Mother's Day

For all the women today who find this to be a joyous holiday and especially for those who feel sadness, loss and heartache.... 

thinking of you all and wishing you peace.

Until next time,

Angie

Pool Season is here...

Well not for me, its still way too cold, but for these brave souls, they were ready to jump into the pool and it wasn't even May.  Here they are before they dipped their toes in the water...

And while there were shrieks and moments of screaming "It's cold" - Isabelle and "Elsa froze the water" - Madelyn, it didn't stop them from getting in.

And thankfully Dad was a trooper and got in the pool to be with them because I was not about to go near it.  He was VERY ready to get out as quickly as he could.  The girls ran into the house and straight to a warm shower to recover  

While it might be pool season for some, I think we are looking forward to days when the water is a bit more bath like.  That's how us desert dwellers prefer it right?

Until next time,

Angie 

Champions.

This spring the boys played on three baseball teams including their school team.  It was a fun season and while they won most of their games, they came in second place in the final season standings, going into the playoffs as they lost to another team in their conference twice.

The boys seemed determined to go all the way and with each playoff game it was clear they were gelling more and more as a team and falling into their groove.
Then came the final game against the team they had lost to twice before.  The boys played exceptionally well!  They hit well, played great defense and as the game came to the end, they were in the lead and won the school conference championship title. 

As you can see from the pictures, they were pretty excited!!!!

Its truly been a fun season to watch them.  Spring ball is wrapping up and we only have a few more tournaments this early summer and then hope to take a break!

Yep a break!  It will be the first in a long time, but I think we are all ready for it.  It's nice that the guys could wrap up this season with a high.

Until next time,
Angie

I'm back...

Wow has it been quite the spring... busy is an understatement.  Between work, the kids, their homework, school activities, extracurricular activities (including three different baseball teams and gymnastics), a course I took that demanded many hours of my attention each week, and the normal craziness of having a family.... we made it.

While I'd like to say I looked like this studious little pupil, 

the reality is I think I look more like this as the semester wraps up...

Actually more like this....

Wow its been busy.

But a good spring, filled with many blessings, and lots of great things that happened.  

Now that it has wrapped up, I look forward to catching up on here to recount all the exciting things that happened.

So I'm back! 

More posts coming soon!

Until next time,

Angie

Real and random life...

Do you ever feel like life on social media often only portrays the best aspects?  Sometimes I look around at the messes in our house, the craziness of trying to keep everyone successfully moving ahead and the chaos that is a family...and I think does anyone live like us? 

You know, laundry piles overflowing, dishes in the sink, papers waiting to be organized and filed stacked up on the cupboard and the mom guilt of all the things you didn't get to, weighing down your shoulders?   Well if you can relate and you ever need to see someone else's "mess" you can always know we are feeling it in our home.

Here are a few real pictures of what life is like in our house...

Oh Lord the laundry.... I sometimes think I could keep two washers and dryers going 24 hours... how do we accumulate so many dirty clothes?  I guess with a family this big, it was sure to happen no? :-)

And the silliness of the girls... They sure love to play together...

Recently Isabelle decided Jack had not received enough attention, so she decided to make him a new "home". She colored him pictures on the walls in his new home, include a Christmas setting because, "She knew Christmas was his favorite holiday too."

Btw.. how can it be comfortable to sit like this?  Ouch!

She was so proud of her creation for Jack.  I think he approves.  

And then Madelyn... she's constantly staying busy and loves to spend time outside. 

And the boys.... they aren't much for letting me take their pictures anymore but in their spare time they've been enjoying playing games (other than baseball).  Here they are playing Blockus, a super fun game we were introduced to, thanks to our friend Renee). 

The other thing the kids have been loving is the trampoline.  They got this for Christmas and have seemed to really enjoy it, and as you can see they even play pretty well together (which doesn't always happen).  

 Here are a few photos of Madelyn, since she's most often by my side, I guess she gets to take up most of my photos lately.  

Here is Madelyn at church turning on the light to Noah's Stained glass memorial.  This is placed in the children's room at our church.  While I wish he was here in person to play with her, I smile at this picture because I think in some ways their lives are still connected.  

It really is such a pretty picture and beautiful addition to the children's room. 

I love this picture of Madelyn... I think it captures her personality perfectly!

The girls and I were making brownies for Michael's birthday. They loved getting to taste test... I think they approved.

Madelyn's school recently posted this picture of her on their Facebook page, with her friends.  Doesn't this just make you want to smile?

Finally, I had to share this picture because while these super cute and smiley pictures sometimes make it seem like life is always sunshine and roses (and yes there are plenty of those times), the reality is, sometimes we walk around looking like this and you know what... when I think about it... in a strange way, these are the moments we look back on and laugh... thank goodness we got through that.

Okay, now back to the laundry.... Oh the piles...

Until next time,
Angie

Back to Baseball...

I'm not sure where the last several weeks have gone or even the entire month of March, but here we are now in April and in the midst of more baseball.  

Both boys are on their school baseball team and also on their own club team as well.  Three baseball teams... yes it has been busy.  

Here are a few phots of the boys at their recent games.

Gabriel was excited earlier this week when he pitched an entire game and with the help of his team pitched a no-hitter

I love this picture... sometimes I look at the boys and I realize they are no longer boys, but turning into young adults right in front of my eyes.  To think we got them when there were so little and now they are both as big or bigger than me.  

Gabriel playing first, although he normally plays centerfield or pitches.  

Michael at bat! 

Michael often plays right field or second base.  

While they have practice 5 days a week, followed by games 3 or 4 times a week, and our lives seem to revolve around ballfields, honestly it is so much fun.  I love going to watch them, I enjoy seeing them thrive, and struggle, and pick themselves up, and try again. I think it is such a good practice for what they will face in real life. 

I also appreciate that they are on a team sport and gaining skills important for working with others.  Life is a team sport and to know how to play with people of all different personalities, skills, strengths, weaknesses and desires is also a part of life.  To be able to work with others is so important.

We are in the midst of three seasons and hoping they continue to do well as it goes on.  

I know this time is fleeting so while it is busy, I cherish it.

Until next time,

Angie

This little miracle turned 2...

Yesterday was a very special day for a very special little boy who was put on this earth to do special things.  He's been doing special things since he arrived 2 years ago yesterday.  Two years ago he arrived more than 17 weeks early at 23 weeks.

This little boy stole my heart the moment I learned about him.  His name is Knox and I've shared his story on here before, but wanted to post a special message as he celebrates his second birthday!  Not a day goes by that I don't give thanks for the gift that is getting to follow along and be a part of this guy's life.

It was a day like most others, more than 2 years ago, when I got a call from Knox's parents after Carrie's water broke unexpectedly.  She was in a small hospital and had just heard words any parent would dread.  She was given my name and number through our sisters because I had been someone who had experienced something similar.  Less than 2 years earlier I had been laying in the hospital hearing the same words after my water broke unexpectedly with Noah.  As we spoke on the phone that morning, little did we know our heart-strings would connect and it would be an instant friendship formed.  Through sharing my story, they had been given a glimpse of hope and a drive to fight for their son.  By them sharing their story with me, they had given me the gift of renewed hope, of faith in answered prayers, and the love of a little boy I had never met but loved from day one.  His name was Knox and boy is he special.

Carrie and Troy, Knox's parents have opened up their lives and invited me to be a part and I am eternally grateful.  They openly listened and cared about our son Noah and in a way I think Noah brought us together.  Grieving a son lost too soon has been the hardest thing I've ever endured but in getting to be a part of Knox's life, I find my heart healed in ways I believe Knox could have only done.  I found myself in those early days of his life, praying feverishly that God would allow Carrie and Troy to get to keep their son and watch him grow.  While they were back in Iowa and I was here, I felt a piece of my heart was in that NICU with them and that I lived each of their updates almost as if I was getting to see the success story, our little boy didn't get.  Carrie and Troy have been so open about letting me be a part... I realize what a gift that is.  For I was honestly a stranger, and yet they treated me like I had been family for life.  So much so that they gifted me with the honor of being Knox's Godmother.  And while I don't get to be there for the day to day activities or get to know him as closely as I would, he is a little boy I think of so so often, I pray for and I love.  

Just a few weeks ago Carrie and Troy sent me these pictures of Knox wearing the Noah's Kindness Project bands and they stuck with me.  If it wasn't for Noah coming so early, I would have never met Knox and his beautiful family.  Through our hardship and loss, we were given an amazing gift and the love of a new family.  Isn't that incredible? 

Knox I hope your birthday was very special and that the year ahead is filled with many blessings for you.  I feel honored to be your Godmomma and that you and your family welcomed me into your life.  You are a true miracle, the answer to so many prayers and I know you're here to do amazing things.  For honestly buddy, you've already done a lot.

Love you Knox and happy birthday!

Until next time,
Angie