Happy Birthday, Elle belle!!

Today is Elle's day! 10 years old...WOW!! I would love to be sharing some of her yellow cupcakes with chocolate icing! YUM!! Seriously, our niece is one of the most creative, funny, quick-witted, beautiful young ladies I know. And, no, I'm not biased...okay, maybe a little bit :) Of the few things in life that I would like to change, living closer to her and the rest of the gang would be at the top of my list. We don't get to hang out as much as I would like, but do I ever love the time we do get together!! She is so funny and bright (hmmm, sounds like a few other people I know...great genes must run in the family, right?!) and I'm usually dying of laughter within the first few minutes of our conversations. She truly is a trip! I can't wait 'til the next time we can all hang out, explore the creek and the woods, play Crazy UNO, and just have fun again!

So Happy Birthday, Elle. Today our gang is celebrating YOU! We love you, Elle. You ROCK, girl!

9 months!

Our sweet Sophia Kathryn is 9 months old! She's now been outside of my womb for the same amount of time that she was in there. Whoa! Even after the third time around it still amazes me at how fast time goes by. I love being a mom more than anything (except being Daryl's wife). I was going through my routine at the house here today and thinking about what a blessing it is to be a stay-at-home mom/wife and be with my kids. Yes, there are many times that I feel as though I may lose my mind (for about the bizillionth time), but boy is it ever worth it! And I know that many moms are experiencing the same things I am or have already been there so they can understand--and sometimes give me pointers! But I would not trade it for anything.

I never posted on Sophia's 8 month birthday and WOW has she blossomed since then! I could do a post just about her 8 month birthday, but its not worth all the extra space at this point! (I did however put this first picture up as it was taken on her 8 mo b-day). As you can see, I LOVE her bear outfit! (I actually took pictures on her 7, 8, and 9 month birthday in it. Now I'll have to pack it away :( **sniffles**

Anyways, she popped her 2 bottom teeth right before Easter, finally! And she also conquered crawling in one day--yesterday as a matter of fact. She's been scooting around here and there, but nothing major. Yesterday morning she would crawl maybe 2 or 3 little moves...then, BAM, Daryl comes home and she's all over the place in our house! We were cracking up. She was so excited with herself that she would zip from one place to another then stop to laugh and clap! It was great entertainment. Brayden and Savannah loved it too!!

Oh yes, and she learned to clap too and thinks that it is great fun! She's into mimicking everything...especially sounds her brother and sister make. One of my personal favorites is her imitating our Harley Davidson clock! Its a riot! She LOVES tubby time. If she's by herself, she kicks and squeals and blows raspberries. But she has just as much fun with Brayden and Savannah splashing and carrying on with them! She is loving food, gets very excited when we sit her in her chair, and polishes off a jar with no problem! We usually go through 1 1/2-2 jars at a sitting! I LOVE her chunky rolls...her knees even disappear when she straightens her legs! HAHAHAHA!

She still adores her siblings, thinks that Momma and Daddy are the best, and has the best disposition of any little one we've had...she truly is a bundle of joy. Her huge smile lights up the room. Yeah, no doubt about it, we're hooked!

8 months

First time in a swing at the playground yesterday--she LOVED it! Brayden was pushing her for awhile and she laughed her little head off!!

Enjoying some tubby time to herself!

The yummy chunky legs...note the lack of knees due to her rolls!!!!

Tubby time with Brayden and Savannah is always a blast!

Sisters!!

Just thought I'd share this picture Brayden took of his sisters. HAHAHAHA!!

In Celebration of Tricia's new lungs...

...April is National Donate Life Month!

Those of you who know me know that I work in the operating room of a Level 1 trauma center. What many of you may not know is that I am often working with the Transplant Team in both transplanting and retrieving organs/tissues. I am even more of a proponent of organ donation than I was before I even knew what goes on "behind the scenes". I've been apart of many traumas--each and every time all resources and energy are used to save precious lives, and we are--by the grace of God--usually successful. Sometimes the patients return to us after their earthly fight has been lost, thus granting life to many still fighting. I am always in awe of the experience and full of emotion and prayer for all involved. Most importantly, I am in constant awe of our Creator and the magnificent work He did when designing the body and all of its beautiful intricacies. Talk about humbling and amazing at the same time!

This was written in our Employee Newsletter and I thought it was more than appropriate to share in light of Tricia's journey. I am proud to be an organ/tissue donor and encourage everyone to consider it...after all, we can't take it with us when we go!

National Donate Life Month has a twofold purpose: emphasize the importance of organ donation and encourage everyone to become a donor. The goal is to ease the extreme shortage of organs available for surgical transplants in the United States. More people need transplants than there are organs available, and the statistics are eye-opening. Every 13 minutes, a new name is added to the nation’s organ transplant waiting list. That adds up to about 110 new people every day. On average, 16 people die every day while waiting for an organ to become available. Did you know that just one donor can give more than 50 people a second chance in life?

“Organ donation is vital to the success of our transplant program and helps save the lives of patients who might otherwise spend years on a waiting list,” says Chintalapati Varma, MD, Geisinger Director of Transplant Services. “This is a wonderful opportunity for our employees to register to become organ donors and give the gift of life.”

Almost anyone 18 years or older can donate organs, regardless of health. If you would like to be a donor and help save another person’s life, check out the following web site for details, fast facts, FAQ’s and steps to become a donor: http://www.donors1.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=31&Itemid=132.

Power of Prayer

I have a very special request...all of you who read my blog please pray tonight and tomorrow for Tricia Lawrenson--she's undergoing her double lung transplant right now! It is going to be a LONG night for all involved. You can get all the info as it happens at their blog site, Confessions of a CF Husband, which is linked up on the right side of your screen or just click on Tricia's name above.

I can not even begin to imagine what all the emotions are like for Tricia's family or the donor's family. But I do know that God is good ALL THE TIME. And I also know that prayer works!

Wow, I serve an amazing LORD!

Thank you so much for gathering at the foot of His Throne with me. What an honor!

The newest addition....MADISON MARIE!

Fresh from the womb


Proud new Daddy admiring his new little girl.


Scott getting ready to announce "boy or girl" to all the waiting family with his specially made t-shirt!


Savannah looking in awe of her new little cousin. She was so enthralled with her!


All clean and wrapped and ready for cuddling!


Mommy holding Madison after she's all cleaned up!


Brayden loving on his newest cousin. When he first peered into her warmer he asked cautiously, "Can I pet her?"


First Croyle family photo!


A great family moment!


Me & Weebs with Madison--note my most excellent t-shirt!

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The kids and I topped off our crazy Easter weekend by driving out to Pittsburgh early Monday morning for my sister Erica's labor & delivery. I had the most amazing opportunity to be in the labor room with Erica and Scott as the doula...a.k.a. labor coach/support!! There was lots of family there waiting to meet the newest Croyle and they all helped out with watching my three so I could be with Weebs & Scott. This was definately a "team effort"! There was alot of support from both family and friends--what a testiment to strength in numbers!

What a blessed, awesome, and humbling experience for me. Weebs also surprised me with gifts when I got there--a personalized t-shirt for the occasion and a Willow Tree "Quiet Strength" plaque. Needless to say, I was shedding tears even before Weebs was! I haven't been apart of a birth (my three aside) since Belize during college. Weebs and Scott did such an amazing job. The doc induced her around 11pm Easter Sunday and she was a trooper all throughout the labor...only a few doses of Nubain here and there and finally getting an epidural around 6pm Monday when she wasn't progressing past 7cm. She needed the rest!! And when she did, she completely dilated and was ready to push around 8:30pm! Her "practice push" ended up being the real deal--just over 20 minutes later (about 4 rounds of pushing) beautiful Madison Marie entered our world!! What a miracle! She weighed in at 6lbs. 12oz. and was 19 inches long. Praise the Lord!! I was SO proud of Erica! I think I told her this about three hundred times over the course of the day. Actually my throat was so sore for the next two days from all the talking/coaching I did--but, WOW, was it ever worth it!! :)

The experience was a humbling reminder of how the Lord uses our experiences--be they good or bad--to help others. After our awful birth experience with Brayden and two wonderful experiences with the girls, both Daryl and I have made it our mission to share with others (1)the dangers of Pitocin and induction when improperly used/advocated/warranted,(2)being your own best advocate of what you want and (3)trusting the Lord in ALL things. By God's grace and answer to our prayers Weebs did not have to undergo a c-section--as so often happens with induction.

It amazed me,too, that His presence was definately felt by everyone in the room--not just me. The music Ercia had playing softly in the background certainly affected us all and invited Him to be there in a real and tangible way. She compiled a "Christian music playlist" on her laptop and "we" labored to praise and worship music. I'm not certain about Weebs (her mind was on other things), but I do know that it was so uplifting and comforting to me and to the staff that entered the room. Both Erica's doctor and the anesthesiologist who did the epidural commented on the music and how much they enjoyed it. I also overheard them saying how it was such a different environment--so much more peaceful--then what they're used to. What a great witness Erica was without even realizing it and during one of the most difficult times! I'm still in awe of the experience. And I am so very grateful that the Lord could work through me to help Weebs and Scott in one of the coolest moments of their lives! Thank you both so much for letting me share such a special event with you...and if you so choose, I will GLADLY be there for the next one!!

Five words from a child's mouth that make a Momma's blood run cold...

..."DO YOU LIKE MY HAIRCUT?"

Those words from Brayden greeted me yesterday morning while I was still asleep. Needless to say I shot up like a rocket out of our bed! Daryl was just as shocked as I was at the sight. After alot of drama and tears from Brayden (and almost, me)we got out the clippers and Daryl fixed it as best he could.

Oh, and yeah, the story doesn't end there. Savannah was sitting on my lap reading books when I ran my fingers through her sticky-from-breakfast hair. A two inch piece came out in my hands! I gave her a close-up and saw that she, too, had been to the barber's! When I asked her if she cut her hair she gave me a disgusted look (as though to say, "As if, Mom")and replied emphatically, "NO! Bayden(as she pronounces it) cut my hair!" Thankfully her "trim" wasn't as bad. It just look like she got the right side of her hair layered for the season. You know, all the two-year-olds are doing it.

The best part was Daryl's disbelief/shock that Brayden would cut his and Savannah's hair--and our conversation went something like this:

D: (laughing) I can't believe he'd do that! That's not like Brayden. What would possess him to do such a thing?

M: Honey, every kid cuts their hair at some point!

D: Well I never did.

M: Correction. Every normal kid cuts their hair at some point.

It is taking some getting-used-to, but its not bad. I will admit, though, that I'm looking forward to his hair growing back in...as is he! Brayden was NOT initially pleased with the outcome, to say the least. It suddenly dawned on him that he looks just like our nephew, Leighton--whom Brayden admires so much--and now he is LOVING his new 'do!

Oh well it grows back, right??


Crying because he thought that his hair would never grow back!


Close-up of the frontal damage.


His new spiked do!


Happy (finally) because he "looks just like Leight!"


And if I may direct your attention to the portion of hair just by her right ear...

For Tricia (& Nate)!

If you're wondering, "Who's Tricia & Nate?" then you haven't heeded my earlier advice to check them out HERE.

So Tricia (and Nate), here's my list I wrote to our little girl in honor of her 2nd birthday...and here's also a special poem for all moms (using Nate's words I "bumped" them from two of my previous posts!) Tricia, I pray that your list(s), writings, and ramblings of love & adoration will fill up rather quickly (and I know they will) because of sweet Gwenyth and her precious Daddy. I pray that you can cherish each step of the amazing journey of parenthood. There is nothing like it on Earth and nothing that can bring you into a whole new understanding of our Father and His Love like a child can. Like many others who have posted, I am constantly in prayer for you and your dear family. You are such an inspiration! Love, Mandy

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I love the fact that I have a daughter (actually two daughters now) whom I thought I would never have. I love watching her face light up and hearing her shrill as her Daddy walks through the door. I love the fact that she's a Daddy's girl through and through...that she will never have to doubt of our Father's love for her because of the example she has here on Earth. I love how sassy she can be. I love that she can already hold her own in a crowd. I love that she is sensitive. I love that she sucks her thumb and has a beloved blanket. I love that she loves to play in the dirt with trucks and cars while holding and caring for her babydoll. I LOVE her laugh. I love her curls. I love her eyes. I love her insaitable appetite...and that she never lets others go hungry, either! I love her love for reading and hearing her call, "Read book me!" as she comes down the hall with 4-5 books in her arms. I love that she loves brushing her little chicklet teeth. I love watching her love on her little sister. I love watching her imitate her older brother. I love hearing her sing (and singing with her). I love hearing her sing herself to sleep at night. I love that she can't fall asleep without us praying with her and everyone giving/getting a kiss. I love her little handprints all over my newly-cleaned walls. I love the mere fact that the love of a little 2-year-old girl enamores so many hearts and brings so much joy into so many lives without even being aware of it and without even trying. I love that she (along with her brother and sister) has taught--and continues to teach-- me more about God's love and about my being His child than anything else in my life. I love being her Momma.

And I can't imagine our lives without her.

11.2.2007
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Before I was a Mom
I never tripped over toys or forgot words to a lullaby.
I didn't worry whether or not my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom
I had never been puked on.
Pooped on.
Chewed on.
Peed on.
I had complete control of my mind and my thoughts.
I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom
I never held down a screaming child so doctors could do tests.
Or give shots.
I never looked into teary eyes and cried.
I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.
I never sat up late hours at night watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom
I never held a sleeping baby just because I didn't want to put
him or her down.
I never felt my heart break into a million pieces when I couldn't
stop the hurt.
I never knew that something so small could affect my life so much.
I never knew that I could instantly love someone so much.
I could never have known I would love being a Mom this much.

Before I was a Mom
I didn't know the feeling of having my heart outside my body.
I didn't know how special it could feel to feed a hungry baby.
I didn't know that bond between a mother and her child.
I didn't know that something so small could make me feel so
important and happy.

Before I was a Mom
I had never gotten up in the middle of the night every 10 minutes
to make sure all was okay.
I had never known the warmth, the joy, the love, the heartache,
the wonderment or the satisfaction of being a Mom.
I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much more...before I was a Mom.

~Unknown

NEVER leave child(ren) unattended!

While I was taking clothes out of the dryer, Savannah decided to share her chocolate pudding with Sophia:







Yep, got this lesson loud and clear.

Happy Birthday Lol and Ninge!

My oldest and youngest sisters share the same birthday. Today I'm celebrating them and thanking the Lord for his gifts of them to me. They (along with Weebs) have blessed & taught me so much. Happy birthday Shelli and Ang!! I love you BUNCHES!!!