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!

Haven't Heard?

Well...if you haven't heard yet, here it goes:

1. We have moved to Evansville, IN

2. Steve got a job in the Emergency Department

3. I got a job in ICU stepdown

4. We are stressed as ever unpacking our place before we both start full time jobs

5. I am suffering working mother syndrome--yes, I cry a lot!

6. Steve and I BOTH passed our boards!

7. We're pregnant!

In case you didn't know...#7 was NOT planned...we are not interested in driving ourselves crazy, but when the Lord has a will He has a way! Yes, working mother syndrome is very similar to the first trimester of pregnancy...I cry a lot! I am 9 weeks along! Actually, I was at my OB office waiting to get an IUD. They are instituting blood pregnancy tests, which I had done only two days prior. I waited...and waited...and waited for the doctor to come in and do her thing, but when she came in, we had quite a conversation! "Crystal, I have some good news and some bad news....the bad news, you will not get an IUD today, but the good news is that you are pregnant!" Hmmm....what would you do? Cry? Laugh? I did a bit of both, but left laughing, and full of joy! Baby #5 is coming...whoa...that sounds kinda crazy!

The Many Faces of US!

The Princess--who smiled FOR THE CAMERA for the first time today!

The Brother--bound and determined to hold princess arms down just to snatch a picture of his wonderful creation! (Yes, it was Aiden's idea to place the glasses on Lydia!)

The Librarian--in need of a shower, make-up, and well placed hair!

And....the Monkey! Need I say more?

Adoring Lydia

Just thought we would remind you...Mr. Aiden adores his baby Lydia...

and Daddy does too!

This little girl is feeling much better these days. After several weeks of sleepless nights and pink antibiotics spilling onto every cute little pajama set she has, Lydia is a beautiful picture of health!

We have received numerous requests for an update on Connor with school. I will try to snatch a picture of him smiling one day as he exits the school bus to deceive you into thinking that he actually enjoys his time there. As for now, we try to make his homework a positive and exciting experience; I think it helps him look forward to school day by day. Still, "there's just not enough time for play!" His youth will pass quickly, and there will always be time for fun and play, but never as much as he would like!

Aiden misses Connor terribly when he is away. He has no clue what walking, talking, and playing even are until 3:28pm when Connor exits the school bus.

Mommy and Daddy--We're hangin' in there! We will take our boards on October 7th! YAHOO!!!