About the Photos

Last year, we had family pictures takens with Dan's whole side of the family, back when his Dad was still here with us. I kept getting frustrated because Nick was being such a stinker, no matter what we said he wouldn't just sit still and smile "normally". The whole time Don(Dan's dad) just kept saying" he's fine" and "it's not a big deal". Well, I wanted the "perfect" photos, not fine. Well, after a couple weeks, we got the pictures back and guess what I loved them. My absolute favorites were the ones of Nick acting up and making faces, becuase they so showed off his true personality.

So now, while I like to have at least one really "good" photo. I really cherish the ones where the kids are just being kids. Boy, we sure learn a lot as we get older about what is really important.

The good, the not so good, and the ones I really love.

Isn't She Lovely?

Isn't she beautiful? Of course we are a little biased. She came a little earlier than expected and we not really ready, but are you ever really ready for that kind that of change in your life? Already, she has brought such joy to our lives. Her big sister and brother love her like crazy and want to part of everything to do with her, well except change her diapers! Nick can't walk past her without giving her a kiss and usually it is 5 kisses! He will hold her and say "I think I just heard her say she loves her big brother!" He is such a nut. Dan says that someday he won't have to worry about who Abby dates, because Nick will take of that. He is pretty protective of her. Emily loves to mother her and wants to help in almost anyway (no diapers), she love to help me with bottles and to pick out her clothes. I hope they will always be close, I never had a sister and always wanted one, I know that there is a special bond there and I hope it is never broken.

Well, just thought I would put up a little update and show-off a little picture. By the way she was awake when I snapped this picture. Is it gas? or is she just as happ about us as we are about her? I think it is the second. Our kids are so smart! ;>)

Life

Maybe I am just extra sensitive right now, due to changing hormones, but what a heart wrenching couple of days. A few days ago, a cousins daughter lost her first baby. She was 3 months along and so excited. While she and her husband weren't planning this pregnancy, God had a different plan and He beat those little pills. They have been nothing but excited since they found out, planning, and asking a ton of questions all the typical things first time mommies do. Then yesterday, out of nowhere, she miscarried. Their whole family was crushed of course and are supporting them all the love they can muster. This would normally make me feel extremely blessed to have two beautiful children and a third on the way and yet still sad because of their loss. This time those feelings are accompanied by guilt, because I have never had a problem getting or staying pregnant. I can't fully understand their loss, but I truly do feel for them.

Well with all those emotions running wild in my system, a day later still, I was driving down the road and passed the local Woman's Medical Services. The only thing I have ever heard anybody going there for is to have an abortion. I have literally driven by this place hundreds of times and have never seen anyone coming or going, only protesters standing with their signs out front. Well on this day, a young girl all hunched over and looking to be in pain, was walking out with what could have been a mother and sister or friend. The grief that hit me at that moment was so real I was shocked. It might as have been me coming out of that clinic. I couldn't help but think of the baby I am carrying and the one our cousin lost. I just couldn't believe that someone would CHOOSE to end their babies life. I wasn't just sad I was angry how doesn't know or care how many women and men would love to have that baby? What gives her the right to say it is time for that life to end? I have always thought abortion was wrong, but I don't think I ever believed it as strongly as I do now.

Thank You Lord for allowing me the children I have. Help me to remember to pray for all the lost souls who think it is up to them to decide whether a child lives or not.

What can a little card mean?

A lot. This is a lesson we have learned after the death of Dan's dad. Everyday, we have been recieving sympathy cards sometimes from people we hardly know. The words written inside are a comfort especially the personal notes. I, myself, am terrible at sending cards. I tend to be a procrastinator, finally deciding it has been to long why bother? Now, I know why, and I will be better, because I truly know the value of that little piece of paper and a short personal note.

Husband, father, grandfather and friend.

Thanks for checking back. We have had a very rough summer so far. Starting Memorial day weekend Dan's dad has been in and out of the hospital with problems arising from his colitis and a blood disorder which causes his blood to clot excessively. Well, because he had to be on blood thinners for the blood disorder he bled more from the colitis. So he had been in and out of the hospital, getting transfusions as needed. Finally he had just lost to much blood and he went into shock. He passed away on Friday June 29th at about 9:30 am. It was a complete shock, he had been accepted to U of M to get a second opinion about having his colon removed and for consultation about his blood disorder, we were just waiting for a bed. At no time until about 10 hrs before died did we think death was even a consideration.

Fortunately, while we hugely greive the loss of this awesome husband, father, grandfather and friend, we know that he would not have wanted to suffer. He lived a life that outlined the way every christian should live. He was kind to everyone, no matter what. He would give anyone, anything, if it would help them, no matter what. He loved his family, even those of us who married into it, no matter what. You never wondered where you stood with dad, he always told us he loved us and gave us hugs everytime we parted ways. He was totally devoted to his grandchildren, taking time to answer any question, even those asked multiple times. He never got frustrated with them. I have even witnessed him sitting on the floor in Em's room and playing Barbies or babysitter or whatever other make-believe game she wanted to play. At 70 yrs old he rarely told them no.

I learned a great deal from him as well. While my relationship with my father was rocky while I was growing up, my husbands dad was always his best friend. Don loved me unconditionally form the moment, things became serious between us. He has always treated me like I was one of his own. In his death, he has given me the ability to forgive my dad. Finally, I realize that these little grudges just aren't worth it. You never know how long you have.

So, now, we are all trying a little harder to love unconditionally, give as much as possible, work hard, be forgiving, and to seriously not sweat the small stuff. Thanks Don for everything you have given to us. Thanks God for the gift of Don.

It's a Girl!!

Just found out the baby I am carrying is a girl! Yeah! Now, I certainly would have been happy even if it was a boy, I am just really looking forward to pink again! We have so many clothes from my first daughter that are still like brand new I can't wait to reuse them. You see she was the first grandchild on my side of family and the grandparents went a little crazy, not to mention a certian Aunt that only had one boy of her own, and always wanted a girl too! First she spoiled me, now my daughter. Therefore, it seems she often has more than she can wear before she outgrows it! What a wonderful problem to have, how truly blessed we are!

Emily is very excited about having a sister, Nick on the other hand, is in a little bit of denial. When I told him that it was a baby girl he just said "Nooo, silly, its my baby brother!" When I said "No, the doctors took pictures of my belly and they saw that it was a girl." He just looked at me and laughed. He replied " The baby is not in your tummy!!" I said "Yes, It is" and he proceeded to insist that the baby was not in my belly. Finally, I said "Okay then, where is it?"
He told me that it was at the store and all we had to do go in this one door and pick one out and then we would have his baby BROTHER. What could I say? He is only three. So I just laughed, and told his dad that he will have work cut out for him some day! I know that Nick will adjust and love his sister very much. Someday!