Saturday, April 26, 2008

Mother's Day Giveaway!

 

Abraham and Moses - 15 days old


 
Me with my boys

Over at 5minutesformom they are having a really great Mother's Day Giveaway. The ladies are having a $1,000 Mother's Day Photo Contest. The directions are to post a picture of what Motherhood means to you. Simple? Not if you are me and you have 1,000's of pictures that you could submit!

Even though I am sure that I have posted these pictures before, I chose the above 2 pictures again because they capture my pure joy to be holding my twin boys, who were born at 28 weeks into my pregnancy. I had been on strict bedrest for the 6 weeks prior to their birth. Abraham was 2 lbs. 10 oz (L) and Moses was 2 lbs 7 oz. (R) They are my miracle boys. Moses did not have a strong heart, due to his Downs Syndrome and other issues. We released him into the loving hands of Jesus when he was one month old. We are blessed to have had that time with him and to have pictures of him. This is the only picture I have of me with both boys. I treasure this photo.

The pictures below were taken at the March for Babies that we just participated in this past Sunday. Because our family has experienced the struggles of premature birth, this amazing organization is close to our hearts. We are grateful for the education and the resources we got through the March of Dimes while we spent 51 days in a NICU.
 

 
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Mother's Day 2008 - Giveaway Event

Wednesday, April 23, 2008

Don't Squish the Animals!

We took a walk outside and in one of the trees Michael found baby caterpillars. So he got them out of the tree and showed them to Abraham. Needless to say, we learned why it is that we don't have a pet yet. Abraham got them between his fingers and then proceeded to end their lives by squishing them. OOPS!



Don't squeeze the baby caterpillars!


Wow! Look momma - caterpillars!

Home Sweet Home!




March of Dimes 2008


Momma and Abe ready to go



This past Sunday my sister, Kari, Abraham and I walked in the March for Babies for the 3rd year. It is something that has become a tradition with us. Each year we look forward to spending the day together, remembering Moses and Abraham and the miracle that they are. You know, Moses went home to be with Jesus 2 weeks before Kari came home from the mission field so she was never able to see him, hold him, or enjoy him. It makes me sad that she didn't get to do any of these things. But as we participate in this amazing cause together, along with hundreds of other people - from all walks of life - because they have been touched by the birth of a premature baby --- we rejoice and celebrate Moses' short life here on earth and we joyfully look forward to that day when we will be reunited with him.

They had a few things that were new this year. One was a big banner that they asked you to sign to mark who you were walking for. The other was a table where you could write a note of encouragement to families that are currently in the NICU at a local hospital. What fantastic ideas these are!! Someone really thought about how the March of Dimes could impact families even more.

As I did both of these activities, I had a tear in my eye thinking of my sweet boy. There isn't a day that goes by when I don't think about him - I see him in my sweet boy Abraham - I wonder about what could have been when I see other Downs Syndrome children - I smile when I look at his pictures and remember what a trouble maker he was in the NICU! Those days that we had with him are more than many parents have with their preemies. I treasure those days and the memories we were able to build with him. I still cry for him, for me really. The pain subsides but the memories are still alive in my heart.

Momma loves you Moses, my angel! Forever and ever and always - to the moon and back!



KK and Abraham enjoying the day together.



The end of our 5 mile walk - what a great way to kick off my spring exercise!! :)



Each year I make a poster for the walk. This year I added a new face. Gwyneth Rose is the daughter of Nathan and Tricia Lawrenson. You can check out their link on the side of this page.



I can hold the hammer myself!



Momma and Abraham playing games

Saturday, April 19, 2008

Ahh.. the life of a mother of a 2 1/2 year old....Will wonders never cease??


Well, Abraham and I had an interesting day today. It started out pretty good. We were going to hit Target and then drive up to the river to meet Michael for lunch and some play time. It should have been a very simple day.. but no, not with my 2 1/2 year old!!

So we finish at Target and head out to the car. I put him in the car to just stand until I was done unloading our stuff then I and shut the door, as I always do. Then I went back to the cart to unload and then shut the back hatch before walking the cart back to the return place which was right behind me. I get back to the car and attempt to lift the door handle but it wouldn't open ----- It was locked! With Abraham in it as well as my keys, of course! Should I expect something different to happen??

Anyhow, so I was pretty calm, trying to get Abraham to unlock the door. Yea, that wasn't happening. The windows were luckily cracked open, but not enough to get my arm in it. A lady who was loading her own car tried to coax him to open it too. To no avail. Meanwhile another woman who has now pulled into a parking spot across from us calls the State Police... what??? "Great." I think. They'll haul my butt to jail for child endangerment...

The security guy comes out of Target and is on the phone with the Bel Air Police Department who show up less than 5 minutes later. The officer is really great and understanding. He opens the door in less than 1 minute. Abraham made friends with the officer and got a Junior Officer badge out of it. From start to finish of our harrowing day, it was only about 15 - 20 minutes but it sure felt like a lifetime!!

Needless to say, Mommy learned a valuable lesson today. My 2 year old is a pretty smart kid to lock the door -- and pretty stubborn to NOT open it when I very clearly offered him CHOCOLATE!!! I think that I'll teach Abraham how to UNLOCK the door next...

Abraham was very proud to show daddy his badge when we saw him. He told Michael that the police officer opened the door and gave him the badge. I told you he was SMART!


At the river

Wednesday, April 9, 2008

Here's to a Good Woman!


Somehow I stumbled onto this website - through Island Life I think. But I was really impressed with the site and with all the encouragement that it gives to women. As I surfed through the website, I kept looking at the home page where you can nominate a Good Woman/Mom that you know... I wondered who I could nominate and than it hit me... Check it out here to see what I did!! :)

Monday, April 7, 2008

And another...



Ok so here is yet another FANTASTIC giveaway from Island Life. She has linked to a site that makes the most beautiful handbags I have seen recently. They are gorgeous and look like top notch craftmanship. Check Babycakes Boutique out here.



Which is your fave? I love the Perean in Morning Glory - On the Go bag. The colors are so light!

Sunday, April 6, 2008

Island Life Giveaway - times 2!!!


I think that I'm finally getting the hang of this blogging thing. Typically I don't have much time during the week to surf or add to this blog. Between teaching and working my Master's and being a wife, mom, chef, lunch maker and maid... it doesn't leave much time for anything! But this weekend I have been on top of things and haven't had much to do for work so...

I hopped over to An Island Life where they are giving away new custom Blogger template by Judi at Doodlebug Designs.

Since I absolutely HATE the choices that Blogger offers I'd LOVE to win a breath of fresh air for my blog. Check her site out! Her work is great and pretty inexpensive as well. I love her use of colors - my favorite is the brown and teal colors together.




The other giveaway that she's got going on is from The Fine Art of Family. My favorite is the Toggle Necklace with space for 2 photos. They are exquisite pieces of jewelry, and thus the price is reflected in the artistry.

Again, what a gorgeous item to win... so check out both of her up for grab items! May the best woman win!

Check her out and enter to win too!!

Friday, April 4, 2008

River time

Last weekend we drove up to Darlington to take flowers out to Moses and then to take a walk by the river. Abraham just loves water and was excited to see the rocks and stuff. He spent quite a long time picking up rocks and tossing them into the river. He sort of fell in, which Momma was worried about cause it was so cold... but he could have cared less! We walked the trail and he rode in the stroller, at least for a little bit. As you can tell, he decided on other modes of transportation. :)

Over the past 2 1/2 years Darlington has become a place where we go to decompress and just get away from it all. The cemetary overlooks farmland and it is just absolutely beautiful and very peaceful. It is the perfect place to be quiet and to remember him. When the weather is nice, we usually go up every other week. I wish I had pictures of the area to show you but I guess these will do for now!


This is SO much fun!!


How 'bout dis one, momma?

Oops! I fell in!


I just LOVE the river!!


Abe "pushing" the stroller - so much for riding and making it easier for us!


Abe and his rocks

Abraham and Daddy


Abraham and Momma

One Word

I sent this as an email to my friend Mel and she decided to put it on her blog as a post. So I'm following suit. The trick to this meme is that you can only use ONE WORD to answer the questions. Drop me a comment and let me know if you are playing so I can come and read your answers!!


1. Where is your cell phone? purse
2. Where is your significant other? bathroom
3. Your hair? dirty
4. Your mother? reading
5. Your father? sleeping
6. Your favorite thing? shoes
7. Your dream last night? nothing
8. Your favorite drink? margarita
9. Your dream/goal? retirement
10. The room you're in? living
11. Your hobby? work!
12. Your fear? drowning
13. Where do you want to be in 6 years? house
14. Where were you last night? buontempos
15. What you're not? chef
16. Muffins? blueberry
17. Where you grew up? Maryland
18. The last thing you did? email
19. What are you wearing? pj's
20. Your TV? movie
21. Your pets? none
22. Your computer? necessity
23. Your life? hectic
24. Your mood? exhausted
25. Missing someone? Moses
26. Your car? dirty
27. Something you're not wearing? makeup
28. Favorite store? Target
29. Your summer? beach
30. Like someone? YES
31. Your favorite color? green
32. Favorite season? summer

33. When is the last time you laughed? today
34. Last time you cried? yesterday
35. Who's tagged? You!!

Wednesday, April 2, 2008

Praying for Nate and Tricia




Please be in prayer right now, Wednesday evening, for Tricia as she is in surgery for her double lung transplant!! These next hours will be very difficult for her and for her hubby Nate. If you have ever sat in the waiting room of a hospital, waiting for someone you love to come out of surgery, you know what an agonizing wait it can be. Pray for Nate as he waits for Tricia - for Tricia that she will be able to bounce back to full health - for the donors family as they have lost a loved one - for their extended family as they support Nate and Tricia through this time.

And please consider what part you could have in organ donation. I have thought about it and my thoughts are these - after I am gone from this earth and with the Father what does it matter what happens to my physical body? It won't be ME. And if my physical body can give LIFE to someone like Tricia, someone who needs new lungs so that she can live and enjoy watching her sweet daughter grow up --- then THAT is what I want to do. What would you do?

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

A boy after his momma's sweet tooth heart!

SHHHHH! Don't tell Daddy!! :)



Don't mess with a boy and his ice cream!


What are YOU lookin' at???

Fearfully and Wonderfully Made



Wonderfully Made (by JD Cunningham)

I see in his eyes proof that he’s mine
And his smile is the same one she’s given me so many times

And each time he laughs I can’t help but cry
Cause the world’s bound to hurt him no matter how hard I try

And I try to remember though I still can’t conceive
That he belongs to you more than he ever will me

For you created his inmost being
Knit together in his mother's womb
And his frame was never hidden from you in a secret place
From the depths of the earth you saw his body form
And ordained every step of his days
So I praise you for he is fearfully and wonderfully made
And I know full well your works are wonderful

I may never know and surely won’t understand
The path that you chose to take this boy down to become a man

But please make him faithful and God make him brave
And grant me the wisdom to point him back to your ways

And all through the years as his little heart grows
Lord pierce it with love so that some day he’ll know

That you created his inmost being
Knit together in his mother's womb
And his frame was never hidden from you in a secret place
From the depths of the earth you saw his body form
And ordained every step of his days
And he’ll praise you for he is fearfully and wonderfully made
And he’ll know full well your works are wonderful

Lord I praise you for he is fearfully and wonderfully made
And I know full well your works are wonderful

Psalm 139:
13 For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb.
14 I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. 15 My frame was not hidden from you when I was made in the secret place. When I was woven together in the depths of the earth, 16 your eyes saw my unformed body. All the days ordained for me were written in your book before one of them came to be


**I was crusing through some blogs the other day and happened upon this one from a lady named Myra. She is a mom of an autistic boy with their own set of struggles. She had this song posted on her blog and it struck a chord with me. The Scripture verses that this song is written from were the ones that Michael and I meditated on when we first found out that Moses had Downs Syndrome. The fact that even though he wasn't "perfect" in the worlds eyes didn't even factor into our thoughts about him. We are convinced that our Father gave Moses to us perfectly - with no mistakes or imperfections. We accept him because he is our child, our flesh and blood and we LOVE him.

Moses has been on my mind alot this past week. Maybe because I was home for break, just Abraham and I... and I had time to reflect as I watched Abraham play and interact with other children. I sometimes get wistful and wish for just one more day with my Moses. My heart just aches to see him and hold him - to have him with me for just one day. In my head I know that his life on earth would have been a struggle. There would have been a number of heart surgeries that he would have needed and daily, one on one care. But you know what? I'd give my right arm if he could be here and be healthy. Yet as much as I miss him and shed tears for my own personal sadness, I have a hope that I will one day see him again and be reunited wtih him. He has a perfect body and is running like he never would have run here on earth.

We are truly blessed to have been entrusted with sweet Abraham. He is an amazing miracle and gift to us. Our Father has showered us constantly with His peace and comfort each time that we get missing Moses. He is faithful and we are grateful for that.