Happy Easter 2012

We had a pretty low-key Easter. After being sick for most of the week and doctor's appointments on Friday, it was nice to have time this weekend with family. Thanks for the encouraging words and prayers. Another doctor's appointment tonight and one tomorrow should help shed some light and give some answers for healing- all around. It's almost difficult to get hopeful anymore. Here are a few pictures from Easter. I didn't get any from the Chance Easter. :( I was really slacking that day. Brady helped me take a lot from my family's Easter.

Pizza at Pfizenmaiers

I feel its appropriate to let you know that I have had this post ready to go with pictures since right after Easter. My time between now and then, well, have been a little crazy. I finished up my masters program (except the practicum) and will be graduating next Saturday, May 14th! :) I'm very excited about this and besides a few little moments of debating whether or not I should attend, I have decided that I WILL! I need some celebration in my life right now. The stress surrounding me has been IMMENSE!

As most of my dear friends know, Shawn no longer works at Mercy. I would REALLY love to go into the details, but right now, my heart is telling me that God has something better in store for us. He enrolled at ESU on Friday and will start school most likely in the fall. He wants to be a secondary (middle or high school) science teacher or possibly a Physicians Assistant. We'll see where the path leads us on this new journey.

The boys are keeping busy finishing out the school year with field trips and fun days. We had their learning celebration last week and are so very proud of them.

Zachary will soon move out of 2nd grade and Logan will no longer be my kindergartner.

At Easter time was the last time I saw my Brienna. She is such a happy little girl. Its so much fun to have neices now. I love it.



She really likes Uncle Shawn too:


Treya is growing up fast too. She's such a doll. I'm so smitten with her.

I'm proud to say that my influence has helped Brienna realize how good REAL food is. Now she's an eater and a begger. (Do you see Malachi in this picture? He loves her too!)




We still have fun with the 5 boys, but now there will soon be two girls in the mix of it all.



Ah. . . .Tarin and his farm boy grunge:





Happy Mother's Day tomorrow to the mothers that read my blog. I have certainly been blessed with a terrific biological mother as well as several adopted "moms" that I love. Enjoy the weather and know how blessed God has made you to have the special title of "mom."

Easter with Family

Last weekend or maybe two weekends ago (whenever Easter was), we had a celebration with Shawn's side of the family. It was pretty low-key with a great meal and an Easter egg hunt. The kids enjoyed playing together and Shawn enjoyed seeing his brothers.






Tera made these cute cakes. They are so adorable! :)

I'm ready for a Monday- a fresh start. . . .exciting new possibilities. . . . and the countdown to summer! :) Happy May Day!

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.

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!

Somewhat Improving

Today is somewhat better, and somewhat the same. I think my spirits are just much improved after a good visit from a friend. She had researched POTS and gave me some links to new information which also gives me hope. I've tried to not stay in bed all day, and fight through the pain and fatigue, but its taking its toll this evening and I think I'm soon off to bed once again. I hope I can make it to church tomorrow. I need a good dose of Jesus.

My mom took Logan today and I miss the little guy. He's so animated and sweet. Zachary's been bored most of the day, which makes him "bother" us. He's gotten sassy and rude, so its been nice to have conversations with him to give him a little more attention and hopefully snap him out of this phase.

Malachi has been grumpy ALL day long! He is clingy and fussy and just tired. No nap though, so he's running off energy outside right now and I'm praying hard that he'll sleep soundly tonight.




Oh, and Easter weekend, my son had a run-in with the wooden corner of Grandma's couch. It didn't hurt, but his gums above his front tooth sure did.

Ouchie!

Please continue to pray that I can get strength. I know God provides and He cares, so I am giving it up to Him to get me through this. And, if anyone has connections or ideas or even suggestions, I'm open to them.