Lucky #13

This man...

Thirteen years ago, I would have never imagined the '”adventures” that God had planned for us. We’ve always felt, “We’ve had it pretty easy thus far.”

Or maybe it just seems that way with him by my side? 

I can honestly say we have grown so much TOGETHER. Each, in our own way but together, in pursuit of the life we’ve been called to. Today, it’s seems like the world is full of boys but very few real men. Men who love Jesus, take care of their families, love their wives, their children, and their neighbor. Men who are willing to sacrifice and stand for what’s right.

There is not a day that goes by that I am not thankful to be his Mrs. This is the man that God gave me to help me be more like Christ. The man He knew I needed so I could learn what it means to be brave. To do the hard things, daily. To lose my life, so I could find it again.

For the first time in our marriage, we faced something really hard this summer. Instead of welcoming home a new son, we almost had to bury one. There were moments when the prognosis was so unbearable, I could hardly stand on my own two feet. But I didn’t need to. He was right there holding me up. In the desperate hours, he was the one who decided to take a picture (and video) of Zachary at his worst, just so he could show him one day what a miracle God had done in his life.

He was the one who despite the grim reality of what the doctors had told us, paid all the adoption fees that very same day.

He was the one who assured me that whatever happened to Zach, it would all be for God’s glory.

And despite our exhaustion and anxiety about the whole situation, he was the only one who could still make me laugh through the tears.

I love this man.

This year, more than ever, I realized that the good and easy times are great but it’s enduring the hard times together that makes our marriage even greater.

Happy Anniversary to my one and only.

I am so honored to live this undeserved life God has given us and I am absolutely privileged to walk it beside you.

All my love. All my life. –Cat

*The picture above was taken last week when sleep was highly lacking but we mustered up the energy to go on a date night anyway!

I’m so glad we did. :)

Painting Pumpkins

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

I don’t know if we’ll be making our annual pumpkin picking trip up to Riley’s Farm this year but we did get a chance to paint some pumpkins last week. The girls have done this ever since they were about 3 years old and it’s something they look forward to every year. They prefer this over carving the pumpkins. I think they enjoy the creativity and color of paint.

Plus, the pumpkins last much longer this way!

They picked up a couple of small pumpkins at the store this year… and even one for their little brother!

Of course, I think they’re ALL just beautiful!

Princess Tea

The girls and I were blessed to be able to attend the 2nd Annual Princess Tea, benefitting our local Refuge Pregnancy Center.

 

The Red Carpet.

 

The tables were decorated beautifully.

 

 

Lovely girlfriends.

 

My dear sweet sisters.

 

All the Disney Princesses were on hand and provided us with entertainment.

 

They even walked around to every table and gave autographs.

 

Mulan was so thrilled to see “Little Mulan” (Grace).

 

We love Pocahontas (aka Miss Allison: she used to be the girls’ piano teacher).

 

“Anna” stops by to say hello.

 

Here’s Frozen’s “Elsa”, aka Miss Hannah, Grace’s voice teacher.

 

Hugs from Rapunzel.

 

 

Rapunzel played by none other than Miss Alyssa, Faith’s piano teacher.

 

And their friend, Karah as Cinderella.

 

 

Hundreds of daughters put on their fancy dresses and gathered with their moms at the Heritage Palms Country Club for the Refuge Pregnancy Center’s 2nd Annual Princess Tea.

We enjoyed a yummy lunch, cupcakes, entertainment, raffle prizes and a silent auction.

The girls and I had a lovely time with our friends and we enjoyed being able to help this GREAT cause.

Bonus: We even WON 3 raffle prizes! (That NEVER happens!)

The girls are already looking forward to next year’s event.

There’s no place like home

Zach’s last night in the hospital. He spent it being cuddled by mommy and daddy. Dreaming of home…

 

He did AWESOME on the LONG car ride home. Slept most of the way!

 

They are SO thrilled! Can you tell? “We get to keep him forever now?!”

 

My THREE blessings!

 

So sweet!

 

“Roarrrrrrr!!!”

 

After 75 days in the NICU, 4 bouts of MRSA with pneumonia, over 5,000 miles traveled to San Francisco and back, WE ARE FINALLY HOME WITH OUR SON!!

It feels sort of surreal but each day, our new normal is forming and we couldn’t be more overjoyed that Zachary is now well and at home with us… Only GOD.

His sisters can’t get over how cute he is and have declared, “Our baby brother is the cutest baby in the whole world!”  

Zachary had his first visit to his pediatrician today and the doctor said he looked great! He now weighs 7lbs. 8 oz. and is 19.5 in. long. After reviewing everything that Zach had been through, the doc asked, “And how did YOU make it? How did YOU survive this trying ordeal?”

My answer: We have a great faith and we serve an even Greater God.

Thank you from the bottom of our hearts to all those who have supported us in prayer and encouragement. One journey has come to an end but a whole new one is just beginning. We are so blessed and privileged to be Zachary’s parents. It’s truly humbling that God would choose us to be this special boy’s forever family. Through this trial, our faith has been tested and strengthened. We hope yours has, too.

We serve a MAGNIFICENT, GLORIOUS and FAITHFUL GOD. All glory, honor, and praise to Him!

“Blessed is she who has believed that He will fulfill His promises to her!” ~Luke 1:45

Now please excuse us for a little while we love on our boy… and catch up on some sleep.

D-Day is near!

WE HAVE AN OFFICIAL DISCHARGE DAY, FRIENDS!!!

 

 

 

 

I’m so grateful for all the sweet nurses that keep sending me pictures of Zachary on their phones!

Our boy is growing by leaps and bounds and currently weighs 6 lbs. 13 oz! He’s eating like a champ and breathing well on his own. The nurses are now using the word, “miracle” to describe Zach.           Of course, we knew that all along. ;)

We serve a mighty and faithful God who loves a good REDEMPTION story!

Zach has a couple of final procedures to complete over the next two days but otherwise, he is scheduled to be discharged this FRIDAY!!

Thank you for your continued prayers as we anxiously await the fulfillment of God’s promise!

Praise Jesus, for this indescribable gift!!

“I praise You because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, And that my soul knows very well.” ~Psalm 139:14

The Unofficial “D” Day Countdown Has Begun!

Last week, this was Little Mister.

 

Multi-tasking!

 

Squeaky clean, after his bath.

Praise the Lord, it’s been another GREAT week of improvement for Zach!

Big things that have happened:

• His feeding tube was REMOVED yesterday. He’s now taking ALL his feeds by bottle!
• He currently weighs 6 lbs. 8.6 oz!
• His oxygen has been weaned down to 23%. Apparently, he really only needs it when he eats (since this takes a lot of energy). We are told his lungs could take a while to heal completely.

In other news… Daddy set up his crib last weekend.

Good job, Daddy!

 

We’ve just about completed Zach’s room. Funny, we’re keeping things pretty simple this time around.   I remember with the girls, everything was brand spankin’ new but with this 3rd child, everything is second hand. Sorry, buddy! 

One word… Craigslist. (Or is that two words?)

Anyhow, our generous friends have also let us borrow some of their baby gear so we’re pretty much good to go!

The unofficial “D” day countdown has begun!

“D” is of course for DISCHARGE and if all goes well this weekend, we’re hoping baby boy can come home sometime NEXT WEEK!! 

How awesome is our God?!! To Him be all the glory!!

“I would have lost heart, unless I had believed
That I would see the goodness of the Lord
In the land of the living.” ~Psalm 27:13

Fantasy Lanes

 

 

Grace gets her first strike!

 

Sharing her joy with sis.

 

 

 

Scores for their first game. Not bad!

 

 

 

Faith’s first strike!

 

Ta-dah!

 

 

A couple of weeks ago, the girls tried bowling for the first time and boy, did they enjoy themselves!

We recently found out about the summer specials for kids at Fantasy Lanes. Only $2 per game!

Too bad we came on the last day of the special but Lord willing, next summer, we’ll get to come back more often. So nice that Daddy was able to meet us during his lunch and bowl with the girls.

Fun memories!