Thursday, April 30, 2009

Gwyneth's Scary Start

This is Gwyneth's Special Week, which explains all of the old pictures of her! Everything went GREAT with Gwyneth's birth. She was a scheduled c-section, and my 3rd, so I knew exactly what to expect. John and I joked around with my Dr and the nurses. It was really neat! She was born on Thursday, and everything was going well. On Saturday (my 30th bday), my doctor said that he'd write my release papers so I could go home, which was early. I was excited, I just had to get Gwyneth's release papers, and we were headed home! All of a sudden, (John was out running an errand, Tiff and Jim were up visiting,) a nurse walks in and said that Gwyneth's biliruben (sp?) numbers had shot up an extremely high amount, and she would have to be taken to the NICU right now. I started bawling-what a drastic change from a little while ago when I thought I was taking my baby home! Her numbers kept going up, but eventually leveled off and started dropping. I know this scenario isn't too unusual. But, it didn't make her any less pathetic, and me any less sad!

The next day, John and I met with the doctor who said that her levels were much better, so they weren't concerned anymore about them. However (I always hate it when they say this), they found a heart murmur when they were checking her. My heart dropped- Everything in the next day is kind of blurry. We met with doctors, and they said that they were *probably* holes that had not shut properly, and would *probably* resolve themselves without treatment. But. It could also be a dysfunctional heart with surgery in the future-and a transplant down the road-with a very sick little girl. They would do an echocardiogram in the morning to determine what it was. Our families flooded to the hospital, and I felt their love and support in so many different ways, and I am so thankful for all of them. In my room that night after everyone left, though, I realized that God is the only One who can meet all of our needs. Only He can comfort us deep within. Yes, he blesses us with family and friends who are his hands and feet in doing this, but when it comes down to it, God alone fills all of the holes that are left. His grace is sufficient for every need. I was reading in my Bible this morning, and these verses stuck out to me, and I wrote them down. "Through the Lord's mercies we are not consumed, Because His compassions fail not. They are new every morning, Great is Your faithfulness. 'The Lord is my portion,' says my soul, 'Therefore I hope in Him" -Lamentations 3:22-24 That night, I turned Gwyneth over to God, and put my full trust in Him. The rest of this story is that they were sort-of normal holes that usually resolve on their own without treatment, and they did within 2-1/2 weeks! Praise God! But, I think of so many times that these stories don't turn out this way, and when they don't it is great to know that through the Lord' s mercies we are not consumed. God's compassions fail NOT! I think that God put me in that place so that I realize that He IS in control, and I CAN trust Him, for everything.

Wednesday, April 29, 2009

Awana Closing Program

Tonight we had our Closing Program for our church's Awana Club. Awana stands for Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed, and comes from II Timothy 2:15. The kids have sections to pass, which are Scripture memorization mostly, and also Christian service projects and other things. Hutch is in the Cubbies group, and did a great job working this year. He finished his book, and got a little Cubbie Bear award. Great job, Hutch!
Haydn is in the Sparks group, and he got an extra special award. There were only 2 kindergarteners who got it! He and Elaina passed their book, their extra credit cards, an older book, and a Workbook. Their leader said that they had a hard time keeping these two busy, and that they passed over 100 sections! We are so proud that Haydn has a desire to learn about and memorize God's Word. He worked extremely hard, and it was so good for him to get recognition at the program! Yay, Haydn!John helps with the 5th and 6th grade boys, and he even got to speak. Super, John! I am a secretary, and I took pictures tonight! It's always bittersweet for the end of the Awana. It's nice to have the summer off, but we look forward to starting next fall. We celebrated a great year by going with Grandma Nancy to DQ!

Preparing for a Little Girl!

I remember the night I found out that I was going to have Gwyneth. John had a softball game, and he pulled his hamstring. Hutch fell out of our back screen door, flipped over and cracked his head on the garage floor, and one of the kids spilled something all over my tenis shoes. I remember feeling a bit overwhelmed by all of it! ha
I remember everyone asking me if I wanted a girl, and I said I didn't really care. And. I really believe that I didn't. Whatever God blessed us with, if He chose to, would make me gleeful! But. I must admit that when the ultrasound tech said it was a girl ~I entered a whole new world!~ and I love it!!!!! The clothes are sooo cute (although, I must admit that I still love boys' clothes just as much). The biggest transformation in waiting for Gwyneth was painting the nursery from green stripes.... to PINK!!!!! You can see John's obvious distaste for this color here!! It did grow on him, and I do believe that he loves it now!
I just had to throw this in here-because being this HUGE, I was really ready for Gwyneth's arrival!! (can you tell there's a 9 pounder in there?!)

Tuesday, April 28, 2009

Looking back at Gwyneth!

Since this is Gwyneth's "Special Week", I thought I'd post some pictures that never got put here from when she was little.

Almost 3 months


The first time she rolled over completely on her own. The boys were SO excited!

I love her smile in this one!



This was the first time she REALLY laughed. I grabbed the camera and snapped a picture, so I wouldn't miss it- hence the horrible picture! She was laughing at Haydn.

Monday, April 27, 2009

Gwyneth in the Garden

Last week, I took Gwyneth to the *adorable*Children's Garden in Van Wert. I had visions of her sitting and playing while I snapped pictures of her. She would occasionally look at me and laug. Sigh. Instead, this is what I got...She is a very active little girl! (: She was all over the place, and loved exploring everything. This was actually better than I had imagined, because I got a lot of action shots! I have a feeling that with my three kids, I'd better perfect the action shots!!!













Saturday, April 25, 2009

Really Tall Mailbox

As you know, they are working on the road in front of our house. Yeah. Great times. Last night, John was out checking out our tall mailbox, and the kids had to go, too! They are lowering the street alot, obviously! The strip of dirt is going to be our new sidewalk. After supper, we went in the back yard and hung out. The kids got a wagon ride. This wagon is probably older than John, and came with the house (;

The kids all played together in their playhouse. Haydn put Gwyneth's dandelion behind her ear!

We were outside until the sun set, what a great Friday night!

Friday, April 24, 2009

Little Hutch

These pictures are from about 3 years ago, when Hutch was a little over a year old. (yes, they are in my cupboards!!)
He's always been a climber with no fear (not a good combination, in my book!)

Hutch also does NOT like to wear clothes! It's so funny because when Haydn comes home from school, he takes off his shoes. When Hutch gets home from preschool, he takes off his shoes, socks, pants and shirt!


Love you, Hutch!

Thursday, April 23, 2009

All About Hutch

I am 4 Years Old
My Favorite Color: Blue
My Favorite Animal: Cow
My Favorite Food: Apples

This is What I Look Like:

The zoo is my favorite place.

When I grow up I want to be a firefighter.

My favorite thing to do is play with People & Animals.

If I one wish, I'd wish for two dogs!!

Wednesday, April 22, 2009

The Tooth Doctor

Yesterday, Hutch had his Very First Dentist's Appointment. He did a great job and scored a totally cool fire truck toothbrush and a whole bunch of stuff (: Our dentist is in Decatur, and all of us went along for the ride, since Haydn had no school. We went to McDonald's for lunch, NOT for the great food, but because of the playland! The kids had a great time, as always, and I managed to snag a few pictures of them. I love how Gwyneth's hair is in Haydn's face! My boys are doing a better job at freezing with a smile while we try to get Gwyneth to sit still!

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Good To Go!

Yesterday, Hutch had his follow up appointment with his "tonsil doctor". He was a little nervous to go to it, (understandable considering what happened last time he saw the guy!) but did a great job. I think it was the fastest overall appointment ever in history! We were literally in the entire office about 4 minutes. So nice! He said that everything looks great from surgery, but thinks that Hutch may have some allergies. We have suspected this, but he wants us to wait a couple weeks to see if everything has cleared up. The best part of the trip was getting to walk across the catwalks to the hospital to visit Daddy at his job!

Monday, April 20, 2009

Hutch's Week

Since Haydn's Special Week was last week, I thought I'd make this week Hutch's! This morning he was writing his name and said, "Mom. Can I change my name?" I said, "What would you like to change it to?" "Jovan", he said. Jovan, huh?! Well....okay! (;

Saturday, April 18, 2009

Daffodils

This afternoon, I took the kids on a walk back to a woods. We had a lovely time together. We found some wild daffodils, so of course we had to pick some! And, to wrap up Haydn's Special Week, I thought I'd throw one of him in there, too!

Playing Outside!

Finally!!! It is sooo beautiful outside today-the boys have pretty much only come inside to eat lunch! Gwyneth and I go out for a little bit at a time and do some porch-sitting.(: I love days like this! Ahhhhhhhh!
*John is on a dirtbike riding trip! What perfect weather!

Friday, April 17, 2009

Elefun!

I always love it when my kids re-discover toys. All three of them were enjoying this game that shoots out little butterflies that you catch. Gwyneth had more fun putting them back in!

Thursday, April 16, 2009

Everywhere that Haydn went, his dog was sure to go!

Vegas followed Haydn to school one day! (okay-not really, but she DID visit!) Since, as you know, Haydn is "special" this week, he got to take something in to show everyone. His teacher told John that he had wanted to take his miniature horse, and when she asked him how he would get her there, he said, "Oh, I'll just ride her over to school!" haha-what a picture! Anyway, no horse. Just a dog. But they did like her dancing!