Life

My first-born, my precious redhead is changing each minute these days. I look at her and I think, how in the world did she get so big, so grown-up, my word...so pretty? I feel like yesterday she was just a chubby little baby, I remember it so vividly. Anyway, today I asked her what color of popsicle she wanted after our walk. I said, "Either purple or red." She said, "I need red to make my hair sparkly." I thought about it and laughed out loud. What 4 year-old thinks like that? Mine does. I think it's hilarious and I love it.

Family pics

I know a lot of you have seen them on facebook, but, a sweet friend of mine took some pictures of our family recently. Check her out at unforgettablephotography.blogspot.com. Our main purpose was to get Nolan's 1-year pictures done, but we decided to go for the whole kit-n-kaboodle. Here are a few of my favorites.

He might be spoiled

You know you're spoiled when you have your very own pool!

Movie Night!

Just one of the benefits to having a daddy who's a technology teacher/junkie, is Movie Night. Not just any old movie night, but rather, your choice of movie on a big screen, yummy snacks, cuddly company, you can watch it in your jammies, clean bathrooms (well, maybe that's debatable), and it's right in your very dinning room. We've decided...there may not be anything better:) It's been a hit with the girls so far...mom loves saving the money and dad is thrilled to have provided such an experience.
Anyone care to join us?

And the winner is...

MOMMY!!!!!!!

Remember those prayers that Brandon would be Nolan's blood match? Well guess what? That's right, you've guessed it...mommy's the match!!! Never mind I carried him for 9 months, painfully labored to birth him as he was trying to come out face up, and nursed him for 51 weeks while he refused to take a bottle strapping me to our house...of course, it would only make sense that I'm the match. Why, you ask? Because I flippin hate needles! God, can you throw me a bone please? Ahhhh!!!! (I am typing all this with a smile on my face by the way:)

Honestly, while I am being sarcastic about the results, I am incredibly thankful that one of us was a match. It will almost kill me, but, I will donate willingly and happily:) But, someone owes me Red Lobster after;)

Perspective

Tonight I find my heart heavy about Nolan's surgery. Up until now, it's seemed so far away...September 10th that is...but now as I am forced into the reality of getting things ready, I now know it's only 4 short weeks away. Brandon and I went on Friday to have our blood typed to see if we are a match for Nolan, as it is almost guaranteed they will need to give him blood during the surgery. I would give anything for that little boy, but, I'd be lying if I said I weren't secretly hoping that Brandon is the match:)

Specifically, I am praying for the following:
1. That one of us is a match.
2. That God's is preparing the hands of the neuro and plastic surgeons.
3. That ultimately, God would protect Nolan during the surgery and that he would recover quickly.

This week, I had the blessing of hanging out with a new, very dear friend. How I met her is an entire blog post in itself, but let's just say that we've both agreed that it was orchestrated by God. She too has a little boy with special needs. In the last few months, God has given me a whole new perspective in life...indescribable really. She and I see so similarly how very minuscule some things seem now, but at the same time being so appreciative of small victories. For example, Aubrey's latest is that every thing's not fair to her. I ask, Do you have a warm bed to sleep in every night? Do you always have something to eat when you are hungry? Do you have a mommy and daddy who love you? Does Jesus love you, and did he die for you? Of course the answer to all these questions is, YES! I ask her these questions because I really want her to understand that she has a wonderful life. Sometimes I want to holler at her, "No Aubrey, Nolan's life isn't fair!" For many reason's I don't, but mainly because anything in life we are handed is fair. Was Christ's journey to the cross fair? Nolan's life is fair because it's the life the Lord has given him. It's the life that makes him the little boy who always smiles and is always happy. How can I argue with that...he's always happy...amazing! Perspective...changed. I have food, shelter, 3 b e a u t i f u l children, a Godly husband, and a Christ who died for me. What more do I need? We took a 3 miles bike ride the other night and about mid way through we stopped to look and sit at a lake. I was sitting next to Nolan while he chewed on a stick (sorry mom, I know you hate that), while Brandon and the girls were down by the water. I caught myself slightly overcome with emotion saying, "Thank you God for my family, these kids are a blessing, man they're great, thank you, thank you God." Perspective...

And like that, peace about Nolan's surgery has arrived and I'm going to rest in that.