Happy Birthday Eden!

This was scheduled to post Friday, but for some reason it didn't. We've been so busy celebrating Eden's Birthday I just noticed. So here is a little look into the past 4 years with Eden.

My sweet little girl is turning 4 today. It's hard to believe how fast she's growing and changing. As I look back over these pictures, I'm reminded of how little she was, how scared Larry and I were to become her parents, how our family was made special by her arrival.

Eden was the answer to many prayers for a child. The feeling of blessing from the Lord still does not escape me as I continue to be thankful for this amazing child to be entrusted to us.

We have a thoughtful, smart, fiesty little girl. She is such a joy. May you have a wonderful birthday little Eden, Momma loves you!

A little dirt never hurt

My sweet little boy loves to get dirty! It must be ingrained in male DNA that dirt equals joy. It never fails, any time we go outside to play or to the park, Josiah seems destined to get dirty.

But when he looks this happy, what's a little dirt?

He's a Boy!

 One of the highlights of this past week was getting to see our newest son. Baby #3 is a boy :) We had an appointment for our ultrasound Friday. You would think with this being our third we would be old pros at this, but I still felt butterflies. We were both excited and eager to see our newest baby.

The nurse who did the ultrasound was great as we teased and talked through the first few minutes. I looked over at the screen and I could see that he was defiantly a boy! She didn't need to explain it, the proof was on the screen :)

 Larry and I are thrilled! We would have been thrilled with a girl too. What we were most excited about was that from all appearances he appears to be healthy. She even went into 4D to look at his heart after we told her about Eden's heart condition. His little heart is about the size of a dime right now. And looking for the problems in his heart is like looking at the nose on Franklin D. Roosevelt's face on a dime.  Wow, that's tiny! Everything looked great. 

This is 18 weeks.

We didn't get a profile picture this time.

This is his head with his hand resting on his check.

This was at 9 weeks.

Look how much he's grown in just 9 weeks!!

It is amazing to me how fast growth takes place, how intricately he is being woven together.

It is a Miracle! He measured a little big, but when I explained that Josiah was 8lb 12.5 oz we all teased that I just grow big boys.

More good news, I had gained 1lb. They Doctor is still concerned about my all day morning sickness, and have given me a few more suggestions and medications to see if they would help. It's funny how all the differnt doctors have different thinking on causes and cures for morning sickness. I'll try just about anything at this point, But realize that I could be sick the rest of the pregnancy. I was sick the whole nine months with Josiah and he came out nice and healthy, Praying the same is true for this baby as well.

I try to keep in mind this is a very short season and a healthy son is worth every bit of moring sickness. In my mind, complaining about it is the opposite of the worship I desired to give God for blessing me with another child. Especially when I always thought I would be a barren woman.

Praise God for this new son and the moring sickness that comes with him! :)

For You formed my inward parts;You wove me in my mother's womb. I will give thanks to You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Wonderful are Your works, And my soul knows it very well. My frame was not hidden from You, When I was made in secret, And skillfully wrought in the depths of the earth; Your eyes have seen my unformed substance; And in Your book were all written the days that were ordained for me, When as yet there was not one of them. Psalm 139:13-16

More of Peyton

Here are a few more pictures of "Baby Peyton." For some reason Eden will not just call her Peyton. It's "Baby Peyton" as if that's her first and last names. Which I think is really cute.

Another thing I think is really cute are these pictures of my niece. I talked with Abbey about posting these because they show Peyton's brace. When Peyton was born the pediatrician found that her hip was out of placement. Thankfully, it is not believed to be a major issue. However, as a new Momma, being told there is anything wrong with your baby can be incredibly difficult. Abbey handled it with grace and a wonderful this is what it is and how we'll deal with it attitude. It is another reason why I am so proud of how she has adjusted to motherhood.


Peyton's prognosis look very good. Her last MRI showed the bones growing properly. The doctor was very impressed with her improvement. If everything continues to grow properly, she will only have to wear the brace for a few more weeks.


When I took these pictures I asked Abbey what she thought of letting her brace be seen. Peyton wears her brace 24/7. So we couldn't take it off for pictures. Abbey didn't really know how she felt about it, but let me take some pictures in different outfits and in just the brace. I e-mailed her some of these and she loved them! These pictures capture Peyton and she said she was fine with me showing off her little girl :)

So here she is....... Baby Peyton :)

Sleeping beauty
Blue eyes

check out my super girl muscles!

Where is my thumb???

Cowgirl in the making

Cold days, warm hearts

The weather has been crazy lately. It seems we can go through all four seasons in one day. I try to bundle the kids up and take them out everyday if it's not raining or too soggy. Our back yard is really wet. In some areas you can step, sink down and water covers your shoe. But my kids don't seem to mind. In fact, they love being outside.

Yesterday, I bundled them up and took my camera. I wanted to capture some of their fun. I put Eden and Josiah in a swing for two for the first time. I figured with only a four pound difference in weight they would do OK. Josiah loved it! He giggled the whole time! It made me smile and brought that deep down joy that a Momma gets when her children are enjoying one another. My prayer has been that Josiah and Eden would love one another and be best friends one day. I saw their growing friendship while I pushed them on the swing. It warmed my heart. :)

peeking though the maze.
See Mommy, My hands aren't that dirty!

Swing for two!

Weeeee!