Snow in March.. the END of march..

Cold weather, freezing temperatures. I'm not talking FROST in the mornings-cover up your plants. Its down right crazyness with the weather! Cloudy and lack of sun play a toll on me I know. I get frustrated and spring fever. Ready to plant something. Ready to quite hauling around jackets, hats and blankets when I load the kids up to go to the store. But here is what I've thought and have for a long time. Being Content. Being content with the weather is one area. Praising the Lord for one day I am here to love and teach my children. One day to be reminded the weather man does NOT really know what he is doing, One day at a time to be taken back by the Lords goodness.. snow, sleet, sun and rain. I realize not all may agree or feel the way I do but also, if I can throw in one more tiny tid bit. Not all suffer from allergies as I do, and many of you do I know, so as the sun warms, the tree's bloom, I sneeze. The spring rain falls, mold count soars, I suffer. But this is the day the Lord has made! And quite frankly you MUST appreciate His humor when you live in the Missouri elements! So do not be discouraged, the dawg days of summer will be fast upon us and we will be lathering on the 50 sun block and swatting wasp and running from poisin ivy and and burning our hands on the steering wheel of our van, and "ouch!" when we buckle ourselves, or the kids up in their seats and the van hasnt cooled yet. Yeh, you know what im talking about im sure.

So in the mean time, while waiting for the sun to shine high upon us, and feel the warmth again in our hair, and flip flops and sun glasses and sonic slushes half price, .. take a look at what keeps me warm all day and all night long :)

5 months

Our sweet lil thing is now right over 5 months old. I have not been good about taking the same kinda photo for each of them, but I have been consistent about a 5 month photo. They have all been taken at our local walmart studio, and in a diaper only. Not sure if it was THIS side of 5 months or THAT side, but you get the best idea!
Amelia's photo will be in soon, so im using the online copy write photo for now :)
So alittle update on our baby girl. Amelia, Amelia Rose, Meira Rose,(or Roseth if you are wesley) Baby Millia, Millie, Million Roses, Mer'cat. Mia, (in a high pitch sound to get the effect right;)) I think those are names so far... she scoots along her belly. cannot be trusted. She isnt fast but she goes. ofcourse rolling over both directions, and scooting since a few days before 5 months, sits up if propted up for a minute before taking a tumble, has one bottom tooth broke thru.. jabbers, sings, trying to say the popular sounds "ma ma ma", aggressive eater, wants to chew but not to eat. loves her sleep, likes the lights out and covers on, and THICK. Is showing excitement when she see's someone walk in the room, reaches for those who she wants. Likes to grab me, pinch, and pull me into her mouth. a funny little girl. chris and I think she looks English or British. dont ask why, we have no clue, just think she does :)

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Wearing my leotard from when I was her age :)




















































































































































Just getting good and settled in at the hospital, mom making some updating phone calls :)















































I used this photo hear because this was the day before she was born, and the left side of the closet was "girl" clothes, and the right side was "boys" and some Either/Or. :) just kinda funny for me.. :)

She's 5 years old!

Today we celebrated our oldest daughter, Isabelle Elaine's fifth birthday. We had a lovely day with a nice little party with some little friends. 2 things I wanted to share. 1, up until now, any party or "memories" we were making were simple for our joy. We could give the child a box for Christmas and take a picture of her in front of the tree and she would think she had a Divine Christmas! Same thing about birthday parties.. take a picture of her in a party dress and tell her she had a blast. Now, she is 5, long term memory is really starting to kick in. We have to REALLY make a REALLY good birthday memory for her.. it will likely be with her the REST of her life! I cant be lazy no longer, I cant get by with just the the idea of the photo telling it all.. we have to really make it happen :) She had a great day and I hope these are great memories for her to have for years to come!

2ndly, seems I wrote down or typed up or did something with her birth story back 5 years ago, maybe I even blogged it on here on this very site last year, or the year before but my memory is gone so I thought I would jot back down a few thoughts and things I remember from our experience with her entering into the world! If you have read it already,.. sorry.. let me know would ya!? ;)

Chris and I had been hoping to achieve a pregnancy for about 6 months, no longer. Usually a year of "trying" is what is expected before a Dr will do anything. Because I had an amazing WHNP she started in right away to see what was going on. Primarily because I was having pain and should not have been. So i went into my 2nd visit in April, '05. The day I was also to meet with my future sister in law for a luncheon in celebrating her up coming wedding to my brother. So here I was at the Dr's office and "P" told me, she could not do anything for me after all. her hands were tied. we would not be doing any testing. my heart dropped with sadness that it would go back to square one and wait for what i thought another 6 months before doing anything. she proceeded to tell me we would not be starting in testing because, i was already pregnant! I didn't believe it. I was stoked!
I could hardly contain myself at the luncheon a few hours later, I just wanted to burst!
Lots went on during this time, like how we told our family and friends and the struggles and delights of the pregnancy, and i would be glad to talk about it but lets skip to the good part :)
We did not know what we were having, we thought a boy and he would be named Isaac Lee.
No brainer, figured out. My due date was Friday, Jan 27. Friday came and went, so did Saturday and Sunday.. no biggy, i was waiting on "nature" to takes its course but was VERY ready altho I always think its bitter sweet.
Sunday at church, i heard "haven't you had that baby yet" and "when are you due again!?"
I was HUGE. my poor belly just was big. I had gained 21 lbs and unbeknown had a good healthy size baby of 8lbs 8 oz 21 1/2" hanging out in there!
Sunday, I was even wearing my wedding ring which several people commented on.
Sunday night I went to bed and i really didn't question "is this the night" like I had on many other nights. Just went to bed.. kinda with that idea of being pregnant forever i guess.
a few hours later I woke up, my first contraction I thought I was just dreaming, and the 2nd woke me up and scared me, It was intense. 12 pm (ish..i use to remember exactly, not so much now) 45 mins later another contraction, 30, then 20 then 15. moving quickly, .. went back to sleep off and on trying to stay relaxed and let my body do its worth w/o me interrupting. took a shower and this time it was around 5 am and Chris and i were timing.. every 5 minutes, i was throwing up too, so around 7 ish i called the hospital and told them i would be coming in but would try to go see my Dr first at 8 just to see.. well silly me, a young new mom I'm over due and having contractions, didn't need to see the Dr first!
Decided with the throwing up and contractions coming good for 5 minutes for, an hour plus It was time to go in. Got in and they were coming good and strong. I entered the hospital dilated to a 5. about 2 or 3 hours later I was ready to start pushing! SOo exciting!
who knew, but I would PUSH for about 2 and half hours. ROUGH long road. Had my sister in law Kristy next to me, and my dear husband next to me. Very encouraging, very good considering they didn't know what they were doing!
Mom and dad, brother and his 2 kids, other sister in law, grandma, and her care giver, and long time friend Leslie out in the waiting room, .. i was so pleased that so many were out there pulling for me!
After questioning how much longer they would let me push before cutting into me, (i did NOT want to be cut open and was afraid they would give up on me) I delivered our baby girl, surprised when the dr said "ITs a girl!" woah , no way. seriously!? we dont have a name!
Her head, .. oh my, her head was a big ole' head. no name and a big head.. she was PRECIOUS!
I would later find out that the epesiodomy was a doozy, (could have been worse but still) and broke my tailbone.
the MOST amazing experience of my life.. I wish now, 5 years later I remembered it better than I do.. so delighted and thrilled to have went thru w/o pain medicines or inducement. Over all pretty pleased with it.
My first contraction was at 12 am Monday morning, and I had her at 1:30 pm the after noon.. so around 13 hours of labor and delivery, 2 1/2 hours of pushing..
I cannot believe our Isabelle Elaine, just the love of our lives. She has brought us so much joy. The Lord has blessed us.. we do not deserve to be parents.. and to think He thought "hey I think chris and shelley should be blessed with a daughter" seriously? amazing. she is amazing.
Here are a few photos to catch you up over the years :)

Much to be thankful for, Much to blog about

For the mean time I will just keep this post short and simple.

We had a lovely morning opening presents and enjoying the cozy ambiance of the candles light and the lights on in the living room. Our coffee flavored and warm, and a camera in hand. Our white Christmas, is perfect.

After presents were opened, paper thrown away, and time for a breakfast. I asked Isabelle if there was anything special she wanted to pray to the Lord about before we ate. Usually its a simple reply, "no" or "Oh yeh..(a family member or friend)
This morning was a little different. She said she wanted to thank Jesus for the presents, and for Him dying on the cross so her sins could be forgiven. My heart melted. She has no idea yet how those words hold so heavy and precious for a mother, but as a sinner that we are. That He was the perfect sacrifice to be made. We are forgiven, our sins are washed. And she doesn't recognize it all yet, .. I don't think I do, but just that the can speak those words off of her lips is making the effort and attempt that He is bigger than she, He is on her heart and mind. Merry Christmas, To you, and yours.

a news briefing..

Ephesians 1:3
Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:Blessed [be] the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who hath blessed us with all spiritual blessings in heavenly [places] in Christ:

Amelia has been with us for over 2 weeks now, and we are certainly not settling into any good pattern yet. Isabelle has been throwing up this morning (ever so slightly but its there), Amelia has thrush so we are doing the medicine thing 4 times a day. So we are trying to wash and clean paci's bottles, blankets often to prevent recontaminating. I have been on 4 antibiotics in 2 weeks. One in which I broke out into a terrible rash and burn. Im still recovering from the side effects of delivery. And since we've been home Ive had 3 days of fever, 4 days of constant confinement of bed rest and round the clock care for me and my family, and allergies galore! Now im fighting off a sinus infection and hate to hit another round of Antibiotics again so my prayer for this is it will go away soon w.o more medicine. Ive got the normal back aches, and im weak and will be so weak fora while until I recover from everything else and I can start my exercising/stabilization's. I also am fighting a rib that is giving me fits. Chris and Wesley are doing well as of the time I write. Praise the Lord. Chris is sleep deprived. He has been helping me so much with house work, food, the kids, and myself. Constant medicine for someone, or the ever changing diaper epidemic.. There are always bottles to wash or a child to feed. He is also working. He was only able to take off 3 days during the first week of Amelia. Thankfully my mom has been able to step in and help out. She has gone beyond the call of duty. We've been so thankful for meals that have been coming in. That helps me, chris and mom out tremendously. More than anyone outside of these walls would ever know. My dad has been helping with yard projects and chris has been out with him too. (again, i must say bless chris' heart!)
Dad has tore up a side walk, taken out a few retaining walls.. taken down a tree and cut it up, burned brush, and put up a fence in the back yard. As well as leveled the ground and re-seeded. We are so blessed to have a wonderful dad/pappa. He has also been ever so patient with mom helping us out so much.
We have been so blessed in the mix of all the health commotion and chaos. While we are tired, and my health is very pitiful right now and all the other things that come with bringing home a new baby and a full time mommy I have seen the Lord work so much.
We have been blessed by friends and family with gifts and money. People have made such a fuss over me and our new baby it really takes me back. Ive been given 2 baby showers, of which surprised me so much I was really speachless. I also cry very easly so I had to contain a single tear because if I dared let one go, it would be water works!
A real encouragement of friends and family gathering around to support and love on us and be excited.

I want to share the Lord is good in the times our health is frustrating, and in lack of sleep, and 9 months of a very tiring pregnancy, and a fast and furious delivery, and the over all health of our babies. He has been there and He is. He is good. He is not our genie in a bottle, We dont call upon Him when things are only going rough but when things are going well too. We are to count it all joy, throwing up and thrush, and sleep deprivation, and everything else that is hitting us now and has and will. We count it all joy. We see His hand upon us, and reminded of His Love.
I am reminded of situations and families dealing with real true problems, serious life threatening, life shaking issues and reminded all over again, our things are just the Stubbed Toe of life. I will still pray for Grace and strenght and Mercy to get it thru our daily grinds and pray for my health to restore quickly and reminded to pray for our dear friends and families who also have their weaknesses, wither great or small.

2 Thessalonians 1:11

Wherefore also we pray always for you, that our God would count you worthy of [this] calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of [his] goodness, and the work of faith with power:

all 3 baby photos

Amelia Rose. She has the top of the nose between the eyes like Isabelle , eyes are more like wesleys, side profile like shelley's baby photos but front on looks much like Isabelle (my opinion!)Wesley
Isabelle (her nose is more like wesleys and chris)
Wesley
Isabelle


Amelia

Welcome baby Amelia Rose!

In no particular order (you can kinda tell from our clothing!) Family photo right before leaving the hospital and here we are at home!






Isabelle wanted to wear something beautiful to bring Amelia home and below Wesley enjoying some chips
Saturday evening, our first family photo
The kids had shirts mom made for them that said big brother and sister, I need to get a picture of them so you can actually see it :) Amelia Rose, just a few hours old




my 2nd official meet and greet :) about 3 hours old



Saturday morning, at 4:43 am, just a few hours past my due date, and after 5 hours of labor we were blessed by the Lord for sending us Amelia Rose. She was born weighing 7lbs 15 oz and 20 1/2 " long. And a very normal head size! She is our tiniest baby at birth so far. She has a petite face, loaded with Dark soft hair, and long skinny feet.
She is being a good baby for us and is a real pig when it comes to eating. We left the hospital thankfully with no issues of Jaundice, significant weight loss, pooping issues or anything, Just a real small possible heart murmur. Mommy left on that 3rd day with her feeling pretty well but struggling with nursing issues already and after another 3 days has continued to haunt her. Otherwise, alittle sore in the tailbone, not much else to report.

I was so blessed that both Chris and my mom were present at delivery, My mom even recorded a few moments from her phone for me so I can better recall the experience! My girlfriend was also present with my dad and children in the waiting room and watched as Amelia was showed cased behind the nursery window with her daddy while she got weighed, measured and her first bath!

So let me be ever so proud and show off some photos for you :)
I feel/felt so blessed with the visitors and support and encouragement, with my friend and Family who were present to share in this awesome time in our life and grateful for all the gifts, food, phone calls, emails and so on. Its such a blessing.

Btw, the kids are taking beautifully to her. They cant get enough, altho today was the first day they would actually go about and play for awhile w/o wanting to know every second about her. They are so gentle, and want to help so much. They make the biggest fuss over her. Sometimes the helpfulness creates more work for us but its all ok really. Wesley ALWAYS referes to her as "Mila Rosth" its really cute to hear him say her name.