Monday, July 29, 2013

A Good Day ~

We have a busy week again.  I kinda want to keep it filled up to avoid thinking too much, dwelling on worst-case scenarios.  Today was busy, but in the meantime my heart was filled right up!  We are loved so much. From the little notes I received throughout the day, to our OB whisking me right in when I needed to see if our little guy was still alive, to Father Stu turning on a gut-busting comedy while visiting him just because he knew I needed a laugh, it was good to feel the support of family and friends.  

Dom wanted to take his cousin for a "birthday day" that he had planned.  I'm not entirely sure if Dom planned events he enjoyed or things he thought Tristen would enjoy.  If you have ever marched to the beat of a 5-year-old for a day you know there is not too much of anything serious goin' on.  We began by going to the carousel.








Then, we grabbed pizza and pop and blueberries (my way of trying to sneak something healthy into the day) and headed to a park.  After an hour or so swinging and climbing and sliding they thought they were done with that brand of fun.  










Not to end their day too soon, they decided The Big Dipper was the next destination to grab ice cream. After running up and down the walking mall, climbing under bushes, over rocks and sliding down the fire pole, home sounded like a good idea.

Sommer came to the rescue and took them home to play for a while before dinner.  They thought they were going to swim, but today wasn't really a swimming day.  It was a bit chilly, but not chilly enough to prevent after-dinner ice cream cones!







Thank you to everyone who has been rallying behind us.  We have certainly not been alone on this journey and it has been very palpable to me each day!
Thank you for walking beside us, being Simon, helping us carry our cross.
Love,
Allison

Saturday, July 27, 2013

A Belated Happy Birthday to Shannon

You're so special, oh so special!
God gave you to us.
It's no wonder that we LOVE you so!

This year Shannon was in Alaska for his birthday.  Our friends, along with Michaela, Katherine and Eric took such good care of him I kinda thought the card I hid in his suitcase sufficed for his birthday.

But I was wrong.  

He called on one of his layovers on their return trip and asked if I would like him to pick up a Costco cake for his birthday.

Lovely.

I mean that from the bottom of my heart.  My 40-something husband still loves his birthday as much as any 10-year-old.  So, we quickly ran out and grabbed some presents and invited his brother for dinner.  

That's one thing I love about you, Shannon, you still have as much fun as our kiddos.  Be it dancing in the dining room, jumping off some crazy rocks into a pool of water, or exploring the woods, you are as excited as they are!  

I love ya!



New backpacks ~



Ensuring the candles are lit correctly ~








Thursday, July 25, 2013

Another Day

I kinda feel bad this past week.  I have been living each day, trying to fill it up as much as I can to avoid thinking, simply living in the moment and enjoying it.
On the other hand maybe I should live every day that way!
We invited a couple boys out yesterday to play and there is nothing really more diverting than little boys. Annika loved being in the thick of it all day too.  Their lies stories and ideas made me laugh and that is what I need right now!  It reminds me of younger days, the not-a-care-in-the-world mindset that accompanies that time.   That's one of the many benefits of having several children...we can pretend we're kids a bit longer!


Climbing up, looking for a "hole"



This hole is deeper than it looks ~ 



Slide right in, Annika ~



Looking for fishies ~



Hey, Mom, I'm under a waterfall ~
Not quite as brave as his older brother who stood in it,
letting the ice cold water freeze him ~



I love you sister!



Redneck waterslide ~




Monday, July 22, 2013

Being Prolife

The last days have brought a torrent of information, emotions and tears.  How can a little guy (yep, a little boy) that looked so absolutely perfect five weeks ago change so drastically?  He still looks perfect to my uneducated eye, but obviously some things with the pregnancy have went wrong.  Our routine 20 week ultrasound indicated a few things were awry.  Our midwife called to tell us we needed to see a specialist....the next day. When things happen that quickly, I know things are not good.

Shannon and I went to Great Falls to be told that the same chain of events that occurred when we lost our previous baby at this stage was happening again.  We thought losing Clare was a fluke, but now the doctor is thinking there may be more to it, with circumstances repeating themselves.  Along with the baby's environment deteriorating, he has some significant birth defects that would certainly affect his and our lives if he does make it to term.

So this is where the rubber meets the pro-life road.

Our case is truly an argument that would be used to promote abortion.  Things aren't looking good for the babe to make it to term.  If he does, his life isn't going to be "quality" anyhow, so why not end it all, put the baby out of his misery and end the fear of the unknown for the mother.

Yes, the fear, the unknown, is overwhelming at moments.  But, this life was given to us, to me, to protect and cherish no matter what the outcome.

It is painful.  

But he is mine and is a gift.  Sometimes we are just unable to see the value in a gift received til much later. So we will wait and find out what God has in store for us...what value this gift of uncertainty, of pain, of loss, holds.

Meanwhile, the meaning of being pro-life has taken on an entirely deeper meaning.  I've always talked a good talk.  I mean, we have seven children.  What is not pro-life about that?

But there is more.

I am still nurturing this little one, no matter what the outcome is in the next two weeks or next two decades. I still need to give it my best effort, from eating well and taking vitamins to getting enough rest to praying for my little guy.

It is difficult to avoid looking glum.  But if I believe in the sanctity of every life and this child is a gift, maybe I shouldn't mope around too much.  Strangely, keeping myself busy and putting on a peaceful, if not happy, face, has made me feel interiorly at peace.  And, after all, if things go as bad as they are saying he will be in Heaven soon and what could possibly be better? 

Then, there has been the support of my family: Shannon, Mom and Dad, my sisters...and darn it, even my brothers.  I can't help but think of all the women that choose abortion, how abandoned they must feel in that moment.  What different choices they would make if only surrounded by a family that lifted them in prayer and loved them.

So we will continue on.  Who knows what tomorrow may bring.  As Shannon said at the beginning of this pregnancy, "We will be a beacon."

I just didn't realize what that would entail.


 On the brighter side, Dom and Annika went flying with
Grams and Gramps and Uncle Ben this weekend.
The flight was good, but the breakfast was better!



We picked the girls up from camp ~
They had the best time ever!



Then there was the Symphony Under the Stars.
I was soon abandoned by my boys,
except for the popcorn-loving one, Dom.



There must be more to it than this ~







Joined by one of the kids' favorite big guys, Colton ~



Big brothers and little brothers ~



We all agreed this year, 
the best part was the last part ~
Fireworks!



Wednesday, July 17, 2013

The Creek

Today we found out something is wrong with our little baby.  Tomorrow Shannon and I go see a neonatal specialist.  In the meantime, I'm anxious.  Anxious to know what is next, what decisions will need to be made and what our family will look like this Christmas.  We could have sat around the house fretting, but we headed to the creek.  It is just a peaceful place to reflect.

The boys ran up and down looking for fish, til they realized all was futile, then they wallowed in any deep spot they could find pretending to be otters.    

We definitely have country kiddos, made so apparent this afternoon as they played for a couple hours with a container meant to usher home their catch.  First, it was a boat for Nicholas, then Dom.  Next, it was a runaway boat running aground at various points along the bank.  Finally, they decided since it was clear, one person could stand with their head and shoulders in it, while the other pushed it straight down in the water. This allowed the one inside to look around under the water and still breathe.  
It was a good way to spend the afternoon...watching my guys just be and realizing that no matter what the outcome tomorrow I still have seven precious children and God will guide us through this journey step by step.












Monday, July 15, 2013

Summa Time!

This is a mishmash of the last couple weeks.  I've said it before and I'll say it again....I LOVE summer.  The spontaneity, the simplicity, the heat, just pretty much everything.
So, here are some of the things we have been enjoying.


Fishing in the evenings ~





All creatures great and small ~
Mags, they kiss every frog they catch...you know, just in case!



Daddy and his crew on Father's Day ~




Annika reminded me we need to take a picture, then let the butterfly go ~



Kath's cottontail that she was going to raise ~
It mysteriously escaped one night.






Morning walks ~



Frog races ~





Testing out Uncle Steve's new zipline ~





Rafting the Blackfoot with Uncle Ben ~










Oh, Uncle Ben, is it scary?



Kath is always one of the first in the water!



Waiting for the right moment ~




Still waiting ~



And still waiting ~



Yay!



Uncle Ben promised he'd be right behind Annika ~



Nickles thinks there is no better thrill ride than rafting!



One another ~



The girl cousins ~



Grandpa and the babies ~



Mud and the boy cousins ~



The 4th of July ~





Family, friends, fireworks and freedom ~







Grandma's lap ~



Saturday Farmers' Market ~







Another creature....a baby killdeer ~



A Sunday hike ~



Picking bouquets ~






Grandpa & the boys ~



"Alright, are you selling postcards?" 
Dad's comment after the 50th photo



Chattin' with neighbors ~



Lunch al fresco ~



Sand lakes ~




Next up....the Alaska trip ~