Rest in Peace Baby Declan

this week is another heartbreaking one, as another angel has gone home to heaven. we have been following Declan's journey since he was diagnosed with a rare form of cancer about 6 months ago. each day would start with a smile or some tears as i read the latest update of this little warrior's battle against this ugly disease. again, the reminder of how blessed we are that our children are healthy and how our normal, mundane lives are such a blessing. thank you God. we can only imagine the pain that this family is feeling as they grieve the loss of this precious baby boy. Lord, please embrace them with your strength, love and peace as they navigate this journey through the loss of a child.

Family Foto (notso) Fun!

are we the only family who can't get a good family photo? today i decided to take only 3 of our 4 children, leaving the one who hates getting pictures taken, at home (figuring i would take him on a trip by himself). here you can see that even with only a partial crew in tow, we can't get a decent family picture.....ugh!

Spring Teaser...

for spring break we headed to virginia beach for a little getaway at turtle cay...wow, did we luck out with tremendously warm beach weather! we also were pleasantly surprised to find that some scout friends were staying at turtle cay, also. we had a great spring break and are counting down to summer.

So Big....

kendal is getting so big! she is 75% for height and 50% for weight! that's significant in a house full of shrimps (babies that were always "under the curve"). she is our only baby that has worn bigger sizes than her age (she is 4 months old wearing 6-9 month clothing). seems like everything is growing on her, except her hair! she is a big sleeper, too! thank you God. we are so blessed by this big, beautiful, baby girl.

Winter Escape

we took a little winter vacation to williamsburg during our "snow break" from school. we only went to school one day in two weeks. needless to say, we were tired of being indoors, so we escaped to great wolf lodge and williamburg plantation. the children loved the waterpark and really just love staying anywhere away from home. they swam a lot. we played a lot of games and enjoyed time together as a family. it was a nice winter excursion, but now we are paying the price with extended days at school!

Baby Blessings

Kendal is such a blessing. she smiles all the time. she squeals and makes happy baby sounds. she sleeps well. she loves bath time. she loves to cuddle and be held. she does spit-up a lot and often on us, but we all still long to just hold her tight. she is perfect. we are blessed.

Snow Blessings

life has been good for our family, yet so painful for others around us. we are so blessed. Bailee and Paityn are enjoying their introduction to basketball through the Upwards program. they are both doing well in school and enjoying time in girl scouts, church and with family and friends. Landon is still in daddy's hip pocket doing all the things that little boys love to do. Kendal is doing so much better on her new formula and has already started sleeping through the night. she is a happy baby and we are so thankful. school is hectic for me, but Marks seems to pass through the day with little distress. we have been engaged with church and small group fellowship and life is just so good for us. praise God.

and yet, the world around us is crumbling for so many people. sadly, a fellow teacher who was only 30 years old, passed away last week leaving behind a wife and two small children. the news from the earthquake in Haiti has been unimaginable. baby Calla has been fighting for her life after being born so early. Drew's cancer came back in November. the Greathouse family lost their brother to a sudden heart attack. Gigi suffered a massive stroke. God, please be with these families. may they know Your love, peace, strength and presence during this difficult time in their lives.

we are blessed and so grateful. let the snow continue to shower all the world with God's love.