XGMau63ATfaWWt3DQLbimGaescxFjGF4aZeLAFvJyRoEJi8xXbVnyhnjwqY23btI2bpqvcPuYVr44Y4qAvm/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-Hx5HewHluws/WZFQ_KseTuI/AAAAAAAAGuA/-PfSSLttHYQvj4KBWc7QfRLCPJLxbzoTwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiwNRBUZob6YEzFGbf2FHtz18vs-B4Ipg_tWIwJUg30eOSJ-OO2jOShNBzyuYJesTeL9fPPazOASLQM8OfbMfxSh5HKubZwMuYlPsTFuubHxQfdk515qPH5pLP1YjsAtaqsO13TjAZDJNIq/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhF9MsPKsm5beA74ZHsVBinW2w-7kdYZeOcFwgC476ZNMqYkbOLifGjZUt6qBwrGUAUQjY21TZ1eVYFe4qFQ5xcAe330sbIAHLNFIYrjQiDUwZprjBXPxlH2LAKeLZEqwQUfoaAQFsCq8xH/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi6B0qGFI20J0s6gBWjx8Qjebcey8mMiLz26K4sdJEE0VGRhRWrpSqWd-BWL2RQTClKpifO7dldhsa67-n1YKoaf5F0NrYs_3EZtaEhfDAL-FIuk4byU8UACkWID0SUyIntw-JCcP3u5MJf/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-jJUJRceZ8oU/WZFRF6aPRHI/AAAAAAAAGuQ/9rQ0ZZEq-twPGP11LYiZSlg_QzACXLA0gCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KUOZBU7Yz08/WZFRHfd2s1I/AAAAAAAAGuU/KTQu3G1Mqsc7UNBlfvMqDtI8ct5X4a-CQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQmY8GCrs3A7iqBry7nOwRFxzZQmwUS17YI6LOf4yMXntcV7aoQfBIUhLeRXH_7FxEPZIVOXG8I5g9BebysBS29l47I-dB2D_mvZcqGoTP3z5xIn4MXsjUSLck4WD4vMHD8hyphenhyphenIu7vKtTLL/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiTULdpQVLjTnw-17sW9TXPBPOPKsmemS1tCBEOobwgbYT2TCPldt4HYuz8zsT2hs1v7pTLi-_XydBFGiFCJA9WYvWCft0rqUdp2F00xog2J4k_0IQYWGmbmG7kzwxwWSxEzijbl2lswBCw/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj4deIwCGH8MbLEItf33JzWijL8nbjZfMA8tjHEhpHMt5yOKukyK3BPwF9KXo3168vnXLwq6optjYFRAyf_dYFMUENYwehiDFgv6Zl2ygbCQkNqrZ9237Z3D39uUIX9yrLX3qMNy9demvSE/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-0XpGZr7AFxY/WZFRLx1WUZI/AAAAAAAAGuk/eiIVib7J98gaAOgU53Sw3A_IlOg9YShXgCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh8PjqFElJ9EjfwvDRTxUcUXp-kjOfh64Al-1XeiaGZ1niQU3yMJ12xXFWjF7xuCe6aB-mMl9B94tVhg1MkrhgcGKWu55u3WKzm9Ob5Qs7Onqf1XH9mnhBg3DflJFvMXUTHyd8LL36iYVRU/" alt=""><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-KSbb_DtlvPo/WZFROUOnu_I/AAAAAAAAGus/WerJGBMxhDsFVGrTPgHS1nmtvcQeW2NFQCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhAQn9aKW6s1QIqW7GbuFi_OzbH205JMJZKqgvf3v33vE12JqkNeFFwsU2dDZtppZI_GJlknidk3eWf2ctvhf0m5y97dzVAN3aig0QRT5yuthbNDzGcBzY3Pa6SHpaN8SCN4zkb6Zz6XNUo/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjfsEmUpkzw4kHHLIgsboArfAlJWt9vDnBXTPAXRTbphtDDps4x8uXCLTnymG4-OEQljmc8wylBJGqCJG774sx9ASlBvMXqvR3PyJwRrHvUOouG3b8oU7uV1TyOlw8wgZ0aylHy0GQ60kI4/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhKQa1N7n2ndJZ7aWdBL5Zvx2ti0g-sxYGehcpkgh4OM7sPlkmZNTdwm46Psq1-96M0_tbT6Em8Rkv4iqyMfiesQ3WZxZKNqP-oVIECMX9S80Xw80GdsROY43akmfia9Jfoqkwaq54z5AM/" alt=""></p>
<p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/--PmjQnZ8ZgA/WZFOD4TIzsI/AAAAAAAAGqg/PBCVPnurwMI529KU8woX9ADw3r7vHUwhwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""></p>
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src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi37G33_cmFQ8mLVeZZsXVfSVqmeH2QBwhKVXqaatEHqSgC6jKyZ2v5UYukfubEXLRD3bFCx8S-iguo7YwjTiNToElG1dhi8A-eAV1rI7QTTKujKVCQJHV_EwmC38EZYg6Tfh-4xJhBctqD/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXCVUhNC81Pi2Urt4VD9UTXEoQLmBXxuyJ2GPuwoJwa5B58mvXRxVhN8bFe_NZovAIH0YLrO_CoiPn8HGqMdfpdSazMhLKYsES7Oo4U3Lvcy0pz1VUCrIGP856aZD7oefDep-gxf7Vc8H5/" alt=""></p>
<p><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhhQ-hwwpcHCRAEnkevCH6RBK7eqIjamgMfcydJ3lWmCiHNt7hRK8mEF7cLp73mXRCbgaZaP6jly3rgg5Sm4SseYXK6382n9_jQ-SZScwjnWRHRMpo2-cY1pdfOzZdiV_nvr3gbgmBjb1WO/" alt=""><img src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhqxyxqSydY0CFLcfDkeU8cHh7nvGNWnmDAskcxNuG8qsps4EfS6gbQpEGmRFicwNZjpx3wyJCG5N5pyyZaKcrtlBIXEYuuUaZj7jL8eNMpjqxLoJpJkK1YXd8aWdV3u56A7F0gIWmmgu-z/" alt=""> </p>
<p>My prayer for this 2nd grader, kindergartener, and preschooler of mine is that they would be kind to their classmates and teachers, that they would be surrounded by people that are loving and the ones that aren't so nice....that they would each show those people love anyways. I thank God that HE is with them when I am not and that He is calling these boys to be a light in dark places. I pray they thrive not just survive the school year and that their school would be invisible to the eyes of the enemy. I pray they know without hesitation who's they are and how much HE loves them and how much mommy and daddy love them too! At the beginning of the year we picked a them song! Our summer song this year was The Cure. We listened to it daily and even sweet Lyric knows the words except he sings "YOU ARE THE JOY" so that is what we have sang all summer! It's been the best! So many dance party's to that song!!(and many others!!)</p>
<p>We're all related, brothers and strangers,</p>
<p>The king and the beggar bleed the same.</p>
<p>We've all got a sickness, a terminal condition,</p>
<p>We medicate it but the pain won't go away.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>See the eyes of a million faces,</p>
<p>Looking forward in a million places,</p>
<p>Only one can save us, Jesus.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure!</p>
<p>Everybody's searching for it,</p>
<p>Everybody's reaching out,</p>
<p>Trying to grab a hold of something real.</p>
<p>You are the cure!</p>
<p>Only you can satisfy us,</p>
<p>Fill up the void inside us,</p>
<p>Never been a heart you couldn't heal.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure...</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the doctor, healer and father,</p>
<p>To the orphan without a home.</p>
<p>We feel in the darkness, lost till you found us,</p>
<p>You are the remedy we've been looking for.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure!</p>
<p>Everybody's searching for it,</p>
<p>Everybody's reaching out,</p>
<p>Trying to grab a hold of something real.</p>
<p>You are the cure!</p>
<p>Only you can satisfy us,</p>
<p>Fill up the void inside us,</p>
<p>Never been a heart you couldn't heal.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure...</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>Cure for the broken, the hope for a hopeless world.</p>
<p>The meaning, the purpose, the peace that will make us whole.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>Don't have to search no more.</p>
<p>Don't have to search no more.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure!</p>
<p>Everybody's searching for it,</p>
<p>Everybody's reaching out,</p>
<p>Trying to grab a hold of something real.</p>
<p>You are the cure!</p>
<p>Only you can satisfy us,</p>
<p>Fill up the void inside us,</p>
<p>Never been a heart you couldn't heal.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure...</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>You are the cure, cure</p>
<p>Never been a heart you couldn't heal.</p>
<p>You are the cure, cure</p>
<p>Never been a heart you couldn't heal.</p>
<p><br></p>
<p>It's so funny to even read it with the word cure because we always sing JOY in place of that word! But that song has been just that...a constant reminder in our summer that Jesus is our joy....the giver of all Joy and the one who takes away all pain!! So very thankful for each and every summer moment with my boys. And while I will mourn it being over and feel so sick to think about two being gone all day and one every morning...I won't let that steal my joy of having my special time with sweet Levi every day and soaking up the precious moments of lunch with just my little two and making some wonderful memories with them just like I did with their big brothers before they started school. I am going to CHOOSE JOY. (even while I am missing them at school) </p><p><img src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-CRbBTB-6jME/WZFXCdLnXAI/AAAAAAAAGvw/Z2R0AM0VD40-aAiHUswALlvNeN6jtpxYwCHMYCw/%255BUNSET%255D" alt=""><br></p>
Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-85744101800829899632017-02-21T11:17:00.002-08:002017-02-21T11:24:38.296-08:00My message about Luke's testimony...and God's grace given at ABIDE.<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I recently had the complete honor of getting to share a message with my mommy group at Open Bible Fellowship! It use to be called MOPS (when we followed their curriculum) however currently our group is not doing their exact curriculum and this year it is titled "ABIDE". It is THEE MOST INCREDIBLE place for mommies! It is a place where you go twice a month for 2 hours. They serve you yummy breakfast and HOT coffee and have the most amazing huge hearted women who lovingly watch your babies and toddlers for you while you get to take a break and enjoy encouragement and solidarity from other mommas! AND deepen your walk with the Lord! IT. IS. AMAZING. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">I have been so so blessed by these women so the fact that I was able to stand up and share a message and hopefully bless some of them was just so awesome and so humbling for me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">I had been praying for a while about what God wanted me to share. Of course my obvious thought was LUKE! Man what we went through with Luke many many people won't ever get to experience anything even close to that. However...I felt that God was wanting me to share about HIM. And not just about ME...and our testimony. So even though I did use Luke's story throughout my message I shared what He laid on my heart during that trial....but even more so what I learned after going though it. I did not mention it or use it as an illustration to boast of what we went through....but to boast about HOW GOOD GOD'S GRACE IS. </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana"; font-size: large;">Of course getting to express it and talk about it many more things were said and stressed than what is in these notes....and some of what is in these notes accidentally got skipped over or edited out while talking due to time sake....but for the most part...here is what I shared.</span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Embracing our situations and circumstances is not a one-time event. Life throws us curves each day, sometimes before breakfast! How in the world do we embrace what we are given?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Well you may have heard this scripture...</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">My grace is enough; it's all you need. My strength comes into its own in your weakness. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">His grace is enough? It sounds like a religious cliche. But it is truth and power for us if we’ll accept it. God’s grace is enough for every difficult situation we will ever go through, even if it doesn’t seem possible. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our most impossible moment was when our son Luke was born. We had this beautiful, extremely smart, wonderful 1 year old and expected no less when our second son entered the world. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Luke was born on Valentine's Day of 2012. He looked nothing like his big brother did. He had extremely light blond hair where as Lane had almost black hair. He had thee most precious soft chubby cheeks and his eyes were very close together where Lane's were big and far apart. He was born with this ridge down the front of his forehead and along with the natural cone head babies had and it gave him quite a different little brother look. While we were in the hospital we had asked the doctor and the nurses if it was just a dominate cone head and they all said it was and it would go away. Without ever saying one word to anyone...looking back I just knew deep in my heart something wasn't right. I felt this overwhelming happiness for our new baby boy but I also had this <i>eerie</i> feeling inside me. Ya know almost like when you're watching a scary movie and you know the bad guy is right around the corner?! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The day we were getting discharged this one nurse came in with tear filled eyes and said "I'm so sorry to tell you this but your son's head is not right." </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> She went on to explain to us that she had saw this one other time in her 30 plus years of being a nurse and she was sure she knew what was wrong. She approached our doctor earlier that day and asked him to take an X-ray and told him how she felt and he assured it he was fine and it was a cone head. She went on to tell us that she didn't want us looking up anything online and scaring ourselves but that she would print off some information and bring it over to our house later explaining what she believed was wrong with our son. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We left the hospital instead of giddy...absolutely shaken. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She came over later that evening when she got off work and gave us the paperwork. She told us to call her if we needed anything and she asked us to promise her that if when we went back to our doctor at the one week check up and he said everything was fine and the ridge was still indeed there that we would get a second opinion. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And of course at his 1 week check up...we weren't even the room for a few minutes before the doctor came in and took one look at him and told us he was sending us to Iowa City. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We all have a choice. We can buck and fight against our situations, or we can choose to embrace what God has given us. Here’s the key: we don’t receive His grace until we humble ourselves and admit that we can’t do it on our own, no matter what our “it” is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Your “it” may be home educating your children. It may be dealing with a difficult child or even choosing to love your husband when he’s not so loveable. It may be your financial situation, your job, your boss, or dealing with your parents. Whatever “it” is, when we quit seeing our circumstances as obstacles to defeat or overcome, and choose to embrace them, that is when we receive His grace. It means choosing to let go, and letting Him be in control. And that is sometimes a hard choice to make.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> THAT WAS SO HARD FOR ME...AND WOULD BE FOR ANYONE ESPECIALLY WHEN ITS YOUR CHILD!! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">As the days went on we found out our insurance wasn't accepted in Iowa city so our Doctor said they would look around at some places to refer us. My hubby wasn't going to wait for that and instantly said we live so close to Chicago "I FEEL LIKE WE SHOULD" look there. So he did. He found out once he looked that Chicago had one of the best DCAM clinics in the nation and some of the best surgeons for craniosynotosis in our nation as well.<br />There was many moments where we felt the leading of the Holy Spirit but that was the first one of many as far as guiding us down the right path goes. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">See sometimes we don't even realize that the Holy Spirit is speaking to us but in the moments when we say "I feel like" that is Him. Especially if you are Christian and if you have been baptized in the Holy Spirit! He is always there leading and guiding us in every step of the way but I have to be honest it's much easier for me to discern His voice and His leading when I'm not all foggy or clogged up with my flesh for fears and with stress and worry. Luckily in our situation my husband seem to have a clear connection when my signal wasn't working quite right and I would have a clear connection when his signal wasn't working quite right. I had multiple moments where crying sobbing and doing simple things daily life things or too much for me to handle. My husband had them too. I seem to have more than he did but I will never forget the one time we were eating dinner I was in a good mood enjoying the day the best that I could and as I sat down to eat Matt seemed fine...well after a few bites he set his fork completely down and I said to him are you OK and he said no I'm not and he just went in the other room and started sobbing. These feelings were NOT feelings we could control. Ever felt that way? Facing a hard trial for yourself is hard enough but when it comes to your child it's not situational it comes with every breath you take. There was no way I was going to be able to go through with what lied ahead. The words I can't I can't I cannot I can't I can't I can't came out my mouth and raced through my mind hundreds if not thousands of times before that day approached. When I would let myself actually consider what was going to need to be done I would just say I can't I can't I can't I can't. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Interestingly, when we only endure our circumstances, they may eventually overtake us, drown us, and defeat us. Embracing the difficulties can do a mighty work in our hearts. So if you find yourself fighting, striving, and bucking against the hard things in your life, let go! Trust me I wish I would have learned that down an easier path road. </span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I this sounds so hard I know. I did not want to embrace something was wrong. I wanted to wake up from the nightmare in front of me. I was SO struggling under the burden that had been given me. Things were way harder than I ever dreamed possible. I wanted to embrace the baby God had given me but I will admit, I wanted things to be easier than this. Here’s what I did know. I couldn't do this on my own. I needed his supernatural strength and power to just get through the day. </span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">To say I was overwhelmed would be a complete understatement. I found myself wanting to run away from myself and from my own thoughts. I hated being alone. That's when everything surrounding me and closed in on me when I wasn't busy and distracted with a one-year-old and a new baby I would feel completely overwhelmed and like I was drowning. I even remember one day I was in the shower and like many of us my ever running monologue was not shutting off in my head nor was it quiet....it was more like my fears were screaming at me in there.(God whispers because He is close...satan screams because he is far away...remember that.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> I literally felt like I needed to run or like I was being chased by myself I quickly shut the water off and got out of the shower I put my towel on my head and got my robe on and went out and got back to life being as busy as I could to escape what was going on. Later when I took the towel off my head I realized I had not even rinse the soap out of my hair that's how overwhelmed myself was by my thoughts. Another time I remember going on a run and I felt like I just needed to be alone and I just needed to get some energy out. I went from smiling and feeling good and having a great day to fighting with God and feeling angry with Him and begging Him and pleading with Him and praising Him and bartering with Him and doing anything I could to try to hear His voice. I started out with a nice slow jog not certain where I was going to go and ended up running minutes later as fast as I could to my sisters. When I got in her house she said hey what are you doing and I said oh you know I was just going for a run and she said that's good and then I just started sobbing and I admitted in that moment....</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">that I was just so incredibly sad. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">She had no words for me she just cried right along with me and I just stood in the kitchen and let all of my emotions come out in my tears. </span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Are your emotions getting the best of you today, and your family receiving the worst?</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Emotions. All the feels. Ugh. Some days it’s really hard being a woman.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Yet, these very emotions were given us by God. It’s part of His Divine nature imparted to us when He formed us in His likeness. For most of us women, nurturing, comforting, and tenderness are just a part of who we are. But those wonderful, deep emotions can quickly turn to controlling, nagging, and freaking out.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Last time I checked, freaking out did not make the list as a fruit of God’s Spirit.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our emotions are not something to shy away from, but are qualities to be developed by the guidance and leading of the Holy Spirit. Too many times we are swallowed by the displacement of our greatest qualities, and the winner is satan. We let our emotions take the lead, rather than allowing the Spirit of God to be in control. The fall-out leaves devastation and destruction for our family, and even our own hearts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The strength and power of God are there for our asking. He is more than enough to help us overcome our own weaknesses, and His grace is enough to cover the darkness of our hearts.</span></span></div>
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<span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">When you know your emotions are heightened, humble yourself before your family telling them you realize you may not be in the best frame of mind. Ask for their forgiveness before you lose the battle. Armed with their understanding, and your own, you can face the hardest of days knowing that He is in control, even of your feelings.</span></span></div>
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<em style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0); line-height: 1.8em;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Father, sometimes it’s really hard being a woman. We admit our emotions tend to lead us some days, and the path is littered with hurt feelings and wounded hearts--even our own. We now place our emotions at your feet. We know we'll need to do it again tomorrow and the day after, but We want to give you that control. Please keep us alert to the times when our emotions are teetering toward our human nature rather than your Spirit. WE choose YOU and your ways.Amen...</span></em></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Ok now where was I?? Oh yes...</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We had lots of appointments it started at six weeks when we went to an all day clinic meeting with the geneticist, a plastic surgeon, and a neurosurgeon. After getting the diagnosis that his metopic suture was prematurely closed (your head has five sutures and they are all open when you're born so your head can overlap and passed through the birth canal correctly Luke had one completely close that should not have been closed until around the age of 13 months.) we learned it needed to be opened completely and he needed plastic surgery. That day in the doctors office they explain to a step-by-step and I won't gross you out with all the gory details but it was an incision from ear to ear on across his head or they were going to pull down his skin and use a drimal saw to separate the suture and cut it apart then they were going to take all the bones that were in his four head and by his eyesockets and take them OUT of his head... the neurosurgeon said it was kind of a Humpty Dumpty scenario that he would take apart Luke's suture and all of the bones and be the shepherd of his brain while he did that and once that was completed the plastic surgeon would come in like Humpty Dumpty and put them all back together again. </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We sobbed our eyes out and they talked to us about it as though they were talking to us about putting a set of brakes on your car...they were just very matter-of-fact and the plan was set in the place. A ton of testing was done and CAT scans and blood tests were what was ahead of us. They weren't going to be able to do his surgery until he was 3 1/2 months old. Between six weeks and 3 1/2 months Luke had multiple blood draws. Multiple trips to Chicago multiple CAT scans and I donated two bags of blood for him (they ended up using three) for the blood transfusion he would need after his surgery....heads apparently bleed the most. He lost enough blood to fill a 1/2 gallon milk jug. (How does a 3 1/2 month old even have that much blood?!) </span></blockquote>
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">I remember as the day approached I went on a walk with a friend of mine and I said to Ashley "I can't do this Ash" and she said very calmly "You have too....you don't have any other choice". </span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That's when I started singing the song "your grace is enough for me" day in and day out in my head. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>His grace is enough. What does that mean and how in the world do we go about receiving it? We know we first received His grace when we repented of our sins and allowed Him into our hearts. But why is life so difficult even though we are trying to do the right things? Maybe we aren’t receiving that grace each day.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>It’s really hard to give something you don’t have, and grace is no exception. Moms, we are the worst at holding ourselves to such rigid expectations. But what if it’s not about what we do, but who we are? We are so tired from doing, that we don’t even know how to just “be.” Be His.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We need some grace. And His grace is ours for the accepting! I think we’ve all been taught to believe that we cannot give out unless we are first filled, and that’s a problem for overwhelmed wives and moms and it was a problem for me ESPECIALLY in those days. Our tanks are empty, and we feel like we are dishing out emotional leftovers. While I understand the concept of being healthy so we can care for others, I think we often forget about the abundant, overflowing power of the Holy Spirit that is ours. He never runs out, so why do we?</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>We need to make a mind and heart shift. Let’s no longer consider ourselves as vessels for filling so we can then flow onto others. No. What if we saw ourselves as an open-ended conduits of our Father’s grace, love, kindness, and power!? He constantly gives and gives. As we stay connected to His power and grace, we will remain steadfast in our ability to give and give again. Over and over. Our bodies will be tired, but our spirits can stay renewed.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><b>Tired mamas. Are you connected? Are you receiving His grace in your life? He is there, waiting for you to turn to Him and accept his lavish life-giving power in your life right now.</b></span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Father, We admit that WE have mistakenly thought we had to be filled to the brim with your presence in our life before we could spill your love and life onto others, especially our husbands and children. We want to stay connected to you, to abide in your love and grace, knowing that there is nothing we have to do, but be open to your Presence in our hearts. We pray that your Holy Spirit power, love, and grace will flow through us to all that we see and speak to today, tomorrow, and all our days. We choose You to be the ever constant stream of water flowing through us. In Jesus name...Amen</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">--Ezekiel 36:26, NLT</span><b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I will give you a new heart, and I will put a new spirit in you. I will take out your stony, stubborn heart and give you a tender, responsive heart.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">TO finish up the story...It was a hot warm Sunday when Matt and I and of course Lane and Luke packed our van with coolers of breastmilk, clothes, toys, snacks, toiletries and all the necessities to stay in the hospital in Chicago for at least 10days - 2weeks. Our parents loaded up their stuff too and we caravanned all the way into the city. I didn't sleep at all the night before. He got one bottle of breastmilk at midnight (had to be a bottle of a certain amount of ounces....I sure wish I would have been able to nurse him that night because little did I know he never latched on again due to the pain in the stitches on the side of his head and how elevated his head needed to be for the next weeks) and then he had some pedialite in the wee morning hours to. We "woke" up and left our hotel room at 5am...we had to be in pre op by 6. It was raining...which was totally fitting for my terrible fears, tears, and heaviness that I was experiencing. As my husband went to get the car and I stood in the lobby I stood there and cried and on the inside I PRAISED GOD SAYING YOU ARE ENOUGH....YOU'RE GOING TO HAVE TO TAKE THIS WAY. I was still hopeful in that moment (even with that deep eerie realization feeling inside me) that I was going to see the goodness of a miracle. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Sure enough after 2 hours in pre op the brought us out to a hallway with a red line...the anesthesiologist told us to tell him goodbye and suddenly these huge steel doors opened behind her. In that room was approximately 20 people...teams upon teams of people prepared to open up this baby and correct what was incorrect in his body. They were all scrubbed up and dressed in blue...and all we could see uncovered of them was their eyes. For some reason...the view of it all was so terrifying. (even though now I look back and think of them all as angels...pure angels. But in the moment I just wanted to scream DON'T TOUCH MY BABY...but thank you JESUS that they did.)</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We kissed his sleeping face and as we handed him over he woke up and let out the sweetest little sqwak as she walked away. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We fell face down at that line and sobbed as those doors shut. </span></div>
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<b><i>I literally thought....</i></b><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">“I think I’m going crazy!” Come on, you know you’ve said it, or at least thought it more than once since you took on the title of Mom. I know I did. Still do, on any given day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The mind of a wife and mother has about a million things going on, all at the same time. “Get your shoes on, we need to leave in ten minutes. What do you mean you can’t find your shoes? (Why can’t I find a system to teach my kids to put everything in place?) Where did I put my phone? Wait. Do I have all I need on my grocery list? What time was that appointment? Why is there no gas in my car?” I could go on all day.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Our minds are very complex, and let’s admit it, we are pretty good at multitasking and getting a lot accomplished just through our thinking.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">But our minds are also the place we get tripped up. We have a very real enemy out to destroy us and our influence. When we have so many jumbled thoughts, we start hearing the lies more than believing the truth of who we are and Who He is. Of course in our hardest circumstances this is even more so. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">The Bible is very clear on this: If we belong to Christ, we have His mind! </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">(1 Corinthians 2:16) Not human wisdom, but the power of God.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">That thought pretty much blows my mind. We have the mind of the Almighty? The Creator of heaven and earth?</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">We </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">can</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> choose our thoughts! We </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">can </span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">reject the lies of the enemy and agree with the Truth of our loving Father. We </span><span style="font-weight: bold;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">can</span></span><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> set our mind on things above--where Christ is.</span></div>
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<span style="font-style: italic;"><span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">Jesus, we pray that our minds will be set on You, not on our human understanding. From here, things seem a little bleak and overwhelming. Will you help us set our mind on the things above and not on what we see and feel...right now...but also in the hardest moments that we may ever endure. It's in Jesus name we pray...AMEN.</span></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And here is where we skip through the meat of the story (or sandwich) and come to the other end.....there is A LOT MORE in between handing him over to that doctor to where he is now. (As you all know he just turned 5...he is incredible, healthy with NO lasting effects from it all, and is full of silliness and joy that blesses us daily.) I wish I could share all the powerful moments in between the surgery...and now...</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">However that would take me at least a few more hours if not days to fill you in on. There was SO many AMAZING "God is so good moments" </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">From his sweet little eyes being swollen shut and swollen looking like little purplish grapes in his eye sockets, to our window getting smashed in and our Gps stolen (yes this was a good God moment) all the way too the helmet he had to wear for months and months after the surgery and the WEEKLY four hour round trip appointments we took him to so he could get it adjusted (yes another God is so good thing!) and so so SO SO much more! God worked every. Single. Detail out for our good. (if you ever want to know how He was good in those situations and hundreds of others during that specific trial...I would love to share that goodness so don't hesitate to ask me!!) </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">AND If you think God was done there....He wasn't and isn't. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 years later we had our third son who we hoped to have a way better new baby in the hospital experience with....BUT he swallowed his own amniotic fluid and they wisked him away and gave him Multiple X-rays, IV antibiotics at just hours old and more. But God worked every single detail out for our good. And due to our past hardships....it hurt just as bad BUT we had a little more strength to us so we bent....BUT we didn't break quite as easily as before. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And then two years later we had our 4th son and as you know he was 5 weeks early and we went through those hardships and again I could spend Hours upon hours testifying how God worked every single detail out for our good. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">AND Currently we are walking through a time where our third son is speech delayed and has some sensory issues and is needing a lot of extra help in those areas. And it is extremely hard for him and us. We are doing all we can but it surely isn't going to break us. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">And I'm not telling you those things to boast about our hardships....I am telling you these things to remind you of the scripture in the beginning</span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">2 COR 12:9 </span><br />
<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"> He has been working it out for good for us and when we are weak...He is strong. He has led us by grace and by the Holy Spirit through it all. We know we can't do one single second alone. He was and He is currently doing a work in our hearts. Always growing me and transforming me. </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">If God is not the source of your joy, you will never truly know what happiness is. Only if you belong to Him will you experience unconditional joy in your life, because without Him there can be no happiness. </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">With Jesus as the main source of your happiness, it is possible to approach each day with joy and to solve each crisis with joy. You will be able to live with joy even though others might not see anything in your life over which to rejoice. The joy that God gives stands completely alone from all other things: it is joy in spite of... </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">THIS IS A ME TOO MOMENT BECAUSE THIS IS MY GOAL AND MY WORD FOR 2017! </span><br />
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<span style="font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;">JOY</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; font-family: "verdana" , sans-serif; font-size: large;"><span style="background-color: rgba(255,255,255,0);">"But God" used that situation with Luke to teach me all about not striving to figure it all out, or bucking against hard things in life, and let it go! </span></span><br />
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Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-79847643358834723082016-11-27T18:15:00.003-08:002016-11-27T18:19:28.674-08:00Welcome to our family Levi Ray Decker<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-ZcUfKDiWjrUf3dqIxwvsOnQh4d7jeeRC6Ok_ME63as_hfS-iM-yssqMAEgHT4Ar_ABBbxxP6eayxx0E2MLcD46iMLSN4MsrEWoUU-pSJctPcqT5ZG0NMuj6ZEmkbHLXoD2DqquyZogT/s640/blogger-image--725844782.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEid-ZcUfKDiWjrUf3dqIxwvsOnQh4d7jeeRC6Ok_ME63as_hfS-iM-yssqMAEgHT4Ar_ABBbxxP6eayxx0E2MLcD46iMLSN4MsrEWoUU-pSJctPcqT5ZG0NMuj6ZEmkbHLXoD2DqquyZogT/s640/blogger-image--725844782.jpg"></a></div>Well it has been a long 5 days. I have been meaning to update everyone, put on social media the good news, and just shout from the roof top that our FOURTH son is here!! However...I have been a little pre occupied with much more things than I ever imagined.<br>
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On Wednesday Nov. 23, 2016 I woke up and felt great. I was 35 weeks and 5 days pregnant and so excited to spend the whole day with all three of my little guys since it was the first day of Thanksgiving break! We had a great morning lounging around the house and then headed out for some last minute grocery shopping to do so I could get my remaining ingredients for my Thanksgiving dishes. Once we got home the boys all took great naps and after nap time and daddy got home we headed to get our van looked at because currently the break petal was stiff and not working exactly right. The boys had a great time playing around in our friends shop and after getting it assessed we headed home for some supper and then baths and we all snuggled up to watch the Charlie Brown Thanksgiving. I was laying on the couch with Matt and my belly was moving all around even so much I pulled my shirt up to watch it for a few and I got the bean bag chairs and a bunch of comfy stuff all sprawled out in the toy room for the boys and we just layed there as a family. It was wonderful! When I stood up to go to the bathroom after the show was over at 8pm before I put the boys to bed I felt like a little water may have leaked but dismissed it and went about with bedtime routine. Well every time I stood up, moved, held Lyric swaying and singing by his crib etc....a little more would come out. By the time they were all in bed and asleep I decided to call the on call nurse to see what she thought. She defintley thought I should head to the hospital to see if it was indeed my water having a slow leak or not. At that moment I felt a tad terrified. Of course I didn't have my hospital bag ready, the car seat in the car, or any of my normal preperations done for my big three that I would have had done because I still had over a month to go. So I called my sister and asked her to come over and stay there with the boys so Matt and I could head over. He took a quick shower as I started to pack a few necessities in a bag and get a few things situatiated for the boys and at about 9:15 my water completely finished breaking down my legs while I was standing in my bathroom. My sister got there and of course I was in tears...and as calm as my sweet hubby is he even said "it's not time yet". We both had a stand still moment....then we got in the car and came to the hospital. They admitted me right away since my water had indeed broken and the next morning at 10:30 am Levi Ray Decker was born. He weighed 5lbs 9oz and was 19 inches long. He was so absolutely beautiful. He instantly reminded us both a lot of Lyric but he seemed so so tiny. We were in shock over how little his bottom was and how teeny tiny his toe nails are. You literally can barely even see the pinky toe nail. <br>
Right away he came out crying and pink which was awesome because I had asked since the baby was early if they would take him away right away and they said usually with premies they do...but if he is crying and pink then he should get to stay. I got to put him right on my chest and hold him skin to skin for a while and even got to nurse him for about 5-10 minutes but then they said with him being premature they needed him and took him for stats and to check his breathing. <br>
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At that point they noticed he needed some oxygen. After getting his blood work back they also noticed his glucose was very low so they started him on and IV of sugar water to even that out. They also did chest xrays to be sure there wasn't an infection in his lungs and to see the size of his heart etc. His lungs looked "premature" she said but they looked normal as far as what preemie lungs look like. I did get a shot of steroids right when I got here to hopefully help him breathe after delivery. <br>
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Levi ended up needing a significant amount of oxygen as he was not breathing strong on his own very well at all. He also got an antibiotic to add into his IV twice a day to protect him from infection that was unable to be seen in his chest Xrays. <br>
Thursday and Friday were pretty rough with his oxygen numbers. The pediatrician called Iowa City Friday night about transferring him. However since all of his blood work and tests were coming back good they decided that He could stay here another night. He wasn't necessarily improving but he wasn't worsening either. She came in Saturday morning with the intention to transfer him...however she did notice a slight improvement in his oxygen levels and she thought he seemed a little bit calmer. Since he has been born he has breathed each breath very quickly and short. They are testing his levels often to make sure that he is not getting tired out and that his heart is holding strong and can stand all the extra work he is doing to breath. She often brings up that she doesn't want him to "tire out" and that is very hard for Matt and I to hear.<br>
She decided Saturday again not to transfer him....last night when she came in again....she was on the fence about transferring him. I truly felt she was going to transfer us to Iowa City today. I kept praying all night to not let my flesh and my own desires get in the way (because clearly what mom and dad want to leave their children at home and go to Iowa City) but I prayed instead that God would have Levi be exactly where he needed to be to get the very best care he needs. They also let me hold him finally last night (he was so fragile and hyper sensitive to touch and sound that Iowa City said to leave him lay and mess with him as little as possible for a few days...so even though I got to hold him right when he came out for a little bit we haven't held him otherwise. Matt got to hold his little head in his hand and feed him some colostrum I pumped from a bottle yesterday but that is all he has been able to touch him and let me tell you that has not been easy on him) and I know those extra cuddles and skin to skin contact did him some good. This morning She came in a little later and through out the morning so many nurses said they noticed an improvement too. His short little breaths are still there but not quite as often so that is amazing. That is what we have been specifically praying for...calm smooth breaths. She got here today close to 11:00am and the whole morning was so hard waiting and not knowing if we were going to be transferred. All I could think was I want to see Matt and the boys but we just had to sit tight and wait to see what the Doctor said. Well I personally know that while she was running around and delaying her arrival to the hospital...God was working on Levi's behalf while all our friends and family had been praying through the night and during church this morning....because when she got here she seemed pleasantly surprised and somewhat pleased with Levi. (She doesn't offer up praise, false hope, or really any good news very freely so to see this side of her was so nice). They lowered his oxygen levels today and his IV fluids and have been monitoring him all day and testing his blood before and after feedings. His oxygen went well most of the day but this afternoon they tried to lower it even more and he didn't hold his numbers very well...so they just raised his dosage a little bit ago. Slowly but surely that oxygen level number needs to get to a 21....we started at 50 on Thursday...and we are currently at 28 on Sunday night. She tried for 25 today but it wasn't enough to keep him steady. <br>
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Soooo please please please pray currently for that strength in his lungs...and .that he will develop stronger with each and every minute.<br>
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PLEASE pray for our sweet three boys at home too as they adjust coming back and forth to the hospital every day...having much more time away from Mommy than they have ever had, and for peace in their hearts. I am discharged from the hospital....which means I can't shower here or anything so I go home and shower every day and spend time at home with the boys and even got to put them to bed Friday and Saturday night and then I sneak out as soon as they are in bed and sleep here by myself. Today I stayed longer in the morning and went home for lunch time and to lay them down for naps and then came back and Matt brought the boys over after naps. They LOVE looking at him thorugh the window of the nursery and they can not wait to get their little hands on him! They ask about him non stop and Lane and Luke have colored multiple pictures for baby bro that are hanging on his little nicu bed. They are so sweet! Lyric being 2 doesn't know much of what's going on....but he sure is so happy when he see's his momma. I worry about those three soooooooo much more than I'd like to admit. My wonderful hubby has been loving them extra, hugging them tighter, and distracting them the best he can and I am so grateful.(Please keep him in your prayers...even though he has not complained one single time and has only raved how good the boys are, how much people have helped by dropping stuff off, and how thankful he is....I still know that every prayer for him to stay strong and steady is needed. And of course for his job to be understanding of his time off as we so need him around for the boys because they need the steadiness with them right now when mommy isn't in her normal positon.) He keeps reminding me they are all fine...but it is so hard for me to see that when nothing seems fine right now.<br>
So please pray for me too...Being way from Levi is awful....I race home to see my family and cry the whole way just aching that my sweet baby is at the hospital alone and not in my tummy or with me...and then being with my hubby and big 3 I sob all the way back to the hospital because I don't want to leave my house, and them....or envision them waking up without me again. This will be my 5th night in the hospital and tomorrow will be my sweet boys 5th morning waking up with out mommy being right there to hug and kiss them good morning. It is devastating for me to even type. Oh how I want that back so bad in this moment. BUT I know this is temporary...and I KNOW God is sustaining us all. He is holding us up and giving us the strength we need to go through this and most importantly HE IS Levi's healer and HE IS working this all together for GOOD for our family. He is a SOVERINGN GOD and I am doing my best to have the unshakeable faith that I need for each and every hard moment. With every breath I am praising Him for the life of our new son, and no matter what hard times come I will continue to praise Him and thank Him and trust Him. <br>
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I too am praying....for all our awesome family and friends who are so badly hurting for us, for the grandparents, aunts, uncles, and cousins that I know who are dying to see his face and finally meet their newest family member. <br>
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Again....so very sorry to anyone I haven't responded too. I am so very grateful for single one of you who has reached out to me and my family! I am so thankful for all the family that has helped us, for our friends who have poured out their offerings and extended their love, and for ALL the prayers from everyone we know and love (and don't even know) that have brought us to where we are right now.<br>
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And as of right now....Levi's blood work is still looking good, his chest xrays last night showed that his heart is doing well, and his glucose test is holding strong now that he is drinking colostrum and pumped breastmilk from a premie bottle (I can't wait to try to nurse him...however premie babies are very slow eaters and since his breathing is so hyper active and he is on oxygen.... the little bit in the bottle is all he can go for as of now). What is not the best is his breathing pace, and his oxygen levels BUT they have improved and we would love for you all to pray that they continue to improve so he can eventually get off of the oxygen and we can begin transitioning him to regular care. As of yesterday he would have been a 36 week justation baby (and as you know he should have came out at 40 weeks or shortly before). So he may still have a way to go...but our God is greater and our God is stronger....and we know that He is making Levi greater and stronger every day too! <br>
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Thank you all so much for your love, support, and prayers. It is all SO needed and appricaited more than words could ever say!<br>
We love you!!<br>
Matt, Laurel, Lane, Luke, Lyric, and LeviLaurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-56041293560358516462016-10-05T19:33:00.001-07:002016-10-05T19:45:50.409-07:00Believing for something out of peace not fear!<p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sumo_twilighter_highlighted twilighter-1b81bfb2" style="outline: 0px; border: 0px !important; font-style: inherit !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: inherit !important; float: inherit !important; font-variant-caps: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There’s a battle going on inside of you and me. A battle for our peace of mind.</span></p><span class="sumo_twilighter_highlighted twilighter-1b81bfb2" style="outline: 0px; border: 0px !important; font-style: inherit !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: inherit !important; float: inherit !important; font-variant-caps: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="sumo_twilighter_highlighted twilighter-1b81bfb2" style="outline: 0px; border: 0px !important; font-style: inherit !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: inherit !important; float: inherit !important; font-variant-caps: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Sure the enemy would love to rob us of our eternal future, but if that’s not possible stealing our peace today is good enough.</span></p><span class="sumo_twilighter_highlighted twilighter-1b81bfb2" style="outline: 0px; border: 0px !important; font-style: inherit !important; margin: 0px !important; padding: 0px !important; vertical-align: inherit !important; float: inherit !important; font-variant-caps: inherit !important; line-height: inherit !important; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"></span><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0); font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">If he isn’t disrupting our lives with real problems, he’ll attack our minds with “what ifs.”</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">All to make us doubt God’s goodness and power.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How can you and I fight well-planned efforts to destroy our daily peace?</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">By knowing and trusting God completely.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">It’s impossible to know that about someone we’ve just met or someone with whom we have very little connection.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But time and relationship teach us a lot about a person.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And it’s through time and relationship you and I learn we can trust God.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">He has integrity. He is who He says He is. And He keeps His promises. And that makes Him trustworthy.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">How do I know?</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I was a slow learner. I actually endured a great trial in my life (as a mother) that trusting Him was all I had. </span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m so thankful God didn’t give up on me. He wanted a relationship with me even more than I wanted one with Him. So He allowed life to shake me up a little and brought me to a place where I was desperate for unshakeable faith.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Faith built on time and experience.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">There are lots of articles out there that will give you all kinds of tips for journaling, coloring, and personalizing your Bible and they’re all great if you’ll actually do them. But when I make it too big and complicated it’s easy for me to lose momentum.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">And notes and artwork are great if they really make you focus on the Lord and grow closer to Him. I’m concerned I will focus more on a pretty Bible with impressive notes and end up making it all about me.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I need a Bible Study plan I will do. Because the more I spend time with God in His Word the more I trust His promises like:</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.</em> </span>Hebrews 13:8</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">If you declare with your mouth, “Jesus is Lord,” and if you believe in your heart that God raised Jesus from the dead, you will be saved.</em></span> Romans 10:9</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">My God will use His wonderful riches in Christ Jesus to give you everything you need.</em> </span>Philippians 4:19</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">But the Lord said, “My grace is all you need. Only when you are weak can everything be done completely by my power.”</em></span> 2 Corinthians 12:9 <span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">(ERV)</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span id="en-NCV-18032" class="text Isa-26-3" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">You, <span class="small-caps" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span>, give true peace </span><span class="indent-1" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="text Isa-26-3" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">to those who depend on You </span></span><span class="indent-1" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span class="text Isa-26-3" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">because they trust You. </span></span><span id="en-NCV-18033" class="text Isa-26-4" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">So, trust the <span class="small-caps" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Lord</span> always, </span></em></span><span class="indent-1" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><em style="border: 0px; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">because He is our Rock forever.</em></span> Isaiah 26:3–4</span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><span class="indent-1" style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br></span></span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 30px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">I’m a note taker girl and have written prayers for years. But I’ve noticed something important as I put down my journal and got down on my knees I noticed…</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 60px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Knee prayer pours out more and opens me up to the Spirit. I love to sit and write my prayers, but they can sometimes feel more academic and scripted. I catch myself think about what someone would think if they read my words. I want my prayer journal to be pretty and make me look good. (Can you relate? Tell me I’m not the only one.)</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 60px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But…</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 60px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Knee prayer gets raw and I need that! It’s just the Lord and me. Real, honest, and unscripted. Less of me and more of Him.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">That’s it! Easy right?!</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Maybe not easy. Life gets crazy busy and we’re so easily distracted. But it’s doable and it’s OH SO WORTH IT!</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">When I’d see people with unshakeable faith I thought there must be some special formula. </span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">But what we need is to....</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Just show up and ask God to work unshakeable faith in you.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);">Faith that is complete trust grounded on the solid rock of God’s promises fulfilled through Jesus and affirmed through prayer.</span></p><p style="border: 0px; margin: 0px 0px 1em; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; background-color: rgba(255, 255, 255, 0);"><strong style="border: 0px; font-style: inherit; margin: 0px; outline: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;">Unshakeable faith that knows</strong> <b>peace. </b></span></p>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-90134117574771830412016-09-19T12:43:00.001-07:002016-10-07T20:09:09.410-07:00New house pics!<div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Our house is 5 bedrooms. Matt and I's bed room, Lyric's and the new baby all have bedrooms on the main floor!!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">And it is 3 bathrooms! 1 full bath on main level(not pictured! Whoops! Will do that soon!) </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1/2 on main level, and 3/4 bathroom In basement...it has a little over 2000 square feet and 1.3 acres!! So much more room than we had before! We are so very grateful!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyoEHEB23cBKLaDCuR-aHDsrI5mnoqNvNJfc0utdlKZD1xCFrKuzYNVr_ojgdXPDKWngP-eYgJSK-YeofdiAKSN0FSVRcGKb8G2ATvIdEaEkrkdcKl30eOz313hGEWwSUd_7w_XYKKI5J/s640/blogger-image--1945010433.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgdyoEHEB23cBKLaDCuR-aHDsrI5mnoqNvNJfc0utdlKZD1xCFrKuzYNVr_ojgdXPDKWngP-eYgJSK-YeofdiAKSN0FSVRcGKb8G2ATvIdEaEkrkdcKl30eOz313hGEWwSUd_7w_XYKKI5J/s640/blogger-image--1945010433.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg7r2c52PAe1fuwomwjVr298Hh2JzZDmqMTwrxayGgAM-CV5KVnRipI4YHljRPDUR7G7fiVL6pmTk1dYpRbEOo8VBaqI5D4txgNDK-bW0zpnA5XYiF0ioG8iw3w6jYks2m3CS-yP8Nc24/s640/blogger-image-540693415.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiKg7r2c52PAe1fuwomwjVr298Hh2JzZDmqMTwrxayGgAM-CV5KVnRipI4YHljRPDUR7G7fiVL6pmTk1dYpRbEOo8VBaqI5D4txgNDK-bW0zpnA5XYiF0ioG8iw3w6jYks2m3CS-yP8Nc24/s640/blogger-image-540693415.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">The front of our house (it is a split level!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We hope to side it and put a garage up on the side of the house on the hill in 10 years (so we don't have to always use stair when coming and going)! We will then turn the garage into a family room in the basement! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCBLOnaJ0RBUUWlx-yn4o7_BfGv9L4c_TV7SJGWkr_tM2Q6gvcoEkO8MgJXuvaFf9whu58KtVjUejAOs3gIrv8p7ccw5NSJTfq7fRH0E9Ap4kv6lj-rqGDzk61Li76bZubZDE-akdsz0E/s640/blogger-image--1306962210.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhyCBLOnaJ0RBUUWlx-yn4o7_BfGv9L4c_TV7SJGWkr_tM2Q6gvcoEkO8MgJXuvaFf9whu58KtVjUejAOs3gIrv8p7ccw5NSJTfq7fRH0E9Ap4kv6lj-rqGDzk61Li76bZubZDE-akdsz0E/s640/blogger-image--1306962210.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">This is When you come Into the house from the garage...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Iam3e2Lp8FoaeoF10qAgwecHuLxbUOSR88ptb6_CnRilJpmKbbbmAMvsjOhXyRnDBPvRUXg6BJUocmEfV3N0WFyUjUyqUkc8IuLzCCeF_l86IUNr8sYL_lsMOVOq1dcYaZuVhJTo1JHQ/s640/blogger-image--54415121.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh-Iam3e2Lp8FoaeoF10qAgwecHuLxbUOSR88ptb6_CnRilJpmKbbbmAMvsjOhXyRnDBPvRUXg6BJUocmEfV3N0WFyUjUyqUkc8IuLzCCeF_l86IUNr8sYL_lsMOVOq1dcYaZuVhJTo1JHQ/s640/blogger-image--54415121.jpg"></a></div><br></div>There is a 3/4 bathroom right away to your left! The shower is huge and Lane and Luke use this bathroom since their bedrooms are downstairs and they love having their "own bathroom"! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDyGDp4l44bW8oLzZq8Uj38tMFbC0NkDh13WQzit2r4lJ82JGLt9725Mz6HsaeL9Vbdfm-YZhJhtyQmI-_IO6C6JiV0iorfsIbJbf0xL98AAKX_rS_aePCC3pt4kYH3L8xWXkKYPSpeE8/s640/blogger-image-1239042509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgVDyGDp4l44bW8oLzZq8Uj38tMFbC0NkDh13WQzit2r4lJ82JGLt9725Mz6HsaeL9Vbdfm-YZhJhtyQmI-_IO6C6JiV0iorfsIbJbf0xL98AAKX_rS_aePCC3pt4kYH3L8xWXkKYPSpeE8/s640/blogger-image-1239042509.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Next in that same hallway is our laundry room!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAVHWwjDJsX8OSCQOhlb1sSCblL6Hx005iLL65oHvbJFPWtfoAmNBaIfi3_v_Nb1UlRY_WJ6QY8CzNO1nUSbKln0D-GcWQNH5M9xCtbFSliSU2HUZ0rzr_Hfgswm-xdtNMC9uE-uk02fU/s640/blogger-image--1454720606.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjLAVHWwjDJsX8OSCQOhlb1sSCblL6Hx005iLL65oHvbJFPWtfoAmNBaIfi3_v_Nb1UlRY_WJ6QY8CzNO1nUSbKln0D-GcWQNH5M9xCtbFSliSU2HUZ0rzr_Hfgswm-xdtNMC9uE-uk02fU/s640/blogger-image--1454720606.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhOaDkLXxwTL1C38HUOYMMdeRLXBkTK_8lfB2EC0VRs9F6clrTxBsbsVrQxiVAfgz_3ieX-4wqJASpTQaB-hTMHYgNh4QbmyNZDf4sz4fcy5xDlXkU2VAOLXHX-Gtt9q8Q-U-Txd9D7M5/s640/blogger-image-362876245.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEidhOaDkLXxwTL1C38HUOYMMdeRLXBkTK_8lfB2EC0VRs9F6clrTxBsbsVrQxiVAfgz_3ieX-4wqJASpTQaB-hTMHYgNh4QbmyNZDf4sz4fcy5xDlXkU2VAOLXHX-Gtt9q8Q-U-Txd9D7M5/s640/blogger-image-362876245.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGbslOviYeAmNVUV4kbpFhupyuziyhvC5s4T2lHnLDYO_4hdxN0EAuAA1qX6_I8HAjBCd5e1sy1_w-skadeFpTWl7slaKZmnxrnEpWlzFklZjp8QlG5H3oCbXrsamDCmYs3o7X3LktCmI/s640/blogger-image--1804686722.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXGbslOviYeAmNVUV4kbpFhupyuziyhvC5s4T2lHnLDYO_4hdxN0EAuAA1qX6_I8HAjBCd5e1sy1_w-skadeFpTWl7slaKZmnxrnEpWlzFklZjp8QlG5H3oCbXrsamDCmYs3o7X3LktCmI/s640/blogger-image--1804686722.jpg"></a></div>This is Lane's room! Still need to get some decorations on his walls 😀</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCIV-pkN8urjv32HmnZ38XvQE3i2iGm8Ikr8HoYIbNquQsutYb9M9IWB-X9HSExqsVBJr8cJaw_me_Jt0uJBXDGL05swHcbCLu8FllTMrOM4Q62aeyTJH1DbNusT890F0i-VTZGX1pOE6/s640/blogger-image-799734704.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJCIV-pkN8urjv32HmnZ38XvQE3i2iGm8Ikr8HoYIbNquQsutYb9M9IWB-X9HSExqsVBJr8cJaw_me_Jt0uJBXDGL05swHcbCLu8FllTMrOM4Q62aeyTJH1DbNusT890F0i-VTZGX1pOE6/s640/blogger-image-799734704.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLdwkF8dyw7Ivs2wo4L42W5z3fjzA-HpihLt7xyp5AG4gwbSQxsW536dQtTbzmeMCcKmh-rKjPkIDHf9J7Zw_4n7oO3mA4GtziDaZjCn15dsDTrK_PksGqwCK6fCxYe1IQ3ZIsWRyllOI/s640/blogger-image-569808390.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhpLdwkF8dyw7Ivs2wo4L42W5z3fjzA-HpihLt7xyp5AG4gwbSQxsW536dQtTbzmeMCcKmh-rKjPkIDHf9J7Zw_4n7oO3mA4GtziDaZjCn15dsDTrK_PksGqwCK6fCxYe1IQ3ZIsWRyllOI/s640/blogger-image-569808390.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9LahZdAXz9sLw-8apqQo5imP8Y4sRmBpMHzII2Lb9TtXXyNYHqOHVPP4ZgaiQHcQcO9SNKqusSWSVXf0kSAdImG9wf8IV49Ah1ZslMT-9uf9KZmZgjMstmC4AFYpxbPImrB54KxmH2dQ/s640/blogger-image--2050210077.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV9LahZdAXz9sLw-8apqQo5imP8Y4sRmBpMHzII2Lb9TtXXyNYHqOHVPP4ZgaiQHcQcO9SNKqusSWSVXf0kSAdImG9wf8IV49Ah1ZslMT-9uf9KZmZgjMstmC4AFYpxbPImrB54KxmH2dQ/s640/blogger-image--2050210077.jpg"></a></div><br></div>And then the last room down the hall is Luke's room! Our boys have awesome closets but the downstairs bedrooms didn't have closet doors! We will be putting some up on them soon! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">***we also have 3 more doors in the basement-1 storage room& 2 storage closets! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QcSg0LXCdOmkWgn26HQI1-QetjgokWxZ39XpXwL0qe56m4f_zYdBHY1Ijv3HVwRdfpD_L64k_ukHClH1V_wzLUzz9FuB2pchI3RWZUvpANrVd-6TzqnIv8EVuR91sV943f7IZnGX_uCT/s640/blogger-image--1169736857.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_QcSg0LXCdOmkWgn26HQI1-QetjgokWxZ39XpXwL0qe56m4f_zYdBHY1Ijv3HVwRdfpD_L64k_ukHClH1V_wzLUzz9FuB2pchI3RWZUvpANrVd-6TzqnIv8EVuR91sV943f7IZnGX_uCT/s640/blogger-image--1169736857.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA9Kuu6dTYG_uWolSWP4DUD72Jtyh6EDAQCAjBfnZIz2QVAi53LQC9An6VURlixbCEN7E3tKOp7P_HsboQjoXtAkpSKvzuwXvlEqr6W2NtE0uytkS4vSJF4pAV_CpjFYu6Vp_WuZyCd67/s640/blogger-image--1996311998.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgA9Kuu6dTYG_uWolSWP4DUD72Jtyh6EDAQCAjBfnZIz2QVAi53LQC9An6VURlixbCEN7E3tKOp7P_HsboQjoXtAkpSKvzuwXvlEqr6W2NtE0uytkS4vSJF4pAV_CpjFYu6Vp_WuZyCd67/s640/blogger-image--1996311998.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">These are our stairs that are about 5 stairs up and then a landing where our front door is and then about 5 more stairs up to the main level and living spaces. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1McxUuzikGJr2UcsS2AXABybqG1GI8OfIOAeATD0C6KDOn9qHsXVm26HSv8a1ct5vDqFbwxX-69c_PwrjVOxQy_xDCnvoH_3n07dHHZqXYKOCr-upjmy1UFjWeS0NqIza9pYnfyHwJqb4/s640/blogger-image-377905914.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg1McxUuzikGJr2UcsS2AXABybqG1GI8OfIOAeATD0C6KDOn9qHsXVm26HSv8a1ct5vDqFbwxX-69c_PwrjVOxQy_xDCnvoH_3n07dHHZqXYKOCr-upjmy1UFjWeS0NqIza9pYnfyHwJqb4/s640/blogger-image-377905914.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRCggqsgAkjLR04s3iUZzkASIeOcdyd84A5G7kJvTZRs1M-mcvKar42tM1c2VA_6Ik4pLWOJUM6efXNY0VqJF3GF10rKXcw-vDEWBfwtXtgAdze4_1qL9vPxVlIdI9FlWZTqfl01ACC_1/s640/blogger-image--795677268.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjbRCggqsgAkjLR04s3iUZzkASIeOcdyd84A5G7kJvTZRs1M-mcvKar42tM1c2VA_6Ik4pLWOJUM6efXNY0VqJF3GF10rKXcw-vDEWBfwtXtgAdze4_1qL9vPxVlIdI9FlWZTqfl01ACC_1/s640/blogger-image--795677268.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkG7bhZoBUnYjf9VXOLtmPQ2I7B86UniZoi0dPEvNwtJAgZ8fam8Qbz-aOkevzwIYi_DqEwCbIi0v0kzisq-xzLkFr_dJSwjwLIfs8pKalwSQikEdWmVJBJVujKez4vv9ECYSjYPgiwzu/s640/blogger-image-1880365079.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIkG7bhZoBUnYjf9VXOLtmPQ2I7B86UniZoi0dPEvNwtJAgZ8fam8Qbz-aOkevzwIYi_DqEwCbIi0v0kzisq-xzLkFr_dJSwjwLIfs8pKalwSQikEdWmVJBJVujKez4vv9ECYSjYPgiwzu/s640/blogger-image-1880365079.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIeZCzpj9CTrq9nFV8_GLdR3UFfN18qrFiiJt_nfFrpRaQfhls25U-oFIUz1E_zq0KaNOB6PW4-C6QwvGGK7M4JcOOkublwIE-Lx_KOdb2P63oSDpxCJL_TbRZs-g2-RnB0cFCaxg-bCn/s640/blogger-image--862330515.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZIeZCzpj9CTrq9nFV8_GLdR3UFfN18qrFiiJt_nfFrpRaQfhls25U-oFIUz1E_zq0KaNOB6PW4-C6QwvGGK7M4JcOOkublwIE-Lx_KOdb2P63oSDpxCJL_TbRZs-g2-RnB0cFCaxg-bCn/s640/blogger-image--862330515.jpg"></a></div>This is our kitchen/dining area!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6U6Y4XcmJBELf8KOgff3PTZS5tkourbM0FvIDXWnB3cb9RNrQu5HJLU1CpD2cGUhytH6ijPinbrrgQjToIuA90knw9_24TUh8qriqbWIIxVIP-6SxGoVEx5uPguTg1jBX84L8BGeH9BD/s640/blogger-image-53304305.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjV6U6Y4XcmJBELf8KOgff3PTZS5tkourbM0FvIDXWnB3cb9RNrQu5HJLU1CpD2cGUhytH6ijPinbrrgQjToIuA90knw9_24TUh8qriqbWIIxVIP-6SxGoVEx5uPguTg1jBX84L8BGeH9BD/s640/blogger-image-53304305.jpg"></a></div>Hallway to the side door that leads out to a deck where our grill is...there is a pantry on the left and a 1/2 bath on the right!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUZyAoxCh__RZP4KtQuLmUTkLrrD88a7Z-I3pZdj6MWY8DR6jL5ufbauW2CH3TBitwhXDgxGCX4s7NopKrM1LXi5c5e-X74WW3vogHr7vpGlv169TofHHAmATQlTpeBz8DJLmcTgy0GiX/s640/blogger-image--1328587628.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLUZyAoxCh__RZP4KtQuLmUTkLrrD88a7Z-I3pZdj6MWY8DR6jL5ufbauW2CH3TBitwhXDgxGCX4s7NopKrM1LXi5c5e-X74WW3vogHr7vpGlv169TofHHAmATQlTpeBz8DJLmcTgy0GiX/s640/blogger-image--1328587628.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">1/2 bath off the kitchen </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst6izWK8uie72U3DufDfSOSoJyBuvUQwcCWkM6stnZC7OCcRmr7-tLy8eX09e5qaL5rT39Tw_PPTQa06eTK_KvyU9ViAiWJ1sPUYLGIQ9YJ25dIwDtN9t8feJ4n1fKYRT2jv-fItysHaZ/s640/blogger-image--622271291.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgst6izWK8uie72U3DufDfSOSoJyBuvUQwcCWkM6stnZC7OCcRmr7-tLy8eX09e5qaL5rT39Tw_PPTQa06eTK_KvyU9ViAiWJ1sPUYLGIQ9YJ25dIwDtN9t8feJ4n1fKYRT2jv-fItysHaZ/s640/blogger-image--622271291.jpg"></a></div><br></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SE3yZz2DXQPNvt6X_JLAcX5KkdvxJeIRAew-0uUbhFuZNiWsuN_34L_OhF0MDudu-lQSlcaWBHBs6hfTb6gCaevtoUxR4IM1i9SVOImk2xLyjbCJ8kq81WvSl8E0lsJYuo3kZ_Xe9efx/s640/blogger-image-919537183.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh3SE3yZz2DXQPNvt6X_JLAcX5KkdvxJeIRAew-0uUbhFuZNiWsuN_34L_OhF0MDudu-lQSlcaWBHBs6hfTb6gCaevtoUxR4IM1i9SVOImk2xLyjbCJ8kq81WvSl8E0lsJYuo3kZ_Xe9efx/s640/blogger-image-919537183.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rvYcr413aMMf97VnYMDKMmAQTgHAswiwBqDQZZd891e_A7eVriqm3MLsY0fxsy3gs2dM1p-fa2BzwTrJrsDEC2_HRoxyPpPjZjNpaU-InE9zL12DXVCHqgo2O0hkqBX1IH2w5PJPEmpF/s640/blogger-image--2058107509.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_rvYcr413aMMf97VnYMDKMmAQTgHAswiwBqDQZZd891e_A7eVriqm3MLsY0fxsy3gs2dM1p-fa2BzwTrJrsDEC2_HRoxyPpPjZjNpaU-InE9zL12DXVCHqgo2O0hkqBX1IH2w5PJPEmpF/s640/blogger-image--2058107509.jpg"></a></div><br></div>This is the toy room right when you come up the stairs and turn left...the dining area is straight in front of you up the stairs. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUBzpyfn21XKCOKWJa0QXdJrlAypokpRZ9A5pkE6qjFov5dCQ6bTtj-4Ir0tgrIOhXFPfBHf8WfWo6F3yMoOa5ZwRmrZIgYtnJbZjirZNDZ-IyhONHLEC_xVCVEwCXcgAzrdYnEfWSYLT/s640/blogger-image--594745399.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgmUBzpyfn21XKCOKWJa0QXdJrlAypokpRZ9A5pkE6qjFov5dCQ6bTtj-4Ir0tgrIOhXFPfBHf8WfWo6F3yMoOa5ZwRmrZIgYtnJbZjirZNDZ-IyhONHLEC_xVCVEwCXcgAzrdYnEfWSYLT/s640/blogger-image--594745399.jpg"></a></div>Our bedroom</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdowp4ci6wpuzCAHU8YrHebAbGNJ63-PByiaml6nbTQPRhckw_h1PmcM-5jEuD77kJtFHEehlbzVtRdGfbABXcd9S8JaXfhQw9PpsyjjUl8wI4ok5-wVU-p8K1H7JWdEGS7scL1wa_r1z/s640/blogger-image-1807928005.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjZdowp4ci6wpuzCAHU8YrHebAbGNJ63-PByiaml6nbTQPRhckw_h1PmcM-5jEuD77kJtFHEehlbzVtRdGfbABXcd9S8JaXfhQw9PpsyjjUl8wI4ok5-wVU-p8K1H7JWdEGS7scL1wa_r1z/s640/blogger-image-1807928005.jpg"></a></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">Lyric's bedroom (we will repaint and decorate when we give him a big boy room soon!!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23jbES4kpW1lb_rbDYNThHMBazkoBLg4B1ze8xVD3THCgoiBT9rIS139YWsIPlbZwxz5bqM2cvu-lBtkQ0A7SimH6Bfx8kflmuLxPYhzXw77slW1ehWmeIh-A5ASWPGai7EiTukS8BHvq/s640/blogger-image-1909221409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi23jbES4kpW1lb_rbDYNThHMBazkoBLg4B1ze8xVD3THCgoiBT9rIS139YWsIPlbZwxz5bqM2cvu-lBtkQ0A7SimH6Bfx8kflmuLxPYhzXw77slW1ehWmeIh-A5ASWPGai7EiTukS8BHvq/s640/blogger-image-1909221409.jpg"></a></div>This will be the babies room...currently storage of baby stuff! Lol! And no we did not paint it light blue for a purpose...it came that way 😊</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxGI_VJyke7RFmn0pF449iB3PBKxTTn-P5fQP3fQDEbzFCufg8BnkOvreRW9o6AB2GERG9Ui4SRXfpCv0A6Is7Yn1WBBIkw6bMk2dNtfRX5YBlqlKosf-AlTinWX02PMhdinxWqU6lGFp/s640/blogger-image--417201220.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhSxGI_VJyke7RFmn0pF449iB3PBKxTTn-P5fQP3fQDEbzFCufg8BnkOvreRW9o6AB2GERG9Ui4SRXfpCv0A6Is7Yn1WBBIkw6bMk2dNtfRX5YBlqlKosf-AlTinWX02PMhdinxWqU6lGFp/s640/blogger-image--417201220.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq3lbNvcBFp2lJnGyLly2gO8qarf5_axVdmzcRU2tyk8_qJPUECKQcO9CkI3kBIy8fR7PtRW9AdLiN4dHDZJyZjvIAhL_aHd4MVLXVTnsLxCNYGq-C6AzGL5fKRczvixSEtmvitfN9UNr/s640/blogger-image-1413671409.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEinq3lbNvcBFp2lJnGyLly2gO8qarf5_axVdmzcRU2tyk8_qJPUECKQcO9CkI3kBIy8fR7PtRW9AdLiN4dHDZJyZjvIAhL_aHd4MVLXVTnsLxCNYGq-C6AzGL5fKRczvixSEtmvitfN9UNr/s640/blogger-image-1413671409.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNw-ImK7lVQ4HnFeb7NnHBo7i5SxKik4TP414UDoqsFh20RddUau6rnn8_H58gACErH8LiZQlIoPPsp8NfI6Ds1ETW_4TKsNGIY5EwILil1OvtJTRlghyQoIX1styE6ITaxd5AXE3K-an/s640/blogger-image-1466023501.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZNw-ImK7lVQ4HnFeb7NnHBo7i5SxKik4TP414UDoqsFh20RddUau6rnn8_H58gACErH8LiZQlIoPPsp8NfI6Ds1ETW_4TKsNGIY5EwILil1OvtJTRlghyQoIX1styE6ITaxd5AXE3K-an/s640/blogger-image-1466023501.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zgkYm8lrpKyYgaKu9wChUcPBJ1MHRWTooTMA9f_gNj4ai1Daclh9zy6paCewbmRQBtYUZ8h8L6MxE1-pe5RRwPMVEi86ll9WC_Vb6kqCws7SYsSL9tJ8ZgbO66hzTus74OJW9dCaUhOL/s640/blogger-image--1585310068.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi7zgkYm8lrpKyYgaKu9wChUcPBJ1MHRWTooTMA9f_gNj4ai1Daclh9zy6paCewbmRQBtYUZ8h8L6MxE1-pe5RRwPMVEi86ll9WC_Vb6kqCws7SYsSL9tJ8ZgbO66hzTus74OJW9dCaUhOL/s640/blogger-image--1585310068.jpg"></a></div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLbXGf4OZ8_aQL6gt6Epqmew-kcaq7U9l2EptO0WoM1yLHXEK3JakkO-V60nzs-CxhfIjvRtXII9rhMgXnJuiTy9ns4KS9L67st2n2s6Jg8FMWtwUJRwIonlT4FrMGzf1JARvNPt7diVd/s640/blogger-image-1546773099.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgLbXGf4OZ8_aQL6gt6Epqmew-kcaq7U9l2EptO0WoM1yLHXEK3JakkO-V60nzs-CxhfIjvRtXII9rhMgXnJuiTy9ns4KS9L67st2n2s6Jg8FMWtwUJRwIonlT4FrMGzf1JARvNPt7diVd/s640/blogger-image-1546773099.jpg"></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3h4g5UJbMW5ofg5nCeHbAvm_VCXyy_OE2Vp4vLQEkM76pBnPwyKUZ8Us39qXcGANTir_EyuAVlsXmIWxocdbKY8K6suLG6xKtfygYyVVG1pZ2Shyphenhyphend-1LobkR3yxMNPgwOOMqC28eglvB/s640/blogger-image--1620646205.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhr3h4g5UJbMW5ofg5nCeHbAvm_VCXyy_OE2Vp4vLQEkM76pBnPwyKUZ8Us39qXcGANTir_EyuAVlsXmIWxocdbKY8K6suLG6xKtfygYyVVG1pZ2Shyphenhyphend-1LobkR3yxMNPgwOOMqC28eglvB/s640/blogger-image--1620646205.jpg"></a></div><br></div>This is our fireplace room....our favorite room! The last picture with has a door leading out to our patio and big back yard!! </div><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8mtt1LxO05dm_YPA7Ht9kPZrNr6TTNNeowsfUMLLQe7W_QGHTRw7DtlG4QHh1x1h1lcuG70SKq1SncTvyKoCrxTsYmzF5oKST4jehY-MCcGfQxvtpEp2ZCwi-I2ruGG7yneE_22R9n4O/s640/blogger-image--1872231727.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgO8mtt1LxO05dm_YPA7Ht9kPZrNr6TTNNeowsfUMLLQe7W_QGHTRw7DtlG4QHh1x1h1lcuG70SKq1SncTvyKoCrxTsYmzF5oKST4jehY-MCcGfQxvtpEp2ZCwi-I2ruGG7yneE_22R9n4O/s640/blogger-image--1872231727.jpg"></a></div><br></div>This is standing on our back hill right where we will eventually build another garage! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9K7b5ihrNoGI6KKembr0_DmKUFqBRKVRpf2cg6rHRAkxuAoSxWOamlEwt58U4Zzp9vCORGG9njKaduW7iv_uh4jBIcsOYAYnnZukIvpKHdPZBfynrjdKrGjfi_i69Us0zHrUZEoNkFGt/s640/blogger-image--425596354.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhG9K7b5ihrNoGI6KKembr0_DmKUFqBRKVRpf2cg6rHRAkxuAoSxWOamlEwt58U4Zzp9vCORGG9njKaduW7iv_uh4jBIcsOYAYnnZukIvpKHdPZBfynrjdKrGjfi_i69Us0zHrUZEoNkFGt/s640/blogger-image--425596354.jpg"></a></div>Swing set and shed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93ezhGJwXpG4bTT7pzLB9IOBOiAMNxdl0ccnPsx1NlE4-OfOOEXdQXXtKmpXrWTFpF3oupWdo2eikbWYqD4ZeR5W35gTpOeBbaScE7Yp2uJBt9ZGXD5J8sDMNDRxvOmjzEv3Y6ybtKlGC/s640/blogger-image--1826340563.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj93ezhGJwXpG4bTT7pzLB9IOBOiAMNxdl0ccnPsx1NlE4-OfOOEXdQXXtKmpXrWTFpF3oupWdo2eikbWYqD4ZeR5W35gTpOeBbaScE7Yp2uJBt9ZGXD5J8sDMNDRxvOmjzEv3Y6ybtKlGC/s640/blogger-image--1826340563.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Upper fire pit and garden </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkXaMQf816pBw00kkZlqOSkLPmr23RiJVt6GX0jqC9RGdlg_pg-wZKMXti7NDLqz725RJuHk4WJLl5mz6Du4d6JQiJ8c4rWVFKfAlBFlfftLX8ieN_adE0Ydl_lneg64PhvQnBqtpr0RW/s640/blogger-image-372399092.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBkXaMQf816pBw00kkZlqOSkLPmr23RiJVt6GX0jqC9RGdlg_pg-wZKMXti7NDLqz725RJuHk4WJLl5mz6Du4d6JQiJ8c4rWVFKfAlBFlfftLX8ieN_adE0Ydl_lneg64PhvQnBqtpr0RW/s640/blogger-image-372399092.jpg"></a></div><br></div>Our big beautiful back hill with lots of trees and the shed with the screened in porch and another bonfire pile!! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60b3RgxkBe31ZqPndcDBEKNeq0Y54UVObk_YEi5R1PE3DjMFU9s5NDKpX8hhCsqcjxC9vYhx8tMVIpG8tKrasRLeaob5WrSWgJhQJNXhdiWR-gLSkJ8x3jAlI2129fYVKu9sOr0KQyIvC/s640/blogger-image-1690712240.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj60b3RgxkBe31ZqPndcDBEKNeq0Y54UVObk_YEi5R1PE3DjMFU9s5NDKpX8hhCsqcjxC9vYhx8tMVIpG8tKrasRLeaob5WrSWgJhQJNXhdiWR-gLSkJ8x3jAlI2129fYVKu9sOr0KQyIvC/s640/blogger-image-1690712240.jpg"></a></div>Our patio! </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><br></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both;">We are so blessed and so very thankful to have more than we could ever deserve!! To Him be the glory! </div><br></div>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-80248904464232745752016-08-12T19:55:00.001-07:002016-08-12T19:55:15.946-07:00The day Lane got saved....I wish I could put real feelings on paper so that anyone reading this could feel how I felt today. <div>I have prayed for this day since I was pregnant with our son. I have prayed that through all the wrongs and rights in parenting that the number one thing we would do right is lead our boys in the direction to want to accept Christ as their saviour and Lord....</div><div><br></div><div>and today Lane did! </div><div><br></div><div>It wasn't after some magnificent sermon or worship night....it wasn't in the midst of a hard struggle or a celebrating time. It was in our van...simple, honest, amazing, and a moment I'll never forget. </div><div><br></div><div>For the last couple nights he has been spiking a low grade fever before bed and this morning I noticed some red spots in his throat so I Called the doctor and headed to Clinton to get him a check up. </div><div><br></div><div>On our way at about 830am we were listening to the boys bible school songs on cd (like always!) and we weren't even singing or jammin out we were calmly just driving along and Lane says out of no where </div><div><br></div><div>"mommy when you go to heaven are you alive?"</div><div><br></div><div>So of course I explain to him about how you die on earth but yes you are alive in heaven in good detail. And he says are you going to go to heaven?, and I said yes a long long time from now ....then he wanted to know about daddy...and I said the same thing. </div><div><br></div><div>Then he said how do you get "into" heaven....</div><div><br></div><div>RIGHT THERE-my heart felt promted for what was coming. </div><div><br></div><div>It wasn't how do you get to heaven from earth etc....he wanted to know how you get IN!!!</div><div><br></div><div>So of course I tell him all the details about accepting Jesus into your heart, believing He died on the cross for your sins, and that he rose and is alive today and that you accept Him to be the Lord of your life and you pray it In Your heart and say it with your mouth...then when you die you will leave your earthly body and go up to heaven where Jesus will be waiting for you, and all your family that has died before you will be there too!</div><div><br></div><div>And he said "I have Jesus in my heart so will I go to heaven when I die?"....and so I said absolutely and then I asked him if he would like to be saved and know that no matter what Jesus will always accept him into heaven and </div><div>he said yes.....</div><div>so we prayed....</div><div>right there in the van as I was driving down the road. </div><div>I watched his tightly closed squinted eyes pray with me in his car seat from the rear view mirror and then speak out of his sweet mouth and become saved! </div><div>It was beyond what I ever thought it could be! </div><div>When all was said and done he went back to looking out the window and I smiled huge all the way to Clinton! </div><div>I was sure to give him a big hug and tell him I was so happy for him when we got to the doctor office!! </div><div><br></div><div>Turns out he has a virus (hand, foot, and mouth) that will heal on its own (and his little bros have it too!)</div><div>And I've never been more thankful for a sickness and the opportunity to be in the van and have that moment with him today! </div><div><br></div><div>The best part is before bed just Lane and daddy were sitting at the counter and i said "so Lane you want to tell daddy about what we talked about in the car on the way to the doctor today."</div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div>And he said "I accepted Jesus in to my heart". </div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">I just love how he said those words all on his own! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Of course his daddy was so happy for him and told him so! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our hearts are SO very full and so very thankful!! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"><br></span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Our biggest desire for Lane has come true! </span></div><div><font face="Helvetica Neue Light, HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif">Praise be to God!! </font></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">August 12, 2016! </span></div><div><span style="font-family: 'Helvetica Neue Light', HelveticaNeue-Light, helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">6 years old </span></div>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-565710332546635547.post-8905670790885870742016-07-06T01:23:00.001-07:002016-07-06T01:23:03.686-07:00Lane lost His first tooth on 7-4-16Lane lost his first tooth July 4,2016!!! Daddy pulled it out as we were sitting outside having coffee and hanging out enjoying the morning!!! Lane you were so so brave!!!! The tooth fairy brought you $5.00 and left you a note and said since it was your first tooth you would get a little more money this time and that you got to keep your first tooth!!! I will never forget you getting your first tooth! Dec. 23,2010!!! Seems like yesterday!!! And now look at you!!! We love you so much you big boy!! <br><div class="separator" style="clear: both;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgo6pVcgfSgr_kY_G13ajiWe_Xp8a4pKp6FqcBluPB725bOguvonAtILdTPJw81U4LElr_EY5aYHGd952IG6b3Z-ReJj218eeEZeNehvOs7p9_s0tPeEX5eVBLKwzTiUtcy9RWT13erxW/s640/blogger-image--1753617281.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgtgo6pVcgfSgr_kY_G13ajiWe_Xp8a4pKp6FqcBluPB725bOguvonAtILdTPJw81U4LElr_EY5aYHGd952IG6b3Z-ReJj218eeEZeNehvOs7p9_s0tPeEX5eVBLKwzTiUtcy9RWT13erxW/s640/blogger-image--1753617281.jpg"></a></div>Laurelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18095588208125742391noreply@blogger.com0