A New Look

Our First Week Home in Pictures

Glad it Wasn't Labor Day for Me

Today we got word from the hospital that Avery and Kole were being discharged...they were ready to come home. They only had to stay in the NICU for 3 weeks which surprised us a little because we were told not to expect them to come home until close to their due date. When we went to pick them up they already had their NG tubes removed. That made a huge impact on me knowing that they would be in our care full time. Then I got really nervous when the nurse turned off their monitors and they were truly on their own.

They were welcomed home by 4 anxious siblings who couldn't wait to be able to see them everyday, hold them everyday and have our whole family under the same roof for the first time in almost a month. Here's hoping all goes well.

The Lion King

Over 9 months ago, before I was even pregnant, Keith and I were lucky enough to purchase tickets to take our family of six to see The Lion King. What great timing it was that the performance we had bought tickets for was less than 2 weeks before I would be full term with the twins. Would I be forced to stay home because I had just had 2 babies or would I have to stay home because I would be big as a house and not be able to sit through the whole play. Lucky for me the Lord's timing is perfect (as it always is) and not only was I NOT still pregnant, but Avery and Kole were spending their last weekend in the NICU. It was also quite fun to keep the fact that we had tickets to the play a secret from the kids until we walked up to the theatre and they saw the marquee. Rachael and Dustin's eyes about popped out of their heads!! The show was amazing, even if Hillary and Claire only made it to the musical number "Can You Feel the Love Tonight." That's when the music got soft and the lights were quite dim. It was a great night and I can't wait until we can see another play as a family again.

First Days of School/Other Pics

Okay, so I'm a week late with the pictures of Rachael and Dustin. But Hillary started kindergarten today and so I thought I'd wait to post pics of everybody's first days of school. Also included is the first photo of us as a family of EIGHT and a recent pic of Avery and Kole.

They're Here!!!

Our little twins decided to make an early appearance on Aug. 15, 2010. They were 33 weeks and 6 days. Luckily I was able to avoid needing a c section. Although it was terrible to leave the hospital without them, I feel so blessed that they are doing so well and to know that my Heavenly Father is watching over my family and I.

Avery Grace was born @ 12:38 pm, 4lbs 4 oz and 15 1/2" long.

Alton Kole was born @ 1:18 pm, 5 lbs and 17 1/2" long.

This last picture is Avery and Kole (left and right) in their NICU bed. They will be there for a few weeks giving me a chance to recover before we bring them home.

Walking on Water

*****

When Peter saw Christ out on the water, he felt compelled to leave the safety and known-ness of his boat, and in a great and desperate act of pure faith, walked out on the water to join Him.

As he walked, he began to think about what he was actually doing. I imagine his thoughts must have been something like this:

I'm walking on water. But.......that's impossible!!! The ocean is so much bigger than I am - I'm going to be overpowered! There are so many dangers, creatures and unknown terrors just beneath my feet! What am I doing?!? This can't be right!

Even though Peter HAD been walking on water, he doubted that he could.

It was when he took his eyes OFF of Christ and looked at the water that he began to sink.

*****

I am constantly reminding myself that my family is in God's hands (a good place to be) and I know what that feels like because Keith and I have felt and seen His hands push us gently (and persistently) to where we are now.

Like Peter, we are already walking on the water. It's only when we take our eyes from Christ that we begin to fail.

Sammie, don't look at the water.