Happy Birthday Baby Girl!

28 years ago today, I gave birth to the most beautiful baby girl i had ever laid eyes on. I could'nt believe she was mine. I remember thinking where did that dark hair, dark eyes, and olive skin come from? I have fair skinned, blue eyed, blond babies! I had never considered the notion that this child would look entirely different than Landon. And oh how I wanted a girl! I was afraid to say it out loud for fear it wouldn't happen, but oh how I wanted my own little girl, and there she was, beautiful and perfect.

You see just six months before I became so very ill and almost a week into it, half dead, the dr determined I had a ruptured appendix. It had been ruptured for about three days and after ten days in the hospital where poison was being drained out of my system, and drugs going in, and a prognosis of "we don't know how this baby will be affected", I came home to wait and pray.

It was a long six months, but God showed up and she was born without incident and perfect and beautiful. I praise Him forever!

My sweet Jo, I knew the moment I met you, you were very special. I sensed God had his hand on your life and would use you in countless ways in your life. I have so many memories of Him doing just that and could tell countless ways you have touched others and touched the heart of God. You have brought such joy to my life. You are the most beautiful person inside and out that I have every known. You inspire me. And now you are a mother and you have experienced just a taste of the joy this new life will bring to your life. I love you more than life itself and thank God for the opportunity to be your mom.

Happy Birthday baby girl! Marme loves you!

Baby Time!

Lennon has been out of town for a few days and since Christal had worship practice, we got to keep addie on Thursday evening. She is such a doll! She toddles everywhere and talks so much! Just so sweet! I was able to twist Christal's arm to stay the night. That was really nice and we got them both for a few more hours. Mamo and Pa really had a good play time with her.

Landon & Sarah are gone for the weekend for some much needed get-a-way-relax-and-be-alone-time! Well, the only way that is gonna happen with two little ones is to leave those two little ones with mamo and pa!!! It has really been amazing. I had plans last night...pa kept them, I had a shower to do today...pa kept them. Pa is amazing. He has been right here with them and me, helping out without hesitation. He has even changed MULTIPLE dirty diapers!! I know...AMAZING! Now that may not seem big to this generation of dads who seem to be more involved with this area of childrearing, but believe me when I say I am quite sure this may be a first for him. What is not a first for him is his patience and endurance with kids. Mine on the other hand was wearing a little thin when I was bathing babies in the kitchen sink, hoping it would be a little easier to wash ellie's hair with the sprayer. She has a new fear of hairwashing. She has never liked it, and i don't know how long she has been this fearful, but she screams blood curdling screams from beginning to end, that would make the hair stand up on the back of your neck. It didn't help. I finally hollered to pa for help. I couldn't hold her in the sink! We switched off babies and he began to talk to her so calm and soothing. He got her to sit back down, began to spray her lightly and let her play with it, and before long, after much coaxing she was half giggling and explaining to him how she would lay her head back and needed a wash cloth to hold over her eyes. She let him finish rinsing the shampoo out of hair. She then stood up proudly, giggling, "I did it!" Of course we gave her unending praise, and we praised Jesus too! I dubbed him the now hair washer.

Last night we put gray in the baby bed in the guest room and ellie slept with us. she did pretty good, but the sleep for us wasn't the greatest, not bad though. Tonight I decided to try them both in the same room. Dare I? I did. They both layed right down without a peep and went sound to sleep. Now if it just lasts all night. If not, mamo and pa's bed is big enough for us all!

I cannot believe little michael is a month old already! Where has this last month gone?! I just really need to hold him so bad! Next week is Jo's birthday (28) and we of course will run down there for a couple of days. I can't wait! I miss them all so much.

It is such a nice problem to try to figure out how to spread out our time and love amongest all our little darlings!