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

When she's 100 years old...

Isabelle recently celebrated her 100th day of school.  I remember her saying she was doing something special that day but I went on about our busy life and filed it away.  

Then this past week, we went to Isabelle's school for her parent teacher conference.  As we walked to her class she said, "Oh mom I'm so excited for you to see it!" I wasn't sure what she was talking about but as we approached the bulletin board outside her classroom, Isabelle started laughing.  She said, Oh mom, you're going to think its so funny!"  

She then motioned for me to look up at the board of all her classmates pictures and a sign that read, "When we are 100"

As I glanced up at the pictures I saw that 25 1st graders had been transformed into centenarians.  And Isabelle was right, I did laugh, and it was funny.  Not only are the items on Isabelle's bucket list super cute, but for 100 years-old I think she looks pretty good too!

After heading into her classroom we got to spent a while visiting stations to see all about the things she's learning and what she loves about her class.  We got to try on their special "reading glasses" and go to the carpet where they read.  

Madelyn was a huge fan too.  I think she's ready already to be in first grade.  She followed Isabelle around like her shadow and did everything Isabelle did.

It was a fun conference as we got a sneak peak into Isabelle's life as a first grader.  And since I know I'll be long gone when Isabelle turns 100, it was fun(ny) to see just how she'll look in 93 years.

Until next time,

Angie

A good good dad

There are many moments that I look at Jarrett and give thanks that I get to share my life with him. He is a wonderful partner, who works hard not only to provide for our family but jumps in where ever and when ever he can at home to help keep the train on the tracks.  He's a great father who cherishes moments with each of the kids when ever he can.  I think his only wish, which might echo the wishes of many fathers, was to have more time to spend with the kids.  If only the bills and work wouldn't require so much time.

Last night Madelyn had been feeling yucky all day and as night approached we decided she was getting worse rather than better.  When we decided (actually she decided by getting herself dressed and said "take me to the doctor") that we should take her in, I thought I'd probably be the one to go.  Instead Jarrett said, "Madelyn, daddy will take you to the doctor okay?"  Because I have a huge test coming up on Tuesday in my class, Jarrett said I could stay home and study and he would take her.  Even though the mountain of work waiting for him continues to reach new peaks, he put my needs above his own.  He's such a great dad.  

Dad takes the time to do what he can with each of the kids.  Giving Isabelle's back rides, reading at night with her and helps to comb her hair after she showers.  While he can't yet do a braid or a bun, he has mastered the ponytail and if you ask him, "Growing up with only brothers, that is a huge feat!"  

And then there's all the catch he plays with the boys, the extra tosses as he gets home from work, before even carrying his stuff into the house, he stops and soaks up the moments he knows are too few and quickly fleeting.

And then there's all the stuff he does for me.  The stops at the store on the way home to grab the extra groceries I forgot, the driving me to class and picking me up from work.  He call it the Jarrett's free taxi cab service.  I pay him with thank yous.  

When I was 15 and he was 16 we started dating and while I knew I loved the guy I was dating for his honest, hard-working and caring personality, little did I know I was going to get to marry a guy who would in my mind, become the best dad and the greatest life-partner.  

It isn't often enough I give him the credit he deserves or publicly praise him for all he does.  He honestly doesn't ask for or even want this I'm sure.  I just wanted to take a moment to say thank you again.  Thanks for all you do for me, the kids, for us.  We are lucky to have you dad.

Until next time,

Angie

Daddy Daughter(s) Dance...

A couple of Friday nights ago Dad took his daughters to the Daddy Daughter Dance at our church.  We surprised the girls and told them about it right after we had dinner. Isabelle screamed with excitement and yelled for Madelyn to go get a pretty dress on.  They both got dolled up and were thrilled they got to go with Dad.  Here are a few photos of them getting ready to walk out of the door!

They were gone only about an hour but they came home like they had just spent the entire night at the ball.  They came home as a prince and two princesses complete with flowers, the crown and of course balloons.  

And while I didn't get to go, Dad shared a few pictures of the secret fun they had at the dance.   Sure looks like a lot of fun to me. 

I'm so happy Jarrett got to spend some quality time with his girls.  I think they each adore their dad and cherish the one on one time they get to have. 

Until next time,

Angie

Sweet Seven...Isabelle's Golden Birthday

Two weeks ago we celebrated our sweet Isabelle's golden birthday.  We tried to make her birthday extra special this year as you only get one golden birthday in your life.  We started the celebrations a few weeks before her birthday when we took her to Disney's on Ice performance.  It was a hit and she loved it!

Then we planned a My Little Pony party for her complete with a Pinkie Pie piñata and My Little Pony cupcakes.  She was able to have a few friends over and we played games, did a scavenger hunt, had pizza and cake.  She thought it was the best time ever.

On her actual birthday we had a low key evening where we celebrated her birth as our family.   As I got her ready for school on the morning of her birthday I told her how special our first time meeting her was and how the nurses talked about how beautiful of a baby she was.  I remember the first moment I saw her, I felt love.  I wanted nothing more than to protect her, love her and give her the best life I could... from the moment my eyes met hers.

It's hard for me to believe that our precious little Belle is now 7.  I remember being 7 and thinking it was a great age.  I see life now through Isabelle's eyes and while she has grown she continues to be the loving, kind-hearted, excited-for-life girl she has always been.  She loves life, is eager to learn, spreads kindness like confetti and she always sees the best in others.

She has brought so much joy and love to our lives and I give thanks each day we were picked to be her parents.  I dream about and wonder what she will be like as an adult, and I pray I get to watch her become a mother, because I know she will be wonderful.

Some of the things I love most about Isabelle is how excited she gets about the simple things in life.  Like this morning when she looked out at the frost on the grass and shouted, "Jack Frost came to the grass last night"  Her eyes light up and her excitement spreads throughout her whole body.  I love how she loves her sister and tries to be a leader, a teacher and a role model for Madelyn.  She plays so well with her and it is clear Madelyn is infatuated with how amazing her big sister is.  I love how Isabelle never looks at the negative in a situation or the bad in others.  She loves everyone and sees everyone for their best... I hope she keeps that perspective forever.  One other thing I love so much about Isabelle is how she thinks about and loves to show her love for us.  Just last week, she spend most of her hours after school working on making special valentines for everyone in her family.  She took the time to make each of us a beautiful personalized picture and wrote a special note to each of us to tell us how much we are loved by her.  Her kindness and care of others is truly special.

I seem to always say this but each year goes by faster and I want time to slow down and with Isabelle's case I feel no differently.  I want to bottle up her innocence, savor her loving personality and foster her confidence, determination and drive with each passing day.  Mostly I want her always to know how deeply she is loved, how much she was and will always be wanted, and how big of a gift she is to us and to this world.

Happy 7th GOLDEN birthday our precious Isabelle.  We love you more than you'll ever dream possible.

Mom and Dad