2014 Reflections

2014....what a year for our family.  As I think about this past year, life can be heartbreaking and joyous.

In February, Tom's dad had another heart attack and surgery.  At the end of March/beginning of April, Tom's dad began having hospice come to the house to help control the pain from the cancer, and we began traveling to the east side of the state every weekend to spend time with him.  We traveled for the months of April and May.  Tom's dad passed into glory on B's birthday, June 2, 2014.  We miss him.  Christmas was not the same, and it's weird saying that we're going to Amma's house instead of Amma and Papa's.  J. still on occasion will say that Papa is sleeping (this is what he said when he saw Tom's dad in the casket).  Life is hard to keep living when loved ones are gone from our presence.  The only thing that keeps us going is knowing that Tom's dad is enjoying the pleasures of heaven and being with God.

In August, we welcomed our sweet new edition to our family--little baby G!  What a joy during a heartbreaking year!  When we found out we were pregnant last December 2013, we thought well, God must want us to have a little one now instead of later.  And after enduring this past year, we know why God gave us this little bundle of joy to comfort our hearts.

While Tom's dad was beginning hospice and heading into the end stages of his cancer, my mom began declining in her health.  We knew that something had happened health wise back in June 2010.  My mom was convinced it was a stroke, but over the years things didn't get better and continued to decline.  Her right arm was becoming more rigid.  Her speech was down to yes, no and a few words strung together, and then she began having motor planning issues.  In April 2014, mom was trying to come up the stairs from the basement and fell breaking 10 ribs and spraining her ankle.  She recovered, but walking was now a real problem and began to resemble parkinson's.  She began having issues with transitions (like going from the hardwood floor to the rug) and needed to be led around the house by my dad.   In August 2014, my mom was diagnosed with a rare neurological disease called Cortical basal ganglionic degeneration (CBGD).  The picture above is the first time my mom got to hold baby G.   We took lots of pictures and it was a pretty special time.

On October 23, 2014, my Grandma Turnbow passed away at the age of 92.  She had been struggling with CHF for a while. I was so glad that we got to go over and visit her in the hospital before she died.  She was able to meet Baby G too!



We don't know what God has planned for 2015.  I would appreciate your prayers for my dad as he cares for my mom.  He is doing everything and that can get weary.  Pray for mom as we can tell she is frustrated not being able to communicate and get her body to do what she would like it to do.  She gets tired pretty easily also.

Life isn't promised to be easy.  Sin is ugly and makes us long for the day we will be free from the consequences of sin and at home with our Savior.  Thankful that though our bodies may perish, we have a home in heaven awaiting us.  One where we will be whole and free to live as God intended--glorifying Him.

Catching Up: Months 1-4

One Month

 

This picture describes perfectly the first 6-8 weeks of J's life. 

Glad we are past this stage.

 Two Months

Three Months

Four Months

Baby J born April 25, 2012

Well, I figure it's about time to write about our new addition to our family.  Obviously, we've been adjusting to our new schedule with a little one and I haven't had the chance to write or do much of anything.   Our nights are finally getting better with more sleep and we are so thankful to be able to keep our eyes open during the daytime.  Baby J had a lot of tummy troubles, but those seem to be getting better each week.  He is 8 weeks now and beginning to smile so much.  It's so fun to see his little personality taking shape.  B just loves him.  She is the "supply lady" and runs to get out the diaper and a wipe before Baby J and I get to the room to change his diaper.  She is such a huge help!!

I thought for those who were interested I would share his birth story.  On April 24th I had my doctor's appointment.  I had been dilated 3-4 cm for a few weeks and 80% effaced by my April 17th appointment.  I was still 3-4cm, 80% effaced and Baby J had dropped to -1 station.  I told my doctor that I was having a lot of pain with walking and she said to come into the hospital in the morning.  She told us NOT to go walking that night at walmart.  She was worried that we might give all the kids at walmart an education on child birth.  That night I had some pretty strong contractions, but they weren't close enough together to head to the hospital.  In the morning we headed to the hospital and they began the pitocin.  After a little while they checked me and I was 5 cm and fully effaced.  The contractions didn't really come together until around 1:30/2pm.  The doctor asked about an epidural and told me that once I passed 8cm, I couldn't change my mind.  I told her that I would try to go without one again this time.  She broke my water at 2:10pm and the contractions got considerably worse by 2:30pm. At 3pm they checked me and I was at 9 cm.  They got things ready and it took 3 pushes until he was born at 3:12pm.  It was a relief that things went so quickly.
He was 7lbs. 9oz and 20.5 inches.

So thankful for my 2 little family members that God has given me.  They are such a blessing to me.  A blessing that I wasn't so sure I would be able to experience after all the miscarriages that we had.  So blessed!!

Easter Sunday

 Super Star!

We'll in this photo (April 8th) I am 36 weeks pregnant, and I finally got a belly picture up.  Probably a good thing before I go into labor.  My OB appointments have been going well.  April 3rd I was 2-3 cm dilated, 50% effaced and on April 10th I was 3-4 cm dilated, still 50% effaced.  I have had some rough nights and thought maybe we'd be heading to the hospital, but the contractions haven't been regular enough.  No matter what, I am being induced on May 1st around 10pm at night.  So 2 weeks from this coming Tuesday, we'll be meeting the little guy, if he doesn't decide to come out before.  We're so excited to hold him!!

A Week Long Festival

We have a local festival here that celebrates the Coast Guard and it lasts for a week.  The festival began with the Kid's Day parade (Saturday, July 30, 2011) and LOTS of candy!  This year we invited our friends, the Tylers, to come along with us.

B has in her hands the one thing she really wanted....SUCKERS.  Of course, she was pretty specific about what kind of sucker she wanted--blueberry.  And believe it or not, she got one!  B had so much candy that Tom took some out of her bag (without her knowing) and gave some to a couple of kids that came late to the parade.  We still haven't gotten through all of her candy yet.

After the parade, we headed to an area where they had set up LEGO tents downtown.  B made a car and raced it against other kids.  She loved it!

Kid's Day (Tuesday, August 2, 2011) was a lot of fun.  B jumped her little heart out in a couple of bounce houses, had a hot dog for lunch and made some crafts.

We visited some of the big coast guard ships this year with our friends, the Buhrs.

And then went to the Grand Parade and Fireworks on Saturday, August 6, 2011.  The Parade was a little wet this year....okay, more than a little we were soaked! I was glad to get home and get into some dry, warm clothes.  

I had to get a picture of this kid.  Such a great "rain coat"

The fireworks were great as usual.  A casino was the sponsor this year.  We were close enough to see a lot more this year than last year.  We had no idea the extent that people go to to get a good viewing spot for the fireworks.  They lay out blankets on Friday at 12:01am and the blankets stay there until Saturday night when the fireworks are shot off...just crazy if you ask me.  We put our blanket out there Friday night and still got a pretty good spot.  My parents were able to join us this year too!

Overall, quite a successful week of having a lot of family fun!

Exploring Nature Trails and the Beach

Our friends, the Swanks, called us up and let us know they were going to be in our neck of the woods.  We had a great lunch in town and then a wonderful time exploring a local hiking trail that led us over wooded dunes and out to Lake Michigan.  It's always fun to get together with old friends.

The Down Pour

Last Wednesday night, July 27th, we experienced quite a down pour outside.  Tom captured some photos of our flooded road.