Thursday, September 22, 2016

I Always Get Up...

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Hello Thursday....

Just so you know, this week has been a rough week.  Sometimes, I wonder if you are tired of hearing about my rough weeks?  

There are days when I am just tired - I have so many emotions, memories, and feelings running through my brain.  I know there are days, we all want to pull the blanket over our heads, just so we don't have to face the day.  We all have moments in life when being an adult is just to much to think about.  

This is how I started my Thursday... At 12:24 am to be exact.  

Because my brain wanted to think and my body just wanted to sleep.  Guess which one won?  What started as a simple memory of how I felt for a moment yesterday, turned into a memory 4 years ago, of my grief-stricken fog of living without Carter.  A memory 3 years ago, of sitting in a dark hospital room grieving for Kaleb while doing my best to stand up and fight for Jase.  I remember 3 years ago, the ups and downs of the NICU, wondering if the next day would be the day we said goodbye to Jase.  Why does my mind have to replay those memories? The psychologist in me would say that I need to replay them to understand, to process and to heal.  The crazy grief-struck me, want to bury them deep in my subconscious, to repress and ignore.  Where I just want to scream... Life isn't fair.

4 years later - I have been living in a constant state of survival.  I could deny this, but I am pretty sure it's still true, and it feels good to say it out loud.   Grief doesn't go away one day, it is the constant reminder of love lost.  It makes you question the very inner part of your soul.  It makes you question yourself, it tries to control you, your emotions, your feelings... your Thursdays.


Grief is the price we pay for love.

AND there comes a day when you realize that bad things happen.  I know this.  I tell myself this.  Most of the time, bad things happen to good people.  Grief is a passage, not a place to stay.... or so they say.  Today is another day of letting go of what I can not change - Of riding the waves of grief, knowing that if I don't ride the waves, I will drown.  

And then,  I realized today as I was getting out of bed,  I am so much stronger because of those emotions, memories and feelings. These experiences, of love and loss have made me who I am today.  I  know that some people can't handle my strength and that is okay.... but I will not stop standing up for myself.  I will not let anyone walk all over me, my family or my beliefs.  I am not perfect, and I will say I am sorry when I make a mistake, but I will not apologize for my feelings.  If there is one thing this life has taught me, it is to ALWAYS GET UP.


I get  knocked down, but I get up again, your never going to keep me down. 
(feel free to sing along)


Thank you Thursday...

for reminding me that love never fails.

A rough week is not a rough life.



Life is AMAZING -  Life is to short to live in a constant state of survival.  So today, I grant myself permission to just be happy.  Today, I will let go of what I can not change, toxic people, negative thinking and the "what ifs" in life.  Today, I will spend the day with Jesus in my heart, joy in my steps, and people I care about.  

I have been dealt a life with a lot of loss, but I have been blessed in
life with TREMENDOUS amount of love.

Thank you Jesus for the tremendous love in my life.


Thanks again Thursday, for letting me vent, 
for letting me get out all of those hurts in my heart,
and for reminding me that I am strong, I am blessed, and I am loved.

Hey Thursday - Let's Do This!



Monday, July 11, 2016

Hello July! You Make Me Smile.

Oh Mama... MORE PICTURES?




July 1st -

Legos and Singing on a Friday Morning
NO PT for Jase this morning - 
Jase doesn't like his picture taken and he refuses to do anything if the camera is pointed at him.
Don't worry, I got him to sing without noticing what I was up to.



And off he goes to have breakfast with Grandma Belinda at Grandma Emma's house.





July 2nd -
What's better then sleeping in on Saturday Morning,
while listening to the much needed rain patter against the window?
Daddy making Saturday Morning Blueberry Pancakes.
Jase must really like them, this is is his second pancake!






July 4th - HAPPY BIRTHDAY AMERICA!

Home of the Free - Land of the Brave.






Friends and Fireworks!





July 6th - Another Zoo Day with our friend Noah and his sweet mama!
We enjoyed Zombie Burger and then chose a very HOT day to go to the zoo.
We braved the heat and the boys had an amazing time.


BEST FRIENDS!!











AHHH - Mama, there is a huge tiger behind me!




He touched the giant millipede from the Amazon
and then splashed in some puddles.





We ended our Zoo Adventure with the Curious George Exhibit and the Playground!







 READY, SET - GO!!
Down the Tunnel Slide.





July 8th - Another Day - Another Trip to Des Moines!

Since Jase had PT with Jill, I decided it was a great opportunity for a trip to Home Depot.
Jase really wasn't in the mood.


We headed home for a much needed nap and then dinner with Mama while she worked at the Elks. 


July 9th - A BUSY SATURDAY  


#messyhairdontcare
Cuddles and IPAD games with Mama.  No more pictures Mama!



Following a visit to Great Grandma Emma we played in the sand box.
Jase asked me to share this picture with Grandma because he was covered in sand.

Followed by Jase's First Movie at the Movie Theater.
The Secret Life of Pets
 He loved the popcorn, he loved the soda.  He loved sitting on Mama's lap.







It's been a great week.  July has been amazing for our family!
Thanks for letting us share our life in pictures -

Melissa




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Thursday, June 30, 2016

The End of June - Our Summer Shenangians


Time to enjoy another week in pictures!  It really is hard to believe that today is the last day of June.
We have had an amazing month - thanks for allowing us to share our summer shenanigans with you.



June 26th -

Jase ordered his own ice cream cone this time. 
 I am beginning to see a summer Sunday night tradition here.
A trip to DQ in our pj's










June 27th -

A little boy and a vacuum.
I am so thankful he likes to help me clean!


Today, was also the first time since I burnt my foot that I have been able to put on tennis shoes!
I was so excited, we walked to Casey's for lunch.
Jase was pumped for pizza, chips and water for lunch!
A new meaning to lunch on the go....


We finished our walk by watering the flowers... and cleaning the landscaping blocks.


Please don't spray me Jase!


Jase spent the night with Grandma Belinda.
He enjoyed the first corn on the cob of the season.



June 28th -
Spending the night with Grandma Belinda means Tuesday mornings at the campground.
Jase loved the play equipment and spending time with Grandma.
He even enjoyed an early morning breakfast at Grandma Emma's house.


AND ....
We finished the day with cake.
Happy Birthday Grandma Pattee!
Jase loves cake.







 June 29th -
Have I mentioned these are the best days of my life?
Late night snuggles with this little boy always brings tears to my eyes.
Not only do I thank God for this precious one, 
but it is during these moments that I feel closest to Carter and Kaleb.





June 30th -
The last day of the month....
REALLY, How did our first month of summer go by so quickly?  
We were just to busy playing to take pictures this morning.

Brennon and I did take a moment to look at some of Jase's baby pictures tonight.
We were trying to find a few of Jase's pictures from the NICU to Now.

Jase continues to amaze us with how far he has come!

Check out these pictures from June 2014 - June 2015 - June 2016 :)

June 2014

June 2015


June 2016


Thank you for sharing this journey with us!
We are truly blessed.
We hope you are busy this summer making memories and taking time to enjoy the little moments!


Melissa