Long Post - Scroll down for Stellan's Story!!!

This weekend was busy busy busy!! Saturday morning, mom and dad got up EARLY, like 7:00 early, and were out of the house by 8:00. Yes, there was a crazy sale going on at Ashley Furniture, you know, their really cool garage sale. But, unfortunately, that's NOT why we were up!! We were actually helping some of our very best friends move into their new house!! It was really fun! We got to help them move from a 2 bedroom apartment into a HUGE 4 bedroom house that was her grandparents' house!! We helped them paint and texture the previous weekend, and we got to move everything in this weekend! It was so cool to see it all come together!!

Then, we went home and chilled for a little while, then got up and got ready again! This time it was to help celebrate Pops' birthday! Happy 23rd...right??? We love you!! We went to the mall to get him a new watch and here are a couple of pictures from the big trip!!

Here's Mali eating Prunes for the 1st Time (Yes he's in his carseat)

He looks happy right??

Hey this really isn't that bad

Mommy and Mali at the Mall

Pops and Mali Playin' Around

Mali Loves his Pops
Malachi Doesn't Look Impressed by Karter Does He?

Now We're Having Fun! Love Those Little Faces!!

And Then Came Monday...
I've been bragging for 5 1/2 months that Malachi hasn't gotten sick and how amazing that is...especially with the wind as bad as it is around here! Then, God hit me on the head (you know...like in those V8 commercials) and said...uh uh uh, don't count your chickens before they hatch...and Malachi was diagnosed with Croup on Monday. Okay, can I just say, CROUP SUCKS!!! I've been off work since Monday and finally made it back Thursday. Then, around 11:45, my mom called me and told me that Malachi had been throwing his little guts up. This, my friends, is what we call "A New Symptom." So, yesterday, it was back to the Dr. (for the 3rd time in 4 days...) It's still Croup, throwing up is a side effect of the virus that is in his system. Give him 10cc of Pedialyte every 10 minutes until he gives you a few good, wet diapers and then try him on formula again. Yeah - not so much. We tried Pedialyte every 10 minutes until 7:30 last night and he kept throwing it up. Finally, he slept for a little while and then woke up again at 8:15. We got 50cc in and it was back to sleep. (At least for Malachi) I didn't get much sleep, I was too worried about him getting dehydrated. Then, at 1:00am, Thomas and I both got up and fed him 3 oz of formula. He kept MOST of it down, and then he FINALLY went back to sleep around 3:45. (Or so Thomas tells me, he let me go back to sleep) Then, he woke up at 6:15 and ate 4 oz and has kept that down. Maybe we're on an uphill swing!! Last night, I broke down. I kept thinking, when does this whole "I'm a mom, I can handle anything" feeling kick in? I thought moms ALWAYS had it under control. I called the Dr. 3 times last night just to make sure he was okay. I know, I panicked, but it's scary having a sick kid for the first time. At least maybe we're improving!!

Monday-Wednesday were wonderful...that is, if you can overlook the crying infant telling you he doesn't feel good...not wanting to be held, but crying when you put him down. Okay - I can see you all scratching your heads asking, "how could they be wonderful?" Let me expound. They were wonderful because I've had 3 whole days of just me and Malachi. Yes, at the end of the day, I've needed to escape a little, but for the most part, it's been great spending all this time with my little boy. I actually cried yesterday morning before I left for work. I so hope God works out what I HOPE is his next plan for my life.

In the meantime, we had fun this week together.

Here's momma's little man -

It looks like we're watching a football game or something...haha!

**Alright - enough with the Sappy crap**


I have great news!! If you've visited my blog recently, you've noticed that I added a button to the right for prayer for "Baby Stellan." This is a blog about a wonderful family who, until yesterday, was facing unbearable news. At 24 or so weeks, Stellan's mother and father were told that he was likely to die due to some MAJOR abnormalities with his little heart. The doctors didn't give him a chance to live, they basically just told his parents that he would likely die, in utero, and they would never be able to meet him. After several more doctor's visits, the outlook didn't appear to be any different. However, his parents, God-fearing, God-loving, God-believing people knew that God is bigger than anything a sonogram, or any other man-made scientific discovery can say. And thus began one of the largest prayer chains I've ever been a part of. No, I have never met this couple - and I probably won't. But, I was part of the millions that began a prayer vigil for Stellan on Tuesday night/Wednesday morning. (Actually, we've been praying for MUCH longer than that) And, I'm proud to say that Stellan was born yesterday at 10:19am and with the NICU team on hand, and a team of doctors ready to jump in - Stellan was perfect!! They took him to a special care nursery just in case, but, if you go to http://www.mycharmingkids.net/, you'll see that he is a perfectly healthy little boy, who, just minutes ago, went to be in his mommy's room and will be heading home soon!!! I should say, I'm not proud of the prayers that I prayed...I'm proud of the God that answered those prayers and showed HIS power and HIS grace and HIS mercy to the world through little Stellan! Thank you God for renewing my faith continuously and showing what a MIGHTY and WONDERFUL God we serve through this wonderful story!

Okay - I'm crying here - I thought I was done being sappy - but, no, not quite yet....okay...deep breath in...deep breath out...I think I'm better....oh, oh...Yeah, I'm better now!!

I've been anticipating this birth for weeks now and yesterday was such an exciting day!!

Congratulations Little Stellan - the World has been anxiously waiting your arrival!!

5 months already?!?

Malachi turned 5 months old last week. 5 months? 5 whole months? Yep - it's true! And looking back at some old pictures, it's apparent to me that my baby really is growing up! He's laughing and talking, he's holding his head up, keeping himself entertained, chewing on everything he can find and he's even started getting upset when we leave the room.

**Disclaimer**
I'm feeling very nostalgic today! I can't be held responsible for endless (maybe even mindless) jabberjawing that may take place.
**Disclaimer**

It seems like everywhere I look lately, I see children. Little defenseless children who are depending upon their parent (s) for guidance, for warmth, for safety, for EVERYTHING. It makes me want to grab Malachi up in my arms and NEVER let go. It's true that having a child changes your life. Each day it seems like his little eyes get a little deeper and I can see a little more of the little boy he's becoming each day!

Part of me can't wait until the first time he reaches up for me when he sees me - or the first time he calls me mama - or the first time he calls Thomas dada - or the first time he comes running to me when there are a million people around that would love to hold him! Part of me realizes though, that my little boy is growing up before my eyes and that I better cherish EVERY moment I can with him because momma's little baby is growing into momma's little boy and before I know it, he'll be momma's little man and then he'll take a wife and she'll be the most important thing in his life!! (as it should be...not that it makes it any easier)


But for now, he still depends on me. That's scary in a lot of ways because I now realize the incredible responsibility God has given me! It's our job to keep him safe and teach him the way of Christ and love him above all else! For now, I get to look into those eyes like no one else can knowing that those eyes were formed inside of my womb and that the God of Heaven put him inside of me and chose ME as Malachi's mommy.


He especially picked this little angel to give to me and I couldn't feel more blessed that I share a bond only mommy and baby can!!

I'm sure many of you have read this poem before, but it was sent to me the Monday after I had my special angel and touched me in a way I would've never understood before! Grab your kleenex and enjoy!!

A newborn's conversation with God....



A baby asked God, 'They tell me you are sending me to earth tomorrow, but how am I going to live there being so small and helpless?' God said, 'Your angel will be waiting for you and will take care of you.' The child further inquired, 'But tell me, here in heaven I don't have to do anything but sing and smile to be happy.' God said, Your angel will sing for you and will also smile for you. And you will feel your angel's love and be very happy. Again the child asked, 'And how am I going to be able to understand when people talk to me if I don't know the language?' God said, 'Your angel will tell you the most beautiful and sweet words you will ever hear, and with much patience and care, your angel will teach you how to speak.' 'And what am I going to do when I want to talk to you?' God said, 'Your angel will place your hands together and will teach you how to pray. ''Who will protect me?' God said, 'Your angel will defend you even if it means risking its life. ''But I will always be sad because I will not see you anymore.' God said, 'Your angel will always talk to you about Me and will teach you the way to come back to Me, even though I will always be next to you.' At that moment there was much peace in Heaven, but voices from Earth could be heard and the child hurriedly asked, 'God, if I am to leave now, please tell me my angel's name. 'God said, 'You will simply call her, 'Mom.'

Where to start?

Well Thomas' job is going REALLY well!! He is having a blast working on a large scale again and his boss loves him! (Shock, I know...haha) I met Lowell (his boss) last week and all he could do was brag about Thomas and how fast he learns. For those of you who aren't around here and don't know the situation, here's how Thomas got his job. The man whose place Thomas took passed away graduation night. He'd been in his position for a long time. I think it's one of those positions that once you're there, if you're good, you stay! Well...Lowell informed Thomas that before this man passed away, Lowell was planning on retiring in February, but that date has been moved back to June or July of next year. Prior to Thomas being offered the job, I had been told by some friends of mine who work for the city (ahem...high ranking friends if you catch my drift) that whomever was to be hired for Thomas' job would actually be in an introductory position to take over the department. Basically, whoever got the job that Thomas got would be in line for Lowell's job when he retired. So, we're crossing our fingers that God will continue to bless Thomas for all his hard work and dedication!!

Last weekend was Canyon's homecoming, Fair on the Square and WTAMU's homecoming. As if you can't tell by several of our past posts, football is big in our family. So, it promised to be a very busy weekend. And, that it was!!!

Friday night we headed off to Canyon's game. It was fun - as they always are and we had a good time hanging out with everyone!!

Here's Malachi with Pops and then being loved on by his Lolli!

Then, Saturday morning was Fair on the Square and WTAMU's homecoming parade - hence - Malachi's first parade!! We got to the square around 10:00 am and it was already getting pretty warm, so Malachi got stripped down to his little onesie pretty quickly!

Then, we made our way over to my dad's truck which we had strategically parked in order to have a good viewing of the parade. Malachi was good for about the first 10 minutes. (Note the band in the background!!)

We hung out to see Lolli and Pop riding in the parade as they acknowledged Pops' award!!

Congratulations again dad! I think you and mom need a cool car like that so y'all and Malachi can ride around in style! Mom's hot, she deserves it right??? Honestly, though - I'm very proud of you!!

Then, the noise started. So, mommy and Mali headed inside Pop's truck so as to muffle the noise, but still take part in the festivities. See the firetruck? And, of course, they felt the need to blow the sirens the WHOLE WAY down the parade route! Okay - we get it - they're loud and they mean get out of the way.

Then, it started getting a little overcast so that afternoon we took a nap for about an hour while it rained outside. Malachi started crying in his crib, so we picked him up and put him in bed with us. He slept from 3:30 to 7:30 in our bed! He was very sleepy from the weekend's activities! Mommy and Mali got some much needed "mommy and me" time while daddy went and helped Pops pickup the tables provided for all the drunks at the tailgating festivities. (Don't even get me started on that) See - my dad really does deserve his job as no one sees the "dirty" side of his job. Apparently, they spent 3 hours looking for lost/stolen tables and chairs and pulling racks of chairs out of mudpits the size of Texas, all while being cheered on by some drunken idiots. He deserves a lot more than some stupid ride in a Mustang - haha - just kidding - but he really does deserve a lot of praise for his job!!

Okay - stepping back down off my soapbox - Right before daddy got home from helping Pops, Malachi decided to go absolutely BERZERK. He was SCREAMING for NO REASON AT ALL!! I was a little freaked. I thought something was wrong. So much so that I even called my mom. A few minutes later, it was over. Malachi slept all night...Hmmmm...could it be because he was EXHAUSTED from screaming? (Yes...this part of the story will continue...keep reading)

Then, Sunday morning, we went to Lolli and Pops' house for breakfast. Malachi got his first taste of Lolli's fireplace roaring!

He was absolutely mesmerized by that flame!! We even pulled his crib over near the fireplace and he slept for a good hour all nice and toasty!! It was so sweet! That's what rainy mornings are made for! Thank you Lord for that opportunity!!

See the glow off his face?

Sunday afternoon was spent flittering around town. I totally went out of my comfort zone and have decided to redo the chandelier in our kitchen. I'll try to get before pictures for you. Suffice it to say that I fell in love with a chandelier Saturday at Fair on the Square that someone had made. All they had done was take an ugly chandelier and jazz it up by adding lampshades and several embellishments. Then, the more I thought about it, I thought I could do that myself! AND...to top it off...we already have an ugly chandelier! So, we went and got some cute lampshades and then it was off to Joann's fabrics to get some cute embellishments. I'll post pictures when I'm done. This is SO not me...and no, it's not perfect. But, hey, anything's better than what we have now and I can say I did it myself when I'm finished. (If I have to...it might be pretty obvious!! haha) We finished the afternoon with dinner at a new restaurant (Texas Firehouse) in Amarillo watching the Dallas game. (Remember...I promised an ending to the story...here it is) It was at this point that Malachi's fit monster decided to make another appearance. Granted, he was tired from the day, but the child started SCREAMING and I could do NOTHING to stop it. He would scream at the top of his lungs, look around, take a few deep breaths, I would love on him, and he would start again. It was ALL FIT!! At first, my mom started laughing and I told her it wasn't funny. Then, I realized that it was. He was literally throwing a temper tantrum. But, how do you tell a 4 1/2 month old no? They don't exactly get it. Everytime the tone of my voice would change and I would tell him that was enough, he'd stop, look at me, and start screaming some more. Mommy and Daddy have some work to do once Malachi understands the word no and what it means. haha Oh well...thus begins parenthood!! Fits and all!

Well...that's our weekend in a, well...VERY LARGE NUTSHELL!! I know, it seems like everytime I get on this darn thing I type more and more! But, what can I say? We're busy people!

As soon as I can, I'm going to post a slideshow of Malachi's latest photo shoot!! He's getting so big - we can't believe it!