March Memories

With March came the switch to A/C, the firing up of the lawn mower, and several trips to the zoo. Our family has gladly welcomed this gorgeous weather and new season in life. 

The month began with my 35th birthday! Did I just say that??? I gladly welcome this new milestone and look forward to what God will teach me in the upcoming year.

On Saturday, March 5, Rob, myself, and two friends from church had the privilege of singing the National Anthem at the Sedgwick County Republican Caucus. With both Donald Trump and Ted Cruz in attendance, the crowds were the biggest in the nation. What a fun experience to have reserved seats in the FRONT row, only 10 feet from the podium!

March 17-21 found me in Florida, ministering with Forever Be Sure. These sweet sisters in Christ were a breath of fresh air and the time away was a welcomed reprieve from the routine back home. My 11-year old nephew also traveled with us and stated several times that this was the best week ever. Without fail on these trips, the Christian love is genuine, the food is awesome, and the laughter is continual. 

These videos just never get old. And changing our voices just took things to a whole new level.

Since one of my bro-in-law's favorite verses is Proverbs 27:15,  my sister decided to write a song in his honor. It was a big hit! 

"A continual dripping on a rainy day and a quarrelsome woman are alike."

My little brood at home just keeps growing, growing, growing. Griffen continues to be the adored oldest brother. He is a big help to me with his siblings. One day last week, he babysat for a couple hours, while I had a responsibility at church. When I came home, he had a smile on his face and freshly baked cookies on the counter.  

Rhys continues to amuse. He announced to me last week that he would love to begin traveling with FBS as the piano player. When I said that he might not quite be ready for that, he assured me that he would make a fantastic greeter. 

The triplets also LOVE to play the piano.... 

....and get kisses in the church nursery....

....and eat donuts on Saturday morning....

....and dump everything out of their bedroom closet.

Taerik remains the cutest little red-head on the planet. I can say that because his IDENTICAL twin brother somehow got blonde hair. We're still trying to figure that one out.

Drake is a Class A goof ball.

And Keira is discovering all sorts of new skills.

And regardless if anybody else in the world enjoys my little video montage's, I could sit and watch these ALL day. (Just ask my husband.)

***Embryo Adoption Update - This may be a rather odd thing to be joyous about, but we are praising the Lord that I have FINALLY miscarried. While we knew early on that this baby had stopped growing, it took until the 21st week of pregnancy for my body to actually abort. Aside from bi-weekly lab tests, where I knew my hcg levels were dropping, I had almost no other miscarriage symptoms. I consulted with two different doctors about a D&C, but after mixed reviews, we decided to give it another couple weeks. On March 24, my numbers had finally reached 9 (below 15 is considered non-pregnant) and a normal cycle and natural abortion were triggered. We are very grateful for closure on this chapter and look forward to what God will do in the coming months. Dr. Keenan sees no reason for me to wait any longer, and has put us on the schedule for a May transfer of our final two frozen embryo's. I have already begun the first set of pills and am awaiting the medical protocol for the remaining shots and meds. Here we go again!    

February Favorites

Fuller Family February Favorites

(Focus on that fragment five times fast.)

Griffen's team took first place at the Awana Bible Quizzing this year!

We headed to Faith Baptist Bible College in Ankeny, Iowa for a three day pastor's conference, where our family ministered together. The kids enjoyed some cousin and grandparent time, as well as the first SNOW they've seen this year!

While we were there, both Griffen and Grandma Bjokne celebrated birthdays! A bowling party capped off the week nicely.

Stopping at the Kansas City IKEA is always one of my favorite highlights on our drives to Iowa. And once the kids discovered the eatery, it became one of theirs, too. 

We returned home to Zoo Days with NO jackets!!! We have seriously experienced one of the warmest winters yet. The windows have been open almost every day and we have even run the air conditioning about five days this month.

Other than that, Taerik, still LOVES balls! And he's got quite the arm on him. It is quite common for me to be hit in the head with a bouncy ball at any given moment in the day. This is, of course, followed by little red head giggles.

Drake loves cars and destruction. And when the two go together, he is especially happy. He has EARNED the new nickname, "Drake the Destroyer."

  

These two little buddies like to sleep head to head in their cribs, often exchanging pacifiers through the slats.

Miss Keira loves her books. She will often bring a pile of them to me and read them on my lap. I'm not sure which language she is learning, but she sure has great voice inflection. She also LOVES her Griffen!!! I'm telling you what, people, she chooses brother over mother half of the time. She can regularly be found on his shoulders, back, or lap. Makes my heart smile.

Keira's hair also continues to amaze!

Two big brothers are discovering new ways every day to amuse their littlest friends.

And then there's me. Babysitter Barbie pretty much sums it all up. Just pretend there are like a hundred boys and add 50 pounds and that's me. I just continue to seek the Lord and HIS strength, as I remember the miracles He has done! (I Chron. 16:11-12)

***Embryo Adoption Update - My hcg levels were down to 112 last week. (This means that it has taken a month to go from 660 to 112.) They still need to get all the way down to zero. I have a doctor's appointment this week to discuss a possible D&C, as there is some concern that I have remaining pregnancy tissue inside. Thanks so much to all who have asked and are praying!

And lastly, here is my monthly video montage. These little moments just make it all worth it and remind me how very blessed I truly am!!!

January's Joys

It's a quiet Friday evening and the triplets are in bed. To my right, I have just noticed a glob of some blue substance firmly adhered to my curtains and behind me a rousing episode of "Duck Dynasty" is playing. With each brilliant sunset, the exhaustion's of the day are put to rest and I once again reflect on all my little loves. So, here is my January update - 

1. Keira has joined the church orchestra. In fact, she joins just about every Sunday morning during the early music practice. 

2. Three little monkeys have figured out how to crawl up onto the window ledge in their big brothers new bedroom.

3. I promise you that I should start a child proofing service for new moms. Just when you think you have your whole house secured and out of reach, they go after the home decor. 

4. Keira still LOVES her jewelry. Every. Single. Day.

5. She also adores the piano. This is seriously her favorite place in the whole house. Notice that she also needs her music.

6. Drake is loving daddy's shoes these days. 

7. And everyone is enjoying watching Griffen "play" basketball this year. :)

8. With a paci in one hand and the small black kitchen skillet in the other, Drake is a VERY contented little boy. 

9. One very tired Keira catches a short Sunday afternoon nap.

10. Two really cute little boys enjoying their daily snacks and sippy's. 

While my video making skills are lacking....greatly....I have an increasing motivation to record and organize short video clips of these days that will pass all too quickly. So, without further ado, here is my January montage.....


On a slightly more serious note --- we would appreciate your continued prayers regarding the adoption of our remaining two babies. As you might remember, our transfer on November 16 resulted in a positive pregnancy test. But, while one baby implanted and began growing, we quickly learned that this life was not going to make it. The doctor began weekly miscarriage monitoring. But even up until my test on December 28, my hcg levels were still rising at normal levels. We reached a peak of over 53,000. It wasn't until week 10 of this pregnancy that I actually began miscarrying. Even that has been very slow and leaves us a little concerned that I may need further help to prepare my body for the final transfer. As of this week, my levels had dropped to 660, however they need to get all the way down to 0. Our desire is that we could go back in May to get our last 2 babies. But, this means that my body needs to be transfer ready and starting meds by April. Would you pray with us for complete healing, protection, and God's perfect will?