Sawyer Joshua Murphy (is HERE!)

I posted a while ago about my dear friends Ashlyn and Josh Murphy who were expecting their first baby. "Baby M" as we called him (because they kept his name a secret!) is HERE!

Ashlyn went to be induced Tuesday night at 11pm. The pediatric cardiologist had suggested that if possible, Ashlyn deliver vaginally because it would help Sawyer to expel the fluid as he was delivered. So she and Dr Pohl gave it their all!

Unfortunately, she had to undergo a C-section, though. But you know, C section babies have perfect little round heads and sweet baby Sawyer is NO exception! He is PERFECT!!!

He has been transported to Egelston and the Dr's are determining the best course of action. Josh has gone over to be with Sawyer and Ashlyn will be released hopefully in the next day or so and will head over, as well. Her Csection complicated her mobility a bit and has her uncomfortable, so prayers that the Lord would heal her body so she can focus on their son would be great! Please pray  also for wisdom and guidance for the Dr's. For healing for Sawyer!!! For Josh to be strong for them all and that they would continue to find support and love in their family and friendships (which they will, no doubt!)

Here is the beautiful family of 3. Just before Sawyer was transported, Ashlyn got to hold him for the FIRST and only time so far... yall know how heart breaking that is as a mom... she just wants to hold him! Please pray that there will be LOTS more snuggling soon!

There is also a "DONATE" link at the top right of my page that allows you to donate for this sweet family. Sawyer will likely need multiple surgeries. Ashlyn is out of work (due to the pregnancy) and Josh is about maxed out on his paid time off (because of all of the dr appts). This sweet, young family could use some help, although they would never admit that. So I set up the charitable donation account (thank you to pay pal for approving them as a "charity") and it is a safe way to donate.

Most of all, please continue to pray for this sweet baby!

Taylor's Birthday!!

Taylor is 5!!! Oh my Goodness!

The kiddos were invited to her party (a princess party, no doubt!) and we had a great time!  The party was at 3pm (i think?) and Mack was still sleeping, so Jeff stayed behind with him so he could get his nap out and us girls headed on over. Rhyan had a GREAT time!

I love this pic of the girls all watching Taylor play on her kid tablet. Rhyan looooves that thing!

All the guests (well, most?) They had a cupcake-cake and icecream with lots of toppings. Rhyan was in heaven! And so was i ;-)

 
Birthday princess!!! What a cutie!

Sweet Shelby!

And Jeff and Mack arrived a bit late, but in plenty of time for junk food ;-)

We had gone shopping earlier in the week for Taylor's gift and Rhyan had picked out a Merida dress up outfit... which is funny to me b/c at the time she had not yet seen Brave. Its amazing to me how many of the disney movies she's NEVER seen but she's in love with the characters... ariel, belle, etc...  Anyways, she was all excited and proud to have picked out the dress for her and Taylor seemed to like it (although i think a couple of other people picked up on my fb feed to melissa where i asked if Taylor would like some dress up play clothes b/c she ended up getting a few! HA! With 2 girls i'm sure they dont go to waste!)

We LOVE our Taylor and Shelby and always love spending time with them! Happy Birthday Tay Tay!

Fun with Friends!

I love that around Christmas time, with the extra days off of work, we get to spend time with friends that we normally dont get to visit with very often... 

For example, getting to hang with these CRAZY folks from Oak Hill... the praise band! From Left to right there is me (singer), Randy (piano), Sonya (worship leader), Kyle (electric guitar), Ferrell (Drums), Bob (Singer or drums), Kris (Bass), and Keven (acoustic guitar). Love that Kris's "hair" is in Kevens nose.

I wanted a cute pic of my kiddos in their Christmas outfits at church... but they werent having it!

And then, there was lunch with THESE lovely ladies! Ash, me and my BFF Ang.

So, funny story (haha, right?!)... 

On the way home from our girls trip this year, I suggested that we all MAKE gifts for one another instead of buying. I was all excited when everyone (Lindsay and Angela) liked the idea. The problem? I forgot that 1. I'm not crafty and 2. I HATE crafting. *sigh*. None the less, i had found a pinterest idea I was in love with and was determined to make their gifts. I bought all the stuff. Started the project. Hated it. And never finished. And literally went to lunch empty handed :-( Ashley isnt so crafty either, as it turns out, so she bought us all bracelets and made some peanut butter ritz crackers dipped in white chocolate (yum). Ang, of course, crocheted us all a scarf. I love it (and am wearing it in this pic!). Lindsay made homemade tea bags (i think?) and dropped them at Angelas house for her to bring to lunch b/c she couldnt come (sick kid i think?!) BUT, ang didnt realize that the three bags were for the 3 of us and thought they were all for her and kept them. LOL! (and she didnt know that unless she's reading this b/c i never told her... haha).

So... operation "Card and a Craft" was a BUST! :-(

Still... these girls (plus the missing lindsay and april) are the BEST!

Random... what a beautiful sky!!!

Another Random: Mack has gotten LOTS of spankings for climbing on the back of our couch... yet he continues to think its worth it ;-) His "perch", as he sees it!

We also had a great time exchanging gifts and hanging out with our friends, Taylor and Shelby! They gave Mack this little Melissa and Doug "tractor trailer" carrying 4 cars and I'll be honest... he plays with that thing all. the. time! He loves it!

How absolutely precious are these friends?!

I'm so grateful that our friends live so close and that Rhyan, since birth, has spent time with them almost every week! Even in the summer we try to let the kids play! Rhyan has really missed Taylor since she started pre-k so these little visits are so fun!

SO grateful for a season that we have time to spend a little time with so many people we love!

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

Shelby is THREE!!!

Rhyan's best friends are Taylor and Shelby. They have all been together since they were born and started staying at Tracy's together. These sweet girls LOVE each other!
Taylor started pre-K this year and kind of broke Rhyans heart, haha. She tells me daily now that "I neeeeeed to go to school, mommy. Like Taylor. I'm a big girl now!" Oh, if she only knew how that breaks my heart!

Shelby's party was held this year at Fro-Yo in Dacula. It was such a cute birthday idea! So simple, yummy, low stress! It was brilliant :-) Good thinking Melissa!!!

Shelby, Rhyan and Taylor

Mack had fun reaching for the balloons and letting them go...

Rhyan (and the other kids) had a blast running around

Mack was amazed by the wii

We had a blast helping Shelby turn THREE!!! We love you, sweet girl!

Girls Trip: Going Home

Last day! 

Sweet April had a longer drive than the rest of us so she headed on back early. So we took some pics and she headed on out...

 Ang without Makeup...

 The plan was for Ang, Linds and I to head on out when April left... but I've mentioned that Ang is a little diva, right?! ;-) So, instead, Linds and I sat around waiting... and waiting. Its a good thing we love Ang ;-)

I LOVE YOU, ANGELA!!! hahaha

 April had recommended The Partridge and Pear Restaurant.  So we definitely headed over there...

and about broke them on creamer and sugar :-)

 We had some great conversation over our coffee and then headed to get some personalized ornaments...

I am SO grateful for these friends of mine! I had a WONDERFUL time, although I missed my babies. This girls trip just happened to work out that everyone could go (and we could get the cabin) the very weekend after my trip to visit Emily in Valdosta, so that made TWO weekends in a row away from my Mack-Man (Rhyan went with me to Valdosta) and hubby. I was a little homesick, for sure, but seriously treasure these gals!

Girls Trip: Day 2

We got up and got ready... and then waited. And waited. Yes, we waited. For ANGELA! Gosh, i forget how long it takes that BFF diva of mine to get ready ;-) Good thing we love her, because i'm telling you, i was HUNGRY! Haha. I was supposed to take pics whenever we went out to eat, but once again, FAIL. We went to Dunkin Doughnuts for breakfast and I forgot to document it. 2 things I decided while we were there: they are very unorganized (i waited forever for my food and they told me after i had waited a long time that they were out of bagels, only to have Ang walk up and say "here's your food. it was in my bag") and very stingy with their creamer. I mean, I need a LOT of sugar and creamer. 2 aint gonna cut it for this gal... Nevertheless, we pressed on :-)

We decided to hit up the Rotary Craft Fair...

April can ALWAYS find a microphone ;-)

Linds offering her best "country girl"

Beauty queen/diva Ang ;-)

Because I love football so much? Hmmm... HA!

I had to take a picture b/c i thought "$40?!?! I can make that!". As if I ever will...

FINALLY, I remember a pic. We stopped for the girls (not me) to get a drink. I liked my bottled water just fine! Plus, when I'm out I dont like to drink a ton b/c I dont want to use public potty's more than needed.

We pretty much shopped for ever at the tanger outlets. It was a blast! I found some great deals!

And then we enjoyed a yummo dinner at some steak place. I dont remember the name.

My filet was delish!

And on the way out we decided to grab some pics :-) Silly girls... 

(isnt it amazing how when you get together with life long friends, you revert to immaturity?!)

3 attempts for a group shot... we are all so critical of ourselves...

Lindsay's too good to be in the same shot as us... she wanted her space :-) HA!

Funny story of the night: We went into bally's or platex... some underwear store, anyways. I was in the dressing room trying on some unmentionables when jeff called. He was about to take Mack back to Childrens Healthcare for his 3rd visit for the same ear infection and wanted me to know. He asked where I was and I told him and he immediatly said "ohhhh, send me a pic of what you're trying on" (tmi, but this is hilarious...). I did NOT send him a pic, but Ang (who was getting different sizes for me) and I cracked up, because what I was trying on was THIS:

 

LOL!!!!! Yes, I'm sure he woudl have LOVED getting a pic of shapewear!

 Anyhoo, we loaded up our finds :-)

And then went to some bakery that April loves that they have in Nashville. We got 4 different cupcakes and shared them and rated them for best cupcake, best icing, best all around.

Honestly, I"m just not a cupcake girl. So while I thought they were good, Chocolate (in bar form) is my crack addiction of choice.

We stayed up talking for a LONG time. It was good. It was nice to see my friends face to face and not catch up just on the phone! I love that it can be months or even a year or so since I spent time with these girls but that when we get together, its like not a moment has passed :-)

*Blessed*