Everett Easter Sunday

Easter happened.

I think I've discussed on here about how we don't give our boys presents or baskets on Easter. They do get plentifully spoiled however. We have some of the best friends and family.

Here they are hunting after we got home.


I spent Easter getting to cuddle with my new neice Treya. She is such a doll- just sooo precious.

They boys got plenty of treats for their egg hunt.

Here is some team work to get the eggs out of the downspout.


Good 'ol Grandma gives healthy snacks.


Grandma Pam with Brienna.

Malachi had a blast.

teamwork:

I am ALMOST finished with my projects. It will be wonderful to be done. Most of my things were due yesterday, but it got extended because of the immense stress this week. I have the best professors ever. Shawn and I are really excited about what the future holds for us. It is such an exciting time and the outlook is promising as long as we keep perspective of who holds our future.

Definitely a Day

My friend Valerie is terrific. Not only does she make the most delicious cookie dough, but she is such a great Christian sister. She lives with her husband on a farm around her which is the envy of all my boys. They LOVE going to Valerie's house to yell at the cows or ride the 4-wheeler or dig in the dirt. They LOVE the farm.

A couple days ago, Valerie took Logan to a choir concert at a church in Manhattan. He came home and said, "but I didn't even see Taylor Swift!" He had a lot more to say, but that was pretty funny. He kept her entertained I think.

Last night, Malachi went out to Valerie's house so I could get a little homework done while Shawn took Z & L to their Awanas picnic. I have been so sick with stress that I haven't been able to concentrate very well on my homework. My professors have been amazing to work with however. It will be bittersweet at the end of my program.

Sometimes I joke with Valerie that this is how she will look in a few years.



Malachi got a doll scarecrow as a late birthday present. Its the most perfect gift for him. I wish I could have done it myself. Maybe after school, I can learn to sew again. :)


Here is Malachi hiding in his bedroom with the bag of Easter candy.

Today, I faced evil and again was aware of its presence in my environment. While it made me sick and mad, it also reminded me of the amazing network of friends that truly care. Without hard times I would not know the amazing powers a hug from a friend or sharing Kleenex with me could be. I appreciate the prayers and those continuing to pray. I do pray for my enemies everyday and I pity them and the lives that they have that they feel they can attack others to make themselves feel better. Once again, I am reminded of how God uses our challenges to help us move on as stronger people. Shawn and I both are moving on. . . .forward in our lives. . . with the strength and grace of God. . . knowing that His will is being sought and that we serve only Him. I'm excited for the future. . . . maybe a tad bit nervous. . . but still trusting that God will provide and protect. What a horrible, no-good, very bad, diasterous day that is now finally looking up as I can breathe once again- and I know- God is JUST.

Stress, New Challenges, and Growing Chickens

When we got home from Valerie's farm tonight the chickens were out playing/eating in the grass. They have grown so much in the past week. Everyone said they would, but we were naive new parents. :) They have feathers, but are still pretty cute with their personalities. Malachi still is in love with "Purple." That poor chick

Malachi keeps Purple very close at hand:

He even encourages him to "poop." I think its his way of potty-training him at the same time. :)

Shawn's bird- Supper- is a good rooster.

Notice how the 4 smart chickens keep their distance???? :)

Purple looks on toward his friends, telepathically calling for help.

Malachi is plotting who to catch next.


He loves his Purple chick.

I'd say they're best buds, but I don't think Purple reciprocates that love.


Today was a VERY stressfilled day. Kinda like some of what I wrote yesterday about people that kick you while you're down. I hate unknowns. I hate being attacked. I also do not like being bullied and feeling like I am not a viable part of a team. Stress wears on me. I am 100% sure that I would be MUCH healthier right now if it were not for stress from some family and close people in my life. Thankfully, I have a STRONG faith in Jesus and the Lord that comforts me and I know that my prayer team is faithfully praying for my victory against the evil that tries to attack me.

In other, more exciting news, Zachary is in the middle of a room remodel- its KU Jayhawk themed and will be brilliant! I can't wait to show you the finished pictures. Logan went with Valerie last night to a choir concert at K-State. She asked him how he liked it and he said, "well, I did like the girl on the right edge the most." I asked him about it tonight and he said, "well, Taylor Swift wasn't there." He also asked if he could have some baby octopuses in our fish ponds. What a creative kiddo! He keeps us giggling.

Go Ahead- Kick Me While I'm Down

This is the last week of my finals projects for my masters program. After a VERY VERY rough week last week, I had doctors appointments scheduled this afternoon. Things are getting back on track after the horrible relapse that happened last week. Thankfully, we are aware of what caused it and thus can prevent future occurances hopefully, but while it happened it was scary to spiral downward so quickly and helplessly. It was just such a clear reminder of how out of control we are sometimes when God has a plan in mind.

Today was a difficult day, made more so by incompassionate others. One of my final projects is on hold, a project I did have pride in, that was one of the major highlights of my program. Now, I face failing the class because of sources outside my control! And once again, I revel in the almighty plan that is before me that I do not know what God has in store for me, but I do know that He loves His children more than I can even imagine. So, while mean people "kick me while I'm down" and try to take the spark out of the learning I love so much, I know there is a reason and that I will prevail.

I have a million pictures from this past weekend. Easter was such a wonderful time with our family. No, we do NOT do Easter baskets or believe in the Easter bunny. Its not blasphemy. . . its just how we were raised and what we believe for our children. Santa Claus is almost towing the line as it is. JESUS is the reason for the season and we like to hold that true. We do have family fun and partake in egg hunts with a plethora of candy. UGH! But, as far as having a glorious Easter morning with loading our kids up with presents from the Easter Bunny- nope. Jesus holds the bar mighty high when it comes to giving gifts and sacrifices.

Tomorrow will be a better day- this week will get better, and this month is almost over. May will be a busy and fast month. Summer will soon be here and we have some MAJOR decisions during the summertime that we're contemplating. Please continue to be in prayer for us, our family, and my health. Thank you!

Precious

She is precious

God is amazing

We are blessed

Treya Joy is one week old today. (Photos taken and edited by my brother-Brady)

Trying to Keep my Head Up

Today, I stayed home, yet again. I don't know what happened, but I hit rock bottom. Yesterday, I tried to get ready for work and started to feel more and more lightheaded. Usually, I am the most sick when I first get up in the mornings and it gets better as I get going and have breakfast, but not yesterday. It kept getting worse and worse until I finally had to lie down and tell my kids how to get ready for school as best they could by themselves. I made it back home and crashed. Usually I will let myself sleep for as long as I need to until I feel refreshed. I layed in bed for almost all day and still did NOT feel better. Shawn came home and took me in town for an appointment. The doctors office called with instructions for vitamin supplements and fluids to hopefully get me back on track.

Last night, I went to bed as soon as we got home from our appointment. I kept losing circulation in my appendages. My heart was racing out of control and my entire leg would fall asleep or my arm or if I rolled over, the side of my face felt tingly and numb too and my heart was racing so fast. I didn't sleep well, needless to say, but when I got up this morning, I really could not stay up. I couldn't take the pain or lightheadness. Shawn took the boys to school and then came home to keep checking on me. Gradually this afternoon I was able to get up out of bed. I actually got some reading done while lying down and so finished one of my classes.

As I was pondering today I thought how ironic it is how some things happen in life:

Isn't it amazing how God can speak to us when HE slows us down to MAKE us listen? Otherwise, I would have missed His "whispers" of promise and hope.

Isn't it ironic that on one of my most beautiful days that I am bedridden, yet God shows me the beauty of blooming flowers and a bouqet of lilacs from an amazing husband? That really lightens a spirit.

My friends came over tonight to help clean my house and just knowing they would be there lifted my mood and helped me to want to get my strength back so I could visit with them. They are true joys in my life, and I'm so thankful for them.

My boys were amazing this morning, getting ready and being so grown up. Its amazing after I've had an all-out pity party how God can kinda humble me to see that I am ALIVE, I am breathing, and I should be thankful. There are many more that can't do as much.

And as the pain courses through my different parts of my body, I can be thankful that I am the one suffering and it is NOT my children.

Tonight, as I go to bed, I thank God, that He got me through yet one more relapse. For, if I did not know the pain and suffering, I would never know how joyful it can be to live a life without it. If I never had to slow down and physically be stopped, might I have missed some of the whisperings from Him? Somewhere there is a purpose. Somewhere there is a plan. I hold on to that hope on days like this and I know that He knows my suffering and will make me whole again. . . in His time.

Thanks for the Facebook support, comments, and prayers. I grately appreciate it.

Baby Treya

As we struggled through a Monday, I had to post some pictures of Treya that make me smile. She's just so precious. He brothers (and family) love her so much. Here is Tarin with her:


Tarin liked to wear his gloves to handle his precious sister with care.


Taige= stinker! :)

Mommy and her kiddos:

Holding onto mommy and grandma:



The boys are enjoying the beautiful weather. It really cooled off quickly tonight however. Monday has been a rough day. I never quite recooperated from the entire work week last week. I keep telling myself- I can do it, I can do it.. . . but with CFS, its not the marathon runner that wins the race, its actually the turtle that listens to his body and slowly gets to the finish line. However, my world is spinning fast and I have many many many projects and assignments to get completed, so I'm running on fumes and meds until I can CRASH. I was hoping to get a little time off to finish up the entire program, but it looks like evenings are my time. So . . . forgive me for lack of blogging in the meantime.

Treya Joy

Miss Treya Joy is my new niece. She is such a blessing. Born on Thursday, April 14th, on a stormy day, she made such a joyous presence. She is BEAUTIFUL and precious!!!!

More pictures later. Zach's at boyscout camp tonight where Shawn and him will spend the first night ever at a camp. Zach shot a BB gun today and also did pretty well on his archery (from what I heard). He also went fishing, but Chance's aren't really known for their patience, so I'm thinking he didn't do as well as he'd hoped. Shawn said his phone died so no more pictures of that. I had a Tupperware party today that was very successful in terms of great friends and family. I love the people surrounding us right now. Finally, Grandma Pam asked about taking Logan and Malachi home tonight so I could get some homework done. She is SUCH a Godsend! I am so thankful for my kids having such a wonderful grandma that loves them and WANTS to spend so much time with them. They also love playing on the farm at her house too. So, I've been working on homework for an hour, taking a "house-cleaning break" for half an hour and now I'm ready to hit the books again. Graduation day is growing ever closer. :)

Cranky

Someone was CRANKY today. The only thing that kept him from crying, screaming, and just plain throwing a temper tantrum was his little chick, "Purple."


FYI- this isn't Purple, its Dennis. Dennis (the Menace) can handle rough Malachi. Dennis actually likes to peck Malachi and get him back. Dennis might be a rooster, in our opinion, although we really don't know how to tell. It could just be a very strong Type-A chick! :) haha.

Malachi LOVES the chicks. I'm just a little scared that he will love them to death. He isn't the most fragile with them.

He's very possessive and protective of them.

Unfortunately, Purple doesn't reciprocate the love for Malachi. :(