Sunday, April 26, 2009

Catch up time- warning long post!

I have several things to catch you up on. Life and time just get away from me and before you know it I am behind. I guess that is what happens when you have 3 children doing different activities all the time.

Ok, here we go...

Kite day- Every year at East they have kite day. In years past it has been a flop to say the least. Who can predict the wind right? Well this year was just fabulous. The weather was perfect and the wind was just right. Brennon didn't want us to go to his kite time ( I think he is getting to the age where Mom's don't come to all the activities, how sad, sniff sniff) Madilyn however needs to have you at everything. I had a great time. All the kites were flying and she loved it. Lil B loved running around the big field as well.


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The tree of death for a kite!!!!

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Oh, the sky was so blue and all the kites looked so pretty.

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Madilyn Claire 2nd grade East kite day.


Braiden has discovered an affection for cereal. He loves it. And with his iron level being chronically low it is good for him. One bowl has 50% of what he needs so it really helps us get it all in everyday. We usually feed it to him, but here as of late he wants to d it himself. He is very good at it. Very careful and even drinks the milk at the end like his big brother and sister and daddy does. Such bad habits we teach.


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Here he is drinking the milk at the end. So funny is my little man.

Easter...
We had a great Easter. We went to an awesome worship service our church does at Wallace State. I will guess 3000 were there maybe a few more? It was so good. As I get older I really understand more just what Jesus did out of love. I can't wrap my mind around it all but what a beautiful gift. I feel so unworthy of it all.
(OK change of subject for a minute. How many of you saw the Miss USA pageant? Well go Miss California go. What a great example for you to be able to use with your children. And as far at the judge is concerned, I did not care too much for him myself. He said " she should have left religion and politics out of her answer. God has no place in pageants" Well, Mr who ever you are... when you have God living inside of you, when you are in love with God and when you want to follow him and dedicate your life to serving him HE HAS A PLACE in every thing you do!!!!! DO you want her to lie and ignore her morals and beliefs just because you would feel more comfortable. No sir, Do you not think Jesus would have rather run away then to be nailed to a cross after being beaten?, DO you not think he was uncomfortable hanging on OUR cross?, So go ahead and feel uncomfortable. Miss Cal. did a wonderful job. Rant over, sorry OK back to Easter)
We then went to eat at the nly thing open and where we didn't have to wait too long. Chinese Buffet, I know not exactly an Easter menu but it worked for us. I had a ham, homemade mac and cheese, greenbeans and sister shuberts rolls (if you are not from the south and have never has SS rolls I am so sad for you, they are so yummo)for dinner so the chinese was OK for lunch.
We came home changed clothes, hid easter eggs and played around with the kidos. We even cleaned out the van since we were going on a trip in a day. I live in my car and we are always on our way to something so it has a tendency to become really messy.
We ate dinner and since it was Spring break and we had nothing to do the next day we rested on the couch and watched movies till late.


From 2009-04-18


Braiden in his Easter outfit. A baby blue smocked longall linen bubble. It was so cute. I just love his shoes- my husband however said they were girl shoes and did not share my love for them. They are cute.
His outfit was a little big though. I got it a few months back and was afraid he would grow and not fit in it, so I went big. Oh well, he can ware it through summer and possible next year.

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Praising Jesus even before we went to church. Not really but it does look like it!


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On the front swing, it is near impossible to get him to sit for pictures.
Egg Hunt...

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Doesn't he look mischievious here with the "keykey"....


To the mountains we go.
We went to the mountains over the kids spring break. We had a wonderful time in fact I would go back today. Trying to figure out a way for us to work and live there isn't a far thought. Here are some pics from our trip...


From 2009-04-18


Braiden listening to the ipod on the way, he loved it and we laughed at him trying to sing! Uncle Blake we might need singing lessons.


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Madilyn Claire and Brennon watched movies the whole way there.


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Our beautiful cabin.


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Our cabin really was so nice. 4 master bedrooms with kingsize beds, all had there own bath. 2 decks, 2 hottubs, downstairs had a pooltable, 2 arcade games, even toys for Braiden to play with, washer/dryer. everything you could want, a grill. Indoor pool, putput golf for the kids. We loved it there. If you are ever interested I will give you the number of the people we rented from, super nice, from the Atlanta area.


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The bear in the living room that lil B loved.


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Lil B eating his donut, strawberries and bananas like a big boy.


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While on the trip Braiden learned how to say ohhh woow! It was so cute, he would say it every time he saw something new, which was a lot.


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Trying to get a group picture is no easy task.


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Braiden playing with a corn crib door.


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Wonder works


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Madilyn and the rock wall climb.


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Brennon getting ready climb.


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Lil B and the smoke machine.


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Madi the astronaunt.


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Brennon the astronaunt.


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Braiden playing in the wonder dome. He loved it, even rolled oround on it. The floor would change scenes and when you stepped on it, it made different patterns appear.


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1st nap of a very long day, The big kids Dad included played laser tag while I took a much need diet coke break with my sleeping baby.


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Daddy and Braiden feeding the ducks while we waited on dinner. We love eating here and we had the perfect table. It was at the end of a long hallway, surrounded by windows on all sides and the best part a door beside us opened up to the front porch. The kids played outside while I waited for our food to get there. ANd the best part, apple fritters with apple butter, heaven. We even saw some people Patrick knew from his home town, what a small world.


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View from our deck.


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Daddy pushing Braiden up the 1.5 mile mountain hike to the falls. See story below for datails.

We went hiking ( not really) walking up to Laurel Falls, it is paved the whole way and so the stroller worked well. Now the nice lady at the Apple Bees where we ate dinner the day we arrived lied when she said oh it is just an easy walk and the kids will love it. Note to self, do not believe people you do not know! It was easy as far as being able to take the stoller and not carry the baby the whole way. But it was 1.5 miles uphill to get to the falls that by the time you get there are not as pretty as everyone was making them out to be. There were signs warning you to keep you children close because deaths have occured from people falling off the path down the ravene. What kind of person would send a mom of 3 small children on a hike where they could fall off and die!!!!!! She obviously did not have kids!!


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Me and my older babies.


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Worth it, yes but I so wish I had packed some water and snacks when we got to the top. It was beautiful but NOT easy.


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Cades Cove
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enough said, spetacular, can you imagine waking up to this view.. dream big Brandi!


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We took Braiden out of his car seat and let him sit up front with us, mostly driving with Patrick. It is an 11 mile loop and you drive really slow. We saw almost 50 deer, 7 turkeys and 4 bear.
This was the one that was closest for a picture.

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On the day we went home we stopped by the Apple barn for some apple butter and a breakfast of strawberry pancakes.

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Madi and B sitting in the apple orchard.



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Stellan in the smokie mountains.
Go here and you will find out all the info needed as to the reason for this piacture.

Prayers for Stellan

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Braiden playing in the water at the aquarium. Here shish, shish.


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Pictures of the jelly's, I thought they turned out well, not sure what I will do with them but it was fun.


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Madi the jelly fish.


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It had been a long day and we still had the drive home to go. We stopped by Hardrock for a burger and some good music before we left. Madi and Brennon were a little silly that day.


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Our waitress doing YMCA!!!! SO much fun.


Which brings us to yard work weekend this weekend. We stayed home for once and got some much needed yard work done.

Madi had her banquet for dance company Friday night, I had dance practice Saturday morning at 9 ( that is a whole post on it's own and I will share one day). The hubby and kids met me in town at 10 and we went to get the plants and supplies we needed for the day. After a quick stop at a fund raiser for Colton Evans for lunch we headed home for an afternoon of work. Patrick took Brennon for his ball pictures and I put B down for nap and we got to work. I love this time of year!!! My rose bush has done great this year, this is the best year yet.



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Aren't they gorgeous...

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Daddy and B on the wee wheeler..



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Braiden loved the water hose until it turned on him. The water caught some iwnd and blew back on him. It was so funny, he dropped it and looked at it for the longest trying to figure out what had happened.


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Brennon on his 4 wheeler


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The neighborhood girls sitting in the swing on the front porch "Just a Swangin" Do yall remember that song?


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Brennon helping Dad cut the grass. After he said "Mom cutting the grass is exhausting".
Yes son it is and thank you for helping.








Saturday, April 25, 2009

New Prayer request..

another blog baby- an amazing story but now is deperate for prayers. God can interceed. Oh father hear our cries to you in this families darkest hour.



And closer to home. A little boy named Colton Evans. He is in 8th grade and his brother is in Madilyn's Class grade 2nd. He has an inoperable brain tumor. He had been in remission before but now the cancer has returned. They are raising money from T shirts and had a cook out for him today.

I am feeling overwhelmed today with just how lucky ( no wait I don't believe in luck) blessed I am. God has been so good to us. And WE so do not deserve it. I look at my healthy children and just want to scoop them up and never let them go. I am so proud of all they have done and who they are becoming. If I don't say it enough sweet babies, I love you and you make my heart so very happy.

Brandi

Thursday, April 23, 2009

My blog babies...

Want to smile and lift God up in praise..
Check this post out... God is good and his timing is perfect.




Also please keep baby Stellan and his mom in your prayers. This has been a difficult road for her and I think she is just Tired!!!!!

Prayers for Stellan


Bj

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Pray for Stellan

Today Stellan is having heart surgery. From what I have read he had a very rough night. Please pray with us around the world for Stellan.
1. For the doctors and medical team taking care of Stellan. God guide them and help them make the right and good decisions.
2. For his family, let them be surrounded by people who love you and breaths life into them. People who will hold them up when they can not today, Lord.
3. For COMPLETE healing for his heart....
4. (this is hard to type) For your will to be done here and you to be Glorified!


I will post about our trip over spring break when I have a chance, baseball, dance and a banquet this week.. Busy, busy!!!

Brandi

Tuesday, April 7, 2009

Braiden's 18 month check up

We had our 18 month check up yesterday. A very boring appt over all. No shots we will rap those up at his 24 month appt. He weighs 24 lbs and he is 32 inches long. He is hitting all his age milestones so no problem there. We did check his iron levels. I just got the call that they are lower than in Dec. Urrgggg! So we go back on iron twice a day and a diet high in iron and vit C. We will give this 3 weeks and then recheck. If things are still low I am going to ask for a second opinion regarding this. Patrick has had low iron since his surgery and probably before then. Even with supplements his is always low. Some genetic component is there and we need to know what it is. So if you will keep Lil B in your prayers. Low iron can make you feel bad. If you have ever been anemic you understand.

From Four and a Baby

Yes he is in Christmas PJ's, they were clean and we wore them!

Brandi

A new plan.....

Well I posted too soon. Stellan is now considered a failure at IV therapy and other options are in place and plans being made. I can not explain it because I have never even met this family but I love this little boy. I almost feel like I'm a stalker? Please join me in praying for him and get to know this family you will be blessed.

Also go over to Bring the Rain and be in prayer for the Smith's today. It is Audrey's birthday. A very hard day for them. Her post will make you cry.

There are days when I really think about it all day. There are days when I feel like something apart of me is missing. There are days when I cling to the promise that we will be together and I will hold our baby. Those days are hard days and to breath takes effort. But God is great and the bigger picture is that I wouldn't have Braiden. I would never know this child that I have been blessed with. Would I have chosen this road for me, NO! But God's plan is bigger than mine. And for the first time in a long time I can honestly say that I am OK with that.

My sister continues to grow and do well. She met me for Kids Mart a few weeks ago and we bought lots of things for baby Noah. I can not wait to meet him.

My SIL is also pregnant. Due in October. This will be a a busy month with 3 birthdays and football games to go see.

Which leaves us thinking about a fourth baby. I have till next Feb. to decide. After that my window is closed. I will be over 35 by the time I would deliver and I prefer not to be. Also we have yet to get the OK to even get pregnant from my OB. 23 weeks of bedrest, breathine every 2 hours, weekly shots and 5 week early delivery brought us to the egde of our breaking point. But you seem to forget the severity of it all. Now all I see is my wonderful family and wonder if Lil B needs a buddy. For now we will be still and listen for God's guidence. And pray for what ever is best for our family.

We are getting ready for Easter weekend. The children are out of schoolf friday and we are headed to the mountains next week for spring break. I am really looking forward to spending some quiet time with them and getting away with my husband. Right now we feel like strangers passing in the night. We haven't been away since the week before we lost our baby. Almost 2 years ago. So we will enjoy the porch and mountain views while the children are asleep.

We love and miss everyone. I think this is the longest we have been without seeing everyone. Hope to see you soon.

Brandi

Friday, April 3, 2009

Answered prayers

 


Baby Stellan has been out of SVT for more than 48 hours. He is starting to be weaned off the IV medications and switched to oral medications. So don't get off your knees just yet. This may sound easier than it actually is. So keep praying he has a long road ahead of him.

Brandi
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13for it is God who works in you to will and to act according to his good purpose. 14Do everything without complaining or arguing, 15so that you may become blameless and pure, children of God without fault in a crooked and depraved generation, in which you shine like stars in the universe Philippians 2:13-15