Movie and popcorn night...

Tonight we are just hanging out watching Snow Buddies and eating the kids' favorite movie snack- air-popped popcorn with a little extra butter than I normally melt over it. It feels like the first chance I've had in a long time to sit and relax. I am tired! Too tired to even take a picture of all my kiddos sitting around the big popcorn bowl. And much too tired to think about starting the laundry that has piled up in just the past two days.
Chip and I were invited to be the guest speakers at a Hope Network Appreciation Dinner last night and it was a lovely evening, but I didn't realize how much it takes to prepare and then share your heart with a banquet room full of people. Still, it was our honor to be able to share, just briefly, how our tragedy and experiences over the past 6 years have changed us and transformed our perspectives and dreams for the future. It actually was a blessing in return to me- to sort of feel like I 'reinforced' my own hopes and beliefs and it was just a really neat thing for me to stand in front with Chip and see how God has worked in our lives and continues to hold us up through ongoing challenges. God IS good and can be trusted. I thank Him for His mercy in our lives every single day.
Chip is busy with work this whole weekend, so I plan to just hang out with the kids and hopefully enjoy a 'drama-free' weekend. Wish us all luck. {wink} One more quick note...I have gotten several emails from new readers or blog friends the past few weeks and I am so far behind in responding to many of you. Please accept my apologies and know that I have read your emails and appreciate so much that you take time to share your thoughts and life with me too. If I'm really on top of things I will actually get around to sending some notes back to you. Wish me luck on that as well. =)
Happy Leap Day 2008!

The first baby picture...

I had some concerns about my pregnancy earlier this week and so my doctor had me go in for an ultrasound yesterday- just to see what might be going on. I was very relieved to see a tiny, wiggling baby on the screen. I was thrilled to just see a single baby too. =)
It just seems so incredible to think that life begins so small- yet so detailed even at this early stage. I watched the heart beating strong and steady, I saw the little hands and feet that are beginning to form and to me it was such a picture of God and His power of creation. I don't know how people can deny that there is 'Higher Being' if even just looking at the miracle of life. Not to mention of the whole world around us and galaxies beyond. To imagine that all these systems just randomly came into being and work together so intricately and perfectly in many cases blows my mind more than accepting that God is who He claims to be and that He has His hand in all things.
I am trusting Him with the life of our unborn baby as much as I trust Him with everything else in my life. I have come to believe that God's ways are higher and are always best for us. No matter in the big things, small things, good things or bad things. It's all a part of His design...and it can be trusted to work according to His plan. My worrying is natural at times, but I am finding that God's peace is far greater and I just want to thank Him for giving me peace when I need it. Today I'm also thanking Him for modern medicine which allows us to see things we use to have to take by faith.

The usual...

Cupcakes and crafting. I had one day where I got some energy back and so I 'celebrated' with cupcakes- just because- and made a couple of mini albums with some scraps. The little book you see here {and in full here} is a work in progress. I used some of the funky finds from the new Style Phyle collection that will be available at SIS each month by subscription. Mine is a work in progress because I plan to add a baby name to the front, possibly a date, and then fill the inside with photos and mementos. I made a little spot just inside the cover for a baby hospital band. The little job ticket holder will allow it to have some loose items tucked inside of it too- for safe keeping. I just can't do much more with it until for awhile. So for now it will sit on my desk and just have to look cute.
The rest of this week is crazy busy around here with doctor appointments {both Wyndham and me}, school and work, as well as Chip and I will be speaking at a dinner and still are working on our presentation. Then he leaves for Chicago for the golf show all weekend.
I plan to try to keep up with the kids, laundry, maybe some scrapping, and hopefully another batch of cupcakes.
Just because. =)

Two in the tub...

I don't normally take pictures of my kids in the tub, but these two were just having way too much fun today! Ava would splash, they both would get soaked, and then the laughter would follow until the next splash started.

I let them soak the floor more than I normally tolerate. Not just to catch a few snapshots, but because I haven't seen Wyndham so 'herslef' and grinning that big in a long time. It was well worth the wet tiles in the bathroom just to see the spark back in her that has been missing for most of the past month. I think this means she is making forward progress.

I am more than happy to sop up water as needed, if this is what it takes to get her laughing again. I think Ava is more than thrilled to help bend the rules to make Wyndham happy too. It just feels good to see the smiles and hear the laughter. I guess it's the little stuff that we miss most when it's gone. And it's the little stuff that makes the days so bright when we take notice of them too. Here's to treasuring the little, meaningful stuff in life today.

Look what I found...

I found 9 pictures of our family at the ice cream shop on a memory card yesterday. It was a fun surprise for me to find these summery pics at this time- when our highs were in the single digits and the snow is piled up everywhere we look outside.
If I remember correctly, this was our last little hurrah before the kids were to start school. It was our last chance to make a summer family memory and wrap up all the sun and fun that summer holds. I miss that right now.
These pictures have created a longing in my heart for things to come. Not just the tastes of summer, but the carefree days and the warmth of sun and the idea of having nothing of major importance on the schedule. I love summertime. I think I needed to see these pictures just to remind me that better days are coming, fun stuff lies ahead, and the sun will shine and the earth will feel warm again.
I love that in these few pictures I was reminded of how God designed the seasons, that He created 'good things' and that even as my heart longs for summer- even moreso it longs for a place where things will be made new and perfect again. I long for Heaven- it has been intense and growing with each passing day ever since Teagan died and life changed for me. I have longed for things in this world to 'be made right and new' and as I seek Him, I long to see Him face-to-face more than anything in this world.
Today I snapped at my kids as they rushed to get their things gathered for school. I grumbled to Chip about the weather and about life and all it's monotony. I looked around at the chores that needed to be done and the things that are demanding my time and attention. I realized I owe my loved ones apologies for being short with them and for complaining too. I asked God to forgive me for my shortcomings and then I thanked Him for this longing I do have- for something more- for something perfect and beautiful. I thanked Him for not giving me such a wonderful life that I miss the fact that there is more coming in the next. I'm glad that life isn't always filled with warmth and giant chocolate-covered waffle cone sundaes. Because the truth is, if my life were too rosy, I likely wouldn't need God and His tender mercies and constant reminding that Heaven awaits. Instead, the simple needs of my heart are bent toward Heaven and that is something I could never have found on my own. It's taken struggles and seasons of grief and 'imperfection' for me to know and long for something more. Today I am thanking God for giving me and all of us the gift of seasons in our lives.

The size of a kidney bean...

That's what the pregnancy sites say about the baby inside of me- at 8 weeks it's about the size of a kidney bean. So how is it that a baby that small can kick my tail and wipe me out the way it does? I will never figure that out. I laid down next to Wyndham while she watched a cartoon late yestderday afternoon. Chip and Brock were at lacrosse practice. Bella and Ava were playing 'kitchen' in the playroom upstairs. The next thing I know Spongebob is over. I had slept for almost an hour!
I'm the kind of person who never gets naps. My kids never take naps. So this was a shock to me. And the scary part wasn't that I fell asleep fast and hard. But that by 8:22 pm I was doing all I could to keep my eyes open for the night!
Hopefully this phase will run its course quickly. In the meantime, I'm feeling like I should win the 'biggest slacker Mom' award. I bet I'd fall asleep during my acceptance speech though. =)

She's extra special...

This is Wyndham on her first day of preschool- about 2 1/2 years ago. These pictures brought tears to my eyes then, and they still do now. Because I know what she has been through. I know how hard her life has been. I know that the stuff that comes easily for so many is a constant battle/challenge for her.
Yet she doesn't seem to hardly notice. Sure, she knows there are things she can't do that other kids can- like talking and riding bikes. But she doesn't seem to let that stuff get her down.
Today she was up at 5:30am to head out for her MRI. All our local schools were closed due to snow conditions, yet Chip trekked out with Wyndham and made it to her appointment on time. It's not the inconvenience. Or the fact that she was poked for IV's or that she had to spend a couple of hours in a recovery room after the sedation. To me it's the fact that this kind of stuff is a part of her life and there is nothing we can do to change that.
It's just hard sometimes to accept that life has dealt her a tough hand. It's tough to be the Mom and want to just wave a wand and make it all better. Or just kiss her enough times and have her back to her old self. But the fact is, she has extra special needs and a lot of that isn't very fun to have to live through.
Still. Like I said already, she just doesn't seem to let it knock her down and out. Granted, she hasn't bounced back as quickly this past month as we would like her too, but she just keeps hanging in there and even this morning had a big smile on her face as she and Chip headed out into the blowing snow.
I closed the door behind them and held back some tears. Maybe some of it was the fact that I was tired myself. And pregnant and queasy and hormonal. But the other fact is that everytime she goes through something 'difficult', it makes me want to be better somehow. I just want to step it up somehow and offer her the world- just to try and make up for all the 'wrongs' that she has to endure. And that hurts.
These are my tough moments in life. When I want to give more than I am capable of giving. I fall short. So this morning, I crawled back into bed and opened one of the devotional books I am reading and I just asked God to give me some peace and comfort- that even though this wasn't a major medical crisis, I just felt I needed assurance that this sort of stuff serves a greater purpose in Wyndham's life. I read lots of pages. I read lots of Bible verses. I did lots of praying. I spent time just being quiet and listening. What I felt after an hour or so was that God is real. His promises are true. His ways are higher. His thoughts are not my own. He loves Wyndham more than I can ever dream or imagine and He cares about every detail of her life. I just felt such a calm and assurance and then I had a thought.
I wondered if maybe God gives Wyndham some extra special graces. I wondered if maybe when she closes her eyes and dreams at night that maybe it is very real to her. I wondered if she dances and sings and does all the things that little children do with such abandon when their spirits are so young and free! I started to smile just thinking about it. That maybe, when she goes through stuff that normally causes great pain in the rest of us, God gives her a sort of 'supernatural hug' and in that she actually feels a warmth in her heart and soul. I don't know...those were just my thoughts when I felt helpless and wanted an 'answer'.
I'm not saying she is a spirit or ghost or anything crazy like that. But the fact is that I know she has been through so much and she still has this spirit in her that seems unbreakable. I know I felt such a peace and her MRI went well and she spent the rest of the day resting and her smiles that showed up at different times the rest of today just about melted me all over again.
I love ALL my kids more than anyone can know. But to me, I just have to wonder if maybe Wyndham has been given a special gift. The gift of endurance. I wouldn't wish it upon anyone, because it means you're in for a lifetime of hardship. But as I see it grow and touch my heart and others around her, I can't help but love it in some crazy, special way.

Thanks to many of you who have been praying for Wyndham and her health concerns this past month. We are trusting God to restore her to full health and get her back to her usual routine. I know she misses having the energy and strength she used to. But I also know she is going to give it her all to get it back...and even more than that. She is fighting to do things she's never done before. I just know that God will bless her and her spirit of endurance. I am happy to share her accomplishments- no matter how big or small they are. She's that special.

Buttercream overload.

Brock is having a great birthday. He said it's great because there is no school, he got new games for the Wii and he got Ryke's cake with buttercream frosting and Bavarian cream filling. Ok. Just a few calories in a slice of that cake. But that's what birthdays are for, right? A little indulgence is a wonderful thing when it's done with moderation.
These pictures are for my mom and dad. They've had Ryke's cake with us before and I just had to give them a 'taste' of what they're missing. It really is that delicious! And tomorrow we'll have leftovers for breakfast. It's all about moderation around here. =) Yum!

Such a great kid!

Happy Birthday to my son, Brock today. He is nine years old and it seems like nine years has gone so quickly. I remember the instant love that overcame me when I held his little 6 pound body in my arms in the hospital in Florida that day. Life couldn't have felt more perfect. I had a daughter and a son and a husband and beyond that I didn't think I needed much more. Brock has turned out to be such an integral part of all our lives- his laughter and sense of humor often set the tone for the rest of us. His kindness and sensativity to others is unmatched by any of his sisters. =) His love for learning and his ability to memorize and remember things amazes me. He is often his worst critic and sometimes it becomes his biggest hurdle in life.

I am proud to call him mine. I am proud that he is growing into a young man. I wish for him many years of trial and errors and joy and happiness as he finds his way in this world. I know that he has a lot of potential. I am humbled that God entrusted him to me all these years. I look forward to many more and hope that we will grow to love and understand and encourage each others in ways we haven't done yet.

I am lucky to be able to hug him, kiss him, bake for him, laugh with him, sing with him, argue with him, question with him, play with him, cry with him, dream about the future and so much more with him everyday. For nine years already. He is a gift to all of us who know and love him. Happy 9th Birthday, Brock. I'm so glad you're a part of my life!

This is the stuff that keeps me going...

It's no secret around here that there is difficult stuff in the lives of the Ferlaaks somedays. It seems to sort of come in waves and so far most of 2008 has been a big wave. Not the fun surfing kind either.

I had some moments yesterday where I had almost 'had it' with life. It just feels like an uphill battle that never has an end in sight- no matter how hard I squint at times. So, yesterday started out with me having to shovel snow for about 20 minutes just to get the garbage out to the end of the driveway. I've been feeling queasy til about 10:30 most mornings, so that added to the thrill of me shoveling in the cold and started out my day.

However, it was the start of winter break, so there was no school {Friday or Monday- yay!} and I was looking forward to the day off and some relaxation around the house- just hanging out with the kids. Chip and I made plans for dinner- a family outing to a Japanese steakhouse- an early celebration for Brock's birthday which is on the 18th. The kids played well all day. I kicked back and just tried to enjoy having nothing on the schedule- other than a couple of baths for the kids and laundry and the usual tidying that begs to be done each day.

Things were going really well. Until I had all four kids and myself loaded in the van to go meet Chip for dinner...and the battery was dead. I guess it's funny now- that something like a car not starting is where I finally begin to fall apart- but that's what happened.

I called Chip. I was frustrated, mad, angry, and ready for a pity-party all at once. You know the kind. Where suddenly every little thing that has gone wrong in your world in the past month gets dragged back up so that you feel 'empowered' or 'right' to be feeling sorry for yourself. That kind of pity-party. I was in the middle of it when Chip said, "I'll just come home then. It's no big deal."

Okay. That is not what I wanted to hear at that moment. I had four kids in the van ready to go eat dinner. I was not in the mood to drag them all back inside and start looking through the cupboards for something to make for dinner!

I was still feeling sorry for all of us when Chip came home and got the battery charged and had changed our dinner reservations and basically without doning a cape- had saved the day in a matter of 30 minutes. My hero! =)

I don't know if in that 30 minutes some of you decided to start praying for our family in new ways, or if the cries and frustrations of my heart were heard, or if it really was just a simple problem and I had just blown it all out of proportion. (And no...I really don't believe it was the last one.) Whatever it was, I was so glad it was over and that we ended up having a really great dinner out as a family when it was all said and done.

The pictures posted here today have all been taken in the past two days. There have been lots of smiles and love and laughter and silly faces and pretty flowers and hugs and kisses and good food too. I have to remind myself that the good does outweigh the bad. Even when the 'bad' seems to be overwhelming and frequent.

It's the beauty and love and goodness that keeps me going. I thank God that He gives it to us in abundance in our lives, and at times just when we need it most.

Wyndham woke up in the middle of the night and spent several hours coughing and not getting the rest she needs, and so I was in prayer, asking God to give her healing and to not let her take more steps back in her recovery. This morning she slept until 11:00- making up for some of the sleep she needed. I am praying and ask those of you who would like to join me, to ask God for her to be in good health so that she can still have her MRI on Tuesday morning. That's our next big concern right now. In the meantime, I am trying to thank God for even the struggles that come our way, as they force me to be totally dependant on Him. The waves do seem high at times. But each one is another reminder that I can try to swim on my own, or I can look to God to bring me through. I am thanking Him again today, not for the crashing waves...but that He is constantly seeing us through and making sure we never sink to the bottom. I sometimes wish, instead of all these 'swimming lessons', that God would just give me a big yacht. Maybe someday my ship will come. =)

True Love.

Okay. You are probably wondering what this picture from a scene out of the movie "What About Bob?" has to do with Valentine's Day. You can just trust me that it does. =) Maybe I'm stretching it a bit, but that's the way my thought process goes sometimes. Last night as I lay in bed trying to fall asleep with a bit of a stress headache after the events of my day, I started thinking how nice it would be if I had a prescription like Bob got "to take a vacation from his problems". Remember that? Silly movie, but it has some really great points. Lots of funny lines too. {"Mmmmmm...is this corn hand-shucked?"} =)
So I was wishing I could take a 'vacation from my problems' when the next thought that came to me was "Wait...I know personally the One who has overcome the world. He knows what I need and promises to give comfort and rest when I cast my cares on Him". What a relief it is to me at times of stress and trial to know that God IS in control and that even though I don't understand the why's and how come's, I sinply have to trust and I have the promise of Christ that He has everything under control.
It made me stop and just rest in the thought- that no matter where I am or how out-of-control life can get or how tired and weary I may be, that I am never out of God's love. It reaches deeper than the deepest sea, it's wider than the sky, and higher than the heavens. That sort of love- that has no beginning or no ending is hard to even imagine. But I give thanks and praise to God for His unending love for me, for you, for anyone who opens their heart to Him. He gives it freely and fully.
Today, on Valentine's Day, my wish is for anyone who needs unconditional love in this crazy world, will find the True and Everlasting kind of love from God. God's love is something that I cannot fully explain...yet it is the most real and driving force in my life. I would be nothing without God's love, and because of the love He has given me, I seek to share it with others. I wish you a wonderful Valentine's Day. I hope you know that nothing matters in this life more than the fact that God loves you...and He offers to fill you with His love and peace. All you have to do is ask.

More rough spots.

Many of you have been asking and following closely in regards to Wyndham's health concerns. She has not been back to her normal schedule or fully herself since her seizures last month. We were happy the past few days as she seemed to be getting back more strength and energy.
But today, shortly after she ate a good brunch, she had another seizure here at home. It involved a call to 911 for me and a scare with her breathing and heartrate.
After an appointment with her neurologist, we are making changes to her meds and she's still scheduled for an MRI on Tuesday. SO, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. Chip and I are struggling a bit with the stress of not having everyone healthy in our home for so long. Not that it is so overwhelming day to day, but after a month of 'tension' it just wears us down. Today that meant tears and a headache for me. I just wish we could snap our fingers or wave a magic wand or have easy answers sometimes.
Or even the chance to play a 'free card' and pass on the tough stuff once in awhile. But even so, I know that Wyndham is a gift and we treasure her in our lives everday. Even the hard ones. Maybe especially so. Because as I tucked her into bed tonight and gave her kisses and hugs and signs of "I love you" and "goodnight", it just felt like the sweetest thing to be snuggled next to her. All clean and cozy and she even smiled and did pinky promises with me. It was the best.
We had a few other moments when Chip came home with ice cream and the whole family ate a few bites of ice cream together. It was simple happiness- that made the rough spots a little easier to handle.
I don't write all this to make it sound like it was a joy to go through. But rather as a reminder that there IS good in ALL things...that heartaches hold their own beauty. Thankfully I know that God carries us at these times; He hurts with us and sees it all. We are never alone and even through the tears we continue to make it. Often finding bits of joy in the end.

Happy Doodling...

to Susan E in VA. The random number generator picked you (#224) for the win! Congrats. {Email me your mailing address and I will get you a package asap.}
Thanks again for all the fun names. I'm sure we will revisit that post over the next few months. And feel free to leave baby names from now until October. It will likely take us the whole nine months to make a decision. =)

Quick update about previous post...

You have until 4 pm Eastern time to leave a comment to be entered in the drawing for Adrienne's Doodle Formula Book and some goodies from my personal stash. I'll post the winner later on tonight.
As for the names...Chip and I are enjoying reading through them. Thanks so much for the long list you've created for us. Naming our babies has always been one of the toughtest parts of pregnancy. Funny, but it's true. We just can't seem to agree...that's why we're getting an early start this time around.
I found it interesting that I didn't see any 'popluar/celebrity/high profile names' in the comments yet...like Obama or Britney or Hilary or Mitt. =)
Nor did I notice any trends of 'old-fashionied names'...like my grandpas...Ezra and Arnold. Or girls names like Ethel, Erma, Agnes, Matilda, Winifred or Mabel. I sort of think it's time to bring some of those names back! Chip has other ideas. He has always wanted Irish names...like Finn, Seamus or Padrig. So you can see the major dilemma here. =)
As for names we've already used...here's our list:
Teagan Mackenzie
Brock Ethan
Wyndham Abby
Isabella Teagan
and Ava Milan.
There you have it.
Keep in mind we also generally rule out any names that our siblings have already used too...which means we automatically exclude this list of names:
Calvin Letourneau
Jonathan & Sophia (and I have to get their middle names from Chip's sister. They are both surnames and I know I'll get them wrong, so I'm just skipping them for now.)
Seth (have to get his middle name too)
Alyson Nicole
Luke Anders
Madelyn Claire
Andrew Royal
Braden Kelly
Alexis Joy
Rachel (goodness! I am a terrible aunt!!)
and Owen Floyd.
I do think it's cool how a person seems to really 'fit their name' once you name them. More often than not! I'll be back later on to post the winner of the book. See you soon.

A good mail day.

When I came home from school yesterday I had some packages waiting for me. Tucked inside of them was so much fun and inspiration, that I just had to take some pictures and share them here with you.
My funky friend, Adrienne, who I know through the SIS design team, just had her first book published and I have two copies of it! I had to read all the way through it before the night was over. I was so proud and excited for her! If you think you can't draw/doodle, or if you just want to get better and be inspired, then this book is for you. If you want a chance to get your hands on one of my copies...then leave me a comment. Tell me your favorite baby names- boy and girl, and by Monday I will have a random drawing and one of you will get this book and a few more of my favorite goodies right now. Fun stuff!
I have decided not to 'grow up' anytime soon. I just have so much fun collecting cutesy, colorful, scrappy stuff and I think this is partly to blame for keeping me 'young'. At least that's what I'm telling myself. =)

Apparently...

when I am stressed out, I make things. Which might explain in part, why we are expecting our sixth baby. =) It does explain yesterday's carrot cake and this little mini book- which you can see in full right here.
Today happened to be a snow day...which just so happened to fit perfectly into my plans for the day- which included not really wanting to do a whole lot of anything. Funny. Now that I have no stress in my life for today...I feel like making something again. In the kitchen. =)

When reality hits...

I bake carrot cake.

At least that's how it went today. I was tired again. Wyndham had one hour of therapy and then cried hard this afternoon and took a nap. Bella started running a fever. Plus we're in the middle of a big snowstorm- 10-12 inches of white stuff expected by tomorrow morning. {Does this paragraph sound like a broken record or what?!}
To top it off, as I was emptying the dishwasher- after just throwing in my second load of laundry before lunch, it hit me. We're basically going to be 'The Brady Bunch' in a matter of months. Minus Alice the housekeeper and Tiger the dog.
It was like a lightbulb moment for me...with a twinge! I know. They say to blame the hormones at this point in the whole process, but still, at some point the mind sort of starts to catch up with the body and there is no denying. That's what happened today.
Not that it's bad. It just means my mind has some grasping and redefining to do. Soon. I know I can't do it all, and sometimes I think that is my biggest struggle. I have this mental list of things I feel I need to do, to live up to, to give my hubby and kids, to give to God, to give to others, and even a few things I demand of myself. To know that some of my own expectations may have to be modified or even 'let go of' for awhile takes some mental getting used to.
So, as all these thoughts started going through my head today, I decided I just wanted to bake a homemade carrot cake. I wanted to eat it warm. With a glass of cold milk.
A few minutes ago, that's exactly what we did. I feel much better now. Wyndham even had a few bites and seems a bit happier too. Bella's Tylenol kicked in for now...and if the snow keeps falling, we just may have a snow day tomorrow.
The perfect day to reflect and watch Brady Bunch reruns- should that happen. You can bet I'll have another piece of cake too. Yep. Reality hit...and still things turned out okay.

Her first smiles...

Here are some pictures that I took yesterday after Wyndham woke from a 3 hour nap. She was in the best mood that we have seen her in three weeks. I was happy that she had this much energy and that she wanted to show off in front of the camera. I think these are her first 'toothless grins' since she lost two teeth last month. The tooth fairy was busy at our house! =)
We're really anxious to have this type of personality and energy be Wyndham's norm again- rather than the exception. But at this point, we are just thrilled to have it at all. Funny how something as small as joking around and being silly can seem like such a big deal. It's what I am always saying though- you miss 'normal and routine' as soon as things change from that norm.
I'm feeling my own energy level slip a little bit each day myself. Last night I could hardly keep my eyes open at 9:30pm. I almost always go to bed between 11:30 and midnight. I thought I was being so smart and turned out my light by 9:45. Still, when the alarm went off this morning I felt like I couldn't drag myself out of bed. The tired phase of my pregnancy seems to be kicking in all too quickly. And I fear that my normal routine is going to have to be put aside for a bit. I have a feeling my blog time will be the first to suffer. Just as a warning to those of you who love daily doses of Nitty. I'm going to do my best...but really, if I have to choose blog or sleep...at this point my body is screaming 'sleep'! I know you'll understand.
I can always beg Chip to jump in and guest blog. He seems to be sleeping just fine these days. =)

One chin looks good on me...

{For lack of better title on this post...} I had good intentions to post a family picture here today. I was happy that my Mom could snap a few of us before we went to church yesterday. But, I had the camera on the wrong setting and they all came out very blurry. So, I played around with some 'self-portraits' yesterday afternoon and instead I have this picture of me to post for my Mom. =) Sorry. I have a feeling I will be glad to have this photo in a few months, as reference that I didn't have a double chin my whole pregnancy. At least not yet at 6 weeks. =)
My calendar is all painted and in my gallery here at SIStv if you want to click through all the pages. It was inspired by my talented artist friend, Sarah Bowen. You can see her awesome calendar here. As well as see that I have some techniques to learn with my watercolors- at least my calendar is finished! =)
I took Wyndham to one hour of her physical therapy session today. She is still so weak and tired, but we need to build her muscle strength up and see how much she can tolerate. Apparantly she cannot tolerate that much. She came home, pointed to her room and signed 'sleep'. I let her lay down for about 45 minutes and then got her up just long enough to eat a few bites of lunch. She was very disinterested...and wanted to go back to bed. She ended up taking a 3 1/2 hour nap.
When she woke she looked much better, and proceeded to eat 2 freshly baked chocolate chip cookies. That's about how things have been going for her for the past 4-5 days. She has little spurts of energy and eats alright every now and then. But she is definitely not up for her routine schedule or regular school days. We still appreciate your prayers for her recovery. And we are thrilled to see a few more smiles from her each day. I will make sure to catch some on my camera and update some pictures here soon.
Chip is supposed to be taking some pictures of Brock at lacrosse right now. He is just starting up again. I am happy that we can squeeze a few 'extra curricular' activities into our week. Even if we're not all operating at full-strength. We're getting there...and it feels good.