Lydia's Blankie

The Beauty of Blue Grass!

So these are the pictures of the place that I took the kids off-roading last week. We found this park by mistake a couple of weeks ago while we were driving around town looking for something to do. I believe the place is called Blue Grass Park. It is a beautiful place to drive around and looks like it would be good fishing and hunting (for birds at least). So far, it is one of the most beautiful places around Evansville that we have come across. As it looks now, it will soon be a memory, but a place that I would love to visit again someday.

This is a picture of the day after going off-roading with mommy. I took her since I had taken the kids the day before. Even Lydia loved it, but Crystal was not as thrilled. A lot of the mud had gotten washed off from the rain and snow, but I had to capture whatever evidence was left. The second time we went was more wet and muddy, and we could have gotten stuck. Lucky for us we didn't, but we did bang a few rocks on the bottom and hit some branches. I don't think it was anything too serious. The car still runs and we are grateful for that. We are also grateful for all the good times we can have as a family.

UP!

Well, seem that things are looking up for our little family again!

(And if you haven't seen that movie, you are missing out..."Up!")

A little nun came and sat next to me yesterday while I was working; here's how the conversation went...

Nun: Aren't you grateful you have a job?

Me: I am SOOOO grateful I have a job right now. Actually, my husband is currently unemployed, so I am indeed grateful to have a job.

Nun: Well, what is his name

Me: Steve

(she writes his name into her little black book)

Nun:Well, I will pray for him. What faith are you?

Me: LDS...The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

Nun: Well, say a prayer to St. Francis. He is wonderful at finding things! (and she gives me the cutest little smirk and nod of her head. I think it was St. Francis, my memory fails me when I am pregnant!) Now, what is your name?

Me: Crystal

(she writes my name into her little black book)

Nun: Well, Crystal, let me give you my number, and you call me when he finds a job! He's going to find one, I just know!

Me: Sister, I will call you. We need your prayers, thank you so much!

(she walks away, turns one more time to give me a little wink and a nod, and then leaves the unit)

Well, I said a little prayer this morning after dropping Connor off at school. I prayed to Heavenly Father, it only felt right, and I told Him about the faith of this sweet little nun. I mentioned St. Francis, for her sake, and begged, yet again, that we would find jobs together. The Lord opened His windows! I called the recruiter from the hospital we are working with in Louisiana this morning, left a message, and somehow she called me back and left a message without me hearing the phone ring. I listened to the message with Steve in front of me, eyes wide as a surprised child. I smiled and let him know that she said she has two job offers for us, and he began to cry a fountain! Poor boy has been through a lot with this move. He was offered a position in the ER, and I will be in the ICU.

We told the boys about the news today--Aiden was thrilled when I let him know that Heavenly Father answered our prayers (they have been praying every day that we can get jobs). He said that he wanted to be the one to tell Connor.

When Connor got home, Aiden told him the good news, and he looked at me stunned, gave me the tightest hug, and started jumping up and down--his head bouncing against my chin because he is the biggest six year old ever (unless I am just very short!). This means another school change for first grade, but i think he'll be okay!

Louisiana...here we come!

Making Memories

Christmas time is magical for our little family as we open the season remembering our little innocent babe, it is a perfect way to open the Christmas season in it's true glory. The Christ babe was born, grew to manhood, overcame sin and death, and rose to new everlasting life for us. We use December 2nd--our Baby Shane's birthday--to open our Christmas every year--it is the best gift we have, to symbolically look at our baby in connection with the Christ babe for hope of everlasting life to come.

Aunt Sara and Uncle Tim can always be counted on to give us a little piece of happiness on Shane's Birthday. We love the flowers, it helps to know that someone is thinking of our happiness and continued sorrow on these anniversaries.

I enjoyed sitting under our Christmas quilt while the boys decorated the tree!

And she enjoyed the sweets of the day. Seems she is attached to her Daddy--after all, he tends to her 100% of the time these days, from feedings to baths, fits, naps, and the many yummy treats. Actually, she even did a little off roading with the boys this week while I was at work! Oh,the life of a stay at home Dad!

Baby Boy

Baby boy, you entered this world 3 years ago. Little did we know that your temporary sojourn on this Earth would be so very temporary. We miss your beautiful face; your smiles and laughter! Today we celebrate you, even though we cannot see, touch, or hold you. We long for that day! We hope that you will be close today and that we can honor your special little spirit, especially today on your birthday. Today is your day, Baby Shane.

This is one of the few pictures we have of our three boys all together, and what better place than in your mother's arms. She loves you. Your brothers love you and they talk about you still all the time, especially Connor. You were "his baby". Please look after him. He is such a sweet boy, but has experienced so much tragedy in life at a young age. Please look after your mother, Aiden, and Lydia too. We will soon be adding baby number five. We hope to be the parents we need to be in caring for these sweet spirits that must remain here with us.
From day one, you left your mark. There was just something special about you. We did not know what until we had to say goodbye. But today, on your birthday, we are grateful for your sweet entrance into this world. We are grateful that God gave us the chance to spend a little time with you. Somehow, someday, we will hold your little body again right where we left off. Until then, we will celebrate each passing year until you are once again in our arms. We love you, all of us! We miss you! Happy Birthday, baby boy!

The Ups and Downs of Life

Well, it took a few days to post our Saturday adventure pictures, but here they are...

As for the ups of life...we have these beautiful children! Yes, they are busy as ever, but they are ours, and we are grateful for that. I guess (even through the sickness) I can say we have another little one on the way who is being called "Ferb" by Aiden. Aiden even says that we are going to have another baby and call him "Phineas". I don't know about either of those statements.

Another up...Connor is developing a love for our country as he named Veterans Day as one of his favorite holidays to me recently.

These two boys wake on Saturday morning, stay in their room, and Connor reads books to Aiden--I would have to call that a huge UP!!!

This guy (above) is getting use to the life of a stay at home Dad--NOT what we intended. Yet, I find myself grateful that our kids are in his hands while I am gone for my long 12 hour shifts. Yet, I do pray that something will take it's turn in the next 5 weeks when I move to my night shifts. So, there you have it--the down in our life right now--Steve is unemployed. We have started another very challenging time in our life.

But at least we have her! :)

Misc. Happenings

Well, there's lots to say (some good and some bad), but I am very tired...and I need to put two little boys to bed, so here it goes. We spent the day walking a riverfront; we walked too long as evidenced by a pinched sciatic nerve (me) and aching knees, legs, and a back (Steve). We are officially old, but we had a good time. Those pictures will come tomorrow once they are uploaded. In the mean time, Lydia discovered the cap of a bottle substitutes well for a binki in times of desperation.

I also got brave enough to let you see the 12 week belly. I am being approached by people at work--and they naturally assume I am pregnant. Seriously, 12 weeks along, and everyone can see! I guess that's what happens with baby #5!

And...Lydia is just such a doll lately! She did this same routine about 10 times in a row tonight--which means the boys ate way too many of MY mints. The mints are saving me hour by hour these days!