Sophie's broken arm journey...

Well, on January 7 at about 8pm Sophie, Halle and Ian were all snuggled in their pajamas and ready for bed.  They were finishing up some playing in the living room, so I went upstairs to prepare for our bedtime routine and Josh was downstairs with the kids.  All of a sudden, Sophie was screaming a very scary scream, laying on the ground, holding her arm saying, "I think I broke my arm."  After looking at her arm - in the shape of a Z at the elbow, it was clear that we needed to rush to the ER now!  So, we did.  One thing led to another and it was confirmed that she broke her humerus and it would require a surgical fix.

She got a cute little snowman with an IV and his arm in a cast.  Our friends and family showered her love love and special treats.  These Mike and Ikes made her smile from The Greene's.  We stayed in the hospital for 24 more hours.  She did well, and the nurses loved taking care of her!  They were sad to see us go.  :)

She enjoyed watching some cable - we don't have that at home!  Her friends brought her lots of balloons!

She got a rainbow bear named "Peace".  The nurses pushed her out in a wheelchair and signed her temporary cast.

I give the nurses 5 stars for the love and care they gave to us.  They were so sweet and helpful.

Sophie broke her arm!

I don't even know how to put all this in words, but I'll try...

My beautiful day in Indiana ended with Sophie breaking her arm - her humerous - while jumping off a chair (while playing karate with her precious siblings) and landing on her hand/arm - which led to her elbow appearing dislocated and in a Z shape.  It was very, very ugly and clearly not right.  We rushed her to the ER and unfortunately, it required a surgical fix.  While under, they popped it back in place and and placed 4 pins through the skin.  She went into surgery about midnight and was not in a room until 2am.  We have not slept much.  I am home resting now for a few hrs, and we're hoping she can go home tonight.  She is experiencing a high amount of pain but is stable. 

More details to come....

I need to rest.

Sophie is 7.5

 On July 14, Sophie turned 7.5!  Oh my word, 7.5!

Sophie is growing and transforming more and more each day.  

At 7.5, Sophie is very athletic and coordinated.  She loves all sports, music, learning, crafting...

 She is quite the helper.  She does her own laundry, sweeps, vacuums, cleans the glass, changes (pee only!) diapers, prepares simple meals, brings up the trash cans...

 She LOVES the water!  She would swim all day if she could.  She loves fishing, but she was a little nervous with tubing.  She is incredibly social and loves friends!

 She is a WONDERFUL big sister.  Both Ian and Halle adore her.

She loves alone time, quality time with those who love her and physical touch - a snuggler.

I'm telling the truth when I say - she loves her Daddy the most.  She really does.  She'll tell you.

 She is smart and strong - and one of the most precious little girls I've ever met.

 Sophie's got what it takes to go far.

She's a little lady on a mission.  Watch out!

Dear Sophie,

I LOVE YOU!  I can't believe you're 7.5 already.  I still remember the moment you were born.  You had the most precious little face.  You still do!  You are strong, smart and beautiful.  You are going to move mountains and will lead this family with love and grace.  Don't ever forget how much your Mommy loves you.  God loves you too, and you can do all things with Him who will strengthen you.  Don't ever forget - speak love.

Love,

Mommy

2011 Summer Lake Vacation

Three little ones fishing with Grandpa Rich!

Sophie caught one!

Lots of tubing!

The lake home we rented!

The whole group!

Hey there!  We had a FABULOUS, NEARLY PERFECT week at Lake Tippecanoe with my Dad and family.  So many simple moments were experienced.  After a week, we could have stayed another week.  

I took nearly 200 pics, and I want to share most of them, but for now - here you go!  :)  More are coming.

Pics with chicks...

 So, this is the beginning of the story - of how we ended up with 6 chicks at our house.

My friend is a photographer and she did Easter Photography "Pics with Chicks" (and a bunny!)

When her sessions were done, she brought them to live with us - until they are ready to go live outside - because we wanted them!  :)  and then they'll go to my Dad's farm.

 The kids absolutely loved this photo session, and they have loved raising 6 chicks at their home.  How lucky are they?!

 Oh, Ian - you are so stinkin' adorable!

And, Sophie... may the Lord bless you and keep you and keep all boys away from you!

3 little monkeys playing on the beach...

smiling,

escaping,

and posing.

Oh, you 3... your Mommy and Daddy sure do love you.

 And, you 2... we're really in trouble.

Finding Shells...

 Some of my favorite moments with the kids were shelling.

 There's just something about it...

 that touches my soul...

 as we look at each shell with excitement and wonder.  How did God do it ALL - even the shells?

 I love the uniqueness of each one, and I believe each one has a story.

The Girls each found one that was their absolute favorite.  And, in fact - Sophie gave her favorite a story.  Sophie thought her favorite shell looked like a fairy whistle, and Halle found a very big and shiny one.  Ian enjoyed putting handfuls of sand in his bucket.  We all thought the sand looked like sugar.

God, today I'm grateful for revealing Yourself to me in so many different ways - even through shelling.

Spring Break 2011...

For Spring Break 2011, we took a Road Trip to Fort Walton Beach, FL!

It really was wonderful - filled with lots of beach time, swimming, shelling, eating, laughs and walks on the beach.

I'll get you started with this picture (because maybe just a few of you are waiting for pictures!) and try to get to the rest really soon!

my first baby...

is growing up so fast.

We always have so much fun with our MacBook Photo Booth - capturing the most random, spontaneous photos - that always end up being our favorites.

I love you so much, Sophie.  You have taught me - and continue to teach me - so much.

I am a stronger woman because of you.

Sophie turned 7...

 on January 14, 2011.

On the day of her birthday, Ian, Halle and I took in cupcakes for her to pass out to her class.  Her teacher gave her 7 "spankings".  

Josh took her a McDonald's Happy Meal for lunch and stayed to eat lunch with her.

 Ian enjoyed hanging out in a 1st grade classroom and all the children kept saying, "Awww, your brother is sooooo cute!"

 Sophie had a few cupcakes left over that she was able to pass out to other teachers around the building.  She was allowed to select a friend to join her, and she chose Halle!  I thought that was pretty special - and so did Halle.

 On the evening of her birthday, we had grandparents over for Homemade Pizza and cake and ice cream.

At the age of 7 - 

 Sophie is smart, beautiful, a leader, very social, has tons of friends, loves school, enjoys gymnastics, likes going places, loves to be in control, creative, strong and healthy.

Out of our 3 children, I'd say that Sophie is the one who grows me the most. Maybe this is because she is our first child, so I learn everything for the first time from her.

I'm exhausted from the growth and challenges on some days, but I'm grateful when I look back over the past 7 years and recognize how much I've grown as a wife, mother and friend.  She pushes me to places I would NEVER choose to go on my on free will (as do all of our children). 

She's amazing and strong. 

And I'm stronger and wiser because of her and for that - I'm grateful.

Happy 7th Birthday, Sophie!

May God bless you and keep you all the days of your life.

Sophie said...

"Mama, I'm the dough, Halle's the sauce and Ian's the cheese."

Wow - I never thought of it like that before, but she's right and so clever!

Ian's foot massage...

the other night, I found the girls treating Ian to a foot massage.

He laid happily on the floor with a sucker in his mouth - enjoying his foot massage, a sucker and some books.

Wow... he's got it made!

Life with 2 Big Sisters = SPOILED!

More evidence coming soon...

Stay tuned.

Snow White Ballet

 I took my beautiful little darlings to the ballet -

Snow White.

 I love a good date with my children.  It can be as simple as the pet store, the library, out to eat or to the ballet.

Whatever it is, I absolutely love carving out purposeful time and attention for each child.

The girls loved meeting Snow White! 

You are our princesses, Sophie and Halle.

God's Princesses.

And here's all three of our little angels.

Ian, you're not welcome at the ballet.  :)

Not yet.

Sophie...

the Awesome!

Do you know what I think is awesome - and absolutely adorable?

When my daughter falls asleep reading a book - which she does pretty much every night.

{must be the teacher heart in me}

It's even more precious when I go in to check on her 1 last time and turn off her light, and I get to stare at her precious, most beautiful face.

All is perfectly calm, and I glance at the title and think to myself,

"This girl really is awesome."

And I thank God for creating THIS Sophie the Awesome.

A Charlie Brown Christmas Pajama Party...

Sophie (and I) hosted A Charlie Brown Christmas Pajama Party in December - for a few of her girlfriends.

The girls came over around 7:30 - in their jammies and brought a stuffed animal and pillow.

They enjoyed popcorn, juice, pillow fights and lots of girlie screaming!

Oh, and they watched A Charlie Brown Christmas too!  They left around 9:00 in their jammies and ready for bed.

It really was a fabulous time.

I love these 2 precious souls...

and they are a lot alike. 

I am so thankful that Josh can jump in and relate so well with Sophie.

She needs her Daddy - he can calm her.  They do so well together.

Thank you, Josh, for the phenomenal father you are to Sophie and the other 2 too!

I love you both all the way to the moon and back!

Crazy Mom at the Zoo...

yeah, I was a crazy Mom at the Zoo, and I got in the Tree House with my girls!   

People really were staring, but did i mind?  Oh, no. 

My girls thought it was pretty cool.

I love you, Girls, and I'm happy to get crazy with you!  and act like tigers.