Earth's Primmed with Heaven

Upon seeing some of the images posted on a friends blog last night, Steve and I wept, remembered, studied, and appreciated. We appreciated the amazing humility and love expressed by a mother who had the eyes and heart to see and do. Please go to The Sullenger's Blog to see what I mean. It is the post labeled "We're hanging in there ourselve's"

Next, do your own scripture study tonight in Exodus chapter 3:5. This is motivation for all to pick up their scriptures!!!

Finally, read my sweet boys expression of love to this dear family--I'd say he is quite a keeper...a match made in heaven. His words inspire and lift.

I'm certain after all these steps, you will find how beautiful Ashley reverenced her daughter, her angel, her Preslee. For those who have eyes to see.

"My wife and I were looking at pictures of the funeral last night and we love the image portrayed by the one you chose for the top of this post. It immediately made me think of a quote from the LDS movie "Charly". "Earth's primmed with Heaven, and every common bush a fire with God. But only he who sees, takes off his shoes". I looked up the scripture about Moses as my wife and I talked about and got teary eyed thinking about that moment. It is so beautiful how you had the reverence to take off your shoes. You truly walk on holy ground. We have felt the spirit very strong as we have visited the grave of our Baby Shane. I have fond memories of leaving that sight with a prayer on bended knees. I miss being able to visit as we are now more than halfway across the country. It is a hard way to come to know The Man of Sorrows, but one in which you have and will gain a better understanding and testimony. It will give you an opportunity to come to know Him better. I love seeing you share the gospel. It still amazes me how these angels can touch so many lives and move the work of the Lord forward in ways that you would have never imagined. I have felt in a small part what it must have been like for our Heavenly Father to send His Son to come and die for us. Hang in there. You can overcome all with the Lord, even if it is minute by minute. The fact that you had a mind to take off your shoes before walking on sacred ground, tells me that you are very close to the spirit; to God. Thank you for your example and for continuing to share your story with honesty. I can feel your faith, and know of your sorrows. We love your sweet family and continue to pray for you!

Little Overboard!

Well, I thought I would scrapbook and post all at once! My techniques are not fabulous, but I'm not too skilled quite yet--don't laugh! While Steve was gone, the messes multiplied, as they usually do, but I felt like I had to work at a speedy pace to get things cleaned up! Lydia and Maya were very demanding all three days!

I enjoyed my kiddos--the boys got a little out of control today since my attention was on the girls...completely, but tomorrow is a new day for DISCIPLINE!

And Miss Lydia got caught in the act of standing bravely in that chair; she is a cutie, I'd have to say! Too brave for me...gets the heart pumping!

And lovely Maya remained lovely while Daddy was gone...just got a little more chunk to her!

We are happy to have Daddy home...and thrilled for the next adventure in life!

P.S. Daddy is our new NICU nurse ;)

I'm learning!!!

I can't believe I actually learned how to do this!!! I even thought I lost the whole thing after working on it this morning...but I found it!!! I'd say it's rather...cute! I have A LOT to learn, but that's not too bad of a start!

More posts to come...just a little excited about my new skill!

Lil' Bit of Everything!

Maya is approaching her 7 week mark, and I am ashamed to say that I have no clue how big she is--quite big as you can see--but we never made it to a one month appointment. That is a consequence of losing a job and health insurance. Need to find the will to get her somewhere. If payment wasn't due up front I would've added it to our ever growing health care debts. The doctors office seemed pretty careless to the fact that we have already put in $60 of co payments that weren't supposed to be charged. Seems that we just lost $60...money is a touchy thing--once it's out of your hands (even if it wasn't supposed to be) it's gone forever. Kinda like getting a rich man through the eye of the needle being easier than getting him into heaven.

Don't know why I have such a small pic of her in the dress, but I'm too tired to change the size!

Daddy and the boys washed the cars yesterday--perfect day for it too! We've been living in the 90's with 60-70% humidity. Yep, he washed them just in time to take one out to NM and get it all dirty again--gotta love the NM sand! I did say NM...hmm...we'll see if my old home state has anything to offer us!

While they washed, we ran! I love pushing my Miss Lydia in the jogger. It is a huge workout, and a small incline feels like death! I've been running our little loop--exactly a mile long. I'm taking small steps to fitness...gotta save my toe this time around--a mile in this weather (and my body) feels like 10 to my old self.

Now, Lydia can't seem to understand that when I lay the blanket on the floor it's for Maya--she seems to make it to the spot before I have a chance to put Maya down. She crouches down in a strange curled up position, aims her head at the floor and rolls onto it in a crooked somersault fashion--kinda like a strange wrestling move! Gotta love the little "big" sister!

I love having a girl--the necklaces, bracelets, etc...

She found a stash of jewelry one day and started stringing it all on her little body. After coming across the pink bracelet (as she's wearing above), she stripped the yellow ones off and replaced it--truly a girly kinda girl.

Now, this is creepy....for all of you who say she looks just like her Daddy, think again!!!

I'd say otherwise!

A Time to Weep

Today, I hugged this little princess a little longer, a dozen more times than usual, and I said "I love you" a lot more often (that means it's all I told her, besides "sit down" as she attempted to jump out of her high chair!) My little Miss Lydia was the princess last summer who brought me into contact with a family in Valley Forge PA--where we no longer live-- who suffers the deepest anguish of soul tonight.

In the summer of 2009, Miss Lydia wanted to eat one Sunday at church. I, in my proud Mommy fashion, took Miss Lydia to the mothers room where I was met with a beautiful mother and her precious daughter, Preslee. They, with their faithful husband, were spending the summer in Valley Forge for work. Preslee was an angel--only a month older than Lydia. I admired her hair bow and spoke with her Momma for a few moments. The remainder of the summer I admired the family from a distance during our Sunday meetings--their young "newness" with their sweet baby girl, and the light they carried was admirable. I will thank my Miss Lydia for bringing me to that mother's room that day and allowing me to make contact with an angel on earth--or two, Preslee and her Momma.

Preslee was called home to Heaven today. My heart aches for their loss. I know the pain of losing a child, and I have wept so often through the course of this day as that pain is so real to me. The Savior can succor us in our deepest sorrow because He knows our sorrow. It is a hard thing to know that pain....the hardest of all feelings to bear, and I pray earnestly for peace and miracles to fall upon this beautiful family tonight and in the weeks hereafter. They are sacred weeks where miracles will be seen by them; little Preslee lives on and will have her Momma and Dad to raise her again--she will. Still, now is a time to weep. My heart is full of sorrow.

We love you Preslee and parents....you are angels, performing miracles for me, as you well know already.

http://patrickandashley.blogspot.com

Fix it Up...Wear It Out...Make it Do or Do Without!

I thought I would post pictures of a repair I did on Crystal's laptop. Of course, I am the one who broke it as I break most things around here these days. I knocked the computer off the bed and it just had to land right on the cord where it plugs into the computer. So weeks later, I finally got the nerve to try and fix it since we had already replaced the cord once before from the same thing happening. I probably broke that too. Like I said, I am good at breaking things. The part is like 60 dollars and we can't afford to buy groceries, let alone a computer cord. So I cut it apart and used some pieces of wire and solder and there you have it. It is an ugly sight but it works. Some might say the same thing about me these days. For a brief moment, I felt good. I felt like I had accomplished something. It took two attempts mind you after plugging it in the first time and realizing that one of the solder joints had broken. I was reminded of President Hinckley saying Fix it up, wear it out, make it do or do without! So for now, we have a laptop again. I guess if it breaks again, I will just fix it again. But, it seems things can only be mended so many times in life. Sometimes they get worn out and can't be repaired. I am just grateful that for a small moment, I felt as though I had accomplished something great, as small as the task really was.

Trudging Along...

I wish there was an easier way to say this, but there isn't; lately, we all seem to trudge along around here! Well, maybe not all of us! The children enjoy their carefree childhood, as long as we aren't intervening and snatching it away from them. I often wish I could act as carefree as they do amongst all these obstacles hanging over me and the mountains steep climb ahead.

I wish I could dangle my feet on the bar stool and sit in places I'm not supposed to while drinking soda pop--just for the fun of it! It would require me to ignore the fact that laundry needs to be changed out, floors are being bombarded with ants because of sticky crumbs, and bills need to be paid. Well, some things I do ignore lately, but I don't feel carefree...just burdened! So, am I up to that challenge?

She is especially care free these days!

Instead of being who I really want to be...this is what I feel like! Yes, sometimes it's okay to cry...just a little. Just...a...little...and therein my dilemma is written!

I'd much rather do this and dream of brighter times to come. Hmmm...guess that takes a lot more work; wish me luck! Better yet, say a prayer for us...we could use it!

P.S. I'm not trying to complain...just feeling down. Hubby lost his job...again...and we are at square #1...again. It couldn't have happened at a harder time with a new born baby--it makes the whole work thing a little harder to bear on my end this time around. Yet, it does bring back the answer to my prayers years ago as I sat and contemplated going back to school...a clear resounding hymn woke me from sleep...almost like angels near by singing to my spirit, the tune "Prepare for tomorrow by working today!" The tune was given, I sought the hymn and words through study, I followed a prompting, and here we are years later. I am grateful I have the skills to carry my family through hard times; though it's not easy...or pretty, I am grateful. Godpseed strength and grace...I need it now more than ever.

Beautiful Connor!

My beautiful Connor turned 7 today! That gives me one year to completely prepare him to be baptized...am I really up for that challenge? Connor's first request upon rising this morning was, "Mommy, can I hold Maya?" This big brother loves to hold his baby sister...he has always loved holding the babies!

His breakfast request was eggs and toast...so he had a "King" breakfast--as he would call it! He was so tender all day long--he hung out by my side a lot of the time and constantly said, "I love you Mommy!" He was VERY excited to open his presents...we made it a lunch time activity so he could PLAY!!! I couldn't resist at one point, and I grabbed his beautiful face with my hands and squealed with pure joy and excitement as I said, "It's your Birthday!!!" He gave me the tightest hug, a kiss, and jumped up into my arms while saying...yes, you guessed it..."I love you Mommy!";being that he comes to my shoulder in height, I was thrown off balance, but I still held my baby boy!

Our all wise Connor, upon the chair, there is!

It took three attempts to blow all 7 candles out!

Mr. Aiden, with his charming eyes is Connor's best buddy--they proclaim it often.

Had to show the Momma and babe!

Of course, you can see from Connor's smile that he is not a fan of showing his teeth--that's fine with me, it shows his quiet, thoughtful, and serious nature. I admire Connor's innate ability to ponder and love!

His favorite pass time activity is Lego's! I believe he has admired his Daddy and Grandpa as they have built and fixed things his entire life. He sure can create masterpieces from the depths of his own imagination--can we say future architect or engineer?

Couldn't resist a little Toy Story 3 action!

Miss Lydia walked around with Connor's toys, proclaiming, "Cool!" She then would curl up on the couch with one beside her, like a stuffed animal, and pretend to nap! One thing was certain, they were all "cool"!

At the end of the day, Liddy had to show off her "favorite food"--oranges--and her wild head band! She was wearing matching pants!

And the best buddies hugged in best buddy fashion with the matching pajamas that Aunt Sara and her family got them for their birthdays! Connor is a light to me--he gives me strength with his "I love yous". I love you dear boy! Happy Birthday!

Who's Bigger?

So, at a whopping 4 weeks, I am staring to wonder...who's bigger? Lydia or Maya? My Maya loves milk...it seems to be an every other baby kinda thing in this family. Connor (1st born), Shane (3rd born), and Maya (5th born) are my chubbiest milk loving babies yet!!! I am starting to wonder what that 4 month weight will be for Maya...if she passes 17 pounds 11 ounces, she will officially be the largest 4 month baby I have ever had! As for Aiden and Lydia--well, they chose to be little twigs--we liked that too!!!

Okay, I know the angle makes Maya look gigantic--yes, she's big, but not that big!!! Lydia is just dainty.

Now...I had to make a trip to the hospital to turn in a maternity leave request form...they gave me a mandatory 6 weeks. Not long enough...in my opinion, but since when did a mother's opinion matter to the working world? At any rate, I tried so hard to keep my children close beside me while at the hospital, but once we got to my doctor's office and the boys ran to the computer and started pressing buttons I instantly told them to stand outside of the office in the hallway while I talked to the receptionist. I know...good parenting skills huh?! Then, Miss Lydia decided to throw a tantrum while I was juggling Maya--who decided to let out little screams as soon as I walked through the doors! Liddy threw herself to the floor and refused to stand so I had to one handedly pick her up with Maya in her Maya wrap. I do this a dozen times a day at home, but the shock on every one's faces told me that it wasn't deemed normal in their eyes! I ended up chasing them back to the car!

And chasing them around the parking lot...needed my keys!

Thanks to Connor, the keys were restored to their rightful owner...ME!!!

I put this last pic in to relate a memory and then to show you that even if I were legally blind, Lydia would still be BEAUTIFUL!!! Story: Lydia stepped foot into the elevator, and as it began to move a look of terror swept her face, her little body wobbled to maintain balance, and then she let out a shrill of excitement and laughter--I think Lydia took her first "stand on my own elevator ride" and loved it!