Preschool Party

Megan had her preschool party Wednesday and she had a great time! She got lots of candy (that we can use to give away on Halloween night, great money saving idea). She is, if you can't tell, Strawberry Shortcake. But, apparently she told everyone she was Strawberry Tallcake. She may have a complex about being short. Then, the guy at Kroger told her she was going to be vertically challenged! She asked me what that meant and I told her it meant she was going to be good at math! Works for now!

Of course Brynn joined in on the fun! She stayed in Poppy's office while we got the room set up. He brought her back and said she didn't want her bottle. Her mouth was blue and I said I wonder why!!! He offered her an airhead!! She chose the airhead!

The table...a little Pumpkin theme!

After they ate, they got to paint and decorate pumpkin.

My little left-hander...I love it!

Looking forward to our church's carnival! Sunday night 5:30 at FBC Benton. Lots of games, candy and food! Proceeds go to world Hunger!!! Lots of fun!

Brynn Bradley - 11 months

Can't believe it!!! 11 months old!! Time is flying! This is a little late, but that 's ok!

It's getting harder and harder to take her picture.

She was trying to slide out of the chair.

She has 2 teeth on bottom and I think the top 2 are starting to cause some pain! She is eating like crazy and loves everything! Still dark hair getting thicker! Her eyes are blue/gray, but not as bright as the other two. Soemtimes they look very much like Brad's eyes!!

She says dada, mama, and uh-oh...more like uh-uh! I swear she tried to say Laci, but that happened only once and it came out like acie! Sarah and Ben say she tries to say Avery and to be honest sometimes it sounds like it!

She loves Sonic drinks, especially her Poppy's grape slushies! She wants to be outside at all times. She can throw a good fit, but that is seldom! She loves to play with Laci and Megan and hates it when they shut the door or do not let her play. They usually will let her play and they pretend she is their baby. But, when they are coloring or playing school, she is totally in the way!

This last week she went from standing...

...to stepping...

...to walking!!! She walks most of the time now (still wobbly), but it is so cute to watch her go!

This little girl pretty special!!!! It's amazing how God makes a place in your heart and in your life for each child and their personality!! Brynn is little bitty ball of joy and she is smiling most of the time. Still greeting people with a "hi-d." Love her bunches and can't believe she is so close to being one!!! I'm pretty sure I'll cry as we start putting away the bottles!!! (I will not cry, however, when I fork over the $25 for that last tub of formula)!!

2 Years Ago Today...from the heart of Auntie Am

Two years ago today was one of the hardest days of my life...and, in the life of my family. On this day we said hello and goodbye to my niece, Weslee Faith. I haven't written much about it on here since that time because I can't seem to express what I have felt the last 2 years.

I held her lifeless body that day for quiet some time. It seems so silly, but that day I rocked her, swayed back and forth and talked to her like she was going to talk back. I told her that she missed out! I already had outfits picked out for her to match my 2 girls (Brynn was not here at the time). I had Halloween costumes picked out for 3 girls. I told her I would've made her tutus, hairbows and lots of blinged out shirts. I told her I had LOTS of hand me downs for her. It took me several weeks to process all the events during that week. But, once I had the chance to think back on what I had said to her, I couldn't help but shake my head. Who would've wanted tutus and hairbows when you have the glory of Heaven and majesty of our Heavenly Father!?
As I examined her little bitty body, I looked at what did not develop causing her to not be able to live. I looked at the back of her head and asked God many times why he couldn't have just made that part correctly! Why didn't he finish her!? Although, I still struggle with those questions at times, I am at piece knowing she is whole in Heaven and knowing that someday I will hold her again.
There are many blessings from that day. I am so thankful I got to hold her, see her and talk to her. I am so thankful I got to dress her and change her cloths. I am thankful for my family and the strength we have because of one another. I am thankful for the days following when many days and late nights were spent at my house with all of my family, and even Ben's family some nights, just loving on one another. I am thankful for the nurses that loved Sarah and Ben and all of us as we spent a day and a half in sorrow on a floor of the hospital full of balloons, flowers, cheers and babies crying. I am thankful for Laci and Megan. Because although they didn't know the full extent of what went on that October 24th day, they were a source of joy and laughter and hope for all of us. I am not sure I had ever seen Ben love on Megan like he did in the days following.

I know Sarah and Ben have feelings and memories about that day that are different than mine. And my hurt cannot compare to what they experienced losing Weslee. But, this has been just a snapshot of what I felt that day.

If you would have told me that day that two years later Sarah would still have empty arms, I would've thought you were crazy. If someone had told me about their fertility struggles, their miscarriages, her surgeries and on and on...that they have had to deal with, I would not have believed it. You know when you read a story, watch a movie or listen to someone's story you can't wait until the climax. You listen or watch so intently waiting to hear how it turns out! That is where I am. I want to be at the end of this story, ready to start the next. I want to hear how it turns out! I am ready for that half-completed nursery in Sarah and Ben's house to be full. I know God is in control and have never had to lean on that more than in these last 2 years. God is the only source of life. And, when I am angry, asking Him question after question, and trying to figure it out myself, I always go back to God! HE IS THE ONLY SOURCE OF LIFE. Even when doctors say no, God can say yes. When doctors say IVF is the only way, God says I am the only way.

Their fertility story will be complete some day and they will be able to share their story with others going through the same situation. But, while we are in the midst of it, I pray we can continue to be a family that loves on each other, prays for each other, encourages each other and laughs with each other. And, most importantly, never miss what God is trying to teach us all through the struggles.

She's Almost Got It!

Brynn is about to just take off! She will walk back and forth to things and to us. But, when she wants to get somewhere fast....she still drops and crawls!!!!

She willl also get excited in the middle of walking and start clapping for herself. That usually results in a loss of balance and her falling and then she'll just take off crawling!!

Panther Fans, Get on your Feet...

Last week was the Panther Cheerleader Cheer Clinic! The girls had a blast cheering at the game!!! I can't wait to line up all the pictures one day and see how they have changed from year to year!

Ok, so I had to include the picture below!!! It is Laci doing the cheer clinic when she was 3! I think she looks a lot like Megan at 4! But, that is just me!

Laci's hair definitely grew faster than Meg's. She had more hair at 3 than Megan does now!

Sorry some of these are blurry. I was running back and forth between Meg and Laci. Also, Laci was standing behind her friends so the camera didn't focur on her.

And, of course, a couple of their biggest fans came! Thankfully, Poppy agreed to stay home with Brynn so I could enjoy watching them and not chasing her!

Pumpkin Patch

Megan's preschool went to the Pumpkin Patch last week and she had a blast! Brad wanted to go with her this year and as much as I wanted to go with her, I knew she would love having her daddy there (since she's around me all the time).

I sent Brad with my little camera, not expecting any pictures. But, he did get a few and I was so thankful!

This is my favorite picture! Take your pumpkin and run!!!!

Someone told us the other day that Megan was our little "boy." And, I have to agree! I honestly think I could put Meg with any age group and she could hang! She could intitiate and carry on a conversation! She would do all she could keep up in sports. She would ask one million questions until she figured out answers! She would be the dirtiest, have the most injuries (without telling anyone) and would have found the most insects!! I love that about her and I pray we never squash her unique personality!!!

Few Word Wednesday

These pictures do not need much explanation. We had a good time at the Razorback game and Laci and Megan had a good time with their grandparents. Brynn got the stomach virus, so Brynn, Brad and myself were on clean-up patrol in the hotel!

Thankfully, we all felt great on Saturday and the virus waited until we got home to attack the rest of us!

pre-game nap!

Today we are all feeling better! It's amazing how many times you can wash sheets and clorox the house! Just when you think you are in the clear, the next person gets it! But, all 5 of us have had the stomach virus and hopefully, that will be it for awhile!

Taylor Swift

Last Tuesday Laci, Megan and myself went with some friends to the Taylor Swift concert. They had a great time and thought it was pretty cool!!! The only hard thing was that Taylor did not come on until late. So, we saw a lot of her show and then we left. The girls were getting tired and so were the momma's!

Brynn stayed home with daddy!

The girls were so excited that I am pretty sure we were ready 2 hours early!

As soon as Taylor came our Laci started waving! I know she thought Taylor was looking right at her....and, she loved it!

This was her walking away from us. She was very close when she came to the platform on our side of the stage!

Let me get this out there. Before last Tuesday night I was not a huge fan of Taylor Swift. I thought her swinging was kind of one note and when I saw her perform on TV it sounded kind of off. Well, I was wrong! She can sing! And, she sings beautifully! She can also put on a pretty incredible show!!!! She was interacting with the crowd and could speak so well!! Such a sweet voice! She made me a fan!