White Christmas!!

We had a beautiful white Christmas! We played outside and roasted marshmallows while it was still snowing. What fun memories!!

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

Let us join with the angel voices

Let us join their happy song

All of heaven and earth rejoices

For the Lamb of God has come

He has come to rescue sinners

Come to meet our desperate need

He was born to bring forgiveness

Born for Calvary

Our gingerbread house

Going through stockings

Alleluia, Hope has come

Alleluia, Christ has come

We once were slaves in misery

Till You appeared and set us free

Alleluia, Hope has come

Christmas Breakfast: Cinnamon Buns

Bentley eating his special treat

Marseille not sure what to thing

Let us lay our gifts before Him

Let us magnify His Name

With our thankful hearts adore Him

For the Lord has come to save

He has come to break sin’s power

He has come to set us free

Hope was born that glorious hour

Christ the mighty King

Everyone was excited with their toys!

Alleluia, Hope has come

Alleluia, Christ has come

We once were slaves in misery

Till You appeared and set us free

Alleluia, Hope has come

Fun Times :)

Here are some pictures of our trip to Asheville for our Anniversary and our trip to Downtown :)

The view from the one of the balconies at the Grove Park Inn.

We visited the National Gingerbread Competition that was in the Grove Park Inn.

The house from the movie Up was a winner of the youth category.

I thought this pagoda was cute and clever, especially the popcorn trees.
The grand prize winner! Can you believe that is gingerbread!

Some of the pretty gingerbread houses were pretty amazing!

A frozen waterfall at the Grove Park Inn Spa!

The most unusual antique we found that day. Someone must have sported this phone!

Biltmore Entrance/ Gate House
Falls Park on Christmas Eve!
Riding the elevator to find the Festival of Trees.
All of these ornaments were made out of thin wood, it was really nifty!
The BEST family EVER!!

5 YEARS!!

My how time flies! Happy 5th Anniversary, Danny! I love you so much :)

Danny has the day off today and we are going to look for snow, if the current weather allows! We have a fabulous family watching the kids for us for the day and night :)

Silly Girl!

enJOY!

I haven't been posting pictures because I haven't been motivated to take pictures because my camera is dying. So, with that here are a couple that I did take of my little joys!

Marseille showing her baby how to work Santa's sleigh.

Playing with rice.

Playing with beans.

Silly Bentley loves his hats!

Getting ready to read Jesus Storybook Bible

Tickle time!

Whew! We made it to December :)

Can you believe that it is already December 1st?! I'm so excited at the thought of Christmas and the beginning of a new year! Today I made an Advent Calendar for Danny. Each day he has a scroll to unravel. Some of the scrolls are words of encouragement and areas that I have seen him grow this year, others are memories and the rest are memories to be made :)

I wanted to look over our calendar from this year to make sure that I had memories that actually happened this year! I was astonished when I read all the things that we have done this year. It will be another post, because I want to look back and remember all that God's grace allowed us to accomplish: medically, financially, and physically. Here is a peek at Danny's Advent Calendar, it hangs above his clothes in our closet. It's just one long red ribbon with scrolls tied to it. I hope he likes it :)

This year we have also begun a scripture Advent for the kids and to do an Advent wreath. It has made the season more meaningful and it has just begun!

Hummm... I'm out of titles

Time for catch up! Pardon the very long post!!

Many of you know that I went to FL a week and a half ago to help out with my sweet sister in law's wedding... so we'll start there!

November 4th - Steve and Meghann arrive with the girls for our trek down to FL. Danny and Steve hung out here until the following Thursday, while Meghann and I took all 5 of our kids to FL.

November 5th - My mom picked up Bentley and Marseille for a fun filled week of Disney, the beach and the space shuttle. Meghann and I set up for the party and had SO much fun hanging out and shopping! That evening was Amy's special shower and bachelorette sleep over! That evening I became slap happy and did not stop giggling the entire trip... and I mean that :)

November 6th - Went for a 4mile run with Amy and Meghann and actually kept up with them, a major feat for me :) We hung out and planned out a couple of days for the up coming week.

November 7th - Attended Metro Life Church. Benny Phillips, one of that pastors, gave me a book and told me that he would like me to start reading it, and the very next day, this book become a huge blessing. Isn't God so kind!

November 8th - On Friday, Danny told me the that the Bentley and Marseille's Dr.s left messages at the house to schedule some immediate appointments due to their bloodwork. So, I scrambled to call them and after some confusion, I was able to make the appointment for the Monday that we got back from FL. I was really struggling because the nurses wouldn't tell me what was wrong and I was trying to keep myself together because I didn't want to have to tell everyone that we were going to have to leave before the wedding and I really didn't want to distract from Kaleb and Amy's day, but most of all I was anxious to know what was wrong with my children! Thankfully, I submitted to Benny's insistence that I read this book and I did. I sobbed over the pages. I couldn't believe that God ordained Benny to give me a book about Jesus speaking into my sorrow and to know that he identifies with the loneliness that comes with it. It's a great book even though I read it through tears. Anyway, the results were Marseille have very low iron and Bentley has very low vitamin D.

The week of the wedding was a blurr... but I will try and keep it simpler:

November 9th and 10th - saw Kaleb and Amy's apartment, got everything ready- boxing up stuff, folding, gluing, showing people what to set up, etc.

November 11th- SPA day!! We had lovely hot stone leg messages and our nails done. The boys arrived and we had the last supper!

November 12th-Bridesmaid Luncheon, decorated church building, wedding rehearsal and rehearsal dinner

November 13th- Wedding Day!! Walked 4 miles in the morning, with Mom R, Amy and Meghann.

November 14th - HOME!!!

It was a busy week, I fought a UTI the whole trip, but I didn't end up having to go to the dr :)

November 15th- Marseille is considered anemic because her iron is so low and she has blood in her stools (not visible). Marseille's iron levels were perfect at her 12 month appointment and now are very low and the only thing that has changed was her drinking milk instead of nursing. So, the Ped. wanted to get the opinion of the GI to see if it could be a milk protein allergy.

November 16th- Marseille 15 month wellness check - has not gained any weight and is now on the supplemental drink that Bentley was on. Also the GI did agree with the Ped. that Marseille's anemia is connected to a milk protein allergy.

November 17th - Pick up supplemental drink samples from the GI and grocery shopping!

November 18th - Finally back to normal!

November 19th - Physical Therapy

November 20th-21st - Stuck around the house, changed over the children's clothes (blah! what an overwhelming job) and went to church meeting :)

November 22- Last physical therapy!! Date Night with Danny :)

I have to be honest I am growing very weary. Weary of appointments, thinking, praying, asking. It's hard to wait, and not see the fruit of being obedient. But God has been so faithful, he has put so many people along my path esp. during my trip, that have encouraged my soul. I received a letter in the mail from a dear friend in FL and I was strengthened by her care and encouragement! Here is a song that has brought many tears and great encouragement to me this week:

Here are the words, if you don't have time to listen:

Verse 1
Out of the depths, O Lord, I cry to You
When I am tempted to despair
Though I might fail to trust Your promises
You never fail to hear my prayer
And if You judged my sin
Id never stand again
But I see mercy in Your hands

Chorus
So more than watchmen for the morning
I will wait for You, my God
When my fears come with no warning
In Your Word Ill put my trust
And when the harvest time is over
And I still see no fruit
I will wait
I will wait
For You

Verse 2
The secret mysteries belong to You
We only know what You reveal
And all my questions that are unresolved
Dont change the wisdom of Your will
In every trial and loss
My hope is in the cross
Where Your compassions never fail

Bob Kauflin © 2008
Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

So, how did it go???

It was a very beautiful, crisp, cool almost cold morning for a run! I had a great time participating in our first half marathon :) Let me just mention that I was very nervous/ excited about this race. It was the same feeling I used to get when I competed in gymnastic meets.

Considering that I just started really running again at the beginning of the month, I didn't have very high expectations for myself. I knew I wanted to push it, but most of all, I wanted to cross the finish line! Right before the race started Erin and I decided that we would run 1 mile then walk 1 mile, I thought that's a good plan... I hope I can do that.

The race started off at a great pace for me. I made it to 3 miles without any hesitation, so we just continue on. Plus, I ran the 3 miles, 2 minutes faster than I ever have! Woo whoo, already breaking personal records!! By mile 5, I was beginning to get tired, but Erin and Susanna encouraged me to continue to mile 6. When we got to mile 6, I walked for approx. 30 seconds and realized it was much easier to just keep running. So I did until mile 8!!! I ran 8 miles!! I couldn't believe it! Mile 9 was very tough because it was hilly, Erin and I were very glad to be walking! We decide to:

walk mile 9

run mile 10

walk mile 11

run mile 12

walk mile 13

run into the stadium to the finish line!

And that is exactly what we did! Erin and Susanna pushed the kids for most of the time, so way to go ladies!! When we stopped my hamstring knotted up and I could hardly walk! Thankfully a little stretching took care of that!

I finished my very first half marathon in 2 hours 42 mins and 40 secs!!! 1 whole hour faster than I was expecting!!! We are already planning on doing it again next year, and even Danny is wanting to do it! :)

Later that afternoon, I was very nervous to take off my shoes. I could feel that I had some major blisters. I did, I'm really hoping that they go away before Amy's wedding! I have one more toenail that has lifted and might fall off! My leg muscles are really tight and it's hard to bend down, and my ankles are a little sore, other than that I'm doing pretty good!

Thank you everyone for your prayers and support! Thank you also if you made a donation to the PKD foundation!

I can't believe that I did it!! AHH!!

AH! 3 More Days!!

My race is coming up so quickly!!! I can't believe how fast time has gone. My birthday was just here! Within a month of training, I went from running just a mile to running a 5K and I have walked 10 miles at once! I'm feeling ready for the race, even though I am getting nervous :)

My feet have not had much fun with training! I'm down to 8 toenails, two large nasty blisters-- where my toenails fell off, and 18 miscellaneous blisters around my toes, arches and heels!! I'm sad that I will not have pretty feet and toenails for Amy's wedding in two weeks!!

Oh well, Saturday is supposed to be beautiful and chilly. I'm praying that we are all safe, that no one gets hurt, that the kids do well, and that we finish. That's a lot to ask!

Exciting news :)

Bentley and Marseille's check up went well yesterday. Bentley's blood pressure was just above normal and Marseille's was normal! Thanking God for medicine and the grace to remember to give it to them twice a day :) The doctor was pleased and doesn't want to see them again until January. Can you BELIEVE it!!! No appointments until the new year!! I'm am SO excited.

My shoulder is getting better and stronger. Though I have developed a twitch that brings my head and shoulder together at the same time. Now, all I need is for my eye to twitch and I'll thoroughly look crazy :) The physical therapist said that the tension causing the twitching should go away once my shoulder is back to normal. I hope so!

As far as our sicknesses go, we are all pretty much better! We'll all be entering back into society this week :)

THANK YOU!!!

WE DID IT!!!!

I just wanted to let everyone know that I made my $500 goal. Thank you to everyone who donated to the PKD Foundation on our behalf, whether through Erin or through me! I really, really, really appreciate it!!

PKD Foundation

The PKD Foundation just sent us a letter in the mail and it had a picture of a polycystic kidney on it. If you don't know what that looks like... well, here you go! The one on the left is the diseased kidney and the right is a healthy kidney.

It's definitely not very pretty! It's a wonder that a kidney could even function looking like that! They can weigh up to 40 lbs! I cannot believe that this is what Bentley and Marseille's kidneys already look like. Bleck!

On a lighter note, I'm only $65 from my $500 goal! If you haven't donated to the PKD Foundation and would like to, please do!! Visit my page here. Thank you to all the families that have donated!

He's none stop!

Last night Bentley did a great job eating his food, so Danny decided to give him a treat. I had made some Blondies the night before and they were the treat of choice. As soon as, Bentley saw them he was so excited that he was getting a cookie.

I asked him, as he was carefully devouring his cookie, "Bentley is that a good treat?"

Bentley: "This is a cookie, not a treat."

Me: "Well, then what's a treat?"

Bentley: "You go pee-pee in the potty and get a treat!"

Me: "Yes, you're right Bentley!"

We were laughing so hard! This past week, among many other things, I had tried to start potty training Bentley. After 5 days of not understanding, we stopped. Having physical therapy two mornings a week doesn't really aid the process! So, we decided after the holidays would be best! If anything, it has helped him realized when he's gone potty, now if we could help him learn the sensation of having to go potty!

Making Pasta!

One of my very best friends and kindred spirit taught me how to make pasta last week. We had the date on the calendar for over a month! We had so much fun and my family enjoyed the finished product! I made pesto with basil from Ann's garden, sadly my garden is dead! It turned out wonderful! Thank you so much Ann, for teaching me so many wonderful things, inside and out of the kitchen :)

The pasta before cooking:

The pasta with the pesto:

The kiddos loving the pasta...

AH, it almost been a month!!

Whew! I can't believe it's already October!! Well, in a couple of days anyway!! Yay, the beginning of that wonderful month is marked by my birthday!! I love birthdays!

Well, here is the down and dirty!

-Had a successful trip to FL to help Amy with her wedding!

- Danny's parents trip was shortened to to well problems :(

-We had a great vacation in Charleston -- it went by too fast

-Marseille is walking- a whole 2 months earlier than when Bentley started walking!!

-My physical therapy is going great. It's hard and I am sore!! I might be completely done by late October!

-I started receiving donations for the PKD Foundation! Please donate here!!

-I've been making different photo shoot props for Naisang Photography :)

-I helped Amy with her wedding invites :)

-My bridesmaid dress was ordered, and came it, but it doesn't fit :( After a long chain of emails with the company and a final decision from the bride, they are going back to China!

- Started to potty train Bentley... didn't go so well!

- I cooked a 5 course French meal complete with Escargot and Boeuf Bourguignon and it was delicious!!

- I received BOTH volumes of Mastering the Art of French Cooking for my birthday!! Which I was completely shocked by and am so excited to start cooking from!!!

-Danny gave me a French rolling pin and a little ice cream scoop for cookies and such!! I'm really excited that I will have the correct rolling pin to make croissants!!

-Tomorrow is Bentley and Marseille's Dr. appointment, hopefully their blood pressure medication is kicking in!

And so that has been our life for the past month! Sprinkled with sickness here and there. Poor Bentley every time he gets a little cold, he has to do breathing treatments :( Right now he is still in the middle of one!

Friday Results

Well, the results are in! YAY! I don't need surgery. My doctor's appointment was a 8:15AM on Friday and the Dr. pulled up the CT scan and said it showed now sign of a mass. So, he poked around at my shoulder again, and told me the physical therapy would be my option! Yes! Exactly what I was hoping for in the first place.

I walked down the hallway to register to meet with the therapist and told them that I was going to be out of town for the next two weeks. She asked if she could see me today. I said sure, but my son has an appointment at 1pm. They saw me at 11:30am.

My appointment with the therapist was long! Especially because I had to bring Bentley. After lots of moving this way and that way, arms up and down, the therapist concluded that what I am feeling in my shoulder is the top of my scapula. My bone has shifted due to lack of muscle my left side. He said that nursing has probably been the biggest culprit, because you are hunched over all the time and lets face it your chest is heavier. So, all that to say, I get massage therapy and physical therapy for the next 3 months!

Bentley's echo went well. He was scared at first but calmed right down. We don't have any results for that!

CT Scan

My scan went really fast and really well! I was so grateful that they didn't have to do an IV for contrast! That is answer to prayer! The images were good enough to be sent to the doctor. So, on Friday I will find out the results of the scan. Now is the fun part... waiting :)

And I just checked my dear friend Jess's blog and she had this posted for today! It is perfect for my situation :) Thanks Jess :)

“In those moments when you are caught, you can rest. Don’t give way to panic. Don’t give into doubt because this is not what you would have planned…You are waiting because there is a plan. You are waiting because your life is under the control of One who is wise and good. You can rest, not because you know what is happening, but because you know the One who is in control of what is happening right now. ” Paul Tripp

Play Mu-sick

Bentley loves to play Danny's keyboard!

She laughs at the time to come...

Well, if you had seen me the past few days you'd think I was a chicken with my head cut off. I feel like this week started and ran away from me!

Monday was a relatively normal day, with planning for the week!

Tuesday: afternoon appointment at the Peds office. CLEAR! Good news.

Wednesday: Sewing lessons, afternoon Nephrology appointment, running around to different pharmacies to fill Rx.

Thursday: Went to one pharmacy-- given wrong info, went to the other side of town. They can fill it but it won't be ready until 3:00PM--- it's 10AM! OKAY, do a couple of errands, and sewing lessons. Then my Dr. appointment for my shoulder. Get home, eat dinner and go to a quick photo shoot!

Friday: Marseille's photo shoot. Minute clinic for a UTI, then grocery shopping. Whew!

It has been a busy week, but God has been encouraging us so much through our care group! We love them so much and are so grateful for them!

Well, here is the deal with my shoulder. Just before I was pregnant with Bentley, I got a spasm in my shoulder. It wasn't too bad, but it was a constant tick. Then it sort of went away in between pregnancies and then came back worse with Marseille. Since then it gets bad only when I work it too hard. About a month ago, I was massaging my neck and shoulders and notice a REALLY hard large knot in my left shoulder. I had Danny feel it and he wanted me to get it check out. By the time I finally had a chance to get it check out, Bentley and Marseille got sick (the wheezing and ear infections!) and I put it on hold until they got better.

So, I finally got to the Dr. yesterday. I told him about the knot and he thought I should get a CT scan, so that way he could better tell what exactly it is and where to direct me. At first he wanted to refer me to a general surgeon, but he brought in another Dr. and he looked at it and say it definitely is something that needs to be looked into and taken care of. His exact words, "Whoa, that is really hard bro!"

The mass is hard and about the size of a golf ball. It's tender to the touch and even more so now because people have been poking around at it. Otherwise, the actual mass doesn't hurt, but my neck, collar bone and back are very sore. When I lift my arm it feels like my circulation is being cut off in my arm to my hand. It's not really pleasant trying to care for two small children with my arm being out of commission.

I'm really hoping and praying that the CT scan will show what it is. I was really hoping that it was just that my muscle was in a knot and I was going to need physical therapy, but it's looking like surgery is going to be my option.

When I left the appointment and sat down in the car, my eyes welling with tears, I thought, "Really God, I feel like you are crushing me. I'm not sure why all these things are happening at once. I know that you are good, but I'm struggling right now." I really wasn't struggling with the fact that there is something wrong or that I have to have surgery. I was struggling with the inconvenience of it all. How am I going to take care of my family, how am I going to run the half marathon that I paid for, how am I going to remember to give Bentley and Marseille their medicine everyday twice a day, how am I going to be in a wedding, how, how, how? I stopped thinking, put on "Come Weary Saints" and cried.

He offers the peace that you yearn to know

Hide away in the love of Jesus.

My life is not peaceful right now, but I have peace with God and that is more important than any trial in my life.

After I regained composure, I called Danny to let him know the results, which were not much! He immediately encouraged me and asked if I was okay with everything. I was so grateful and I was okay, esp. since he asked.

My CT scan is scheduled for Tuesday 8/24, if you think about it please pray that they find exactly what it is and they know what to do about it and even that God would heal me!

Well, all I can do is laugh (and cry) at our current situation! I have today and am not guaranteed tomorrow. Another thing that I'm really grateful about is that we already have our vacation set up. We might not have taken it with all that has been going on!

This is my verse: Psalm 119:67

Before I was afflicted I went astray,
but now I keep your word.

The more God uses suffering and affliction, the more I speak truth to myself, and I couldn't be more grateful!

Every Day

By Joel Sczebel and Todd Twining
As recorded on Come Weary Saints

In Your grace, You know where I walk
You know when I fall
You know all my ways
In Your love, I know You allow
What I cannot grasp
To bring You praise

Thank You for the trials

For the fire, for the pain

Thank You for the strength

Knowing You have ordained

Every day

Your great power is shown when I’m weak
You help me to see
Your love in this place
Perfect peace is filling my mind
And drawing my heart
To praise You again

In my uncertainty, Your Word is all I need
To know You’re with me every day (repeat)

© 2008 Sovereign Grace Worship (ASCAP)/Sovereign Grace Praise (BMI)

Trip to the Post Office

Today, we had to run to the post office to mail an order of dresses and a package to Amy. After getting everything in their boxes and during our wait for the postal worker, Bentley was VERY busy... getting into all the greeting cards and sale items. While waiting there were people coming in and out dropping letters into the mail drop box.

Bentley noticed them and asked, "What's that?"

Me: A mail drop box. People put their mail in it.

Bentley twirling as he spoke, "Humm. That's funny!"

What a silly boy! It was pretty funny in person because you could see that he thought he was being pretty clever :)

Sewing Lessons

I'm so excited for this project. I've been giving sewing lessons to my sweet little friend Abbi. After a month of lessons she finished a quilt! This is her first project and I'm so proud that she pushed through and made this quilt. Great job, Abbi :) Abbi kept this project a surprise from her mom, and at the last minute we decided to put a family picture right in the middle of it. This quilt is made from all the children's receiving blankets. What sweet memories this quilt will have :)

It' August!!

I cannot believe how quickly time is flying. We have some exciting stuff in life going on!

Two weekend's ago we run up to Steve and Meghann's to help out for the weekend. I had a great time hanging out with my sister in law, and the guys got a lot done. So, it was a successful weekend.

Last weekend, in the midst of everyones sickness, we switched Bentley and Marseille to the bigger room, so now they have lots of room for their "room time".

Bentley is in his "big boy" bed and is getting ready to potty train. D-day is next Monday! He REALLY enjoys his underwear. It actually kind of weird. Hopefully, it's a good motivator!

Marseille if finally eating solid foods and taking a sippy cup. She is getting better at drinking, but is still not drinking enough to ween. I'm so excited for her because she is taking more and more steps. It's looking like in the next month we'll have another walker!! She is also in the crib now, instead of a pack an play.

So, the kids are moving on up! It's sad and exciting to see their changes and new stages!

We have booked our first FAMILY vacation in Charleston. We are SO excited about this. They were running some great deals and we were able to find a king suite with a separate bedroom in our price range! God is so good. Danny and I are really glad that we won't have to go to bed at 7:30pm too!

Recently, we have also been featured on two blogs. Danny and I on the Romantic Vineyard and my aprons on La Buona Cucina. Regular date nights have been reinstated and my business is started!

Looking back this year started quickly and is ending even quicker! I can't believe that I'm already beginning to plan for Christmas!

Here is a little video of lunch time a couple of weeks ago:

One YEAR Old!

I can't believe our little Marseille is a year old! She has changed so much. I love her so much. She is very squeezy :)

She is all over the place and loves to play with her brother. It's so much fun to watch her follow him around. For the most part they are very sweet with each other.

Just this past weekend, Marseille started to drink out of a sippy cup. We are so proud of her! It was very kind of God because she has to drink one Pediasure a day and she wouldn't be able to do that if she wasn't drinking out of a sippy cup! She drank her first 4oz of Pediasure at lunch. Which is more than I thought she would. The girl loves any sort of crackers or bread. She is starting to like some fruit and oatmeal. It's slow going with her.

She has quite a temper and flair for the dramatic. When ever she is upset, she flops over face first into the carpet or bed and wails for a second then picks her head up to see if your looking. She has been a smarty from day one! We are going to have our hands full with her :)

I love to see her cruising around the house. The day before yesterday she took a couple of steps towards me. She is learning how to take steps in between the couch and the coffee table. She's getting pretty good! She loves to run, yes I mean run, with her little push stroller. She has so much fun with it. I think she realizes that she can keep up with Bentley.

As for words, she isn't saying much besides dada, and oh -- for uh oh, and aye yai yai -- she picked that up from Bentley! She loves to clap and wave and smile. She is smiling a lot more now and "enjoys" being tickled. Her laugh is just like Bentley's. He is teaching her well! Most of all she loves to be LOUD and DANCE!! :)

Overall, this year has gone by so fast. I'm actually enjoying her being so small!