Sunday, April 5, 2009

Funny girl, funny girl...

We were in Little Rock all last week for Spring Break while Nathan worked in Modesto, CA. I'll post pics soon, but wanted to share a quick Alex funny.
When we crossed over the Rockwall Lake on our way out of Dallas, Alex shouts, "mommy look, there is Jesus walking on the water." I cracked up and looked around to try to see what she was talking about and the only thing I could see was a boat pulling a water skier.
Not even a minute later I hear, "momma, look it's another Jesus over there."
HAHAHA!!! Those Sunday school lessons are really paying off.

Spring pictures at Wye Mountain

While Nathan traveled to Modesto, I loaded up the family and headed to Little Rock for Spring Break. We had such a great visit with Pops & DeDe. The weather was perfect and the kids were such a delight (even after 7 hours in the car with the dogs). One of my favorite Darby traditions is to go to Wye Mountain and take pictures in the jonquils.
The jonquils were gorgeous and the kids had a blast. I will never forget the memories of watching Alex run through the flowers. She was in heaven. She loved the freedom and giggled and squealed. She played with her dress, smelled the flowers and sang as she ran through the fields of flowers. Carson just tried to hang tough, bless his heart. He wasn't quite sure what to think of it all, but he did try to grab several of the jonquils.
There is a beautiful cross in the middle of the mountain that is an awesome representation of why we celebrate Easter.
Here are a few photos from our day.

Princess Alex posing

Mommy and Carson playing in the flowers

Precious kisses

Mommy is in heaven!

Weeeeeee!

DeDe with her grandbabies

DeDe and Mel stop and actually get a picture. See Deb, we were here :)

Stopping to smell the jonquils

At the cross

All smiles

LOVE those big brown eyes!!

Sissy giving Carson his first lesson. Girls + flowers = jackpot!

Diva in training

I love to fly!
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Happy Easter to all!

Saturday, April 4, 2009

A challenge to be bold

God is ridiculously good. I can't even begin to fully describe the experiences God has blessed our family with over the past month. Many of you are aware of the journey we've been on with Alex over the past three months. To be brief, we have been researching a few challenges:
1. She has a hand "tremor." It's been with her as long as I can remember. We didn't see it until she started walking and interacting with toys. For me, this is the hardest thing to deal with because I see the evidence daily. I watch her little hands tremble as she carries her cereal bowl to the sink. Milk spills everywhere because her hands shake so much. When she pours water for our tea parties, she spills water. We see it the most when she is using her fine motor skills and concentrating on a task. Now that she is 4 years old and in preschool, we have additionally discovered challenges with her writing skills, drawing, using scissors, etc. We are on a waiting list to see another Neurologist.
2. Behavioral links-- we have also tried to find out if there are any behavioral issues that are associated with the tremor. She has some "quirks" that make Alex who she is. Still, these are things that our pediatrician and others have recommended we follow up with.
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To be honest, it has been such a hassle. Every doctor has a different opinion about Alex. We have literally NEVER gotten the same information twice; it's a new theory with each co-pay. Of course our family and friends have opinions about her too (as they should). But, as a mom...it just became too confusing for me. The best way I can describe it is total mental chaos. Then, a light bulb went off...have you taken this to God, the ultimate physician and her creator?!
Yes, we've prayed but we certainly haven't given God the opportunity to intervene. I am really trying to summarize, but it is so hard because there is so much to tell. If you want all of the details, please contact me because it is an amazing story.
Long story long, Nathan and I decided to get "extreme" with our prayer life and get real with God. We have been putting our hands on Alex regularly and praying over her. We have asked for VERY specific requests with her behavior, motor skills, and in our relationship with her.
Immediately, the chaos dissipated. There has been so much peace in our home. Literally, EVERY single thing we have asked God to help us with, He has delivered and exceeded our expectations. Alex is a changed child. She is still the hilarious, crazy, fun, innocent little girl, but there is calmness in her. Peace. Change. Self control. Patience.
Words that certainly haven't described our bundle of love in the past :)
I am putting my personal experience out here because I feel like our family has been changed by the power of prayer. The most amazing part has been watching others be bold, and watch them change. This has been an awesome domino effect.
My challenge to you: BE BOLD. Ask. Don't be afraid to speak out your afflictions. Put your hands on your children, your spouse, a sick family member and invite the Lord in. My promise to you-- He will not disappoint.

1 John 5:14-15: And we can be confident that he will listen to us whenever we ask him for anything in line with his will. And if we know he is listening when we make our requests, we can be sure that he will give us what we ask for.

James 1:5-7: If you need wisdom—if you want to know what God wants you to do—ask him, and he will gladly tell you. He will not resent your asking. But when you ask him, be sure that you really expect him to answer, for a doubtful mind is as unsettled as a wave of the sea that is driven and tossed by the wind.

Matthew 7:7-11: Keep on asking, and you will be given what you ask for. Keep on looking, and you will find. Keep on knocking, and the door will be opened. For everyone who asks, receives. Everyone who seeks, finds. And the door is opened to everyone who knocks.

Resurrection Rolls

Here is a great way to explain the resurrection of Christ to your little ones. I thought this would be a fun and creative Easter activity:
Recipe-
1. Give each child a marshmallow.
2. Have kids dip the marshmallow in melted butter.
3. Dip the buttered marshmallow in cinnamon and sugar.
4. Then, wrap the coated marshmallow tightly in a crescent roll.
5. Place in a 350 degree oven for 10-12 minutes.
6. Let the rolls cool slightly. Your kids will open their eyes to discover that Jesus is no longer there. He is risen!

Representation:
Marshmallow = Jesus
Butter = Oils of embalming
Cinnamon & Sugar = Spices used to anoint the body
Crescent toll = The wrapping of Jesus body
Oven = The tomb

Thursday, April 2, 2009

wishing....

right there, right now. sigh.

Westin, Grand Bahamas

Kiddo Update - April, 2010

Carson is 7 months old today! What in the world?! I can't believe how quickly time in rushing by. Carson cut his first tooth yesterday! Yeah! We are finally swaddle free too. Carson loved his swaddle (just like his sister), so that was quite an accomplishment to break the habit.
Alex went for her 4 year check-up on Monday. Her latest stats:
- 33% for weight
- 41% for height
She was VERY brave while getting her shots. I was so relieved when it was over and she was okay because I was worried about handling the baby and her all at the same time. As we were walking out of the pediatrician's office, she took off running for the car. I was yelling "Alex, don't run, you are going to fall." Sure enough, poor girl biffed and tore up both knees. As if getting the shots weren't enough torture for one day. Major devastation in the parking lot (where there happened to be a bunch of people sitting at a bar outside enjoying happy hour and watching me deal with the drama). I was trying to calm her down, carry Carson to the car with bags and paperwork and she is screaming "It's ALL my fault. This is really, really serious!"
No worries...we made it to McDonalds, and ice cream took care of everything :)

Saturday, March 28, 2009

More fun with A,C,D & E

Note: Uncle "B," (Nathan's brother) was back home working, so that's why the alphabet soup is incomplete. Andrea, Caden, Dru & Eston...they are such a blast. I adore them so much! As I mentioned in a prior post, we had the best time...it was a whirlwind. We jam packed every minute of the visit with a fun memory. We went to Fossil Rim, Going Bonkers, The Rainforest Cafe, and finally...Nathan wins the award for biggest stud daddy because he kept ALL 5 kids so that Andrea and I could go to IKEA to shop and watch a movie. Note: 4 of the 5 kids were awake when we left. That's a brave undertaking. He never complained and was so happy to give the mommies a break. I love you baby! Thank you for being the best daddy and uncle. And now, more pics..first, here are a few at our house:

The whole crew rocks out

Eston on drums

Dru on guitar. HILARIOUS!

Caden loved the drums and guitar

Alex smashes the sticks

Eston tries to do it all at once :)

Eston and Alex (5 months apart in age) wrestle. She can hold her own!

Sleeping arrangements. So cute-- the boys drew straws to decide who slept with Alex each night.
Aunt Onnie and the boys hosted a little birthday party for Alex.

Alex loves her new Ariel dress. Onnie, she wears this EVERY night. Might need another one for washing purposes :)

Dru was so precious to Carson. He loved on him and got big grins. Carson liked being one of the boys!
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Rainforest Cafe:

Aunt Onnie and Alex shared really special moments on this trip.
I LOVE this picture!

SO CUTE!
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Pics from Going Bonkers:

Andrea and Caden, gansta style

Eston (4), with his mommy

Dru (6) with his mommy. Note: look for Dru in the pics. You will notice a pattern-- he is a MESS! I LOVE HIM!!! He and Alex are alike in many ways :) They keep us on our toes.

Caden (8) with his mommy. Gorgeous!

Alex and Daddy are adorable as always

Daddy's got your tongue!

Having fun and catching a quick breath

The Darby zoo!

Alex is in a Darby-boy sandwich.

Silly mommy

Stop taking my picture...I'm just here to blog :)

And Carson says.....I'm SPENT!
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Come back soon, we miss you already!!!!!