One Year Ago Today...

...our world was rocked.

We envisioned a relatively smooth pregnancy. Things were looking great with our three little bundles of joy. But our plan was not God's plan.

My water broke one year ago today. I was just shy of 22 weeks along. Words can't describe the way I felt that day. This is my best attempt.

We take a yearly vacation to Gatlinburg at thanksgiving. Last year was set to be a normal vacation for Matt and Ava. I knew I couldn't go because my OB wanted me to stay close by since I was carrying triplets. I was weepy all day thanksgiving.  I couldn't figure it out. At the last minute (literally) Matt stayed with me and we sent Ava on with his parents.  (I know now that God had his hand all over us that day...He knew I would need Matt with me.)  That was the last time I could hold and love on Ava for nearly 3 weeks. Once my water broke I was placed on strict bedrest. We didn't know what the coming days held but we did know that God already knew the outcome and that no matter what He would see us through. And He has.

I just knew everything would be fine from day one. When this happened, of course, I think I ran through every emotion possible. I was heartbroken. Scared. Angry. Unsure of what was to come. I cried {a lot}. I couldn't control it most of the time. And inexplicably I was filled with an unknown peace. I trusted God. I knew He was in control and I prayed with very breath that he would save my babies. That He would put His hand around us all and protect us.*

This is just the beginning of our journey. Our story, if you will. In the coming days I will be posting about the babies' birth stories. I haven't decided yet if my heart is ready to share pictures from those days. There was so much trauma and they were so tiny. Will you pray for me as I write those posts and for us as a family as we navigate these days celebrating 3 of our blessings?

*(Please don't read that as I wasn't concerned. We very much were. And I had tons of moments where I just wanted to scream "why me?" and "what did I do to deserve this?". I think it's a pretty normal emotion for that kind of circumstance. I know I was filled with peace.)

Thanksgiving 2012

I hope you all had a great thanksgiving! We sure did. We have so much to be thankful for. God has blessed us so much over the last year.

We ate 2 thanksgiving lunches before heading out on our annual voyage to Gatlinburg, TN. We had so much fun! The babies did so good. We are bound to make them good travelers. :)

Here are a few pictures from our weekend!

(They are iPhone pictures so please forgive me.)

The Norm

We have had such an uneventful few days. We had out of town company on Sunday and Monday (Hi Brenda & Jummy!). And pretty much every other day has been full of the norm. Diaper changes, bottles and food, school lessons, nasal irrigation (yes we still have the snots), etc, etc. Rinse and repeat. RSV season causes us to stay in a lot and I get cabin fever sometimes but I love every minute of it because I'm with my kids.

I hope y'all are good. What have y'all done fun? I'm going to live vicariously trough y'all til May. :-)


This is Ava, Amelia (my niece), Hollyn and Hew

It's Party Time!

We had Ava's birthday party this past Saturday at our local Children's Park. It was such a nice, stress-free way to have a party.  We had pizza and cupcakes and of course we had a blast!  

Ava is in love with Hello Kitty so she wanted a Hello Kitty party.  Easy enough!  

 I happened upon this shirt at T@rget on clearance.  She LOVED it!

We went to dinner that evening to our local hibachi grill and celebrated with some out of town friends.  She was so excited that they sang to her...even though she wasn't sure it was "Happy Birthday".

We had such a great time!  We are blessed with some great family and friends!  Thanks for helping make her day special you guys!

Halloween 2012

I'm still playing catch up. This year for Halloween we went simple. Ava was a "Fairy Ballerina Princess". She put the entire costume together with dress up toys and old dance costumes. I loved how excited she was to wear what she had put together.

Hew and Hollyn were peanut butter and jelly. I had no intentions of dressing them up since its RSV season and we weren't taking them trick or treating. But the more I thought about it the more I thought they needed to be something for their very first Halloween regardless of whether they trick or treated. Some clothes we already had and 2 logos printed off the Internet and viola! Peanut butter and jelly.

Half a Dozen for Ava

I was unable to post this on Ava's actual birthday due to time and internet issues.  

November 1st, 2012

Ava,

Today you turned 6 years old.  I can't believe it's been 6 years since you made me a Mommy.  Time has flown by and I so badly want to put a brick on your head to make you stop growing.  You've grown in to such a lovely little girl and I am so proud of you.  My heart nearly explodes when I think about all the love Daddy and I have for you.  You keep us laughing (and on our toes).  You're smart, beautiful (outside and most importantly inside), funny and sneaky...all of which make us love you that much more. 

You've endured a lot this last year and I am so proud of the graceful way that you've handled each and every situation.  You've showed me time and time again how a Christian attitude should be...and you're 6! I strive to teach you every day and you end up teaching me something.  I thank God for these little lessons.  And I thank God for you!

Here is a little bit about what you are up to now:
* You started Kindergarten this year.  We decided to homeschool because it works best for us.  I absolutely love watching you learn.
* You still love taking Dance.  You dance constantly and love for us to watch your shows.
* You've grown so much since last year that none of your clothes or shoes fit.  :)
* You are still absolutely smitten with your brother and sister.
* You have such a tender and compassionate heart.  I pray that you always stay this way.

I love you so much baby girl! Keep growing and changing.  You're gonna do big things one day!

~Mommy