First Days of School 2010

Olivia Rose on her first day of Second Grade

Brennen Nathan on his first day of Preschool

Is it safe to say that I have cute kids?

As If...

Just in case in the future I ever forget that I did this...

As if.

Miracles Do Happen

Ever since Reagan was born, my world has been rattled.

Things had never been so dire before. I did not have a life-altering event to point to that had turned everything upside down.

I had not felt pain like that before.

And it wasn't her fault. And I don't look at her and feel that pain.

I feel joy and gladness and also raw when I look at her. Her life has already brought such highs and lows for me.

My lowest moment in this experience was right before her trach surgery. I already blogged about it, so I'll just leave it alone. But despair was the key emotion. God didn't do what I hoped He would do.

And then the highest point came the day she left the hospital after 9 weeks. Not just because she was with us, but because GUESS WHAT??? One of her vocal cords moved!!!

IT'S MOVING.

And because it is moving, Reagan will probably not need her trach for much longer. Isn't that a miracle? Because I prayed so hard for that to happen and you did too. I know it. God really did what I hoped He would do.

So, I guess now I am left with the two extremes in my head.

Disappointment and Joy. Despair and Hope. All in two months time.

It's a lot to wrap my brain around. I still haven't reconciled the two. God is still working in me to... explain? grow? accept? decide?

But this I do know... miracles do happen.

Summertime

Here are some of the things we have been up to this summer...

The kids did a lemonade stand for the first time... they were thrilled with their $9 (five came from Grandma).

We went to the Orange County Fair in July and Brennen finally got on board with the rides. He was SIKED.

Kai and Laken came out to visit from Sacramento... It's always fun with the Kai Guy!

Cousin Kinzie was here for most of July, so of course Olivia was in heaven! In fact this picture shows how she prayed without ceasing for Kinize to stay forever.

Nate turned 36 years old on July 18th. He wasn't too fond of being another year older, but he feels so blessed with such a beautiful, amazing family. I'm pretty sure that's what he'd say.

And here is the best thing that happened this summer. Reagan came, stole our hearts, and even smiled at me once. What could be better than that? Nothing, that's what.