Blogger's Block, Jibber Jabber, a haircut and Fall Fun!

I know I know, I am way behind on a post. i have to admit I have had a bit of "blogger's block" but have come up with a few things to post about in the near future. The first being is that We cut all of Liam's hair off. And for those of you who hadn't seen Liam in a while, you will know that his "mop" was an understatement.
BEFORE:

It had been time I guess. Although i teared ever minute of it! Comments like " oh what a beautiful little girl you have", and "what beautiful blue eyes SHE has"! lol. It was time, check out the before and after pics AFTER:

Little Liam has started talking quite a bit. It started about a month ago with mama, dada, bye bye. But he is moving up to things like doggie, night-night, granma, pap, mommy and so on. He never hesitates to repeat what we are saying. This has come as a big surprise to me. i never knew a 15 month old to talk so much. Drew never spoke until 2 or 2 and a half. and has only begun really talking in the last 3 months. I will be posting soon on Drew's progress ... As of right now all of his therapies seem to be paying off. This would include OT, Special Iterenrant, and Speech therapy. We still do not have a clinial diagnosis, which at this point has not been pursued, but is somewhat " assumed" he is in a very functioing autism spectrum. Such as asberger's or PDD (pervasive developmental disorder). Again i hope to post more details later on this subject! But I like to tell everyone, we really don't want to "label" him as any of things, because to us he is simply, Drew :) Otherwise, we have busy doing fun things this fall. Check out some pics and see how we have been keeping busy!

Baby Ava Grace

It is with with deep sympathy I announce
the birth and death of Baby Ava Grace. Born silently monday october 12, 2009 at 8:34am. For those who have been following this story, i was able to get the opprutnity to get to know Jerissa back in August. At that time she was 12 weeks along, and her baby girl was diagnosed with a Cystic hygroma ( Liam's diagnosis). She found our blog, and was able to connect with me by phone. We then had the chance to meet on a few occasions, pray, and speak with one another. Jerissa and Eric's daughter was also diagnosed at 15 weeks with Turner's Syndrome.
There baby Girl went into Hydrops at that time and continued to press on until this week. She went to be with lord on monday morning, straight from her mama into the hands of God.
Ava Grace's service was this morning. It was a very beautiful service. I am so proud of my friends' Eric and Jerissa. It is truly amazing how god has brought these two strangers into our lives under such circumstances. He has truly revealed himself in this family. There faith in God has remained steadfast. Though the road ahead of them is a very long and tough one, In my heart I know they will remain faithful and use Ava's miraculous testimony to bring other's to Christ. Ava is a miracle. So neat to see and hear of yet another mriacle babe, whom God has used to change the lives of so many.
Would you lift this family up in prayer with me? As you can imagine, this family is rejoicing that their daughter is healed now, and in the amrs of Jesus. But they already are missing her terribly as well. Please pray that their hearts will be filled with peace and blessings. That they will continue to know God is near, and will sustain them with enough "grace" to make it through another day.

Unite to Fight Against Prematurity

Join the Fight Against Prematurity and Prental Health!
Did you know that November is Premturity Awareness Month?
Join thousands and support the fight against Preemie babies. Our family supports the March of Dimes, and walks for the March for Babies every April. You can contact me to get involved. Team Miracles is forming now.
We chose to get involved, because of our son's poor prental disgnosis( see here), and the many friends and families, who have been touched by a baby given a poor prenatal diagnosis or have been born prematurly.
Recently, my very dear friend, Heather, welcomed her faternal twins into the world 15weeks Early. You can click here to read their story. It is truly one of many miracles. Jaron and Teagan are now approaching their "due date" and growing by leaps and bounds. they still have a road ahead of them. This is just another family who has been affected by this cause. Consider donating or joining the March for Babes this year (miraclesmade@gmail.com).
And remember on November 17-is Premature Awareness Day nationwide.

there is a preschooler in da house.

literally. we now officially have a preschooler in our house.
let me start by saying I am not one of those mom's who tends to cry when my children reach a monumental milestone. just am not that way, sometime wish i was. Last week, on drew's first day, he was excited to don his Thomas "pack pack" as we took pictures and prepared. I imagined he would go in without much of a fuss, but maybe would be a bit hesitate just because he did not know anyone.
to much of my surprise, drew wasn't the one who had any hesistations!!!!
When I left him with his teacher, he marched right in the room, and didn't even look back. As I yelled "Bye Drew" he never even looked back. He didn't even say good bye.
Now i am not trying to sound ridiculous or anything. By i tried again, "cya drew"
but he was gone. Off with his new friends, classmates, and new adventures. As i walked away slowly with liam, I started thinking of all the things drew would be expereincing this year at preschool. field trips, circle time, playtime. Such a big boy already.
Tears couldn't help but find there way down my cheeks. I was filled with much excitement for him, and yet sad to see him off with out him actually clinging to my leg and wanting only his mama.
Yes, he is growing up. a whole three years young. sigh. (remember I am not one of those moms). when I pulled away that day, I wasn't even sure what lee and i would be doing, just the two of us and all. The time actually passed slow. I missed him....
When the time came to pick up drew, he was muttering a mile a minute, talking about Preschool. I wasn't sure what he was saying but it must have been good.
So, after all of this I am wondering what is it going to feel like the day he gets on the bus and goes to kindergarden?
Mercy.

March for Babies 2010!

Last year we joined the cause and walked to gain awareness for Prenatal Care and the fight against Premature babies, One day ALL Babies will be born healthy!!!!!
As you can IMAGINE we had an AMAZING success and gained over $1440 for team Liam/Miracles!
This upcoming year, we are hoping to at least DOUBLE our team size and earnings!!!
The March for Babies is scheduled for Sunday, April 25, 2010 at 11:30am!!!
We had a BLAST last year, and our hoping to do this same this year. We will begin fundraising in December. Team Miracles is forming once again!
What can you do?
We need WALKERS!!!! you and your family can sign up to walk, by letting me know you are interested! I will get you all nescasary matierials and help you get underway in the new year. One member of your family can register, and you are all welcome to join us on the days event, which include picnic after the walk!!!!
We need sponsors/donations! If you are unable to walk you can donate come the new year, letme know, and i wll get the info to make a tax-deductible donation!
We need your prayer support! we would of course appreciate your prayer support through this, and most of all to reach people, who may need hope, in a time of grief, or dealing with pregnancy loss, prematurity, and still birth.

YOU CAN help make The 2010 March for Babies a Success! Thank you, and stay tuned for more event s and fundraisers to come!

Celebrating 8 years....and my wonderful husband :)

it's fun to look back and remonice the youthful years. The past 8 years have brought about change, and looking back I can't help but think about how life used to be, and how it is now. let me clearify.
My hubby and i married young (20 and 22)...okay not that young, but according to some standards set today, that may be young. We we would have told you we knew everything there was to know, and marrying at that point was what we did. we had been courting for over 4 years.
Life for us began in 2001, just days before the world changed on 9/11/01, as we ourselves honeymooned at the beach. We ate at fine restaraunts, and stayed up past 12. we slept in til 9am.
We resided in a small apartment above my hubby's work, it was perfect, it was home. Our new adevnture in marriage where accompanyed by adjustmenst and sometimes bickering about learning of one another. Also, great late night dinner conversations over wine, and long weekend getaways, just about every month.
life seemd busy at that time....not sure what we were so busy with, except maybe eachother.
i look back at those early years, with fond memories to build on. We had many adventures, trips, arguments, and holidays.
I look at how are life has shaped into not just each other anymore, but a family unit. And the role my husband has become. father, provider, husband, strengthener, encourager and so on.
we often laugh when people tell us how good we are together. it's funny, i often say "we go together like peas and carrots"
anyoine who knows us would know we are almost exact opposite in personality but complete likeness in our beliefs and foundations. I guess that what has always kept us going strong. Not the disagreements about where to go on vacation, but maybe our spritual foundations and how we want to raise these boys to be great men of God someday.
i realize this blog is kinda of skipping around alot. i in no way mean to speak greatness or advice over 8 years of marriage. I will wait for our 50 year anniversary to do that.
Life HAS changed, and the truth is I am enjoying it. I will cherish those "early" years, and enjoy the days to come. Just as I cherish the years olf baby toes, diapers, and butterfly kisses. We have changed. But our lives and love for each other have grown stronger, together, and in the people we have yet to become.
1997-present.

The Birthday Cheese.

here is a recap from the big day....