Fall pics

One beautiful day in early November, I decided to take the kids to our neighbors yard and get a few pics of them on this big rock, with a pretty tree behind it. I'm no professional, but i did think the kids did pretty well because of it being such a relaxed, unplanned thing :-)

Doing "itsy bitsy spider" :-)... he's a tough cookie to crack, btw... doesnt smile on command and with all of the ear infections and teething he endured in Oct, Nov and Dec of last year, we saw very few smiles. (I'm happy to say that so far, so good in 2013! knock on wood!)

I did NOT tell them to kiss... they truly do just love each other (for now! haha)

I LOVE that they were holding hands here :-)

Our babies being 2 years apart can be hard sometimes... but the relationship they share is priceless!

Lessons in Humility

Its amazing that in todays world of technology that anyone can feel lonely or alone. I mean, most of us text, email, facebook, instant message and talk on the phone daily. At least I know I do.

And even so, some days something silly happens that shouldnt mean much but for some reason does and I feel lonely. Isoloated. Alone.

My feelings are not unwarranted, but nor are they entirely true. Yes, people whom I love hurt me sometimes. Yes, they can unintentionally make me feel left out. But the fact remains that for all of those who I love deeper than the love that is repaid, I have others who love me more than I them.

See, if I'm learning anything its that the way that others sometimes unintentionally make me feel is likely the way I make others feel, as well. A sweet young girl may reach out to me and I might ignore it because I'm so focused on this other friend of mine who just ignored me and hurt my feelings.

Hmmm...

So I've made a decision. I am deciding to not be bitter when people I love invite others to do things and not me. Deciding to not be angry when friends I adore have private conversations that dont include me. Deciding not to focus on my own hurt as much when I feel looked over or left out.

Instead, I think I'll choose to invest my time more wisely into those who DO want to be a part of my life. And those people may not look like or sound like or act like my idea of a "cool friend" like those who I long to be included with (trying desperately to be honest), but none the less, those who ARE drawn to me are the people that God has laid at my doorstep and asked me to love. They are His creation who may or may not know Him in a personal relationship and may be attracted to something about me that draws them to Him.

The point is, how will I ever know unless I get to know them.

And, it may be, that they have something to teach me.

A lesson in humility is being taught to my heart. A lesson in how to love others. A lesson in how to put others first. And Im grateful for the lessons...


For the Lord disciplines the one he loves, and chastises every son whom he receives.
Hebrews 12:6

And I am certain that God, who began the good work within you, will continue his work until it is finally finished on the day when Christ Jesus returns.
Phillipians 1:6

Real Time

I have to take a break from catching up for some important things.

Several of my favorite people are pregnant. Its exciting to see friends of mine go through pregnancy because it brings back so many sweet memories for me of my own time expecting. Becoming a mother is the most wonderful gift in the world...  and getting to share that time with my friends, sharing experiences... its fun!!!

My friend at work, Kerri, is expecting her first child! I swear, I've waited for this baby longer than she has! HA! Ever since she got married I've been bugging gently encouraging her with sweet sayings like "you're not getting any younger!" ;-) Ahhh... we love each other. So its ok. HA! She is 12 weeks and tomorrow is her genetic ultrasound to detect any kinds of issues. If you think of it, I know she would appreciate prayers for a healthy baby.

And then there is Ashlyn. I've known Ashlyn since she was about 10 years old I think. Oh my. I sound OLD! Trust me, though... she is a "baby having a baby" I like to say. She and Josh got married last April and knew immediately that they wanted to start a family. She is now 24? weeks preggo... and her story is one I'd like to ask each person reading this to seriously pray for.

Ashlyn and Josh were enjoying her pregnancy like any young couple... until her 20 week ultrasound. 

At 20 weeks, her Dr detected some abnormalities in baby murphy's heart and recommended that she see a specialist. Our small group from church assured her, as did everyone else, that more than likely it was something that would resolve itself and to try not to worry too much.

Boy, were we wrong.

Baby Murphy has been diagnosed with Tetralogy of Fallot with Absent Pulmonary Valve Syndrome. 

At first, she and Josh were under the impression that the baby would require surgery but that his prognosis was very good. But as of this last Dr's visit, they have learned differently.

These friends of mine are young. 21 and 24. Their faith is strong and by no means do I mean to insinuate that their age makes them incapable of handling this type of situation/trial... but I just think of my own self at 21 years old and think "wow. i dont know how i would handle that". As in any situation, God's grace and strength are sufficient... but as any parent can imagine, this is just an impossible situation.

Please keep up with her blog at www.themurphyfamilygrows.blogspot.com and PLEASE commit to pray for this sweet family and this precious baby. She shares her raw emotions on her blog, for which I am grateful. She is so brave, even though she feels weak and scared. She is this little baby's best defender and greatest protect... besides his Creator. Her body and heart are hard at work... and both are exhausted. Would you please pray?

Thank you

More Randomness found in my iPhone

Have I mentioned yet that I entered this century in October? Its true. I FINALLY moved up from my 1900's flip phone to an iPhone. None other than the iPhone FIVE! Heck yeah! :-) I also switched from ATT to Verizon. That has been a nightmare in itself, but now that we've gotten things straightened out, I'm pleased. And I'm seriously addicted to my phone! :-)

So, for a looooong time, this was Rhyan's favorite book. The book she chose every night for reading at bedtime. O. M. G. Its soooo long! And WAY above her level! So it got "lost". Ahhh.... much better ;-)

I am NOT a crafty person and pretty much hate messes and choose cleanliness over crafting. BUT, this craft seemed easy enough to do ;-) So I cut all the pieces and let Rhyan use stick glue to put it together. She loved it! And it really was fun. Next year, I think we'll make several and hang them from trees ;-)

Remember my shopping trip on my girls weekend where I scored Rhyan some big girl bedding? Well, here it is! On her BIG girl bed! I love it! Its not baby-ish and can grow with her for years! And she loves it, too!!

On a visit to petsmart where rhyan was eying the red-bellied frog that she tells me she wants every time we go... yeah, not happening! Reading about Rachael's experience with frog ownership is enough for me!

Hmmm... Daddy "watching" the kids after school. Yes, I came home to find this supervised neglect ;-) While the kids watched tv.... somebody needs some SPARK! haha

Gah... i love this boy! This was yet another trip to the Dr for yet another ear infection. SO sad!

DATE NIGHT!!! Out with our small group from church at Oyster Bay in downtown Lawrenceville. I'm not quite sure why Jeff's head looks elongated like we're in a fun house mirror... lol!

Chillin' in the waiting room at the pediatricians office... AGAIN... for another ear infection. Boooo

But even sick, he's so stinkin cute ;-) I mean, i might be a little biased???? hahahah

On election day! I got up early and got in line with a few hundred of Harbin's finest at 6:20am. I finally got to vote at 7:15am. Hmmmm.... I heard that after work people were in and out in less than 5 minutes. Geesh.

Another trip to petsmart where the kids decided they wanted to bring this fella home... NOT happening. I'm allergic to cats, plus, they're too fickle for me and they kinda scare me! HA! Jeff says its his greatest sacrifice in life that he's married to a woman who required him to give up cats... so sacrificial, he is...

And this was my very depressing ride to work one morning. SO much rain, so many cars. YUCK.

 We're into November, people!!! HA!

Halloween Day!

It was pretty cool this year because Dr Cohen went out of town the last week in October. So Dr Levine (his new associate whom we all love! and I worked a couple of days but I was OFF on Halloween this year. FUN!

So we started the morning with some ghostly pancakes. I bought a shake and pour bottle of pancakes (lazy? whatever... i add my own stuff and they taste better than my homemade ones... which, admittedly, doesnt take much) and added a little pumpkin spice, vanilla extract and some mini chocolate chips. HINT: the chocolate chips just sunk to the bottom of the bottle :-( So next time i do this i will wait until i'm ready to pour and will just sprinkle them in as I pour. Anyhoo, this was all freehand, so they looked more like feet :-)

Till I added the chocolate chips for eyes and a mouth, anyways! HA! Cute, right?! Thanks, pintrest!

So I was feeling creative and decided to freehand a momma and baby pumpkin. Rhyan LOVED it!

Ronni had bought Rhyan this cute halloween shirt an I wanted a pic of her in it, but this is all I could get...

For lunch, Tracy had loaned to me some halloween-ish cookie cutters that I put to use. We enjoyed cat and bat pb&j sandwiches, chips and grapes :-) It's hard to tell in the pic, but they were pretty cute!

Then, that evening we hit the streets! We were on the prowl for some CANDY!!! Because Mama and Daddy need it to keep up with these babies ;-). We headed to Mama's and Mommie's houses first...

We tried to get a good pic of Mommie with the kids but Mack wasnt really having it! He wanted down!

When we first got there, Mommie was dressed up as a witch. Rhyan did NOT like it. She wouldnt have anything to do with her until she took her costume off! Then, she was fine!

When we got back home, we were on the go! Rhyan was GREAT about saying "trick or treat" and "Thank you!" this year. She seemed to REALLY have fun and wanted to go to every door in the neighborhood. When we first started off we stayed on our little street... lots of neighbors were out and Jeff chatted while Rhyan and I went door-to-door and Mackey walked around a bit.

But around the time that we headed up to go off our street, Tracy, Kevin, Elijah, Lydia, Lindy, Jon and Luke came rolling up! YAY! We always love their halloween visit! :-) So we finished out the neighborhood with Mack in a stroller and the rest of the kids walking. I really enjoyed it!! Lydia is SUCH a little mommy to my babies and she took right up with Rhyan and of course Rhyan was stuck right by Lydias side.

When we got back to our street, it was TIME to be done for Mack. I think it was after 8pm and he's normally in bed at 7pm (then, anyways). So Rhyan continued on with Tracy and the kids and we came on back to put a tired little boy to bed...

I love this years pic! Elijah was wearing a scary mask but my kids were scared of him so he took it off for the pic (which was sweet... but then, he's a really sweet kid!)

We had a GREAT day and I had a lot of fun being home with the kids. These kinds of days make me REALLY wish I were a stay at home mom... (and there are plenty of others that make me REALLY glad that I work 3 days a week! HA!)

Camera Dump

SERIOUSLY working on getting into 2013 on my blog! hehe...

Love seeing BOTH my babies work puzzles quietly at the table. This is a favorite pastime for Rhyan, more rare for the Mack-Man!

He loves this phone and this particular day he pulled it around ALL day. Even insisted on taking it with us when we left the house for an errand!

Rhyan is kind of obsessed with my phone. We've had to lay out some serious guidelines about her being required to ask mommy to play with my phone BEFORE touching it. But back when she did this, I didnt even know it till i found the pics later :-) Sneaky little girl...

The world through her eyes...

Mack, wearing Rhyans shoes. Hey, he can appreciate nice shoes, too! ;-)

Hmmmm... Rhyan is CLEARLY an artist and I'm just not artsy enough to decipher her brillance

OH, back when i went to visit Emily, I got a ticket on the way home. Well, I was going 15 over the speed limit which qualifies me for an additional state ticket of $200. When I found that out I almost cried. So I decided to write a letter asking them to drop the speed on my ticket... and they DID! Hallelujah!

New post below.....