Happy Birthday Irelyn!

I feel kinda repetitive.....

I guess that's what happens when your kids are so close together. I was so scared when I found out I was pregnant with Irelyn, Ty was only 3 months old. I had just become a Mom! I didn't know if I was ready to do it all again (like I had a choice). I felt bad for Ty, He wasn't going to get to be the Baby for long. But after all the fear and troubled thoughts ( that lasted for like an hour) I got excited. My kids would be super close in age, which I thought would mean that they would be the best of friends (I was right).

It wasn't easy. I had had preterm labor with Ty starting at 7 months. Since my body didn't have time to properly heal. It started at around 4 months with Irelyn. I was scared I wouldn't get to meet my baby. But thanks to the wonderful care from Dr. B and all the wonderful nurses who knew me by name at the hospital we did OK. Irelyn came 5 weeks early. They induced me because I was already dilated to a 5, and I did not want to have my baby in wal-mart or some other public place. She was perfect. Tiny. But she had no health problems. Well besides being impatient and almost falling to the floor because the Doctor was still suiting up, thank goodness her Daddy was there to catch her head! (that's a memory Joe will never forget). I guess that wasn't a health problem but it sure was scary at first and then funny afterward.

My beautiful 6lb 1 oz baby girl is now a 30 lb sassy, funny,beautiful little girl. She loves to dance and boy she is so good at it. She Loves her brothers. She is a complete Daddy's girl. She is a night owl (just like me). And she is mine.......and Daddy's too.

Love you Irie!

Happy Birthday Ty

Four years ago today I recieved the best blessing. I became a Mommy. Since then I have been able to watch Ty grow and learn. He is so smart, sometimes the things that he says take me by such surprise, the other day his Paw Paw asked him a question and his reply was "I'll have to think about that." . He is so funny, and has the best sense of humor. He Loves his siblings, every night before bed he has to give both Hayes and Irelyn a kiss and a hug. He always watches out for them. When ever they get hurt he is there to hug them and pat them on the back and make sure they are ok.

There is so much that I love about Ty.

The way he talks with his hands, like he is so grown up.

How he cares so much about peoples feelings.

How much he loves his grandma Pam and his aunt Kay Kay.

That he begs me to paint his toenails.

That sometimes (not very often) we wake up and he is in between Joe and I.

I love his amazement when he hears Hayes say words or when he takes steps.

How he draws jelly fish.

But most of all I love his big cheesy smile. Whenever we try to take a picture he smiles so big that his eyes aren't even visible.

I cannot believe 4 years has gone by so fast. It seems like yesterday we were bringing him home from the Hospital. And he was so tiny. So helpless. And now he feeds himself, he uses the potty, he can dress himself. I have watched him grow into a little boy, he is in no way a baby anymore. It makes me so sad. But I am so proud that he is who he is. That he is such a smart and caring person.

I Love You Ty Morgan Greco. You are the light of my Life.

Miracles Happen

Even though ours was bittersweet. Ashley fought for 8 days, but her injuries were just too great to overcome. She slipped away and is now with our Lord and Savior. But although she left this world, she left a legacy that will live on. Ashley was an organ donor and through her 5 people were saved. A 13 month old baby girl, a 5 year old little boy in Canada, another baby girl in san francisco plus 2 more people that I haven't found out there ages yet. Normally the brave parents do not get to contact these people for a year. But in the instance of Ashley's family the Lord intervened, and we all got to meet the wonderful, beautiful parents of the 13 month old baby girl, London (aka LuLu). The whole time Ashley was at Primary Children's Hospital fighting for her life, just one floor above, little LuLu was too. What a miracle that Ashley was an exact match for her, and in the same hospital too. The Lord is truly Awesome. LuLu's parents attended Ashley's funeral, they grieved for her loss right along side Ashley's parents. They showed her unconditional Love, and I hope they understand that our Love is unconditional for them and little LuLu as well. They are part of our family now and forever will be. My deepest appreciation goes out to every single person who prayed for Ashley and her family. Please continue to pray for her family and please include the woman who hit her. Please Include little LuLu, and everyone else who received the gift that Ashley gave them. If you want to read more about Little LuLu go to http://www.liverforlulu.blogspot.com/ , your heart will just melt and you will fall in Love with this little girl.

Prayers Please

Yesterday I received bad news. My cousin's twelve year old daughter, Ashley was struck by a car while crossing the street to catch the bus. As of now she is is critical condition. They have a drain in her head to help alleviate the pressure in her brain and her lungs are severely bruised. They have kept her in a comatose state. We don't know what is going to happen and the doctors say it will take a few more days of watching and waiting til they can know what to do. Anyone who reads this blog whether you are a follower or just happen to come across it please take a few moments to pray for her and my entire family. Since October we have been dealing with the loss of My aunt Debbie (Ashley's Grandmother) and our grandmothers husband had a quadruple bypass. I just wonder how much more our family can take. Please pray for our strength to get through anything that comes our way. Please make a special prayer for Ashley to to recover fully. Pray that her Parents will remain strong and hopeful. And also please pray for the women who was driving the car. It was not her fault it was just a freak accident, I am sure she could use some prayers too.
I have been thinking a lot since yesterday at how quickly things can turn for the worse. And every time I had to raise my voice to my kids or scold them for something, a tiny voice inside my head said to me "can't you just let this one go? who knows how much time you have left?" I quietly bowed my head and said yet another prayer for Ashley, but also I thanked God for my children and for how much he has blessed me with them and asked him to watch over them and keep them safe. Yesterdays news was a reminder that even though they are young, they can be taken from us at any moment. I will now try and fully enjoy my children, temper tantrums and all.

Christmas Thoughts

This Christmas is going to be tough. It will be my very first without my family. I will miss the big family gatherings, the homemade chili on Christmas eve, The big family gift exchange that is always good for a laugh. I will miss watching my family open presents, and GULP, I will even miss the SNOW! (BUT ONLY ON CHRISTMAS)
It snowed here the other night (in Louisiana? yep) But of course it did not stick. Joe and I just sat on the front porch and watched it fall. I giggled a little :) I always took for granted having snow for the Holidays. I never thought how cheerful a fresh blanket of snow could be.
I never took my family for granted (and i hope that they know that). At times I miss them so much that my heart physically aches. I miss my Mom, her home cooked meals, her Christmas platters of goodies she always gave away, especially her Jalapeno cheese logs YUM! I miss my dad, he is always so caring and loving and can always bring a smile to your face. I miss my sister who is my Hero in every way. My Nieces and Nephew and the excitement they exude during the Holidays, they always make me laugh. I even miss the quiet nature of my brother in law. I will miss everything I have come to know over the last 25 years.
But gladly this Christmas won't be all about missing things and sadness. It would be far worse if we had moved somewhere where we knew no one. I am so thankful that Joe's family is here and that they are so welcoming and loving. I am excited to see what traditions they have and how much fun we will have.
I am also excited to begin some new traditions ourselves. Maybe making homemade cookies for Santa, or making some Christmas crafts as a family, or I might deviate from the opening all the presents on Christmas Eve (besides the ones Santa brings that night) and just wait til morning. But I have a feeling I won't have the patience for that one :) I am interested to know what fun Christmas traditions all you out there in Blog Land and your families share?
On an end note. I am so blessed to have my Husband and 3 little ones with me. To be surrounded by Love. And to know that I have already received the best gift of all.
Much Love to you all. Or should I say Y'all ( hey I'm southern now. lol.) And
MERRY CHRISTMAS.

Thanksgiving ( a little late, sorry)

Thanksgiving was fun. Not the same but fun. All of Joey's family here in Louisiana went to their other sides of family for the holiday so we just had a quiet holiday with ourselves. It was just Joe, the Kids, Myself, and Joey's Dad Vincent. I cooked my first Thanksgiving dinner all by myself, I was a little scared. But it turned out great. I cooked a turkey, mashed potatoes, green beans, candied yams, and cornbread dressing. We also had store bought rolls, pumpkin pie, and pecan pie.

I had never cooked a turkey before, but a after some google-ing I had a pretty good idea of what to do (thank you google). It turned out great. And the cornbread dressing was just like my moms, so it made me feel good. But I did miss what I am use to. I have a huge family on my mom's side and usually after we eat everyone talks and laughs and jokes. But since it was just us it was so quiet it didn't feel natural. I am thankful that I have a big family. I miss them so much.

But being out here, so far away, is going to give us the opportunity to start new family traditions, and to become part of different ones with Joe's family. I am thankful that we do have family here. It would be so much harder if we didn't.

Simple Joys

Need I say more?