Tender mercies

The girls running from "Train Jaylee"  Can you see the big sister blurs???

Jaylee actually paused to smile. :)

As many may know, things for us have been, well... eventful!  I've been praying for boring times and that hasn't seem to come yet.  Yesterday was the 4th day Jaylee has had syptoms of some sort of cold - including green boogers out of both the eyes and nose... a cough, fever (which of coarse seeing her recent history has caused many sleepless nights) and not eating much... Decided to take her to the doctor where she was diagnosed with her first ear infection - not only one but both ears were infected... Huh... could explain the goop coming out of her eyes and nose :)  Not 10 minutes after I walked in the door from getting Jaylee's prescription than Chlo came in the door covered in vomit...  She said a friend on the bus threw up on her.  I immediatly made her strip down and threw all the tarnished items into the washer with lots of bleach.  I sent her to the shower to scrub down... Throw up is one of my biggest fears with her and her diabetes. When she finished with the tub she came out in tears saying she had to tell the truth - it was actually her who threw up on the bus on her friend.  She was afraid to tell me because she thought I'd be mad.  I felt terrible!  I have no idea what would give her that impression. Poor thing too - she was SO imbarrased!  We pulled out the "barf bucket" and spent the night on pins and needles.  She threw up one more time right after going to bed so we used a "non-throw up supository" to help prevent any more throwing up.  Seemed to work great!  She slept the rest of the night and even slept in.  Today hasn't been too bad either - the girls watched movies and relaxed most of the day.  Now, on to Carlee.  She has had a cough that's been building for the last few days and last night it reached an all time high... Needless to say, every time I heard Carlee cough I was sure it was Chlo throwing up.  I'd run into the room to see if I had a mess.  Fortunatly no messes, just no sleep :)  Tonight we were supposed to go to dinner with Dave's family to celebrate Dave, Dave's brother and Sister in law's birthdays... We'll be having cold cereal while Dave gets steak at Tepinyaki...  Dang!
While I was eating my toast and drinking my chocolate milk I watched as the girls played train around the couch.  This is where they chase each other around the couches saying "choo choo".  It was so cute to watch all three of them playing together laughing so hard they almost couldn't run.  It melted my heart to watch them together.  I had to pause and think of how lucky I am to be their mom.  Even amidst trials and tribulations we're sent little reminders that the Lord does remember us and blesses us, even if they're little things - every day!  I am so happy to have 3 such adorable girls who bless my life in ways I could never imagine.   I am thankful that I am allowed to have "choo choo" moments in my life that remind me why I am a mom and why I do what I do.  Love you girls!  xoxo

Reception 2

Reception 2 was held at my parent's house on Saturday.  Yes, Dave's birthday!  It was so fun to go and support them.  We got to see so many people we haven't seen for a long time.  What a fun night!

The house looked amazing and it was packed! (See Chloé in the middle all blurry??  That's because she was clearing off tables as people would finish.  She did a FANTASTIC job!)

It was so fun having the candy table to munch at througout the night.

It's so fun that me and Dave's parents are good friends.  It was fun to have the Nelson's there too!

I loved this picture of Justin's face!  So true to form :) Did I mention how much I adore Amber's parents too???

Of coarse the food had to be sampled.  Don't have any idea what Dave was doing...

Even Jaylee got into the action!  The best part about this picture is the fact that it's the boys grandma and the girls uncle doing this with the kids :)  Thanks for the lovin' Keaton! :)

I had a hard time getting Heather to let me take her picture.  I got this one and thought it was really cute!

Here is Chlo going at the tables again.  The caterers couldn't believe how helpful she was!  Go Chlo!  She has decided she want to be a waitress when she grows up.

It has been so much fun having Julie and Bailey here for the week.  They've only been gone for 2 days and I already miss them!

Okay, so this is the CUTEST thing ever!  Our fantastic friend "Sister Duffy" decided that it was important for the girls to have something to keep them from getting bored during the open house.  She brought them each a bear... These bears were purple which represent Amber's favorite color... what are the bears filled with??? BEANS!!! :)  The girls carried the bears around with them the rest of the night - Chlo is even bringing hers to show and tell this week! Love you Sheri! xoxo

Justin didn't want to smile big because he had TONS of chocolate in his teeth :)  Thanks for letting me get the picture anyway Bean :)

I love this picture!  Can I just tell you how lucky I feel to be related to such spectacular ladies (we're obviously missing Amber...)  Aren't they all so amazingly beautiful!  They are the nicest people you will ever meet!  What a blessing to me! Love you ladies!

This week I wanted to do something for Bailey since we don't get to see her very often.  I decided to make her and Jaylee matching pj pants.  They turned otu pretty cute!

Heaven forbid we get a picture of them both looking the same direction or even smiling... You can tell they're both done! :)

Dave and I don't get many pictures of ourselves together so I'm so happy Becca got this one for us.

It was an amazing night!  I'm almost sad it's all over.  There is nothing I love to do more than spend time with my family!  I am truly blessed to have such wonderful people in my life!

Love you all forever! xoxo

Happy Birthday Dave!!

Happy Birthday Dave!!  This year Dave's birthday happened to land on Justin and Amber's wedding - so we made sure that the night before he got one of his favorite meals (5 buck combo pizza) with his code red Mountain Dew and licorice...  He wanted to hold off until Saturday morning for presents though.

Jaylee was actually excited to help this time.  Dave looked pretty pumped for his new tennis shoes - which he picked out himself :)

Dave's cake was topped with lots of weapons and some fun candles - the GI Joe guys wouldn't fit on our little ice cream cake.  They looked great on the side though!  They're pretty great action figures - they make sounds and karate chop with their arms!

The girls LOVE birthdays - and as you can see by Jaylee's mouth, she's already sampled the frosting...

Dave tried to blow out his candles but Chlo had beat him to it... :)

We went to dinner at his parents house on Sunday to celebrate.  His mom was a doll and made is favorite cake - Angel food :)  Thanks Marsh!  They had the most amazing steak too!  YUM!!

I had to throw this picture in - Carlee, Jaylee and I made cookies and cream cupcakes on Thursday - they were WAY good! I think the girls really liked them too :)

Dave, I hope you had a great birthday!  Wishing you happiness today and always!

xoxo

Fun with the ladies

This week has been so great!  Because my sister has been in town we've found lots of reasons to visit grandma's house.  Monday we just hung out, ate and laughed.  Thanks for the awesome soup and bread mom!  Tuesday we went shopping and to the dinosaur museum.  It's so fun to get together as sisters and play!

The girls performed a talent show for us.  Chlo read a book and did cartwheels, Carlee did SEVERAL summersaults across the floor.

We watched Justin and Amber open a few wedding gifts too.  The girls LOVED that! :)

You can always have fun with a box!  Bailey and Jaylee loved the left over gift boxes.

Carlee was learning the letter I in school this last week.  Each school day she would come home with a little "Isabella inchworm" on her finger.

The little girls posing :)  I love how Jaylee is smiling at Amber.

Bailey really got into the water and sand part of the museum.  It was cute watching her shovel the sand out onto the floor :)

The museum has added little tiny nome's to make the adventure more interesting.  Julie had AMAZING eyes and found the first one.  She and Amber were showing the girls where he was.

Bailey has never been to the museum and she LOVED it.

This picture says it all... Bailey is off content in her own thing - Chlo and Carlee are trying to pose on the dinosaur with Jaylee who INSISTS it's hers and wants the sisters off!

This seemed to be the highlight of the visit.  The girls had a blast with both Amber and grandma uncovering the burried dinosaur.

Bailey just picked up the sand and either poured it on her head or threw it.  What a nut!  I think she had her own personal beach in her hair when we left :)

Chlo thinks she might want to do this when she grows up...

Amber and Carlee have really hit it off and they had a blast!  My girls are so lucky to be blessed with so many amazing aunts - Amber is just another gem to add to the mix!

Just loved the faces in this picture... I sure do love my beautiful girls! :)

We stopped for dinner after the museum.  It was fun to talk about our favorite parts and share a few bags of cheetoes :)

Wedding part 2

Don't know what I was looking at - but this is my whole family.  Cute huh?

My little family.  Yea, don't know what's up with all the goofy faces.  At least we all match :)

My parents are the greatest gift anyone could ask for!  They are truly an amazing blessing in my life :)

Aren't my brothers so handsome???

Let the goofiness begin! The cake was fantastic!

Don't know what's up with Carlee's eyes in this one...  She LOVES her uncle Brian though.

Jaylee and my dad have this really cool connection.  Maybe it's because she is his namesake... :)  All night she kept asking for papa and no one else could hold her :)

Justin and Amber's first dance.

Precious huh? Mom and dad were dancing with Jaylee.  She LOVED it.

Grandma and Grandpa each took a little one to spin around the room - while Chlo blew bubbles on them.

More Grandpa time for Jaylee.  I honestly wasn't kidding she was with him most of the night - even when there was a line... So cute!

Amber's mom took this picture!  This is Chlo right after she caught the bride's bouquet... Can you tell she's excited???

The reception was fantastic and I am beyond grateful that Becca was willing to take so many pictures of my little family.  Thanks Becca!  I'll owe you forever! :)  We were able to get there early and help set up - actually, Julie and I stayed in the basement while the babies took a nap...  The room was beautiful and it was so fun to sit and chat with lots of family and friends.  They had a selection of cheesecake and lemon water to eat - although mom was BRILLIANT and brought a cooler full of food for the kids.  We ate, laughed, danced and created lots of fun memories.  Amber's dad was actually part of a very spectacular barbar shop quartet.  We were able to hear them perform several songs for Justin and Amber - It was so awesome!!! One of the highlights was the "throwing of the bouquet".  There were a few singles including all the grandgirls.  CHLO CAUGHT IT!!!  Couldn't have been planned better.  Chlo has been smiling ear to ear since.  She even wore the bow from the flowers in her hair to school yesterday.  I think this wedding experience will be one of the highlights from her childhood.

What a fantastic day!  Thanks to all who helped make it all possible.