Can't Believe it Happened!

Krissy, Me, Trace, Annie P and Wendyroo in red:) We didn't plan it.

Molls and Lora plus baby Walt in tummy. Yippee!

Krissy and I...contrary to her eyes she had not had too much to drink.

Crammin in one car.

College car photos:)

The Sweet Suite!!

All of us at Two Urban Licks. Yum.

All of us plus my photogenic children. Ha.

Silly girls!

The awesome husband who made it all possible. (with help from Nana and Pops)

Micah wanted a photo shoot while we were all getting dressed on Sunday. Molls must've been pumpin' it up.

Ahh...signature Krissy.

Sadie Jane with her new friend P.

Me and the kiddos with Lora!

Ahhh. So I am on emotional overload. Starting Thursday my roommate and very best friend from Presbyterian College arrived. We got to hang out just she and I and the kiddos. It was awesome. In typical Krissy fashion she cleaned up she helped with the kiddos and served her heart out even with her time away from her two boys. Then Friday Annie P picked up three more girls; Tracy, Lora, and Wendy and headed to our house. Mick arrived and took the kids to Nana and Pops. When everyone walked in I was in total shock. I didn't even know what to say. We hadn't all been together in eight years. We were all in a bible study together our senior year. It took us about 10 minutes to warm up then the talking started and it didn't stop. I think the first tears came after about an hour of everyone being together and by the end of the weekend all of us had shed some. In a very therapeutic, restorative way. Mollie was our last to arrive on Saturday morning. She and three other girls were also my roommates for two years. We stayed up both nights waaaay past my bedtime but it was so worth it. On Saturday night we went out to dinner and dessert and I seriously don't think I've been out with out a time check since I was pregnant with Micah. Sunday we shared our hearts and prayed for one another. Lora stayed a day after everyone and she and baby in tummy got some time with us. Hopefully she still wants to have the baby after experiencing our family dynamics. It was beautiful. The whole weekend was beautiful. We all cut right to the chase of where God had brought us, the pain and trials we'd been through and so many stories of redemption. I truly cannot put into words the magnitude of this weekend. Even as I type this post I feel at a loss of how to verbalize what I feel in my heart. But I want to remember it, so as always I find a way for words. Haha. How after two days I could be a better person and grown and learned so much is amazing to me. The whole thing was a modern day miracle. Hearing how each girl was still chasing after our Jesus, although most of us with husbands in tow, some of us with multiple children in tow and one of us about to be a new Momma in a mere months. Two girls had lost fathers since we'd graduated. Some had been hurt and healed. Some struggled with singleness. Some wrestled with infertility. Lots celebrated marraiges. Lots added to their PC education. Almost all moved to other states. The God we serve is so amazing to allow a reunion of such power. We were able to shower each other with the grace and mercy that He has so lovingly lavished on us. We were able to laugh loudly and long as I am sure He was smiling at our joy. Our friendships and kinships were only possible because of our Jesus and it renewed my love for Him by being around women so brave and bold. Praise the Lord! On, on PC!

anticipation...

...and together they have on one full outfit. Haha.
I am so excited, nervous, anxious and back to mainly pumped about the next twenty four hours! I can hardly believe it is happening but a few months ago I initiated an email update chain with the girls from my college discipleship group. We caught each other up then tossed around the idea of a reunion, lots of us have kiddos, or are pregnant with child, or have a teaching job, or are deployed, or are really far away, etc. etc. so I didn't think there was anyway we could pull it off. But I hoped we might. And all but the deployed member will be arriving at my house within the next twentyfour hours!! Starting with my college roomie Kristen (who I lovingly call Krissy) who I am picking up at the airport in just a little bit. I haven't seen a few of the girls since we graduated from college or shortly thereafter. I think even those I have seen recently it has still been over a year! So it has been roughly between 3 and 9 years since I have spoken with some of these ladies. And don't go thinking we were just acquaintences in college...these ladies were with me through some of the hardest things God taught me, but then life came and we all went separate states, ways, etc. But God has made it so we can reunite for the weekend and we are kicking my little ones and hubby out and moving them in for some girl time like we haven't had in so long. There is also the anticipation of them meeting my lovely, well behaved, never a tear or whine, children. Each of them are leaving there sweet children behind and flying or driving here for their weekend away, I 'll get to meet most of their babies through sweet pictures and stories and while I am so thankful they get to meet mine I just hope they don't completely run amuck and allow us to still have the weekend I know they are hoping for, and maybe one day we'll do a big family reunion, that would be a miracle. If I weren't frantically cleaning I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight. Well, once Krissy gets here we might talk more than we'll sleep. I used to literally talk her to sleep. Shocking I know. So, they'll be no blogging this weekend just lots and lots of talking, praying and loving on old friends!

They grow up so fast...

Kayla and Chelsea (two AHS people we let come), Ashli, Jordyn, Me and Magan
three of the original "softball girls"

I am not actually referring to my babies on this post. Last week, yes, again during operation can't breathe. I also hosted a Lingerie Shower for one of Mick's softball girls (gasp!). Now this sounds weird when I say it, but it is only because she technically hasn't been one of his softball girls in over 4 years...I just can't seem to let them grow up. Jordyn was one of the first girls on the team I met after Mick and I started dating and got married. She actually came to our wedding and she came to the first bible study I started with the team. Then she grew up. Sad. It is amazing how most of the "softball girls" are now actually my friends, or family even, but I can't bring myself to stop calling them softball girls. Jordyn is getting married in March and when I found out there was no lingerie shower planned I couldn't help myself. I am sure it was a little awkward for her opening panties at her coach's house. Ha. But it was a great time and Mick actually left and took the kiddos to his parents. Micah came back at the end and insisted he be in the picture we were taking...like any other. He had no idea what kind of shower it was...he just kept saying "Happy Valentine's Day". Once Jordyn knew they were coming home she quickly put everything in her car. She didn't want to mix the two things and I can't blame her. It was fun for me to remember oh what it was like to be young and getting married and being worried about how cute your panties were instead of just if you remembered to put some on and if they were clean.

My Valentine Monkey.

I have been oh so very sick. It has been JUST a sinus infection but I dealt with terrible incompetence by my doctor and suffered through a week on the wrong antibiotics to finally get two shots in the booty at immediate care, plus another antibiotic and steroid and within two days I feel sooo much better. It is the first time I have been so sick that I literally did not think I was going to be able to care for my children. I've had quite a few sinus infections but nothing ever like this monstrosity. Thankfully Jenny came to the rescue quite a few times. Mick started baseball so he is gone, gone, gone. He did pick up the night shift thankfully though. I will not be back to Dr. Crabby/Clabby again. Grr. Enough on that but it made last week pretty difficult, still wanted to blog about Micahbird's Valentine Day party. They are the Monkey class and I found these cute masks to color and the kiddos seemed to love them. The last picture of Jaxson shows how sloow my camera is so his eyes are no longer in the eye holes. Hee hee. So even though I couldn't breathe I made it to Micah's party and we had a good time.

"The Freaker"

Let's see...there's "The Freaker", "The Overthetopper", "The PutDirt-on-it-er", "The Cool as a Cucumber", "The Lover", "The Examiner" and I am sure there are others out there that I am failing to identify. I am talking about how you handle a crisis....

I am officially a "Freaker". I come from a long line of "Freakers", my Mom (Jenny) is a major freaker, my sister is an almost identical "freaker" to my mom and Jenny learned it from my Grandmama who actually puts most "Freakers" to shame...and although I did not know my Great Gmama I am betting she is a "Freaker" at least in part.

I have always shamelessly shamed my mom for her "Freaker" ways. Whenever there is a crisis, someone is hurt, dead, etc. she goes to pieces. And I don't mean a little bit, but she gets loud and "Oh my God's" it to death. (I also know that the term "Freaker" sounds a little harsh but it perfectly fits the situation that someone actually "freaks out", I'm not a huge fan of the word but there wasn't another appropriate one to use.) Anyways, if ever we were injured my Mom would come running and if we weren't upset we knew we were gonna be, because with all her moaning and shouting and crying we were always scared to tears. Even now I have to preface tough subjects, with "Mom, please don't freak out and go to pieces..." but it never works, it only lessens the freak out.

Now my Grandmama she is straight Gone with the Wind- style freaking. She will literally fall to the floor if something has happened to someone or if she thinks someone isn't telling her something that has gone on. Although, I will say that when we found out my cousin David Allen had a heart attack on Thanksgiving, I gave her the same preface I give my Mom and she held up much better. Ah-hem, I wont tell you how Jenny ran out the cabin door screaming her head off and shouting to the heavens.

And then my sister, the toughest of tough...don't mess with her she'll beat you up...is a "Freaker". It is contradictory to her very attitude but nonetheless it is apparently in our genes and she must freak if the situation is a crisis.

I throw all these ladies under the bus because I love them so and think that they are great...I had just hoped not to emulate them in this ONE area. I vowed not to. I prayed not to...

...and alas last night at Micah's gymnastics I became one of THEM. I had both kiddos at gymnastics and also had a fever and some creepin' crud but I wont use it as my excuse. I was feeling yucky and about to go get Micah when I had left the watch area to go corral SayJ, when I get back all the parents are staring at me with the "I'd hate to be you" look and they bring Micah out screaming. He does not cry much and he doesn't really ever fake hurt. So I knew something was wrong and I was starting to get worked up...they bring him out and I can see it looks like his shoulder is disconnected (later we discovered his shirt was all wadded up and the lights were out). I started to freak and cry and then I went to grab his hand. It was limp as a noodle. And out came "The Freaker". I ran to grab my phone and some of it is a blur. I totally forgot to hug or comfort Micah as I started walking around frantically. A fellow "Freaker" grabbed Sadie Jane and she and I gave each other looks trying not to freak one another out. Then a "Cucumber" came up (ie the one Dad in the place). He assesses the situation and TOUCHES the arm, something I was NOT comfortable with...as any good "Freaker" wouldn't be. We can't let someone diffuse the situation...we must keep it going by all means that is what Jenny would do. So I get everything packed up and another mom that was more of a balance between the Freaker and Cucumber came over and offered to get us to the car since we weren't making much headway there and Micah was starting to freak out as well. Why? Oh why, hmmm, I wonder? Once I got in the car I stayed in a much more task mode and focused on the fact that I was so upset with Mick for not being reachable for the whole hour this fiasco is going on. I finally get Aunt Amy on the phone and locate Dr, I mean, Uncle Brad at Walgreens. I convince Micah that Uncle Brad knows alot about arms and shoulders, because remember he played baseball like Daddy. I trust him enough to actually let him touch it and he does his diagnosis in the parking lot until Micah asks him ever so politely to please go away. By this time we have movement but still no movement of the shoulder and Micah keeps saying his forearm hurts. Brad pushes and prods and only one spot seems to really bother him...I went back to "Freaker" mode during examination but got myself back together enough to tell him thank you and decide to go home since Brad says, "It wont get any broker, if you don't go to the ER for a while..." So we head home and as any good freaker had I had also enlisted, Taron, Kevin, Jenny, Budda, Nana and Pops in our freakout session. Micah is still screaming in his carseat and I get him out and bring him in. Nana rings the doorbell and lo and behold Micah gets up and goes to open it. (arm moving). Then after two minutes of Nana's arrival he is going through his toys full force and arm is completely FINE. Micah even confirms it and doesn't even favor it at all. Mick finally calls minutes before he becomes fine and arrives home to his normal healthy two armed bandit. Mick is a mixture of both the "Cucumber and Dustit-offer and Examiner" and he is a great balance for a "Freaker", he tends to diffuse my need for drama and all goes much smoother. Although I will state that "The Examiner" always feels the need to examine right away, which I feel is not always helpful to those who freak and it is not always neccesary. But I definitely missed my other half to balance me in a somewhat crisis situation. Thankfully Micah is AOK and while fixing him something to eat at 9:30 last night after all the ruckus I ask him why his arm isn't hurting anymore and he says calmly...I think Jesus just healed it. Exactly. Calm down "Freakers" Jesus will fix it!

As for me, I will continue to battle my genes of being a full fledged "freaker" so that my kiddos aren't frightened and if you fall anywhere on the "Freaker" spectrum, know that you aren't alone. AND, if you don't please know that we don't WANT to freak out...it just happens.

I knit you together...

Picture taken by Micahbird so the angle is not my fav. Of course you can't tell which one of us in this picture is pregnant, not because Jessica or I look big neccesarily, but because Brittany is teeniny.

...trying to get a picture with SayJ and Rhett. Notsomuch.

The Grass is Always Greener Disease

I tease Micah alot that he has the above mentioned disease. It seems that no matter what he thinks on his own, if someone else wants it, he has GOT to have it. This is especially true with SayJ...if she picks it up he is on it. This also happens with food, if someone else has something different, it never fails he changes his mind and wants that...even if he doesn't even like it. I wish he'd start wanting what other people are wearing, but this disease is tricky like that.

I know that this is actually a disease somewhat characteristic of his age, but today as I was driving and thinking I realized that it must also be genetic. I think I gave him the dreaded disease that I often ridicule him about. Some, Mom! It creeps up on me at the most inopportune times. Like today, I went with a dear friend for a 3D ultrasound to see her sweet baby and find out whether this beautiful God-knitted baby was a he or a she. It was such a special time and I am so thankful that she allowed me to be apart. Something about hearing that heartbeat....mmmm...nourishment to my soul. After she found out which she was having...I wont spoil her fun just now...but I will say Micah and his gender guessing is more accurate than at least the pee test at walgreens. So far he is 4 for 5 I believe. Anyways, after we saw that sweet baby, my friends sister - in- law who is a little farther along decided to get a glimpse at her blessing. Seeing two different babies in the womb is such a privilege and an honor. Pure beauty and a piece of who God is in a way that words don't describe. But with all that beauty came a little bit of ick. Ahhhh. It was at that point that I started feeling the disease kicking in. There were even a couple of other girls there who were pregnant too. Being around that much just made me want another one. Oh and on the way there, Micah affirmed that if Ms. Brittany could have two babies then he guessed so could we!!! A sign from the Lord, no less. I say all of this, not to make my Momma start sweating (and Mick for that matter). But this happens not just with big things like a human being, but also with little things, like my wedding dress, what I cooked for dinner, which Bible study I decide on, how a party went, even conversations...I don't necessarily always have to want what someone else has, sometimes I just don't want what I do have. I am not sure if this makes sense. This all has a point, promise. Well, at least a point for me:)

When Micah starts wanting things he doesn't have I get onto him and remind him of how MUCH he has, I think it is ridiculous that he even could possibly want something else. I remind him to be thankful and it is often even humorous to me because I can see how blessed, loved and (overly even) taken care of that he is. I often picture him in the midst of his toy filled house with a loving family and shake my head that he can't see what is all around him. But God reminded me today, that another baby or not, prettier wedding dress, different words said, and on and on, He was still the same and it is ridiculous, funny even, that I would get an ache for something only He can fill anyways. That makes me content in a way nothing else can. You see what each of us has is His choice for us and wanting something else is like telling our Creator, the very one who knit those beautiful babies I saw on the screen today, that I, Silly Stephanie, know better than He does. Nuts. That's what that is and it made me laugh as I played with my two before nap. My heart is so full with what I do have, and spending time on what I don't is a win for the prince of darkness and I wont have it. So while I am sure the disease will crop up for me again and again, just as it does for Micah, I pray I can set a better example so that we can hopefully cure Micah's "disease" before it turns into a full blown case. As with all my analogies I am sure this one has its flaws but I pray it is taken for what it is worth and that God uses it for His purposes.

Sunday Best

Who knew Hayden and Micah even smiled alike??

Apparently no one wanted to keep their eyes open because we hadn't seen the sun in so long...and now it is gone again. Boo hiss.

We had another fun weekend with our Haydee. Love him. Micah and SadieJane seriously are crazy about him and it is interesting how much he and Micah seem like brothers instead of cousins. I think it is a blessing how close they are and how much they love one another. Hayden has mad influence over Micah...which we hope he uses this power "for good" not sneakiness. So while he distracted Micah on Sunday morning I dressed him in (gasp) a button up polo and somewhat dresspants (elasticized but dress pants nonetheless) Then I had Hayden and Mick change to match Micahbird. Then I made them pose for pictures. In the front yard. Eeeek. I am that mom. Oh well...they all humored me well. AND Hayden's stellar mohawk and haircut was done at Mickey's Barber Shop. AKA our garden tub! With my oversight I thought Hayden's cut looked awesome. The minute Jenny picked Hayden up and closed the car door, Micah said "I miss him already..." It was our last weekend before the dreaded and highly anticipated "Baseball Season". Tryouts are this week and Mick no longer belongs to us...he belong to a couple dozen sweaty, noisy, smelly, but ohsolovable teenage boys. Wouldn't you know the week of tryouts we receive a monsoon. Poor Mick. Thankfully we are staying busy with school, home, friends, and finding creative ways to see Daddy. This year we get to be more apart of the team since SadieJane will be a walking, running Pantherfan now. Can't wait...well sortof.