Four years ago...

Four years ago, when I was 20 weeks pregnant with the twins, I was told that one or both of them may not make it.  There was a good chance we would lose one. 

Four years ago, when we were diagnosed as having twin to twin transfusion syndrome, that this condition does not correct itself and the condition only worsens.

Four years ago, when we were overwhelmed with the thought of losing our babies, we prayed like we had never prayed before.  Our friends, our family, our community, and beyond prayed for their healing.  

Four years ago we had no idea what the future held, but we never doubted who held each of their futures.  

Now, four years later, we look back on a miracle.  Their lives are a testimony of great healing with all the praise given to God.  The doctors had no explanation (don't you just LOVE that!) and they were born 100% perfect in every way.  

As hard as it is to think about, and even harder to experience, we know that the days of our children's lives are not in our hands.  We know that they belong to the father in heaven.  And while we prayed for the healing of these two girls, we praise him not just because he healed them, we praise him first and foremost because he is good.  He is good whether healing comes or not.  God is just so, so good.  

But every year, during October, I will remember what the world said and I will remember what my God said.  He said BE HEALED and I will give all the glory and all the praise to Jesus, for choosing to heal these two so that their lives may reflect HIM.  

Cole is 6!

Cole turned 6 a couple of weeks ago.  6 years does not seem long enough since I can hardly remember life without him.  And yet 6 years goes by so fast.  He is my best buddy, my snuggler, my helper, his sister's teacher and protector, silly, smart, curious, creative, imaginative, a leader, a talker, joyful, energetic, and lover of Jesus.  We are so thankful for him!  This year (since he didn't know Brenner was coming home) he asked for a special day for just he and I to go do fun things together.  So we did!  We went to the trampoline park, putt putt, arcade, In n Out burger for lunch, get new sneakers, Dutch Bros for coffee/chocolate milkshake and picked out birthday balloons and donuts.  I LOVE spending time with this kid!!

(notice the poor light in these pictures.  Daylight saving happened on the night he turned 6 so everyone was up and ready for donut breakfast before 6 am.  Boo! )

And then of course he got his big birthday surprise!!!

Lately...September

So here go my efforts to catch up on the blog.  To be honest, the blog has mostly taken a back seat since Brenner left in March, even those the months of him gone had my mind and heart swirling with emotions and a lot of things I wanted to write about.  But, sadly, there was just no time or mental energy of physical energy left at the end of most days during those seven months to put fingers to typing and blog.  So, here are a few catch up posts starting with my favorite pictures from the month of September.

Cole has been earning legos for some extra chores and hard work at school.  Star Wars lego are his current favorite.

Eating popsicles in your underwear....oh to be a kid again.

Cole set up a lemonade stand, he had been desperate to do it all summer, and the sweet boy set everything up and sat out there waiting for customers on our quiet country road.  But he did eventually get some and he loved being an entrepreneur.  Hmmmm, I wonder where he gets that from. 

Tired babies after Awana.  That 30 minute car ride home gets them every week (which is why we started changing them into their pajamas before we leave!)

I ran a half marathon with my friend Sarah on base.  It was my 15th!! 

One of my not so welcome visitors that we have had at our house.  Rattlesnakes are on my most hated list!

The girls started Awana this year in Cubbies and they love it!  They are memorizing their verses and love to sing their songs.  Added bonus:  we now are kid free for 1.5 hours every Wednesday night.  I may or may not be secretly getting frozen yogurt each week without them.

Riding with my boys.

Mama and her little bit.

 Cole's drawing from chapel of Jesus (complete with a belly button) and the Holy Spirit coming down on him while being baptized.

Brenner's mom came out for a visit and we of course took her to the amazing pumpkin patch!

Celebrating 6 months of deployment done with silly string!

Happenings in October

October was jam packed with activities and events and playdates and so much which actually turned out to be amazing because it made the days go by quickly!  I missed a million photo opportunities but here are a few faves that I took.

My silly Clara with her beloved moo mémé.  

Riding along in Costco representing Daddy.

The kids have been in weekly swim lessons for a few months and they are doing amazing!

A visit from some friends the Duncans ended in a Scotty pile on!

Coffee and dinner with good friends to say goodbye to Katie.   Saying goodbye to great friends just never gets easier.

Pumpkin carving party with the Tangins!

We went trick or treating on base for about 45 minutes this year and the kids had fun.  Cole, after watching It's A Great Pumpkin Charlie Brown, decided to make his own costume of a ghost by cutting holes in a pillowcase.  My pillowcase.  Without me knowing.  Awesome dude.  But he was sure to tell most people that ghosts are not real, except for the Holy ghost which is really the Holy Spirit.  #pastorskid

Smothering Delilah the dog and ninja fighting.