putting the pieces back together again

well, we are home now. Surgery went very well. The procedure actually started ahead of schedule, so we were out of there in just 4 hours. We awoke Brad long enough to get in the car and then he slept the whole way home. He opted to come home, rather than spend the night. I felt this was a great plan, considering that his whole foot is still numb from the anesthesia. Brad now has 3 screws in his foot that will have to be removed in 6 months. Dr. Porter was wonderful. He is easy to question and anticipated most questions with both written and verbal instructions. Prior to the surgery, he came in and knelt down at the end of the bed, took Brad's foot in his hand, and prayed. It is awesome to see a talented surgeon be humble before the Lord and to realize that his abilities come from God. Thank you all who have prayed for us. Please continue to pray for pain control, our new family schedule, and the dreaded boredom factor! 

...and the saga continues...

Peyton and Brad watching video games

Tired girl after her hard night

Boo (neighbor dog) Coal, Paige and Peyton

Brad and Paige taking a rest

Just when I thought this week couldn't get more difficult, it did. Late last night, after all wer fast asleep, things got a bit more interesting. First of all, Peyton's beloved "Baby doll" was inadvertently left at Grammy's house, so she was sleeping in her sister's bed for comfort. I was sleeping hard in my bed and Brad was on the couch. (what a shock) At midnight I was awoken to screaming. The screaming only became worse because poor Paige's caring mother was SO disoriented, that she couldn't find her way out of the bedroom! I finally got to her, and found that she had been VERY sick to her stomach, and had a fever. The house was finally calmed down within the hour, and we mostly got some decent sleep. Above, see Paige catching up on some sleep. Today has been much better, with no fevers, vomiting or crying. Please pray for us that no one else will get sick, that surgery tommorrow will go smoothly, and that the girls will be healthy for their caregivers tommorrow.

Let the games begin...

Brad and Chad made it safely home from Florida yesterday. Brad, his dad, and I headed over to Indy early this morning to see the surgeon that is going to fix up Brad's foot. And now, my living room resembles the room of a teenage boy! Brad is taking a break from his "boot" after a much needed shower and propping up his bare foot. Chad is attempting to prop up his swollen and bruised right arm. What a pair! Nothing else to do except break out the Play Station.

Friday, we will head back to Indianapolis for the surgery to fix Brad's foot. The bad news is no weight bearing for 6 weeks, the good news is that he should be back on a wakeboard next summer. (I am still not totally sold on that being good news;)

The long road home....from Florida

For the past four years, Brad has headed to the wakeboarding capitol of the world, Orlando Florida, to work on his wakeboarding skills. Four years ago, he and I headed down there and I got to watch from a really cool boat while he rode for the day with professional instruction. The trip home was a bit rough because his back hurt. I recall him laying on the floor in the airport rather than sitting in the seats because it was easier on his back. Since then, Brad has had a second operation to his right knee. An old football injury, unrelated to wakeboarding. His best friend Chad has gone with him since then and I know that they have really enjoyed going, even if their bodies hurt for days afterwards. This year, the guys didn't have the best of luck. Thursday, Chad injured his bicep. They tell me it looks pretty swollen and bruised and he can't use it. So on Friday, he was just watching from the boat while Brad rode. Brad called me Friday morning and said that he had injured his foot and was headed to a nearby ER. That was 24 hours ago and he is still in that hospital. Apparently, he seriously injured the foot and will have to have surgery soon after returning home. So, if you are reading this, please pray for a safe lengthy drive home for two injured guys. Also pray for the next few weeks and months as we deal with surgery, traveling to Indy, pain, and the immobility, which is going to hit Brad the hardest.

Back at home...

Charity and I, our last night

Me, Peyton, Paige, Sam, Josiah, Matt, Charity

Sam, Paige, Peyton, Josiah on the beach

Peyton and Paige, headed home on the plan

The girls and I are back home from our great week in the Carolinas. The flights were good, except for a slight delay in the first flight caused us to have to move as fast as 6 yr old legs can go to make it to our connecting flight back to Indianapolis. Both girls put their heads in my lap right after takeoff and they were asleep until we taxied to the gate in Indy. Of course, everyone was thrilled to see Daddy just past the security checkpoint waiting for us. So now all the clothes are put away and it is a regular Monday. We went to the pool for a few hours and may go to the lake this evening. I spent a few hours this morning suffering with a major case of "home from vacation" blues.

Almost ready to go home..

Charity posted some great pictures of our week tonight. To check them out, click here. The girls and I have had such a great time, I can't believe that we are headed home in the morning.

Greetings from South Carolina...

The chicks and I have been spending this past week with my friend Charity. Feel free to check out her blog for a few pictures of the week also. When I get home I will have a full report, but for now, I am borrowing a computer. We arrived back to her house today after a great few days in "Sunset Beach, NC." A great time was had by all! We fly back tommorrow, and while that is sad, we really miss daddy! Check out a few pictures, and check back for more updates in the days to come.

First day at the pool

One of my earliest and fondest memories of childhood summers is swimming. My mom took us to the Fairmount Swim beach nearly every day all summer long. I can remember swimming, playing hard, and then falling asleep in the couch when we got home. I can remember getting into the car to head home, and how hot and sticky the car was. I can remember laying on the dock in the sun during hourly swim break. I loved it then, and I still love it now. Last year, I started taking the girls to the pool. This is our second season to have a family pass, and I intend to use it every available day . The kids like to play in the water and lay in the sun. I play in the water, lay in the sun, and do a little pool side reading. It makes me feel like I am on vacation! Here are a few pictures of the girls in their new swimming suits on our first day at the pool.

Paige and Peyton

Paige

Peyton

A day on the Boat

We spent Memorial Day on the Boat this year. It was a hot day, and the water was bearable (not that I got in). The kids spent lots of time swimming around the boat and playing. A fun time was had by all!

Chad and Livie

Peyton and Paige

That time of year again..

Brad starting out

Brad

The weather is warmer, the flowers are blooming, and the boat is out on the water! Brad has had the boat out several times this year already. He wears his wetsuit when he wakeboards to protect against the still cold water. Yesterday, with the temperatures rising, the girls and I went along and enjoyed the sun. I didn't even put my feet in the cold water, but both of my girls braved a dip in the lake. Brrr...

Fun with Coal

Someone came and stole my very calm dog and replaced it with this equally cute but very active puppy! Coal now escapes from the fence no matter how many barriers we put up. I'm not kidding, the could use this pup for next season on "Prison Break!" Yesterday, Aunt Jame came by on her day off and took some pics of the kids and the dogs. Here are a few.

As usual, click on pictures to enlarge

Paige, Coal and Peyton out by the pond checking out the toads

Did somebody call my name?

Paige and Peyton playing by the pond

taking a rest

Meet Coal..

Meet Coal....We brought a scared puppy home last night. Today, he is jumping and playing in his new yard. We were trying to decide on a name on the way home from getting him, when we crossed "Coal Creek." I said "Coal" to Brad, figuring he wouldn't like it. But he smiled and said that he liked the name. He is an adorable black lab, a big guy for 8 weeks old. It was a smile I haven't seen on Brad's face for quite a while.

We had been talking about getting a new dog since right after we lost Scottie in January. I sat down in the row in Sunday school day before yesterday, and a couple in the class was showing a flyer on their pups to the couple next to me. I quickly asked for the flyer and took it to Brad after Sunday school. He was very interested and called them that night. So last night, we went over to get Coal. This is a good reminder that God is faithful to us in even small areas, like a new pet. The kids are very excited about him, and I they are already working on bonding with the pup, kinda "early" this morning! (Yawn for mommy.)

I think I like my new home!

so tired! He doesn't even care as Grammy holds up his paw for a picture!

Happy Mother's day

I got home from work at about 2 am to find two beautiful homemade Mother's day cards on the table, with a dish of my favorite sugar free candy and peanuts (my girls definitely know my snacking habits!) I feel very blessed today already.
click on image to enlarge

I have always loved Faith Hill's song "You can't lose me." However, this song became very special to me after my girls were born. When my girls were very tiny and in seperate hospital NICUs, I knew that God was taking care of them, and I didn't even need to be there. Even so, I hated when I couldn't be with them. Even now, I don't like to be away from them for too long. I remember singing this song to Paige the first time they let me hold her. I wanted her to know that even when I couldn't be by her side, I loved her and was there for her. This song always comes back to me on mothers day. For some reason, it also makes me think of my own mother, and what an encouragement she has been to me. I always want my mother to know how much I love her, and how just like my girls, she can't lose me either! Happy mothers day mom!

(trey bruce, thom mchugh)

A little girl, a little small for her age

A little too slow for the field day race

Momma’s waiting at the finish line

And wipes the teardrops from her eyes

She says, you did just fine honey, that’s okay

Sometimes life’s just that way

You’re gonna lose the race from time to time

But you’re always gonna find

You can’t lose me

Bet your life

I am here and I will always be

Just a wish away

Wherever you go

No matter how far

My love is where you are

You won’t be lost if you believe

You can’t lose me

Momma use to say girl it won’t be long’til it’s time to go out on your own

Chase your dreams find your place in life

I know you’ll do just fine

When that day finally came

There were things she needed to but could not say

So I whispered softly as I wiped

The tears from momma’s eyes

You can’t lose me

Bet your life

I am here and I will always be

Just a wish away

Wherever I go

No matter how far

My love is where you are

You won’t be lost if you believe

You can’t lose me

babysitting today

Kids are such fun!!

click on each picture to enlarge

Paige, Isaiah,Peyton,Elijah

Paige and Peyton

Paige

Elijah

Isaiah

A work in progress

I am trying to add my picture to my username. I am choosing a picture that one of my girls took. It is outside, I am not dressed up, and there are toys behind me. So it is definitely to real me! I hope that this works.

Also, I am trying to put some baby pics of the girls on the blog. My scanner gets just a bit closer to working every time I try it. Now it scans, but no picture appears. I will need to ask a computer savvy friend to help me out! (any takers???)

Milestone anniversary..

Six years ago today, Brad and I brought our tiny daughters home from the hospital. Not generally a celebrated day, what with most babies coming home within a few days of their births. However, if you think about it, it is one of the most significant days in your life. For us, it was the day we were waiting for, and yet the day we dreaded. Our daughters were exactly 9 weeks old, and still 3 weeks shy of their due date. Paige weighed in at 3 pounds 15 ounces, and Peyton was the "big" baby at 4 pounds 1 ounce. That old story that babies must weight 5 pounds was proved to be untrue. Good thing, or they would have been in there for several more weeks! It was a pretty spring day. My sister Jamie and I went over to Champaign early so that we could go to target and get a few things we needed. Brad would get off early, and come over for infant CPR training, as well as training on the apnea monitors (our friends and our worst enemy, those machines!).

We were nervous and excited. One definite advantage that we had was that we knew our babies by now. After all, we had been able to learn about them for over 2 months, and still go home almost every night. I have since seen my friends bring home 2 day old babies, and often wondered what that would be like, to bring home this new person you knew pretty much nothing about!

Paige had only been taking feedings by mouth for about a week, and she had just come off of the oxygen. The skin around her eyes was still bluish. She was still very "puffy" from steroids. This gave her the illusion of being "fat" next to scrawny Peyton, even though Peyton was heavier. I could tell their cries apart, because Paige was still "hoarse" from having the tube in her throat to help her breath for so many weeks. Peyton came home on medication, literally caffeine drops, to remind her to breath.

Anyway, I thought it was the end of the most difficult period in our lives. I was wrong. The coming weeks were half magical, half crazed. I am thankful for a helpful husband, sister, parents, inlaws and friends. Without them, there would have been no sleep, and much less joy in time with my babies.

The last few years have held many changes for our family. We have been blessed by God to watch our girls flourish and grow. God has protected them, they have been healthy. There are only a few small physical signs of those months left. Now, I am thoroughly enjoying my days with my two kindergartners. They are smart, polite, funny and beautiful. (I am not biased or anything.) Here are a few pictures of us enjoying another spring day, much like the one on which they first came home to us 6 years ago.

Paige and me
Paige and her bicycle

Peyton copying pages from a book

Rainy day...

Today was a cold rainy day in Illinois. This is not terribly unusual, but since it has been nice for the past week, I took it as a sign that it was a great day to clean. I enlisted the aid of the girls, and we cleaned the toy room first. Thankfully, there was little complaint in their working. By the time daddy came home, they were pround and ready to show off all they accomplished. Of course in that room, seeing the floor was an accomplishment! Today I was never asked, "Do you think we are Cinderella's?" This did happen a few weeks ago. Very funny that my daughter would ask me that question. They are just starting to catch on that I only bothered to carry them and then care for them at babyhood so that I had someone to fold dish towels!

All dressed up!

Busy Sundays! I won't even get started on how much fun it has been teaching junior church to 4 and 5 yr olds! We discovered today that there is a fifth Sunday this month, so we will yet again be at the mercy of the kids next week. Our two girls have now graduated into the 6-9 year old section of Children's church. So now, Brad and I are hanging out with 14-18 kids, none of which belong to us. Yesterday, we escaped early to attend the baby dedication for Nathan. Brad's brother Brock and his wife Amie attended our church for the event (right hand side), here is a shot of all of us. Brad, me and our girls; Brad's sister Brittany, and her husband Paul, their kids Lauren, Brookelyn and Nathan. In the middle in the back are my in-laws, Steve and Marie.




Peyton and Paige in their Easter dresses last week (yes, I know the shoes are a bit small yet)!

cousins...

First picture of all the kids together. Paige, Brookelyn, Nathan, Lauren, and Peyton. Go ahead, feel very sorry for that poor little boy with all those girls!

Happy 30th birthday (if that is possible)..

Brad and his favorite activity, wakeboarding (me and my summer pics)
Brad Thornsbrough is now officially 30 years old! As his wife, I can be pleased by this because I passed this milestone a year and a half ago. He is someone that has only gotten better looking with each passing year, so 30 shouldn't bother him a bit. Brad wanted to have just an regular Monday the day of his birthday, so we did that. I did make sure that I made one of his favorite dinners.
When Brad was born ( wasn't around, but I have heard stories and seen pictures) he was huge! I mean, drive the car home from the hospital huge! Brad weighed 11 pounds 9 1/2 ounces (his mother stresses that las 1/2 ounce, it must have been the deal breaker that made him her final offspring ;) .
I have been been blessed to have been in Brad's life since before his 15th birthday. (yes I was present when he began driving legally, and I still stuck around, I am sure my nail marks are still in that car dash somewhere.) Brad's celebrated day being in late March is somewhat of a problem because any party or activity planned is usually overshadowed by March Madness. Over the years I have learned to accept that as his birthday plans of choice.