Life and Death

It's been an emotional week. Two girlfriends both had girls on Monday (congrats to Julie and Susan!!) then the Beckwith's welcomed Caleb on Thursday and the Rogers had Hallie on Friday...week of lots of babies (still waiting on Ginger Wells to show up!). In the middle of all of this joy and new life two lives were lost. A woman my age from church not only lost her child she was carrying, but in the course of that tragedy also lost her on life. How to attend the funeral of a 32-year-old mother and keep it all together...go numb. I still don't think it hit me. Even sitting in the church and looking at her husband (who taught our sunday school class a few times) and her sister (who is a friend of ours)I had a detatchment to it all. I still can't wrap my mind around a girlfriend losing her unborn child and now to know of a mother and child taken too soon together. I look at my life, and my family. Our life is hard, our future with Ella is so unknown; but we have her and each other. I feel like I can't complain about much. I realize that we are all given our challenges. I sat with a couple during the funeral who have tried and prayed so hard to get pregnant and God chose not to answer their prayers. I talked to an old friend today who just suffered a miscarriage. I read blogs where mom's hearts are breaking over the loss of a child or the realization that they may never be able to conceive. My challenge seems so small next to these, and then I realize that God gave me my own struggles. It seems silly to complain about my day with two, seamingly healthy, children. However, I know that God has blessed me and challenged me with the children I have in my care. Ella is happy and a joy, but there are so many daily concerns and frustrations. So often I want to scream "WHY?", "why did you have to allow so much of her brain to be damaged?", "why can't she just enjoy some of the activities that typical 2-year-olds enjoy?", "will she ever communicate, walk, talk, feel, or just be able to eat normally?". These are my challenges and I know that I'm not better or worse for having them, they are just what God is giving me to grow me into the wife, mother, and woman that I am called to be for Him. Today the pastor talked about hope...I love the word hope. There is so much freedom in knowing that one day my child will run on streets of gold and climb stairs in the mansion that God has built for her and sing praise songs for eternity...and for now that is my hope during my own challenges.

missing post

You may have noticed a post was up and went missing...it's because someone wrote a weird comment, so now my comments are moderated...no biggie, I may repost he dancing Mitchell's soon. Just so you know what happened.

Easter Brunch w/The Roughtons

He Is Risen...He Is Risen Indeed

Easter growing up was always about the resurrection of Christ and I want the same for our children. No Easter baskets or candy or egg hunts this year, but we did get to lavish them in Easter outfits. The pastor, Dr. Jeffress, made a very valid point...Christ didn't leave bones or flesh behind...he rose from the dead to pay the debt for all of our sins...isn't God's grace and mercy priceless?!


Clothes laid out the night before:

William all ready to go to church:


Easter breakfast:


Ready for Sunday School:

Happy parents:

Happy 30th Shelley!!

Shelley (Holloway) Wilmot and I have been friends for about 13 years...Joe and I got to attend her 30th birthday party this weekend (hosted by her lovely husband).


We got home and this was William crashed out on the couch (thanks Mitchell's for watching the kiddos)

Hanging Out

I just love the park!!

Grandma and Grandpa Mitchell took me to the park and I really LOVED it!!

Little Fresh Air Never Hurt

Just For Fun

I recieved a slideshow from our wedding photographer (Melanie Levin) today and thought I would share. It's just a snippet of our wedding day and my bridal portraits.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/mglev/sets/72157604177871810/show/

Picture Update

I've been reminded that I've been a blog slacker. I can now understand why people with more than one kid are slow to update (however, if I can do it, so can you!!).

Last Sunday after church.


Sibling play time (you have to really watch E around him)


Bathtime with Daddy

Saturday Shower

On Saturday we had a shower for Dori Rogers...her's the group of girls celebrating:

Andrea and Catherine Couch

Patio Party

I took the kids out to the back patio and let Ella "feed" herself...you can tell how much she got IN her mouth. We ended up getting locked out of the house...always an adventure with two.

Best Buddies

Cousin Micah decided he wanted to help feed William...aren't these precious pictures. He really loves them both and can now say both of their names.

First Date

Here is William on his first date...I told him that Shelley was married, but he didn't seem to care. Ella and I tagged along, but only as chaperones.

Heading to the Park

Nathan and Ella

Playtime