Swimming against the Current

Swimming against the current. That's what we have decided to do. (In a sense that is what all Christians do day in and day out.) We have begun to gather our resources, look at our options and make some huge life-changing decisions. The road is not going to be smooth and easy(it never has been), but we will be in it together with Christ leading us. No specifics just yet, that will be another day(and another post). We do ask for your prayers!! They are going to be greatly needed! Pray for guidance and perseverance. Pray that we have our hearts, eyes, and every other part of us open to what our Lord is telling us He wants us to do!

On another note: I have begun a little sewing endeavor. If anyone would like anything please let me know! All profits from your purchase will be used towards our secret project. (know that it is a great secret!!) and now a few pics of what I will be selling:

Pillowcase dresses(and yes Hannah is crying)

I have many different fabrics!

Tutus

Hannah's ladybug tutu

Appliqué shirts

Bleached shirts

I will have many more things one here soon(ex. burp cloths, blankets, cloth blocks) Let me know if you need anything, I will be more than happy to create something for you! Thanks and HAPPY MONDAY!!

I am thankful for having freedom and the ability to worship when & how I choose. Not everyone has this right.

P.s. Sometimes God doesn't ask us to take a step, He asks us to JUMP!

Shhh! You'll wake the babies. :)

Right now it is super quiet in our home. Why? Gabe and Hannah are both asleep. This doesn't happen often so I'm very much enjoying it! I am on vacation this week and have not done very much of anything. It's been raining most every day, but that's ok. At least I'm at home with the family! David has taken some time off, too, except right now he had to go in to close tonight. He is off the rest of the week!

My birthday was last Friday, Oct. 9. I did take that day off also and it was nice! We had a very good day of doing nothing. Sunday David was able to come to church with us (he normally works, but was able to close on this day) which was AWESOME! He hasn't been to a morning service since Easter. After church we went to his mom's for my birthday lunch. We had super yummy food! His mom always lets the birthday person choose the menu. I chose chicken, pinto beans, cornbread, baked mac&cheese and pineapple casserole. We had carrot cake with cream cheese icing, which was so good!

Today has been a super lazy day and I think I need to get up and do something. (like clean) I did buy a new shower curtain the other day to celebrate fall. It's cute. That's about all I've done this week. Oh well that's why I'm on vacation. To do nothing. :)

On another note: Gabe and I were watching a video the other night about orphans in Ethiopia. Gabe asked why the kids were called orphans and I explained they have no mommies or daddies, that they live in a home with others and are taken care of by nannies. He then asked if we could get him a new brother that doesn't have a mommy or daddy and let him come live with us. He said he would love him like he loves Hannah and he would share all his toys and his room. He then wanted to pray that God would send the children mommies and daddies to love them. How amazing that God can stir the heart of a 4 year old with a simple video! God has been touching mine and David's heart, too. Through simple little things: stickers on cars, videos sent to us in emails, songs, meeting adopted little girls at the park(this happened yesterday & yes this little girl was so cute!) Who knows where God will lead us? Only He does. What we will do is listen to Him and continue to pray for His guidance and provision.

I have joined a new women's small group and we are reading Me, Myself, & Lies by Jennifer Rothschild. So I think I will go and study today's section while I have quiet time. Happy Wednesday!

Things I'm thankful for: 1. God's mercy, 2. sleepy, rainy days, 3. VACATION! 4. sleeping babies.

Have a good rest-of-the-week. :)

Yes he is wearing my old gown from HS graduation. He found it today & decided he was going to play wizards. too funny!

my baby girl getting her beauty rest.

These next 2 are from our last trip to the zoo. Aubie was there & Gabe just had to have his pic made w/ him. No we are not Auburn fans. Gabe didn't know who he was. We also got to see them feed the tiger(they didn't feed him Aubie, Daddy asked.) :)

Gabe was so excited!

This is from a few weeks ago, but I just love watching my babies sleep! and yes they do sleep in the bed with us. Both of them! When we have more babies we will have to buy a bigger bed. Does anyone know if they make anything bigger than a king? just kidding!

doc appts

2 weeks ago we went for Hannah's appointments with ophthalmology and neurology. Both reports were good. Dr. Hein(eyes) was very excited about Hannah's progression! He said she was doing so much better since he last saw her.

Dr. McGrath(brain) wants to do a muscle biopsy in 6 months. He said this will give us answers to what is going on with our baby girl. He made it 6 months away due to flu season. He doesn't want Hannah anywhere near the hospital, even for a routine visit until flu is over. So that means waiting until next spring, which is fine with me. Hannah is doing great! She has become Miss Attitude! I love her little personality that has blossomed! Gabe is doing awesome, too! He is growing up much too quickly.

I love this time of year! Leaves changing colors, crisp air, football and all the holidays that go along. We have begun discussing costume options for Halloween. Hannah will be a ladybug, which I am making, and Gabe wants to either be Aang from Avatar: The Last Airbender or Superman.( but his mind changes daily) Either way, I think we will probably make his costume. I can't wait to get started!

I think I'm off to bed. It's 1:15am and Hannah is still awake. Maybe if I lay in bed with her she will want to go to sleep. Maybe?

Have a great week!!

The Fall preview Weekend

This weekend's weather was AWESOME! It felt just like a nice, crisp autumn day in November. I can not wait! I love autumn and everything that goes with it! You can't wait either, huh? Well, this weekend was a definite preview of the upcoming season and it felt wonderful.

Saturday we were lazy most of the day. D had to work in the afternoon so we didn't really plan to do anything. I had promised Gabe to go to the zoo with one stipulation:we had to take a nap first. Hannah and I napped for a very long time. Gabe didn't sleep a wink. When I woke I thought it was too late to go. I checked online. Thank you Jesus! The zoo didn't close until 7 pm. Gabe, Hannah and I packed up the car and left around 4:30pm.

We got to the zoo around 5pm. Gabe wanted to go to the barn, so off we went. But not without a hitch. Hannah started crying(actually screaming). She didn't want to sit in her new stroller. She didn't want to be held. She was just super cranky! We had to make a pit spot by the carousel to feed Hannah her dinner. After finally getting her to calm down we headed to the Barn to pet some of farm animals.

We walked all over the zoo. Looking at all of Gabe's favorite animals. We went to see the lions and tigers. The white tiger was very active. He didn't like having his pic taken. He kept jumping at the glass and scaring people!

It was a perfect day to be outside! We very much enjoyed ourselves. On our way home, Daddy called and said he had already gotten off work. We were EXCITED! A Saturday night with D home! He arrived before we did, so he started dinner. We had breakfast food, which was yummy!

Sunday we went to church. Very good service! "Bishop" John delivered an amazing message from God. We are so thankful he allowed God to speak through him. The message was on evangelism and how we all are commanded to do so. Mile 1 = easy. Mile 2 = this is where you want to give up.(but stick it out!) Thank you John! We needed this!

The rest of Sunday was just lazy and nap day. We went to Nana and Papa's for Sunday night dinner.(some of my fave food! pork chops, cornbread, beans, potatoes)

Since I didn't post over the weekend I've got to catch up.

Things I am thankful for: 1. days I get to spend with my family. 2. Crisp morning air filling my lungs. 3. snuggling up with my babies for naps.

Have a great week!

Gabe checking out the otters.

showing sister the otters.

My ferocious lion!

The tiger showing off his teeth.

Looking at the white rhinos

Gabe exploring

Hannah enjoying her finger

Hannah, Gabe & the African mask

Baby giraffe

flamingo

Is this really how he acts? & other mishaps of a Friday

So. Today I was off work. How awesome to be home for just a day. Refreshing! I got to finally meet Debbie, Hannah's physical therapist. I've talked with her numerous times on the phone, but never got to meet her in person! Susan came to do therapy also. She is Hannah's service coordinator and special instruction therapist. I was so thankful to be able to sit in on therapy. Hopefully one day I will be able to sit in on all therapy session, but right now I'm where God has me.

Hannah was not a happy camper for therapy today, though. She cried. and cried. and cried. She didn't calm down until I sat down with her and we did patty cake. She was super tired. The girl didn't go to sleep til 3:30 am and we had to wake her at 9:15 for 1st session of therapy. So needless to say Susan or Debbie didn't get to work with her very

much.

Being home today made me realize how much I do not know about Gabe. He was an absolute terror while therapy was here. He was running from one end of the house to the other. (&we live in a small home!) He would not listen and calm down. We did time out and he FREAKED out! He screamed. He cried. He talked back. all while sitting in time out.

I have noticed he only acts out when David and I are home together. He is perfect for me while D is at work at night. He helps me, he is polite, doesn't talk back, but when D is here Gabe is a terror. He is like this also if we are around others(i.e. church). He wants to run amok.(if that's how you spell it) If anyone has any suggestions on discipline, please let me know!

I sometimes feel like I need to call Nanny 911, no joke! Whenever I say something, everyone just says "Oh he's being a boy" I'm fine with the rambunctiousness, but not the talking back.

We went to Red Robin for lunch. It was good, but not my first choice. I wanted Jason's Deli. We did time crunch and didn't think it possible. Next time we will try it. Red Robin was way too much for lunch-we spent $42(w/tip) Entirely way too much!!! We would have spent around $20 at Jason's Deli and would have eaten a whole lot healthier! Definitely Jason's Deli next time.

We then proceeded to Target(a fave store of mine) where Miss Hannah got a new stroller for her birthday present. We were going to wait and see if we could get one through Children's Rehab Services, but we needed a new one now. The one we have been using was Gabe's old one. It is way too big and bulky, especially since we have to take it in everywhere with us. Hannah can't hold herself up so she can't sit in shopping carts, restaurant booster seats or high chairs. We needed a small compact stroller that would also be able to support Hannah. No ordinary umbrella stroller would do, so Hannah got a Cosco Umbria Stroller. We've had to modify it just a bit. We put Fun Noodle on the side bars to keep her from hitting her head. She looks so big in it!(I understand she is big, but you know what I mean) I can't find my camera but when I do I will post pics of her sitting in it!

Gabe and Hannah are both asleep at the moment. Gabe is on the sofa and Hannah is on a blanket on the playmate. It took me forever to get them to sleep. I will not be moving them anytime soon!

I've decided to try and post something I am thankful for everyday. I feel I don't tell God thank you enough for all the blessings He has given me. This is new, so bear with me.

I am thankful for slobbery baby kisses and sweaty, sticky big boy hugs! I know I need to get as many I can now, because one day it will not be cool to hug and kiss mom.

Have an AMAZING weekend!

Here are few pics of the kiddos.

Gabe showing of his Mickey Mouse shirt.

Isn't he cute? I have no idea why he has a marker behind his ear.

Movie night: super hero movie of course!

Getting ready for church.

Blowing raspberries & rolling over!

exploring her hands.

Hannah is 1!

Welcome to the world Hannah Elizabeth!!

9lbs. 13oz. (she was 3 weeks early)

Isn't she beautiful?!

Daddy getting to hold his baby girl for the 1st time!

1st day in NICU.

Mommy getting to hold her baby girl for the 1st time!

Hannah in her cool shades! :)

She was too big for the blankets in NICU!

First family picture

Gabe holding Hannah for the first time!

Daddy getting ready to bring Hannah home!

I meant to post this last week. Our baby girl has turned 1. Her birthday was on August 13. I can not believe a whole year has gone by! Whoever said "time flies" was not lying. I wish I could slow it down. I feel like I have missed so much in a year. Having to work outside the home stinks, but I'm grateful I have a job.

I pray that this coming year in Hannah's life will be nothing but extraordinary! I pray God continues to guide us as her parents and lead us to where He wants us to be. I know Hannah is going to do great things for the kingdom of God(she already has).

Hannah's therapy is going great. She is progessing wonderfully! Thank you ARC for all your hardwork and dedication. You guys are AWESOME!!

So, in true blogger fashion,(I'm new at this) I am going to attempt to write a list of my 12 favorite things about our Hannah.

12 Things I Love About Our Hannah Elizabeth:

1. I love your chunky monkey cheeks. They are great for kisses!

2. I love the way you light up when I come home and start talking to you. She get so excited!

3. I love your red hair.

4. I love your 12 toes. yes I did say 12 toes. Hannah has biphid toes-her great toe on each foot actually has 2 and they fused together while she was in utero.

5. I love your little nose. It is so very cute!

6. I love that God gave you to us exactly when He meant to. He knew how much we longed for a baby. You were an answered prayer!

7. I love how much your big brother, Gabe loves you and loves on you! You get so excited when he gives you hugs and kisses.

8. I love how you have taught me about patience.

9. I love how you have taught us all about prayer and how God answers those said prayers. He is AWESOME and MIGHTY!

10. I love how you smell from a nice, warm bath. Baby scent=heaven!

11. I love that no matter who is holding you, when you hear Mommy's voice you start smiling and kicking and wanting Mommy to hold you!

12. I love that no matter what is going on in our lives that you have made us realize that God is in control and whatever happens is in His plan. You are His, first and foremost, and He is taking the greatest care of you!

Have a great rest of the week!

This is a real quick post. Just wanted to ask for prayer for my coworker, Tammy & her family. They found out today that youngest daughter Kendal (19yrs) has leukemia. She is travelling to Austin, TX next week to start chemo. Pray for comfort & peace for the family. Pray for wisdom for the doctors. Pray for complete healing! Thanks!!

Just watched this. Think I'm going to order one of these shirts!

Monday Fun day

Today was an AWESOME day! I was off work and got to spend the day with David and the kids! I loved it!! We went out to lunch for Gabe's fav, pizza and then headed to the park. I forgot the camera, so no pictures. :( But we spent a couple of hours playing. We had a blast! I'm off tomorrow to help with cooking for the Nest. (also have a dr appt)

What is the Nest you ask? The Nest is a homeless ministry here in downtown Birmingham. Our church prepares food and serves it downtown under the interstate overpass to the homeless of the city. It is AMAZING!! For the past several months David has headed up the preparing and cooking of the food, something he enjoys tremendously. We also have a medical clinic that provides basic meds and other things to the people. We have tons of doctors and nurses who come and give of themselves freely! It is so wonderful to see everyone together showing the love of Christ. If you live here or some place near and want to help please do so! We would love for you to come. We (Agape church) go down every 4th Tuesday of the month to minister. Let me know if you want to be a part of this! I will try to post some pics of The Nest soon!

Since I have no pics from today, I will post some old ones. I hope everyone has a super great Tuesday!

This is Miss Hannah at the zoo.

Gabe riding Big Joe, the camel.

Gabe has so much fun! His first camel ride!

Daddy & big boy Gabe

Mommy & baby girl Hannah

(her first train ride!)

Gabe loves to ride the train(as you can see)

Hannah enjoying the breeze on the train.

Gabe ringing the bell after our train ride.

My 2 scary lions!

Gabe wanted a pic of them on the tractor.