I'm dreaming of a PINK Christmas.....

Wow. Christmas is over. I sort of already miss it. What a blessing to have another wonderful Christmas with my family. Every year I think it doesn't get any better than this but then the following year brings more great joy. Jared takes 2 weeks off at the end of the year so we get a LOT of time with our daddy and it is much needed!!
This year Christmas took on a different meaning for us, and for many reasons, learning the true value of your health, the health of your children, the love and support of awesome friends and family, and the power of prayer, lots and lots of prayer. I say this because really the only ones who probably read this blog already know I battle Crohn's disease and have been dealing with a "flare-up" since August. I can't seem to get in remission and its been a trying past couple of months. With 2 colonoscopys, 2 blood transfusions, the question of having my large intestine removed, and the realization that when its all said and done health is all you have, has kinda taken a toll on our family. No need to feel sorry for me or our family though, with this being said, we just truly felt the meaning of Christmas this year and have been so grateful to our Savior that we got to spend another year together. I pray there are many more Christmas' with my husband and daughters but couldn't be more thankful for the ones I have already had. I have been clinging to Psalm 34:19, which states, "many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord delivers him out of them all". God revealed this verse to me during one of my blood transfusions and I know God gave me this battle for His glory. Although I often feel sorry for myself (because I am a crybaby, I totally own that) I believe God has plans to deliver me from this disease. I have always believed there will be an ultimate healing for me, just never know when or really even how, but I fear God enough to not lose my faith in Him. Trust me, my faith has seen some verrry low times these past couple months but I can't give up on my Savior and I KNOW He is not giving up on me. This disease is worth it even if just one person says, "look how God has changed her life, maybe he can change mine too". Because he can change your life, He has been working on mine for the past couple years and I am so thankful He stepped in and began a transformation on me. It still amazes me how he could even want to take such a wretched, selfish sinner and turn my life around. I feel like Paul in the bible, worst sinner in the world turned by the sheer, beautiful grace of God. I love Paul by the way, I have been reading Beth Moore's, "To live is Christ" book and its just such proof that I serve a forgiving, merciful God who WANTS to save. Man, I love Jesus.
Anyway, I went off, sorry, thats the point of a blog right? I mean this has certainly been a journal entry but its so awesome that my family and friends want to know the updates on my health, you deserve to know. So many have been praying and this is where I stand. Still not in remission, but I refuse to give up my faith. Thankful that my children are healthy and my husband is more supportive than my stinkin bra! Seriously!! He is a rockstar.

These are just some pictures skimming the surface of our December, and the sad thing is we were busy but said "no" to many gatherings this Christmas season due to the fact that we wanted lots of family time. Certainly never want to refuse good food and friends but with my lack of energy it just wasn't happening. Nevertheless, made it through another month.

A much-needed dinner with my best girlfriends. We NEVER get to spend time together, well atleast not the kind of time we want too! This was way to great of a night, and just to recap, Caris on the left is in Atlanta and Lauren on the right is in Prattville. We know we will all be together again one day.Stella's first Christmas gift from Pops and Lovey. This is actually a very neat gift because as you can see below, its a Baby Stella doll. This is Stella giving her a big kiss.

I mean she has to have a Baby Stella, they even have the same amount of hair.

Happy Birthday Jesus. You are the reason. Sittre Paige sort of took over the baking this year, fine with me since I am no cook. I mean I am talking hand-mixer and all! She picked out the cake, and thought Jesus would appreciate a pink cake. But we did stress the white icing since Jesus makes your sins as white as snow.

Ahh, my favorite moment of Christmas. My scared Stella. I laugh so hard when I see this picture because she can only take the bearded man from a distance. She was NOT having this. I love it, its such a classic picture of a scared child. My mother taught her to say "ho,ho,ho" this season, which is even way cuter than this picture.

Lovey and Stella before the Santa meltdown.

Spreading reindeer food in our backyard. Apparently reindeer food consists of granola and glitter. yum.

Pops and Sittre Paige at Bass Pro.

Sittre Paige and her friends in 3K, Savannah and Lauren. This was their Christmas party. They had pizza, cupcakes, and did a book exchange.

Of course her daddy had to come to the party.

This was at the Zoolight Safari with her dance class. They performed on stage in their Christmas tutus. Then we rode the train and carousel. I wish I had posted a picture of the carousel ride because Sittre Paige chose the beautiful warthog to ride on. She makes me laugh.

This was yet another performance at Sittre Paiges 3K school. This was their Christmas Program. They had to wear their pj's. The songs were so cute and my daughter went big at this particular part.

A picture of us at the Zoolight Safari after the dance performance. And yes, this is how Sittre Paige prefers to be carried all the time. Poor daddy. Stella was enjoying her puffs.

Okay, we have been hearing since SEPTEMBER, that Sittre Paige wants a "stage, microphone and guitar". So we searched the web trying to purchase a stage. We realized early on this wasn't going to happen, because well, they just don't make stages. So just wanted to share the beautiful work of a very dedicated daddy. Please also note the pink stand-up mic, and somewhere in the gifts is a pink guitar. Yes my friends, we have pinked out the house this year.

A side note, if you really care? Of course, we do "santa" (if we didn't our kids wouldn't get any toys EVER) but we tried to make him very unimportant this year, because really......who cares? Sure I want my children to have this tradition, its just not going to be the emphasis. This year, Sittre Paige actually understood the whole Santa thing, so everytime she mentioned his name we stressed how he was not important, the real reason for Christmas, Jesus' Birth, and how you better be good because "Jesus" is watching you. Now listen, we are NOT perfect parents, we AREN'T trying to be, we don't even know if we parent correctly?? We are actually pretty sure we don't parent correctly, haha, everyone raises their children differently. We just had such a stress-free Christmas putting emphasis on our Wonderful Savior and not the gifts. I highly recommend it.

I will post some more pictures with Jareds family. I haven't uploaded all the pictures, these were just the first.

Sweet November

I wish I could write more blogs but with this life and these kids, I can really only get one in a month! So you get a glimpse of our life in monthly increments. Speaking of months, where did November go?? I just can't believe its over, it was a semi-busy month with trips to the pumpkin patch, Christmas Village, a long awaited movie came out, 3K Thanksgiving Feast, UA football trip, a special girl turned FOUR and another very special girl turned 10 months. Life is flying by and I'm trying to take in as many moments as I can.

Sittre Paige turned 4 this month. I still can't wrap my head around this. I mean I remember the day we brought her home. This is so bittersweet, I am so proud of the little girl she has become but at the same time I get sad that she is actually growing up.

We had her birthday party at Pump It Up, an inflatable jumping zone. This is a camera she got, I might upload some pics from her camera because it is soooo blog worthy! She has taken pictures of everything from our Christmas tree to the fans on our ceiling. It is very interesting and hilarious what a 4 year old considers picture-worthy.

Her party room.

Opening gifts.

Ready for the presents.

Sisters.

Her birthday cake.

Having jumping fun.

Her friends.

Stella at the party.

Thanksgiving Day after all the family had left, I should have taken more pictures of all the aunts, uncles and grandparents. opps.

my brother, jared, me, cory, and Kaitlin after an awesome thanksgiving meal.

Roll Tide. These are the girls in their game day attire. Jared's mom made their matching skirts.

The grandkids on Jareds side of the family.

My 10 month old. She is so sweet.

Daddy and daughter.

This was Sittre Paige's 3K Thanksgiving Feast.

Her friend Annie.

Daddy and Sittre Paige eating.

Her super cute shirt her class made.

The placemat they made.

This was a trip to the Pumpkin Patch at Camp Coleman with Sittre Paige's class. This would happen to be the only picture I would get that day because my camera ran out of battery!! I was upset but they had a great hayride, walked on the nature trail, got to pick out a pumpkin, roasted marshmellows and ate lunch together. It was a good trip and I got to hear funny stories about my daughter from other moms. Apparently my daughter has TWO boyfriends. Wish she would tell us.

Okay, here are the Twi-Moms. This is what they call moms who are obsessed with the "Twilight" series. We proudly accept this name. We are a group of women who have read every chapter in all 4 books. We got away from reality to watch "New Moon" and it was amazing. Every second of the movie was incredible, of course nothing compares to a book but it was everything I wanted it to be. We didn't make the midnight showing but you can bet when the 3rd movie "Eclipse" comes out in June of 2010 we will be there! Great girl time!

And last but certainly not least, my brother is moving to Hilton Head, South Carolina at the end of December. I just wanted to post a picture of him on the beautiful beach of where he will be living. I can't think about the thought of him being in another state, it brings tears. Although it breaks my heart and I will miss him dearly I am so very proud of the man he has become. He will attend the Professional Golfers Career College for 16 months and earn an associates degree. We are making the trip to Hilton Head for a few days on Jan 1st to help him move in his apartment and I am so excited to see the beach, watch my brother start his new life, and help with the "decorating" of the new bach-pad. Hopefully this will be a quick 16 months and he will start his career in Alabama because he has a sister and 2 nieces that really can't live without him.

Pollination

Well, Halloween has come and gone, really I was already over it by the time it got here. I am usually so excited about getting my girls dressed up but this year I was kinda just over it. I know, I know it is super fun seeing your kids in costumes and my camera hog a.k.a. Sittre Paige loves to dress up in anything so I guess it was entertaining. Anyway, I tried to "coordinate" the girls for Stella's 1st Halloween and couldn't really come up with anything just brilliant, so a bee and a flower it was which resulted in "pollination".......this is coordinating, right? Sittre Paige really didn't want to be a bumble bee at first, she prefered Hannah Montana but after some begging from me she agreed. Jared chose Stella's outfit because to us she is just such a sweetheart, reminded him of a flower plus we loved the big petals on her head!!

Okay, hope everyone had a great Halloween! If you're like me you have already consumed about half of your childs candy and gained some pounds in the process.

our bumble bee

our flower

my baby and I

the girls.....notice Stella's FOUR top teeth! Not to mention she has her bottom 2 as well, this child is chewing on everything including alot of our table food!

sweetness

camera hog

the sisters


Okay, bring on Thanksgiving! I am ready for some turkey and dressing and some good family time. Also my Sittre Paige turns 4 on November 28th! I can't believe I have a four year old! This is crazy! Hopefully she will have a birthday party......if her mom will start planning it!!

Stella had her 9 month check up this week, and basically she is right on track, pulling up on all our furniture, crawling, eating our food, and growing 19pds and 27 in long. The helmet is going good, it has basically become an accessory to her wardrobe. We have again been very blessed by the people we have met, stories we have heard and the humor when we hear kids say stuff about it. Even through our daily struggles, God continues to shine His light on our family.

We will be humble

Well, this is a blog I never wanted to post, actually never wanted to think about. But Jared and I have decided to be so incredibly thankful for this upcoming experience, and most importantly thankful that God chose our family to share this journey. We will humble ourselves before the Lord and commit in these next 90 days to share God's love with anyone who is curious about our Stella.
Trying to make a LONG story short, if you keep up with our family, or even our blog you know that precious Stella has been in Physical Therapy since she was 5 months to correct "torticollis". Basically this in greek means "twisted neck". She was diagnosed with this because as an infant she has only turned her head to the right. We noticed this at her 4 month check up and by that time she was bad enough to require therapy. I didn't go into the whole therapy thing on the blog because I thought it would be something easily treatable. Well during the therapy time her physical therapist noticed her head shape. She was becoming flat on the side she laid on the most and sort of "bulging" on the side that she never turned her head, so we took Stella back to her peditrician who then diagnosed Stella with "plagiocephaly". This in greek means "flat head". We were then referred to a specialist at Childrens Hospital. So thats where we were 3 weeks ago. We saw a wonderful doctor at Childrens who recommended we have Stella's head scanned to see if she was in the range that required a helmet. Soooooo, are you keeping up?? I feel scattered trying to type the whole story......anyway, Stella went for the scan and of course, she was HIGHLY recommended for a helmet. Thats where we are at.

You might be asking what has caused all this?? We don't know for sure, we blame ourselves alot of the time for not noticing alot of signs early on, and then we have been told this is also a side effect to premature births or "trauma" births, which Stella had both being born at 34 weeks due to my preeclampsia. We are literally tired of trying to figure out the cause and now are focused on the solution, which is giving Stella the most beautiful, roundest head out there!!

I have had my pity party for my baby. It's OVER. Stella has to wear this helmet for the next 3 months for 23 hours a day. I cried alot during the 2 weeks we waited for her custom helmet, and today was my first day out of the house with Stella and "the helmet". Alot of stares, alot of abnormal looks, and I even had a man come up and ask me actually why she had a helmet on. Not to mention he called my baby in a pink helmet a BOY!!! Seriously, I am laughing. I have a feeling this next 90 days are going to probably be very interesting. But look what God has given me??!! An opportunity. wow. Our God has given my family an opportunity to shine His light. I am so thankful. It brings tears to my eyes to think that baby Stella can be a conversation starter to share the good news. Jesus saves. We said in the "about me" section of our blog that we wanted our blog to be inspirational.....its time to LIVE it. So we will, we will step out of our little all too comfortable comfort zone and get the word out. God gave us this journey and we will humble ourselves, knowing that we are faithfully working for the King. I hope to share stories that we encounter on our blog. But in advance thank you to all who support our family. We are so beyond thankful for our loving friends and family, there is nothing greater on Earth!

Here we go, on a journey that won't last long but will prayerfully make a big impact in someone's life. To God be the Glory.

Stella- turns 9 months October 29th

Truly an angel.

Fall Fun

Fall is here! You can feel it in the air! I think I am going to say this is my favorite time of year......yeah it is. There is just something about wind blowing your hair, leaves falling off the trees, the smell of wood burning from fireplaces, wearing jackets, sitting outside with a blanket watching SP ride her bike and even turning my dial from air to heat in my car, I love it!!!! This past week Stella enjoyed a playdate with just her friends, Clara and Mattie, and then we went to Homestead Hollow in Springville. Which I guess is really just a outdoor craft festival with great food. We had great family time and got a much-needed pumpkin sign for our front yard. Fall decorations are up and we are spending as much time outside as possible!

At Homestead Hollow, just finishing up some good food.

Our pumpkin sign for our front yard, SP picked it out.

SP was dying to have a real pumpkin, the fake yard sign would not please her so her daddy bought the DIVA one.

my precious family. thank you Lord for allowing me to be a wife and mother. Truly I feel so unworthy to hold these positions.

Stella's friend, Clara came to visit this past week and the girls had some much fun together. They played so good together, just extremely pleasant babies.

Can anyone say......teething???

This is Stella's other friend, Mattie. The girls love to go walking around Trussville and the Trussville Antique Mall. Sittre Paige is in school when we go walking so this makes for an easy trip out.