May's Musings

The main musing I've been having this May, is just how many merry memories I share on this blog. Rarely, do I post the melancholy or miserable moments. This is mainly because those are not the moments I want to remember. But, this month I thought I'd mix it up. I will manifest the real material. No misleading. Here's how May went down....

Most every evening, after the kids are all in bed, this is where you will find me - spending some much needed time alone with God (and maybe a little time with HGTV, too).

One such night last week I had been sufficiently strengthened and renewed..... that is, until I got up to go to bed. Upon turning my head to the right, I was mortified to discover a live SNAKE wiggling two feet from my head!!!!! And while I take pictures of most everything else, there is no picture of this unwelcome visitor because, you see, I was running for my life. After my macho husband rescued me from my misery, I began creating a master plan. I, for one, did not view it as an overreaction AT ALL. 

So, Spring Cleaning 2016 was set in motion that weekend. Most all rugs, dressers, and furniture were moved and all carpets were shampooed. The whole family got in on the action!

Then, of course, there was Mothers Day. Pretty pictures were pouring through my Facebook feed all day long. And though we were all looking nice and coordinated for church that day, I pretty much just begged everyone to hop on the bed with me before it was time to go to sleep. This was Mothers Day 2016.

Keira has started to let me do her hair recently, sitting semi-still for almost 10 minutes straight! Despite her tight little curls, her hair actually goes about half way down her back. 

But the real trick is not getting Keira to sit still. It is keeping the other 2/3 of the trio out of trouble while I'm busy with her hair. 

I also tried to keep it real in my May video montage by mixing some cute moments with a heavy dose of reality. 

***NOTE - NO ONE WAS INJURED IN THE MAKING OF THIS VIDEO!

Just a couple more pics for the road. Sometimes I just can't handle all this cuteness! These are the moments I want to remember!

***Adoption News - We leave on Monday afternoon, May 23, for Knoxville, TN. All clinic testing here in Wichita went great and I have been cleared for our fourth and final transfer. Procedure is scheduled for Tuesday, May 24. We are preparing ourselves to be happy with any outcome, realizing that there is a possibility that neither of these embryo's will even survive the thawing process. (Trying real hard not to think about the possibility that it could be triplets again.) In any case, our faith has been strengthened and we move forward, trusting that God's ways are truly higher than our ways! (Isaiah 55:8-9) Your prayers are very much appreciated!

April's Adventures

Where do I start? April was crazy busy!

Adventure #1 - On April 13, the triplets turned TWO!!! Getting birthday photos of three active toddlers together spanned a three-day time period in four different locations. There were bubbles, a bubble gun, balloons, wrapping paper, bows, a wagon, six balls, a bright yellow bus complete with three little people and music, wipes, books, fruit snacks, Smarties, juice cups, two umbrellas, and several playgrounds. We lost the three little toy people, broke the bubble gun and one umbrella, retrieved two balls from a stream, and popped one large bouncy ball. We did a couple loads of laundry mid-photo shoot and took 1600 total pics. So, please, please, PLEASE enjoy the final product. I know that I sure do.

Taerik Andrew

This smart little red-head can proudly point to his nose, ears, eyes, hair, mouth, and belly-button. He has a great throwing arm with fantastic aim and could play catch for hours. He loves snuggles and balls. 

Drake Alexander

Affectionately known as "Doodle", he is all giggles and goofiness. He loves to flop and wrestle. He has no clue where his eyes, ears, nose, or mouth are because frankly, he doesn't care. Drake loves cars, wrestling, and his daddy.

These two little men just melt my heart.

Keira Ashleigh

Little Miss K isn't really little at all. In fact, I just got rid of several 3T dresses that were clearly too small and replaced them with 4T. She loves to clean and help mommy. Her favorite things include jewelry and pink nail polish. She absolutely hates dolls, though, and will quickly throw them on the floor if offered. 

Along with their birthday came the farewell to pacifier's and the Sunday morning nursery, These big kids are now in the two-year old Sunday School class. I consider our family so very, very blessed and cannot imagine our lives without these three precious gifts!

Adventure #2 - April 7-18 found me once again touring with Forever Be Sure. On top of singing thirteen concerts, I also had the privilege of speaking four times at ladies meetings. Though I lost my voice almost completely and arrived home totally exhausted, it was a profitable and God-honoring trip. These sweet ladies are a hoot to be around and serving the Lord together is priceless. Many lives were touched and many memories were made!

Adventure #3 - We have begun preparation for the May 24 transfer of our remaining two babies!!! God just keeps on opening doors. A saline-infused sonogram this week miraculously revealed a clear and healthy uterus, ready for medications. And so, the shots have begun and travel plans are in place. This is our sixth and final trip to the NEDC in Knoxville. It also just so happens to fall on the week of our 14th anniversary. God has always provided, but this time He sent an extra special blessing when $1500 was delivered for us to travel more comfortably. We are super excited to be able to fly this time and spend an entire week together in TN. Isn't God good? Another aspect of God's provision - we have not needed to buy diapers in OVER A YEAR. That's diapers times three, people!!! Every few months, we arrive home to find a stack higher than our front door. We are SO thankful for a God who provides and for the people He uses to inspire our thanksgiving! 

"You will be enriched in every way to be generous in every way, which through us will produce thanksgiving to God. For the ministry of this service is not only supplying the needs of the saints but is also overflowing in many thanksgivings to God."

(2 Corinthians 9:11-12)

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!