Home Sweet Home

After 7- 8 weeks in the NICU, all of our babies are finally home! Reiker and Sutton were able to come home a week before Holland while she stayed to master the art of eating on her own. 

Cam and Maeve cannot get enough of their new cousins and want to spend as much time as possible with them. They have nearly two months of loving to catch up on! 

We continue to be amazed at the triple blessing we've been given. We are so thankful for their health and can't even begin to imagine the love they will bring to our family in the days, months, and years to come.

PS- Don't be fooled by these pictures. Aunt Julie has had her hands all over them! I can't get enough either! Heart has been stolen.

20 Years of Love

We threw Moo a "retirement" party on my last day of school. When I picked Maeve up from her that day, it signified the ending of an era. For the last 20 years she has taken care of preschool children in her home beginning in 1994 when Adrienne came along. Mama gave up her position at the primary school to watch her niece's daughter. After Adrienne came Katelyn less than two years later. Then less than two years after her, her own grandchildren started coming when Clayton arrived. That was likely her busiest time when she had three preschoolers to care for each day. But the days consisted of routine- play, lunch, books, naps then repeat! Moo has given all of her "babies" such a head start in life, caring for each of them better than they are cared for at home. 

Later the girls added twin brothers, but their mama had to take a year off from work to care for them. Then their nana took care of the boys. Although Moo missed out on them, her house was still busy as Carson came along, then Cam, and lastly Maeve, whom we lovingly refer to as the grand finale!

There is no telling how many stories she read to them, how many laps she has ridden in the golf cart, how many sand castles she's built, how many preschool carpool lines she has waited in, how many bed heads she has brushed, lunches she's fixed, ice cream cones she's scooped, and naps she's protected as she has opened up her home and her heart to all of them. She made child are her career. And in my opinion, there is no more noble a position. 

As their mothers, we could never begin to repay her for the sacrifices she's made for our children. We knew without a doubt that our babies were well taken care of while they were in her care. They were thriving and learning in a safe place while we had to be away from them. Thank you, Moo, for helping to form the foundation for their years to come. Surely your crown in heaven will be filled with the most beautiful kinds of jewels. 

Rookie League Champions

They were seated in last and came back and won three games in a row to become the champions! The games were so close and nail biters, but somehow they out together just the right plays and hits to come out on top! 

So proud of both of my boys! 

Preschool Graduation

How can it be that our baby's preschool days are complete? In just a few short weeks, she will join us at big school. She is definitely ready, but I am not sure our hearts are.

Her teachers say that she is a model student. She is smart and a good friend. On her graduation poster, she says she wants to be a doctor when she grows up. She clarified that she doesn't want to be a doctor who cuts people open and does gross stuff, but she wants to take care of babies like Dr. Murthy. Time will tell what her life has in store. We are honored to be part of it all. 

In many ways the last five years seem like a blur. We will try not to blink for the years ahead. If they go by as fast as these, it will be the real graduation before we know it. 

We love you, Maeve! 

The Moment We'd Been Waiting For

Cam and Maeve have listened intently at the stories of their brand new cousins. They have been excited to see the brand new pictures of them sent each day. They have even spoken to them via FaceTime. However, until this moment, they had not see them in real life. The timing was orchestrated so that the babies could all come to the entrance of the NICU to let their big cousins marvel at them in person. And although a thick door and glass was still between them, the moment shared between these cousins was priceless! 

Tommy and Kim and nurse Laura paraded the beds down the hallway. They each picked up a baby and held them down low so that these anxious little people could meet the ones who would grow to admire them most.

Now we wait until the time when they can not only see them but touch them. In the words of Cam who said, "All I want to do is touch them just like this," as he laid one gentle finger on my arm. The time is coming big cousins. We want it to hurry up.

Easter

The baskets, the traditional dinner, the family photos, the worship service- all things just perfect for my favorite holiday. Even being the dinner host wasn't too stressful. I think I will volunteer for it next year too! Thankful for a full day of doing what I love most- being with my family, relaxing, and eating candy! 

With Easter being late in April, it caught us off guard being after spring break. Love sharing Easter traditions with my babies.