Days at home...

This guy likes his Bumbo seat. He also likes being in the middle of the action

My helper

These cold days are really great for just cuddling at home!

I love days at home.

FIVE Things I am THANKFUL for...

A warm house

Children who love each other

My husband

Our family

My hope in Jesus

Santa Baby

Curious

Cheerful

Chunky

oh sweet baby! 

And he loves being in the middle of it all....

This chunky sweetheart will be 6 months old tomorrow. 

Oh, time can slow down just a little. 

Happy Decorating! 

Oren all smiles / and a little catch up

The days are cruising by! Time flies. I need to think about Christmas cards and Christmas shopping. Wow! It feels a little overwhelming, but also fun.

We had a very short (few hour) visit with Phil yesterday evening. He was passing through on a work trip. It was good to see him, I am glad he stopped! Matt spent the weekend here. That was good too. Brothers are great gifts!

On Monday morning Hazel woke up and her ear was hurting. I took her to the chiropractor -- he can do a little something to help get drainage going. I have been made aware that antibiotics are WAY over prescribed for ear infections, so we decided to wait it out. Healthy diet, elderberry (an immune booster), ibuprofen and lots of rest. I was advised to give it five days. Yesterday, the fifth day, she still wasn't herself. Today I took her to walk in - thankfully Merit and Matt stayed back with Will and Oren. Vance was gone. Well, a double ear infection. ugh. And antibiotics prescribed. ohhhhhh. I hope she gets relief soon. Poor girl. She has been so hard of hearing, lots of fluid built up in there. The last two nights we got good rest. Thank you Lord. I hope tonight is good too.

School is going well for Merit and Willem. They are glad to have Monday off. We are thankful for all of those who serve and have served our country. I am very proud of Reese and Natasha and the sacrifices they make. Natasha is very involved with the military families. Yesterday she headed up a baby shower for one of the gals. This is her time of "service" too. We cannot take these people forgranted.


I better run... Willem and Hazel are running around like hooligans! Oren will soon be up from his little evening nap.

Oh his smiles! :) 

Trust

Oren Paul

Oh his sweetness! 

I took this pic last weekend in Ephrata. The fall colors were so beautiful.

I have good "heart news" After genetic counseling and testing in Seattle, my heart looks really good.

The U.W. has a fantastic medical center. I was blessed the day of the genetic test and counseling session. 

Merit and Oren joined me. Merit was true to his role of a fantastic big brother. He was moral support for me and a sweet bro to Oren.  We checked out the stadium afterwards, Merit was all smiles. Katie Allred had Hazel for the day and Hazel was SO excited to be part of the Allred family for an entire day! She loves Maddie! She enjoyed some quality time with Katie, their little Sam and Maddie. Willem went to school that day and then went home with the Johnson's. They helped me out in such a great way. Then that evening the whole family met up at Merit's football game! One month later I received the results and I received really good news. The month seemed a little long, but I prayed for TRUST. Friends gathered and prayed too. 

My sisters are receiving great care, but their road is different. This feels heavy at times.

I will pray for them often and trust that God will help them through all of this.

They take good care of themselves which is huge. They are being proactive, which is wonderful.

ICDs have become quite sophisticated and do their job. 

Cardiologists and other heart doctors are learning more and more about the functions of the heart and how to help people that need heart help.

My sisters are brave and I am so proud of them. 

We have a really good little heart friend, Maddie. I have thought of her so much through this journey too. 

I love her LOVE for life. Her joy, her sweet spirit. I am praying that through the years so much can be done for this beautiful girl and her special heart. My friend Katie, Maddie's mom, is brave and courageous. She is a fantastic mom and knows to find joy in the journey! 

We trust in the Lord. We continue on with hope.

I pray for all of my siblings and for my mom's siblings regarding all of this. To think less than one year ago we learned that genetics play a role in this is crazy. There has been a lot to digest over the past year,

Last weekend I loved watching these two run and play between Merit's basketball games in Ephrata! We had a fun day.

Sharing my kids and our happenings...

Oh my gosh.

This guy.

Oh he is such a sweet blessing.

He is a calm to my crazy.

He is SUCH a joy!

Sometimes I make myself sad thinking he is growing up to quickly. 

I just need to really enjoy the now.

Each day at a time. Why is that easier said than done?

I love raising boys! Boys are good to their mamas.

They are so sweet, interesting, active. It is great!

And to throw Hazel Jane in that boy mix... oh I love it! 

She was napping when I got this shot of our handsome three boys.

Maybe Vance will agree to have just one more. I bet it would be a boy. 

But really, life is so sweet and full with four. 

Chunky Cheeked Sweetie

He's been loving the rice cereal I introduced last week.

This past week I enjoyed going to the Piper Barn Bazaar.

A beautiful craft show with LOTS of vendors! 

It is about ten miles out of town. 

I have memories of going to it with my sis Natasha and also with my friend Shelli.

It was packed when I went. I thought it was going to get me in the Christmas spirit, but there were tons of people, I didn't hear any music if it was playing and I was sort of on overload. Lots of cute ideas though and I bought a picnic basket. I am the queen of baskets. 

It was a fun outing. I joined Katie A. and Shelli there and also got to visit with other friends.