This is the amazing journey of our two miracles. John Craig was born on November 30, 2005 at 24 weeks and 5 days gestation. He weighed 1 pound 8 ounces and was 12 inches long. John is a true miracle and an inspiration to all that meet him! Hope Amanda, our perfect little girl, is currently recovering from two brain surgeries to remove a 6cm mass from the center of her brain. Hope represents everything good in this world and she too is an inspiration to all.
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future.
Jeremiah 29.11

Saturday, April 28, 2012

Girl's Day With Our Besties!!!!

Yesterday Auntie Brittany treated us to mani's and pedi's......Hopie's first time ever (Hmmmmm...doesn't seem fair.  I think I was in High School when I went for the first time and her first time was at 2 years old!!!!!)  She was a pro though.  She picked out her color (pink of course...with a flower,) sat in the chair nice and still and let them dry completely before getting up.

It was a perfect day with Mommy's BFF and Hopie's BFF!  Thanks, Aunt Brittany.  You are the BEST!!!!!



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Thursday, April 26, 2012

Easter 2012

OK, OK, I'm a little behind.  Better late than never, right?

So, Easter morning the kids awoke to Easter baskets filled with goodies and eggs scattered around the backyard.  After their hunt (and our breakfast consisting ONLY of chocolate) we got dressed in our Sunday finest and headed out the door for church.  Luckily for the kids there was an egg hunt at church too......and then another at Grams and Papa's!  It was a wonderful day indeed.

Have I mentioned lately that I LOVE having my brother, sister-n-law and sweet niece back home? Holidays are even that much greater now that my entire family can spend it together.



 








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Tuesday, April 24, 2012

1st Swim of The Season

With the temperatures reaching 105 degrees this weekend we all braved the cold water and took our first dip in the pool!!!!

We LOVE pool time........bring on summer!!!!






We had some fun with water balloons too!!!




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Saturday, April 21, 2012

Hope's 1st Dentist Visit


Yesterday Hopie had her first ever dentist appointment.  Beforehand, we read books about going to the dentist and John told her all about it.....he said, "They'll make your teeth sparkly clean and then you get a surprise, like a toothbrush or a sticker or a bouncy ball!"  

All of our prepping paid off.  She was an old pro and got compliments from everyone...she even got named, "The Best Two Year Old Patient They've Ever Seen!"  The only bad news.....she has a small mouth with tight teeth.  Which means, start saving for braces!!!!!!

So proud of you baby girl you did AWESOME!!!!!



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Friday, April 20, 2012

Butterfly Garden

A few weeks ago we let Johnboy play hooky from school (on a half day) so he could go to the butterfly garden with Hopie, Grams, Papa, Aunt Connie and Uncle Bill (who were visiting from Minnesota.)

The kids had a blast!!!!


Waiting for their taxi to arrive


Walking in with Aunt Connie and Uncle Bill


Hopie the walker thief


Water fight with Papa.  I think Johnny lost.....he was soaked:)

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Wednesday, April 18, 2012

Humbled

I know I sound like a broken record but I am truly humbled by the generosity, love and support that our friends and family continue to give us.  Once again they woke up early on a FREEZING Saturday morning and helped us honor our little boy....and if they weren't able to walk with us, they made donations, sent sweet text messages and e-mails and called to see how the day went.  I cannot say thank you enough.......and cannot explain what an awesome feeling it is to know we are NEVER alone on this journey!



John and his buddy, Blayke


Trying to stay warm before the walk starts


Soooooo cold


Mommy and her favorite boy


Waving to the walkers as they walk by


Mommy and her good friend, Caralee....with our amazing little miracles


Team John 2012


Brayden, Blayke and John


Thanks Auntie Brittany for giving our tired little girl a ride


My favorite people in the entire world




Cutest doggie EVER


Pretty little Paigers


My sweet, sweet girl...as a pink puppy


BFF's



And the boys...tired out after a long (but fun) day!

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Thursday, April 12, 2012

For The Love Of Throw Up

Holy cow.....three of the four of us got hit HARD with the stomach bug.  There has been non stop throwing up in our house for over a week now.  Fortunately, I think we are finally on the mend.

A big shout out to the Hubs though.....while Mommy was bed ridden (I thought I was dying) Daddy managed to wash ALL the sheets and towels, take Johnboy to his dentist appointment, go out and buy Hopie shoes for Easter and buy/make Mommy an Easter basket.....all while taking care of two puking girls and a super sweet six year old (who hadn't gotten hit with the bug yet!)  BEST DADDY EVER!!!!!!

Soooooooooo, we've been doing a lot of this for the past week and a half...

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