HALLOWEEN in Neverland!

Since we were without power on Halloween, traditional trick-or-treating didn't happen for our family. Instead, Matthew, Nathan and Rachel were able to dress up a few times after Halloween to celebrate! On Thursday, we had the priviledge of visiting Uncle Tim at work at WOGL and WPHT. We got a tour of the stations and the boys were able to "trick-or-treat" to the different cubicles! It was lots of fun for all of us! Over the weekend we were able to visit with some friends and family and trick-or-treat too! Plus, I also took advantage of photo-ops for our Captain Hook, Peter Pan and Tinkerbell!

THANKFULNESS!!!

Sometimes we take lots of things in our lives for granted and it is at times like last week that we realize how good we have it. Superstorm Sandy hit the Northeast last week causing lots of power outages and devastation to some areas in our region. For us, we were very fortunate in the grand scheme. Yes, we lost power for over 118 hours and had no heat or hot water. Yes, I was concerned about the food in our refridgerator and freezer going bad and I worried about keeping my kids, especially my baby daughter, warm during the very cold nights. I frustrated myself every time I went in a room turned on a light switch and nothing happened and I hated boiling water on our gas stove to wash dishes by hand. But, in those moments of frustration I thought about how thankful I was and am for what I do have on a daily basis. As our electicity was restored on Saturday and as I was able to sleep in a warm home that night I continued to be grateful for all the amenities that I have on a regular basis that i often take for granted. For so many in this world...having shelter, electricity, a warm house and clean water (let alone hot water) are luxuries. The luxuries that I think are necessities! Thank you God for all that you have given me and my family and be with those who are in need!

So Long!

It's been a while since I have written an entry...actually over two years. A lot has happened in those two year. We no longer are a family of 4 as we were blessed with a beautiful baby girl, Rachel, who was born in March 2012. Rachel wanted to copy off her brother, Nathan, and come early and was born at 33 weeks! She was in the NICU for almost 2 weeks where she focused on breathing, keeping on warm and eating. On March 15, Rachel was discharged and was able to finally meet her big brothers who were anxiously waiting to meet her. In addition to Rachel's birth, we have also had so not so good things happen in our immediate and extended family. August of 2011, Daryn was laid off from his job. It was the same week that we also found out I was pregnant! It has been a roller coaster ride for us over the last year and a quarter but we continue to trust in HIM! Just recently, we experienced the loss of our baby nephew. Parker Thomas lived on this earth for a few short minutes before going HOME to our creator. It has been a trying time for us all but especially my sister and her husband. We continue to pray for them that they will God's strength to get them through each moment and each day. Matthew is 5 1/2 years old and attends Pre-Kindergarten this year at Penn View Christian School. He loves playing Uno, Monopoly and other board games as well as reading books and playing video games. Nathan is 3 1/2 years old and stays home with Mommy and Rachel. He received OT, PT and Speech services through the IU. He recently was diagnosed with Developmental Cordination Disorder so we are trying to work through ways we can help him adapt. He loves reading books, doing puzzles and playing games with his older brother! Rachel is now 8 months old. She is starting to roll from side to side. We are helping her to learn how to sit independently become mobile. Due to her prematurity, she receive PT and OT services. So, over the last two years a lot has happened...moments of tears and great joy and memories for a lifetime!