Miracle of Life

"There are only two ways to live your life. One is as though nothing is a miracle. The other is as though everything is a miracle."

Today I was not feeling too well.

Little Sarah was "kind" enough to share her cold with her momma.

I really wanted to nap, but life goes on.

Finally this evening I had a chance to relax on our couch.

Tom had to leave - he was working at our town's Fall Fest.

And our children were all asleep.

I sat on our couch, put on a movie, and picked up little Cameron.

He was all snuggles.

His little head rested on my cheek.

His toes were curled up against my tummy.

His little hands grabbed onto my shoulder and my hair.

It was so peaceful.

I held Cameron a little tighter and closed my eyes and smiled.

I was so thankful for this moment.

Then I felt it.

His little heart was beating right against mine.

It was amazing.

I could feel his heart beating.

When he was only 5 weeks old inside me,

I saw his little heart beating during an ultrasound.

Incredible isn't it?

Our heart starts beating so early - and keeps going throughout our life.

I loved seeing his heart beating when he was so newly created,

 and I loved feeling that same heart beating now.

Life.

How can some people even question it?

Cameron aka CJ
3 months old

Two Teenagers

"When brothers agree, no fortress is so strong as their common life."

Today is our second child's birthday. He is now a teenager!

Ethan aka Eepy aka E.

We like to call him Creepy Eepy - and we know why.

Ethan is an awesome son, brother, and friend.

He is very responsible, very loving, and a lot of fun to be with.

He has been saving up his babysitting/lawn mowing/b-day money to get an Itouch. We surprised him with one this morning.

He is now a very very happy boy.

A little more expensive than our usual gifts, but 13 is a special year.

Plus, I don't have to pay to feed and entertain a group of people at a party. We just had a nice dinner as a family - at home - food I already had. Then Tom brought home ice cream and toppings to make special desserts.

It was a good night.

A good day.

I think one of my highlights was getting Ethan up this morning for school.

Brandon got up first, as usual, and was ready to go to catch the school bus.

He saw Ethan's gift on our desk being charged. He asked me if Ethan

knew about it yet. I said no and that I had to go wake him up.

Brandon ran into their bedroom and laid on Ethan's bed, gave him a hug and wished him a happy birthday.

There was a time when it was just the 2 of them - and at that moment, this mommy had a little flashback of it. In our old house there were two little toddler beds in one of our bedrooms. I used to tease that we should put a "B" and an "E" on their beds just like Bert and Ernie on Sesame Street had.

(But it would be for Brandon and Ethan.)

Brothers are special.

And now they are both teenagers. Whoa.

Time is speeding right along.

While Ethan was enjoying his morning of cottage cheese with a candle in it (he has a hard time eating anything for breakfast)

and staring at his new Itouch and Playstation game - he gave us money to go out and buy it for him - he said to me, "Thanks Mom. I love you."

I said, "You're welcome Ethan. I love you."

Then Jacob looked at Ethan and said, "I love you."

First time ever saying it where you could actually understand him.

What a special birthday gift from one brother to another.

Brothers are truly special.

10 Years

“Time is passing. Yet, for the United States of America, there will be no forgetting September the 11th. We will remember every rescuer who died in honor. We will remember every family that lives in grief. We will remember the fire and ash, the last phone calls, the funerals of the children. “

                      - President George W. Bush, November 11, 2001

God Bless America.

God Bless those who Help and Protect Us.

May there be Peace.

Difficult Week

"The soul would have no rainbow if the eyes had no tears."

It has been a very difficult first full week of school.

I've allowed myself different times to just cry and let all the frustration out.

Rachel's school called and told me they did a head check and they found lice. I had to come get her. I asked them to go ahead and get Noah ready to go too. They said they had checked him and didn't find anything, but I just wanted to get everyone home so I could do a full check. I called Leah's school and asked them to send her to the nurse to be checked and that I'd be right there to get her. She ended up having it too. All 3 of our girls did - and 1 boy. In fact, most of the homes on our street had it.

These little critters are a nightmare! I have been cleaning everything, bagging up their rooms, and combing out hair every day.

I took Rachel back after keeping her home an extra day. Her little face broke my heart as we were standing in the nurse's office. There were other children in the room on the "beds" and they were talking about lice. They actually surprised me in a good way. One girl said she had had it last year and the other girl sympathized with her saying it must have been annoying. Many people put such a stigma on having this problem. As soon as I found out we had it I was texting, emailing, and calling everyone I thought needed to know. (And that's really all who need to know!)

The nurse told me I could take Rachel into her restroom for privacy sake. She already had 2 other moms in her side room. But when I walked by I saw that the 2 mothers in there were my friends, so I said a "cheery" hello and the nurse said that we could go in there if we already knew each other. The nurses at the schools are very impressed with us moms this year.

We are supporting each other through this. No blame. No shame.

Rachel passed that day and was able to go back to class. So did my son. But Leah and Sarah did not. The next day Leah passed, but Sarah did not. Now we have a 3 day weekend and I am praying by Tuesday everyone is able to go back to school.

On another note, this week had some other negative news. A guy I went to school with chose to end his life. He was my age. I know life can be difficult, but I can't imagine thinking that is the answer. This is the 2nd person in the last few months from my graduating class who made this choice.

All of this has made this week a bit exhausting. I have been a bit sensitive.

I am ready for a fresh new week.