Tutu Jammies

You just don't understand how much fun I'm having with a little girl in my house after seven years of BOYS, BOYS, BOYS! Don't get me wrong, sticks, rocks, mud, bugs, and frogs are tons of fun, and boys are VERY easy to please, but come on, can you put a little boy in tutu jammies!?



~audrey

The twin bond.

I know you won't believe it, but I'm getting better and more sleep now that I'm not pregnant. How can this be? Well, I have the twin bond to thank! Drew and Ben love being snuggled together. I first discovered this in the hospital when they were screaming at the same time and I was alone in my hospital room. "What do I do???" I thought. I picked up both babies and held them close together. Immediately their crying stopped and Ben laid his head against Drew. It was one of the sweetest moments I have ever experienced. The baby nurse happened to come in at that time and was able to see it. I'm so glad someone else was able to witness it! The next time I noticed it was the evening I got home and Drew was really fussy. I put Ben in the swing beside him and this is what resulted.


It didn't take me long to figure out what to do at bed time. I tried this the first night and they only woke up once.

What great sleep I got. The next few nights I laid them in the crib together...not in the car seat. Those were sleepless nights that resulted in being woken up every hour. Both babies were quite restless and fussy. A couple of days ago in the afternoon they were fussy again so my mom and I swaddled them, put them in the car seat together and took them outside to get some fresh air. They slept peacefully for several hours and I was able to enjoy a peaceful evening and the company of the older 3. So that night I went back to the car seat and once again enjoyed and great nights sleep. They woke up once to eat. Last night was the same. I feel like a new woman! Thank you, God, for the twin bond! It sure makes things easier!

Ashley

Hello, Goodbye!

Goodbye heartburn!
Goodbye nausea!
Goodbye gagging! Your days of embarrassing me are over!
Goodbye itchy toes!
Goodbye restless legs! No more jerking like a flea bitten crazy person!
Goodbye bad sleep! I am once again enjoying this precious commodity even with 2 newborns!
Goodbye pain and discomfort!
Goodbye big belly! I can get into my shower, off the couch, around the house and bend over much easier without you.
Goodbye addiction to ice! My teeth thank you!
Goodbye maternity clothes! You have served me well over the past 7 years, but I'm done with you!
Goodbye swollen feet! I'm really looking forward to getting into the new shoes I found on sale at Kohls!
Goodbye fatigue and lack of energy!
Goodbye not feeling well!
Goodbye breathlessness!
Goodbye dirty house!
Goodbye long potty breaks. My bladder is grateful and so am I!
Goodbye stain remover! My belly no longer serves as a catch all for my food!
Goodbye pregnancy! You have given me precious gifts, but I'm so happy to have my body and my life, as I once knew it, back!

Ashley

Babies First Photo Shoot

With the help of Audrey (and 3 of her little elves) I took pictures of the twins yesterday. I can't believe they are already 1 week old. This week has been a blur, but I have so much to be thankful for. They are healthy and well loved. The kids, even Jonathan now, love them so much. I am one blessed woman!


Mr. Ben: Little body, loud voice!


Gentle Drew: Must have his little brother by his side to be happy.

Let Me Tell You About MY God

MY God sent me three hungry foster children with one hour's notice and hardly any groceries in the house, but I had JUST enough bread to make three sandwiches for their dinner.

I didn't have one spare moment to go to the grocery store the first two days the new children were here, but MY God knew that and sent an absolutely wonderful, plentiful dinner through the hands of one of my dearest friends.

MY God knew that I've always wanted all boys and ONE girl....so, how cool is it that He gave me exactly what I've always wanted, in our first foster placement...five boys and one girl, all under my roof!

Our foster children came to us with almost nothing. Within 48 hours, MY God provided more than four bags of clothes for the children and a few toys as well; all through the hands of His saints.

We desperately need a freezer for our garage to contain the extra groceries that we're now needing. I prayed that I had enough scrap gold to sell at a gold party so I could buy the freezer from Sam's. The freezer is $175....my gold sold for $210!

...but it doesn't stop there!

What I really wanted was an upright freezer. They're easier to organize, so you can see what you have, rather than the chest style freezers where you just pile everything on top of eachother. However, upright freezers START at $400, so I was going to be thankful for a 5 cuft. chest style freezer for $175. As I got out of the van at church this morning, our worship leader approached me and asked if we were still looking for a freezer. I told him yes, but that MY God had just provided the money to buy one. He said, "Save your money, someone at church was going to sell theirs, but they heard you guys were looking for one and they want to give it to YOU...It's a big upright model."

OH MY GOODNESS!? SERIOUSLY!?

Last week, I found out that because of a change that our agency made in their pay periods, I would not be getting a full 'paycheck' (which includes the children's "boarding" allowance that helps with groceries, clothing, etc..) until December 30! You mean, I have to pay for DOUBLE the groceries, DOUBLE the water usage, and DOUBLE the Christmas gifts on our current income?!? Ok Lord, I hope you've got this!

SOOooo, I got a phone call on Monday afternoon from a lady I go to church with, but hardly know. She works at University Hospital and called to inform me that some ladies she works with would like to 'adopt' our foster children for Christmas! They will take care of all their Christmas needs! MY God is THAT BIG!

I stressed about the DFCS worker, from the state, coming to 'inspect' the house today. But, to be honest, I really didn't even have time to get the house picked up and get baby girl's room looking decent. When the man showed up, he was wearing leather biker gear, with a big smile on his face. He walked in, laughed with us for a few minutes, asked a few short and easy questions, thanked me for my time and left! MY God gave me favor with that man and as a result, our agency had perfect inspections all day!!

I sure am glad that I serve a God who cares for our EVERY need, down to the tiniest detail.

MY God cares enough about me and my family that He hand-picked our foster children to fit perfectly into our home.

I've never been in such a place as this. I wake up each morning, relying on TODAY'S manna from heaven. I am surviving on His new mercies for each day. And each and every day, I receive, from the outpouring of His love for me, his child. I am a daughter of the Most High King. My Daddy owns the cattle on a thousand hills. My Daddy's resources aren't affected by a failing economy and He continually provides above and beyond our basic needs.

I Love you Father God!

~audrey

Thursday Quickie

This is going to be short and sweet because I've got a full day ahead of me...

...you know, I've been praying for a freezer for our garage. I gave a friend some of my 'scrap gold' to sell for me at her gold party. The freezer I want at Sam's costs $178.

My gold sold for $210! Thank you Lord!!!

Please pray that today goes well and that I find favor with the "guy from State". Our agency is being audited, so someone from the state will be going to all of the foster homes in the area to make sure we all meet their standards and comply with all of their millions of rules and regulations. We've only had our children for a week, so our house isn't quite at 100% for three children since that was not what we were expecting. Please pray for mercy! :)

I'll let you know how it goes!

This quote was in an email from my aunt yesterday,

"Just was I was getting used to yesterday, along came today!"

That made me smile.

~audrey

What A Wonderful Day

This should have been posted a week ago, but it's been one busy week and I feel like the smoke has cleared a little. So...here's the birth story of Drew and Benjamin.

Stephen and I arrived at the hospital at 6am last Wednesday. By 7 I was already in a room and getting hooked up to monitors and an IV. Shortly after, I got an epidural. My OB came then came in to check me and break my water. At that time I was 3 cm dilated and 70% effaced. Stephen and I sat back to wait out what we thought would be a long labor, since my others were 10, 12 and 13 hours. I called my mom and we decided she would get there just before noon. Audrey arrived and the 3 of us enjoyed quiet and light conversation. It was very relaxed and laid back. I had a great nurse. She was super patient and helped me get comfortable every time I thought I was getting sick. We had a hard time keeping the babies heart rates on the monitor. We figured out that they kept moving lower and lower. She finally checked me at 10:30am and she discovered that I was fully dilated and effaced. She told me to give a little push and then said "Ok. Let's not push." She called my OB, I called my mom. My OB made it in time. My mom did not, but got there just after I delivered. I pushed twice and Drew was born. Ten minutes later Ben entered the world. It was the easiest labor and delivery I have ever had! The power of prayer and God's presence was evident. Drew and Ben were healthy with no problems. Drew weighed 6.11 and 19 in. long. Ben was 4.15 and 18 and 1/2 in. long. The hospital stay was nice and relaxing. Stephen wasn't able to stay with me a lot because he had to stay with the kids. I enjoyed the quiet and even got to read a romance novel all the way through. I enjoyed getting to adjust to the twins alone. I felt prepared to handle them when I got home.

Once at home, I was greeted with a Welcome Home sign, flowers and lots of kisses and hugs from my kids. Sam and Susan were excited about their brothers and delighted to be able to hold them. Jonathan was in no way interested, although he's now coming around.

How am I? In the beginning, my body ached a lot and it was hard to walk. My feet are still swollen from the fluids. My back and abdomen ache sometimes, but all that is a breeze compared being pregnant with two babies. I can now do a lot more. It's amazing what you want to do when you feel good. I haven't felt well in 9 months!

Thanks to you all for your prayers. God is so amazing and did great things. He's reminding me to not stop asking. Life is good, though very different! I need him constantly and take comfort in the fact that his grace is enough for me!

Ashley