Thursday Fun...

I am embracing the pregnancy world again. A world that I thought I was finished with... well God had other plans so here I am.

We are 9 weeks this week...moving right along. After 3 miscarriages within 6 months I am a nervous wreck to say the least but doing OK. I really believe God has his hand on this pregnancy.

I am more sick with this pregnancy than I ever was with Zoe or Brac. Fun stuff there, especially with 2 small children running around. The smell of everything makes me sick, but thank God for Dr. Pepper. It is the only thing that doesn't make me feel green. Thank God for those wonderful pharmaceutical companies that invented the wonderful medication... ZOFRAN.

While it doesn't take away the nausea completely it does allow me to take my prenatals and to move around the house.

On a funny note. I had no choice but to take BOTH kids with me to a short appointment today. Only to hear heart tones. Boy, this was an experience. As soon as I went to lay back on the exam table Zoe immediately started screaming... I felt so bad for her. I assume she was scared he was hurting me.

Well, Brac took this as opportunity to get front and center, so he climb up to the edge of the table and carried on a good little convo with Dr. Brown.

When the baby's heart tones came through Dr. Brown asked him if he could here the new baby and Brac, looking very serious, looked at the doctor and said " I think that is the baby saying that he wants to go to the park". Dr. Brown snickered and Brac asked a few more questions.

After this chaotic visit I decided that I will not be taking them to anymore appointments alone. :)

Braxton is quite the character here lately.

One of my favorite things he says (talking about a movie he's never seen or a toy he just got) "I bet you ever not seen that mommy"

Oh he melts my heart. He is such a joy. I love being a mommy at moments like that where, his innocence just takes off with my heart.

My children. What would I do without them. I have to say that when I started staying at home with them. I didn't know if I would enjoy it as much, But Brac and Zoe are my world. I absolutely love the life of a SAHM.

He is doing wonderful since being in the hospital. He has bounced back beautifully. Playing and being Brac.

Something sweet about him. ... He has stopped saying the "Now I lay me down to sleep" prayer and he has just started talking to God, all by himself. Eron and I were listening to him the other night and he said "Jesus, your my best buddy"... "please keep me from getting sick so I don't have to go back to that stinkin' hospital"... He always prays for his friends all of them. he says "Jesus, don't let me get --- sick, so they can play with me".... Ohhhhh... again... my heart melts. Remember he is almost 4 and I guess dealing with this cancer world he has had to mature. To be this sweet, caring little boy.

I think that if many of us adults  would capture the mind of child in moments when we are trying to get closer to God we might find that we are closer than we have ever been. These kids don't hold grudges, they don't pick and choose "clicks". They look at things as simple as they can be. They know that everything can be fixed by there "father". They believe... it's that simple they believe.

Think about this the next time someone hurts your feelings or says something a little harsh... cry for a moment and then go back and play.

Brac has shown me that life is entirely too precious to harp on the little things.

Couldn't help myself this made me laugh...

When Life gives you a barrel of lemons make a ton of Lemonade....

Nothing is better on a hot summer day than a refreshing glass of lemonade...ummm makes my cheeks pucker just thinking about it.

I was talking to a friend of mine... she is currently in the process of moving her and her 6 kids to another state... this is quite an adventure. :) And she has gone through so many hoops and with a CK at that.

She was saying that when life gives you lemons you have to make lemonade. I was feeling horrible this past week. Braxton was in the hospital again for another fever, tons of morning (afternoon and night) sickness. After multiple trips to the ER they decided to keep him. So another 5 day stretch in Cincinnati.

While I was there I was thinking about Holly making "lemonade" and I was looking for mommy blogs for moms of childhood cancer.

I stumbled across this....

Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation

And while this precious little girl had a totally different type of cancer, her story is so moving. It's amazing the way these children who are eduring so much at such a young age, keep there heads up. They don't complain, they smile and keep going. My heros... ALL of them. Unfortuately, Alex didn't make it but her legacy and her burden for a cause has carried on.

So I was inspired...

 We are going to hold our own lemonade stand!

{August 19th and 20th 2011}

And the great part is you don't even have to be there. You can donate online!!!

Here's what I need from you all... Go to the site or come on out and support a great cause. I need all my blog buddies to please spread the word.

Everyday that I think of what these kids go through it melts my heart. Being a cancer kids mom I have seen first hand so please spread the word.

Our Fundraising goal is $500 and I am sure that all donations are tax deductible and you are helping a wonderful cause.  Wouldn't it be wonderful to raise.... MORE!!

Wouldn't it be great to see a cure.

I used to be the one that just watched those commercials about Childhood Cancer and say "I am glad that's not me..." until it happened to me.

Not picture... if it had to be you wouldn't it be great to have a cure. Braxton has been enduring chemo since 2009 almost 2 years!!!

I pray daily for that call that says "We found it!"

CLICK HERE....

Brac's Fundraising Page

SURPRISE!!!!!

Well Well Well

Oops I did it again... (ok I had to say that)

We are expecting baby #3!!!!

Big Surprise for sure. I was hoping to wait until Braxton was finished with treatment before we had another but God saw fit to bless us with another precious baby. We are praying for a healthy pregnancy. We have had 3 previous miscarriages so I am a little on edge. But I feel like we are going to be ok.

Braxton has requested a brother this time because "he doesn't like little sisters". That child is a rotten mess

Now... in other news....

Braxton is back in the hospital. He has been battling a temp all week. Two trips to the ER and on the third go they decided to keep him. So here we sit again waiting for his counts to come up, pumping him with antibiotics and hoping and praying that we can get out of here soon. Looks like we are at least here until Monday.

Brac is a trooper. He never complains (well he doesn't complain too much).  He steadily uses his manners and he always says "please" and "thank you".

So for tonight we will camp out here and wait.

Tonight if you are able to tuck your kids into their own beds and kiss them goodnight and rest assured that they are not going to end up in the hospital at any moment. Count yourself blessed extra and sleep well.

I know... it's been forever!!!

I feel like I haven't posted in forever.

 Well lets... Brac had chemo and along with the chemo came steroids... haha... fun stuff there. All in all he is doing well.

We have had quite a bit of excitement in our little town. I just don't know where to begin... ok, how bout here.... WE HAD A TORNADO GO THROUGH OUR TOWN!!!

YES!!!  I said a tornado... went right through my neighborhood. I have to say that I have never been more scared in my life. It really does happen so fast and you know that calm before the storm that people talk about, well, that is true too.

So while we rushed to the bathroom in the center of the house, the house shook, and you could hear the hail hitting the roof. It sounded like bowling balls hitting the roof. NO POWER! SHAKING HOUSE!!! I thought for sure we were on the way to OZ!

Auntie Em ,Auntie Em...if I only had a brain!!!

It seems like God placed his hand on our house through the whole storm. When we went outside to assess the damage, houses all around us had roof damage. Some were completely ripped off. But all we had was some minor siding damage and the screen on the sliding door was completely gone. Our cars took a beating as well. But the important thing, we were safe.

I have to say that I have never ever experienced anything like this. With no power, we quickly became nomads. I packed a few things for me and the kids and we were off looking for shelter. The roof of the churches brand new building was destroyed as well, so the Goob was there as soon as the storm was over working with other men to get tarps on as quickly as possible.  There were 2 more cells that had the same potential as the first, fast approaching. So I camped in the church basement with the kids, waiting. That night we stayed at a friends house that had a basement, just in case. The next day, me and my friend Anna along with our kids, piled into the van and drove around town looking at the damage. Our boys were in the back just as amazed as we were (they are both 4) Luke kept saying Oh my Gosh! Oh My Gosh!! and Brac would chime in with Holy Lord! Kids always make the worst situations amusing.  I decided there was no since in us sitting around, so we packed up and went to see my husbands parents in Waverly, OH. The kids love the time with Papaw and Nana, and well it's good for me too :) {a little R & R}

When we left the power was out and I had shuttled food to a friends house, to keep it from going bad. It's such a blessing to have good friends. So while we are on our little mini vacay, Zoe decides that it would be nice to bump her head and put a pretty little gash in her head, so to the ER we go and 6 stitches to be placed... oH geez!

Brac thought it was amazing that sissy had a "caterpillar"on her eye ;) I thought this was too cute for words.

She went yesterday and had them taken out and the doctor believes there will be minimal scarring, on top of the bump on her head, she also has an ear infection in both ears. They are draining horribly. So more antibiotics for her. Thankfully she now has tubes and this keeps it from pooling in her causing her pain.

So that is our life. We did get some rest and we were spoiled a bit. Now we are back home, homes are being repaired and there is a little normalcy in Greensburg. Some of our neighbors were not as lucky as we were and so we are praying for them.

The kids are on the mend and we are just hanging out by our new blow up pool that is just perfect for the kiddos :)

HAPPY SUMMER ALL...