Sick week

WOW, this has been the sickest week ever!  With my FAVORITE upcoming holiday this week we proved to have some challenges!

First off on Friday I had my 2nd sinus surgery.  For those of you that can understand what that's like uncomfortable doesn't even BEGIN to cover how I feel.  First of all people were meant to blow their nose. They just were.  I'm mean COME ON!!  Don't blow your nose until further instruction?  You don't realize how miserable that is until you have to abide by it. Horrible. Such a simple thing I will never take for granted.

On Sunday Abigail suffered her first bee sting, first episode of hives and her very first fever.  She was running around like crazy on Sunday and at dinner she looked 'three sheets to the wind' and BAM, she had a fever of 104.5.  After a cold bath, Tylenol and a trip to the ER the fever broke within 24 hours.  She was the hit of the ER :)

Last night I ended up in the ER overnight.  I picked up the stomach flu somewhere and at 2 am last night, BAM.  By 4am I felt like I had met my demise and I was positive I had taken off a minimum of 30 pounds.  Sadly I was wrong about that.  I'm sure the explicits of my bodily functions is not why you came to my blog this week so I will spare you the stories. :)  I had to have potassium and fluids and was booted home to recover.  So much for that flu shot.

On a good note it's Halloween this week and my family plans to be decked out in style :)  We decided this holiday will have the whole family involved.  Pets and all. :)  So here is to an amazing week of costumes, dress up and lots of candy!  Can't wait!

Back to bed I go!

Heather

If you can't feed a hundred people, then feed just one.

Mother Teresa

Fall.....

The leaves were so colorful it was hard to see the kids!

Pictures of the trees in our backyard.  SO beautiful

Ohhhh how I love fall.  I think it's the most beautiful time of the year.  I actually feel sorry for people that live where there isn't fall.  The crisp morning air, the warm sweater weather, sunshine afternoons and the amazing colors that illuminate our trees and last but not least the leaf piles.  I know so many people that complain about the fall clean up in the yards but we love it.  I look forward to winter and the gorgeous blankets of snow and mostly I can't wait for Abigail to see it's beauty live from our windows.  I love living where we have 4 seasons and we love each one equally.

We went out this afternoon to take our fall pictures, these were taken in our backyard woods.  I got a new camera so the pictures are done by yours truely :)  I'm still learning :).  Abigail is still amazed at the leaves that fall, last week she said it was messy on the lawn and we need to clean.  Hahaha.  We'll be driving and she'll say Mom!  That tree is Orange!  That one is Red!  The best part about fall?  The apple cider and donuts in Michigan and pumpkin patches.  Just love them.  I am so blessed......

Grateful Day......

Today on my way to Grand Rapids for a doctor appointment I decided I was going to list EVERYTHING I am grateful for.  I think sometimes it's so easy to get caught up in the negative hang ups of life.  So here is my list.

I'm grateful for.....

*My husband, he is a gift from God
*My son, his kind soul and loving nature
*My daughter, her beautiful heart and amazing strength
*Our home, although not big, it's a castle to us
*My dogs and cats, truly my best friends most days
*My car, I take for granted the ability to drive where I need to go
*My freedom of speech otherwise I'd never have this blog
*My husband's job that provides 3 meals a day without worries
*My health, it's priceless
*My fears, for with them I am able to trust in God's plan for me
*My 8 weeks in Africa, absolutely hands down the best experience of my life. 
*My friends, I'm not sure where I'd be without them.  They are truly not friends but family
*My town, living in it makes me feel safe and welcome
*My faith, oh how we are a family of Jesus freaks and not afraid to share that with anymore
*Answered prayers, they are what brought our beautiful Abigail home
*Unanswered prayers, because God ALWAYS knows whats best even when I don't
*Date night with my husband, time with my best friend is irreplaceable
*Scrap booking with my girlfriends, I literally laugh until my gut hurts
*My extended family for endless prayers and love for my children
*My sister, just because she's so special and truly the best role model
*My new doctor that has made my feet feel walkable again
*For Sketchers shape ups, because they make my feet feel SOOOO good
*For Barb and Monica, for selling beads when they didn't even know us just to be able to help, amazing
*For Abigail's mother, A painful sacrifice for a better life for her daughter
*For hot showers everyday
*Peace, knowing that I will wake up tomorrow under a stable roof and in a warm bed
*The children I will have that I don't even know yet and have already changed my life
*My series of miscarriages, for it was through those that I found out how badly I wanted to be a mom
*Story time with my children because they snuggle up with me like they were newborns
*Forgiveness, Because God forgave me for soooo many things and still loves me everyday.  I am saved.
*Prayer, it's there that I truly find myself
*Contentment, because its way better then living in the moment
*Trials, only in these times can my faith really grow
*Persecution of my faith.  Because I'm proud to love Jesus and I must be showing it.
*Ziploc bags, because I use them for EVERYTHING!
*Today, because that's all I have and that's all I need

Have a blessed day today!

Nolan's Birthday


It's hard to believe that my baby boy was born 7 years ago.  Although the time is flying by so fast I get so excited to see the young man he's growing into.  Everyone always says the older you get the faster time goes but maybe it's just because when we're younger we enjoy more of our time. 

We had an exciting weekend of celebrating.  Nolan has a little friend over for a sleep over and Monday we took the Amtrak to Chicago for the day to go to the Chicago children's museum.  SO fun.  My parents were here for 5 days to help celebrate as well and the kids always love having Grandma and Papa here.  Last night since my parents were here Jason and I snuck out for a date night.  We haven't been out together, alone, since March!!!  It was recommended that we not leave Abigail with a babysitter for a year so we have been very conscious to do that.  But it was WELL needed and it was nice to have some quality time with my hubby. 

With my Dad being here we worked on the house this weekend and drew out the plans.  We are adding a large Master bedroom to our basement in order to accommodate the 1 or 2 more kiddos upstairs!  SO we're anxious to get that going so we can focus on the next ones coming!  Since we have gotten approval we will begin our next home study in January.  I can't wait to see what children God has in store for us.  For now, we're loving life, enjoying our kids and enjoying each other. 

OH and for those of you awaiting my shipment of bracelets it is suppose to arrive tomorrow!!!!  YEAH!!

Have a great week with Jesus!

Building Skyscrapers with Dad at the Children's museum!

Let's go Irish!!

Riding on the train!  SO FUN!

Abby said the Sears tower was REALLY BIG DADDY!

Playing with water at the Children's museum

Driving the firetruck like real firefighters!

Opening gifts!

Date night photo :)