So Hard...

Life can be just that sometimes. Every once in a while I feel like God leads me to stories of tragedy/heartache/etc. to remind me of how good I have it. I have been following the blog of a family who just lost their "little sis" to cancer. She was 11. She was the cousin of a guy that I went to grade school with. I felt connected to them and was definitely blessed by her and the family through their heartache and faithfulness that God was ultimately in control. If you would like to read their story (be sure and grab a box of tissues), click on this link:

www.caringbridge.org/visit/alexabrown

I can only hope and pray that my faith would remain strong if God decided he wanted one of my kids with him. Would I understand? Would I be strong for the family? I pray I never have to find out, but hearing stories like that of the Brown's in Ohio give me courage. Thank you for sharing your story and blessing the lives of so many!

WOW...that's all I have to say. Just kidding. I have too much to say and I guess that's why I've said nothing at all. So much happens in one day that I:
1) can't seem to find the time to sit and write it all out.
2) can't seem to stay awake if I have a quiet stretch of 20 minutes.
3) feel guilty that I am taking time for myself (when I know there are clothes in the dryer that need to be folded, dishes that need to come out of the dishwasher, or another diaper that needs to be changed) - I have issues, I know. I am slowly getting better at being able to let things go.
4)hate to be interrupted when I'm blogging. It's hard enough to put two clear thoughts together, let alone to have to remember the clear thoughts a half hour later b/c Levi stole a train from Ayden, which led to Ayden having a hissy fit, which upset Toby, who needed a bottle, which then needed to go into the sink so that I don't find it a week later. Oh and then they need a snack b/c they are "famished," as Ayden would say, and then I have to get out the vacuum out b/c Toby spilled Levi's crackers all over the floor and, "Momma, can you put Thomas and the Magical Railway Movie on?"
Where was I again?????
It is quite comical and I am very thankful that I can laugh at the situation, myself, and them, when they are not looking! Jenn, my sister, came over yesterday and we were sitting in the living room with Zeke while Ayden (Bubba), Levi, Mia, and Toby were all playing in the playroom. We were talking about the fact that it is the best gig in the world being a parent. That was just before I had to spank Levi for something (which is by far the worst part for me). But overall, it's the best!

So, since St. Patty's day....let me go get my calendar, for inside the covers of that book is my brain.
Actually before St. Patty's day, on the 11th, my dad had orthoscopic surgery done on both of his knees. He is still out of work on disability and is still having quite a bit of pain - please pray that the pain subsides on its own or that they figure out what is causing the pain.

In April, we registered Ayden for Pre-K. He starts school in the fall. We have had to give him a point in time to look forward to b/c he is that excited. So whenever you ask him about school, he says, "after Toby's birthday, I will go to school." Toby's birthday (and Mia's) is September 2nd. As far as he is concerned it can't get here fast enough. I don't share that sentiment. I am just going to miss him during the day. He will be going full day, five days a week. I wish I could send him just in the mornings or three days a week or something like that, but it's all or nothing. So there, it's out of my control. He is going to absolutely love it!

In May...well May was a BIG month! A big thing for me was that I finally got the rest of my kitchen cabinets and counter top in, and boy has it made a difference. I am now in the process of sanding and painting them, as well as repainting the whole kitchen and trim. Little by little...

Shawn and I celebrated our 7th anniversary on the 11th. A lot has happened in 7 years and I am so blessed to have shared that time with my best friend. I love you, babe!

That night (at like 3 in the morning) I got a call from my sister that she and Nate were heading to the hospital! Zeke was on the way! He was born on 5/12 at 9:52am. He was 8lbs., 5oz. and was 21 inches long - bigger than any of my boys and was right on time - I think they say that only 10% of babies are born on their due dates! He is such a wonderful addition to the family and we just love him to pieces! It's so weird to me that Toby isn't really the baby anymore.

Speaking of Toby, he and Levi had been sick in the middle of the month with snotty noses, slight fevers, etc. We just figured that they were both teething - Levi with his 2-year molars and Toby hadn't gotten any of his teeth yet, so it was time! Well a few days went on and Levi seemed pretty ok, but Toby was getting worse and worse. I took him to Urgent Care on Saturday, the 23rd, b/c he just wouldn't eat and would literally try to talk to you (make sounds/moan at you) and pass out in the middle of it. Kinda scary. Well when the doctor saw him, she said that she wanted him to open his mouth and there be a scary monster in his throat looking back at her, but there was nothing. She was scared about meningitis (b/c of the way that his neck seemed to be so stiff). She sent us straight to the ER in Atlantic City (b/c that's where all the pediatric specialists are) and let them know we were coming. They took us in and immediately began testing for RSV, flu, and a bunch of other things. They kept monitoring him into the night and finally gave him an IV b/c he was getting very dehydrated. Shawn stayed home with Ayden and Levi so they would have a normal night and my parents came over to the hospital to sit me Toby and me. They never admitted him and discharged us at about 4am. He was a very sick little boy when we went in there, but by the time the fluids got into his system, he was perking up and playing a little, so I felt really good about going home. I was so impressed with the pediatrician we had - I have never seen a doctor so thorough and the nursing staff was very good as well. If you live in South Jersey and your kids get sick, take them to Atlanticare in AC. It is worth the hassle of traffic/parking/etc.

Shawn's dad was scheduled for spinal surgery on the 28th and we were cleared to be able to travel with Toby, as long as he kept getting better throughout the week. So, on Wednesday night after dinner, we drove out to Columbus so we could be there for the surgery. The surgery went well and he is slowly but surely recooping. While we were out there, we met up with the Whitley's and had dinner. Anthony preached for the church where I grew up and I babysat for them all the time. After I went to college, they moved to Ohio and the only time that I have seen them since then is at my wedding. So it was very nice to see them and catch up. And now that I know how close they live to my inlaws, we can visit more often when we go out there. Also while we were there, Toby started officially crawling, popped his first tooth, and decided that he didn't want to nurse anymore. I nursed Ayden until he was 14 months and Levi stopped at 9 months b/c I was pregnant with Toby. It was a very sad day for me! But now that he not nursing, he is very cuddly and just really loves to snuggle! The day we got home - the 31st - he pulled up on our coffee table. He is a mover and a groover and I'm pretty sure he will be walking in the next couple of weeks.

June has been a busy month as well. Levi turned two this month on the 17th. How can this be? We had a birthday party for him on the 13th, because we were leaving on the 14th after church for vacation and wouldn't be in town for his real birthday...I'll get to that in a minute. In our house these days everything is Thomas the Tank Engine and all his friends. He wanted a Spencer (the train) cake, so that's what I attempted. It turned out ok. We had a really nice time, Levi got a lot of nice trains and stuff (thanks everyone!) and we were thankful that Shawn was able to be around for it!!! YEAH!
We were all packed and ready to head out to Lancaster, PA after church the next morning. This was BIG for us b/c it was our first vacation since our honeymoon that we weren't visiting family. So, of course what we planned was to go ride on Thomas in Strasburg. We stayed at the Willow Valley resort and breakfast and dinner was included, as well as indoor waterslides, etc. We were so excited! Monday we rode Thomas and the Strasburg Railroad and did all things THOMAS! Tuesday we went to Dutch Wonderland, and Wednesday we went to a farmers market, did a little shopping, and took our time getting home. What I haven't told you is that when we got there, Levi got sick and then so did Toby. They came down with Hand, Foot, and Mouth disease. Ayden did have a fever, but wasn't affected like the little guys. Poor Levi and Toby were just absolutely miserable, but even through it all, really were troopers. They all had happy moments and we made the best out of the situation. But the most important things was that our family was together through it all - just the 5 of us! We don't get to spend very much time together, so it really was special and overall we had a lot of fun with meltdowns and lots of naps in between! Good memories! We are ready to go back already!

Two days after we got back, my parents left with a team of 31 others for France. They are working to make renovations to a Christian camp a few hours out of Marseilles. We miss them, but know they are doing good things there. They come home tomorrow.

So I guess that catches you up. I am not going to try and post pictures with this blog entry...it will never get posted. So I will post pictures seperately later. Hope you are well and God is blessing you richly! Lots of love from us Bates'!

St. Patty's Day

I guess I am feeling like sharing again, and the boys aren't up yet so I might get to finish a whole post in one sitting...ready, set, go!

One of my favorite traditions every year is celebrating St. Patty's Day. It is something that we did with MomMom (Dad's mom who is with Jesus now) and now we are sure not to miss it when March comes around. MomMom's maiden name was Kelly - how much Irisher (I know - not a word) do you get? So Jenn and I are like at least 25% or something like that. We don't always get to celebrate on actual St. Patty's Day because of the scheduling of a lot of people, so this year we ate our traditional meal (corned beef, cabbage, veggies, and soda bread) on Thursday night, the 18th. Yummy as usual...thanks Mom! But just another reason to be with family is the reason that love this holiday - that and it reminds me of MomMom, who I think about at least once every day. Jenn and I called her "sunshine" and that's exactly who she was - even on the cloudiest of days! We miss you MomMom.
So I made the soda bread and I wanted to share the recipe, because this is the one that I am going to keep using. It's not beautiful when it's done, in fact it should be called Irish Homely Bread, but there wasn't any left when the meal was over and it was a big honkin' loaf!

1/2 cup currants (I used raisins)
3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour
1 3/4 cups cake flour
1/4 cup sugar
1 tsp baking soda
2 tsp fine salt
1/4 cup unsalted butter, cut into small pieces and chilled
1 1/2 cups buttermilk

Position a rack in the middle of the oven and preheat to 400 degrees F. Lightly butter a baking sheet. Put the currants/raisins and cover with hot water. Soak for 15 minutes and drain.
In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, cake flour, sugar, baking soda, and salt. Add the butter and, using your hands, work it into the flour mixture, until it is about the size of small peas. Stir in the currants/raisins.
Add the buttermilk and stir with a spatula, just until the flour is moistened and comes together in a shaggy dough. Turn the dough out onto a floured work surface and knead lightly until just smooth, about 1 minute. Form the dough into a ball and place on the center of the prepard baking sheet.
Using a sharp knife cut a 1/4-inch-deep "X" into the top of the dough to let the fairies out (I know it's weird, but that's what the recipe says! I guess the irish were pretty supersticious). Bake until well browned and the bottom sounds hollow when tapped lightly with your knuckles, about 1 hour.
Transfer the bread to a rack and let cool completely before serving.

(I didn't have enough time to let it cool or cook all the way for that matter. I took it out about 10 minutes before the timer went off and it was a little doughy on the inside. It was also warm when we ate it and we all thought it was better doughy and warm. So that's the way I'm gonna make it from now on!)

FINALLY!

Well, I thought I would finally post some pictures. I guess I have been on a blogging strike. It's not that I haven't had things to share...it's that I've had too much to share and I guess I got a little overwhelmed. So now I'm playing catch up...also overwhelming!

Ayden turned four on the 7th of this month and we had a family birthday party for him that day. I don't have pictures of that right now, but when I do, I'll post some. He has just become such a little man. I am very proud of who he is and who he is becoming, and although he stretches my patience and makes me wonder if I'm really cut out for this, he is teaching me so much about God, life, and growth. This morning, while I was at work, Shawn texted me and said that while Ayden was in the bath this morning, he said to Shawn, "Daddy, I really love my Momma." When I texted back for Shawn to tell him how much I love him, he asked Ayden if there was anything else that he wanted him to tell me. He said, "Tell her God made her special." Now I'm sure this was a prompting from Veggie Tales (God made you special and He loves you very much.), but he is just so precious! He really has a heart of gold and isn't afraid of telling you how he feels, good or bad!

We have also finished our battle with the potty and I must say that we are victorious. Nothing anyone ever said could have prepared me for that. I'M GLAD IT'S OVER!!! I won't tell you how I did it here because I would probably be hounded by some psychiatrist telling me that later in life he will have major issues. (Don't worry, I didn't beat him or anything.)

Levi is now 21 months. He has been talking like a little adult for about 6 months now. The things that he says most people don't believe are coming out of his mouth (in a good way). The reason for this is that he really is just an itty bitty. He is still wearing 12 month pants. He looks like a little muscle man because he is so squatty and has such a stompy walk. He just melts my heart! He has a disposition so different from when he was born. Most of the time he is happy, and I do mean most of the time. But, when he is upset, boy is he going to let you know it. Fortunately for us, he is pretty easy going. "Alright, Momma," is the response I get from him more often than not. He is following suit with the love of Thomas the Train, just like Ayden, and he has learned colors, numbers (can count to ten), and all the names of the trains. It is so cool for us to see how much he learns from Ayden and how quickly he is picking up on things because of his example. I'm sure we won't always appreciate Ayden teaching him things as they get older!

Toby is the easiest baby ever! He is so aware of his surroundings, loves bouncing in the exersaucer, and just being in the playroom with Ayden and Levi. He had a bout of sickness (in fact for about three weeks we couldn't get well and kept passing it around the family. There were a few days I thought about blogging while the kids were sick, but I decided not to because I was afraid we might pass the bug through the computer somehow!) that lasted about a week and he just got over his first ear infection, but other than that he is so happy, sleeps great and loves his big brothers! He thinks they are so funny and they get the biggest kick out of making him laugh. He is quite the cuddle bug and smiles at anyone who will look at him! We are all just having so much fun lovin' on our Toaster (that's what Levi started calling him when he heard Daddy calling him Tobster and it just stuck).

Well at least that gets you caught up on the important things. I'll post more pictures and really try to be better about making time for blogging. Check back soon!

Christmas Letter and Pictures

I thought as a recap to the year, I would post our Christmas letter. I make at least 100 cards every year to send out to people, since we have moved so many time in the 6 years we've been married. But, I can't possibly send them to everyone I know, so here is what was inside the card. The first picture is the one that I used...the others were outtakes! And then there is Mia's christmas picture.

WHAT A YEAR! We hope and pray that yours has been an exciting one too! We have so many huge blessings to share, so let’s get started…
As we mentioned in last year’s letter, we were getting ready to close on our house. What a blessing! On December 21st we were handed the keys to the house of our dreams?!?!?! At least we had envisioned the house of our dreams. We bought a fixer-upper to say the least. We had two months to gut and refinish the house. We want to thank our family (both sides) from the bottom of our hearts for all the time, money, energy, etc. that went into this labor of love. Many late nights and weekends are what went into flipping the shell that we bought into our home. You cannot even begin to imagine the difference! I was going to do some before and after pictures, but there is so much more to our year and I know that I will have trouble not running out of room on this page anyway! You will just have to check out the progression of everything on our blog – the archives from December ’07 to April ‘08. We are still picking away at projects when we have a spare minute (do we really have spare time?) and will be for many years to come! So if you are ever up in our area, please get in touch with us…you will always have a place to stay!
On March 7th, Ayden William turned 3. WOW! Where does time go? Ayden is now 3 ½ going on 30. He is the most intense child I have ever met. He is obsessed with Thomas and all the trains, loves to learn, has a steel trap for a memory (don’t try and get anything by him!), and as long as he gets enough sleep, is a ton of fun to be around, although he never stops talking! He is such a good big brother and most of the time he and Levi get along really well – although I do spend quite a bit of time as a referee!

On June 17th, LEVI Christian turned 1. He has come a long way. It was at this time last year I was wondering if I was ever going to sleep again. At nine months, when we moved into our house, Levi started to sleep through the night. We were just so unsettled when he was born that he didn’t settle into his own skin until he felt his world a little more stable. He’ll be 18 months this month, but he’s still our little guy. He is so cute with his stompy little walk. He’s obsessed with cleaning (sweeping, mopping, doing dishes). He is truly Momma’s Helper and is a Momma’s boy to the gazillionth degree. I have a good thing going here, at least for the time being! He is talking so much now…there’s nothing that he doesn’t try to say. He is such a cuddle bug – just ask “Bebi” for a “skeezy-skeeze.”
In late March, after we were all moved in and settling down, I wasn’t feeling so hot. I thought that my body was just trying to catch up from the previous three months or so and the lack of sleep I was getting. I don’t know why, but when I was at the drug store picking some stuff up one day, I walked by the pregnancy tests and just picked one up…I think I just wanted to prove to myself that I wasn’t pregnant and was just under the weather. I took both of the tests in the box and went to tell Shawn the news. We were in such shock that we couldn’t stop laughing! How could this be? We had a nine-month-old baby that I was still nursing! We went for my first appointment and were scheduled for an ultrasound to try and come up with a due date. We went for the ultrasound and were absolutely shocked to find out that I was 18 weeks along which meant that I was pregnant before we bought the house and the picture we sent last year actually had five people in it, not four…we just didn’t know it! God knows what He’s doing…it’s a really good thing we didn’t know. He knows what we need a whole lot better than we do! Toby Landon was born on September 2nd (nine days early and on his cousin Mia’s first birthday). He was 8 lbs., and was 20 ¼ inches long. He had to be in the NICU again like Levi due to the gestational diabetes, but since we’ve been home, everything’s been smooth sailing. He is the easiest baby known to man – so smily, talkative, and has slept through the night since day one! What a joy he is! He is three months now, and when he isn’t sleeping he is in awe of his two older brothers, who also think the world of him. Now that he is here, we can’t imagine life without him! Are we done you ask?!?!?! Don’t know if God has any more planned for us. We are not hoping to have any new additions to write about for next year’s letter…let’s just leave it at that!
Mia, our niece (we think of her as our own though), is having no trouble keeping up with her boys! She is a loving, tenacious, persistent, sweet little girl and she has her Uncle Shawn and Kissy wrapped around her little finger. We were thrilled to find out that she is going to be a big sister! Nate and Jenn are expecting in mid-May and we can’t wait for the addition! God just keeps on sending these blessings our way (this time I don’t have to birth this blessing!).
Shawn is now the store manager of Foodtown. He is hanging in with all the added responsibility and long hours. He enjoys every moment that he can find to wrestle, play games, and cuddle with the boys! He is such a good Daddy!

Kristy is amazed that she isn’t more tired than she is. Sometimes I can’t string two intelligible words together and I long for adult conversation, but I am so blessed to have the best boys in the world – all four of them! I am still working part-time at the school, but I know my real job is at home. I feel so blessed that I don’t have to be away from them more than I do and thankful that we have family to help.
We have done a little traveling to Ohio to see family, but we have mainly had the blessing of family coming to see us this year. Uncle Ryan and Aunt Shathar came to help with the house in January and Dad and Mom B. have been several times throughout the year to see us (mainly the boys). We are excited and hopeful for what this year brings for us, but for you as well! We are having a good time continuing old traditions and starting new ones! “Happy, Merry Christmas” to you from us. That’s what Ayden says! We pray you know the peace that Jesus offers during these uncertain times and that you have given your life to Him. There is no bigger blessing than the love of God!


In His Merciful Love, Shawn, Kristy, Ayden, Levi, Toby, and “Kitty Girl”

Making Time

Merry Christmas to everyone - a day after! Sorry I have not had time to post anything all month, but I have something I need everyone to be praying about so I am making the time this morning! Yesterday my family came over for brunch, we exchanged presents and everyone went their separate ways to get ready for dinner at Jenn and Nate's house at 6. At 5:00, my sister called and said that she and Nate were headed to the hospital because all of her peripheral vision was gone and half of her body went numb. They didn't get her into a room until this morning and have been doing a lot of testing, but at this point they are thinking that she might have had a TIA - a mini stroke. She is about 20 weeks or so pregnant. They are going to keep her at least until tomorrow (Saturday) morning to keep an eye on her for 24 hours. So please pray that it's nothing but maybe a migraine that went bad! I know I have had some that have affected me in weird ways. As far as they can tell the baby is fine, but PLEASE stop reading this and PRAY!

Lord, you know what we need and can handle...much better than we can. I pray for Jenn and my niece or nephew now that no harm has been done and that she can get back to life as normal. You are the best doctor out there and you knew her diagnosis before anything ever happened...I know you can make her well and get her through the end of this pregnancy. Thank you Father!
In Jesus Name,
AMEN

I hope you had a blessed Christmas with family and or friends! Have a wonderful day after, hopefully to rest and recuperate from the busyness that leads up to the holidays! I'll post some pictures and stuff hopefully later today. I'm trying to relax and get caught up on some laundry!

Still up...

...and it's 11pm. But I'm glad I get to do a Gratituesday post because I realized that today Toby is 3 months old. I cannot believe how fast time is going. He has been such an added blessing to our family, and talk about being the best baby ever?!?!?!?! He has slept through the night since day one (I hope I haven't jinxed myself), sleeps at least half of the day (no, he isn't sick), and smiles, laughs, and talks to you the rest of the day (there is a lot to laugh at in our house). What a dream! Here are some pictures of him that I took tonight and yesterday. Thank you, God, for our Boody (that's what Levi has always called him).
We decorated our Christmas tree today, and by we, I mean that Shawn did most of the work. I cleaned for my grandparents this morning and by the time I got back, he rearranged the room and had the tree up ready for me to find the lights and ornaments in the great abyss of our basement. It's such a scary place! Then I got all the ornaments out and made sure they were not too dusty, and he and the boys did a wonderful job of putting them up.

This was Levi throwing the ornament into the tree...fortunately it stuck!

One last bit of holiday entertainment...

When we were living in NH, some friends of ours introduced us to this. We religiously listen to it every Christmas now, each time laughing harder than we did the time before! Just click on this. If you have to go to the bathroom, this is your warning...go now!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mk4woNRD7NQ