She's Back!!!

Yay! Mallory is home. We have a busy week ahead of us. We have a few things planned for the week. Of course, we will be seeing Kit Kitteridge when it debuts on Wednesday. The hype for this movie is pretty big. I guess every little girl in America will be lining up for this one. We've decided to make a day of it. My little sister Kennedy is coming over to spend the day with us. We plan on making it a girls day. Mr. Tyler will be making his way to Mema's house for the majority of the day. Now that I think about it, I'm guessing Wednesday will be a very busy day. Wednesday is also my 28th birthday. We don't plan on doing anything special, just dinner with family and friends.
Tuesday we are attempting to take Tyler and Mallory to a movie. The local movie theatre here does free movies for kids on Tuesdays all summer long. I don't know if Tyler is going to cooperate. So, cross your fingers for us. Hopefully, we can get in some swimming and bike riding this week. Mallory is becoming quite the pro when it comes to riding her bike. Tyler on the other hand, well let's just say he's not quite there. He knows what to do and how to do it, he just won't! He has training wheels on his bike, but he still doesn't want to put forth the effort to ride. He'd rather stay in the yard and dig in the dirt. Imagine that!!!
I'm beat. I should have been in the bed a long time ago.

Amazed by God's Amazing Grace

We went to church on Sunday for what we thought was one thing, but it ended up being something totally unexpected. Since Richard has been home, I've really wanted to wash my hands of the whole Army thing. It's kind of hard for me to think back on the 15 months he was gone. I get very emotional when we look at pictures or talk about what each other was doing on a particular day(some 8000 plus miles away from each other). So, on Sunday when he put his uniform on for church. It was very emotional for me to see him in it again. However, today was about honoring America, our freedom, and the faith our country is founded upon. We started the service with the baptism of 4 people. Then it was time for the choirs procession. Richard led them carrying the American flag. You know I never get tired of seeing that flag or hearing our nation's anthem.
After the choir was seated, a very petite and soft-spoken lady made her way to the podium. She was there today to present her testimony to the congregation. I knew nothing of the lady before she spoke, except that she was from Cambodia. She began to speak very slowly. She spoke of a very harsh upbringing. At a young age she was forced from her home and driven far north in her country to work in the farmlands as a slave. Her 5 sisters, 1 brother, and parents were made to join her in the fields. The entire family was made to work day and night. It did not matter if you were sick, with child, or even on the brink of death, you had to work in the fields just as hard if not harder than the rest of the slaves. One by one she watched her family die. Eventually, she was down to just her sister and her. The sister and her were finally taken to a hospital where her sister passed away.
By this point and time in the story, the tears were flowing from everybody. I don't think there was a dry eye in the congregation. God really wanted me to hear this sermon. For months now, I've waited and waited for Richard to open up and describe exactly what life was like for the people of Afghanistan. We talk about it a lot, and he tells me stories. I never push the issue. I just listen when he wants to talk about it. However, to hear the tales of poverty, slavery, and despair right from a survivor's mouth is completely different. You could hear the pain and sorrow in her voice. You could see how it had affected her frail body.
She began to tell how she would cry out to God begging for him to shed his mercy on her. Eventually, the Vietnamese invaded Cambodia, and she was freed. She was able to escape and find a husband. As she and her husband were searching for answers to their turmoil. They stumbled upon a Christian outreach program. The people there gave them a Bible. They began to read it together. Somehow they were drawn to read Leviticus. After completing this book in the Bible, they knew who their Lord was. It was amazing to hear her tell of the people in Cambodia worshipping idols. Mrs. Young is the only survivor in her family. At the end of her testimony she sang the most beautiful version of Amazing Grace I think I've ever heard. When the piano started and she opened her mouth she sang the song in the native Cambodian language(Khmer). It was beautiful. At the end of the 3 stanzas, she asked the congregation to sing the song with her. There was nothing more beautiful.
The conditions this lady lived in and the conditions Richard saw in Afghanistan are unimaginable to all of us, but they are real. We are really fortunate hear in the U.S. God has truly blessed us with His Amazing Grace. We all pray for God to bless America. I don't think we do it, because we think we are superior to other nations or because we look down upon other nations (at least I pray that's not why people do it), but we pray for God to place his blessings upon America because our nation was founded on his Grace. We are one nation, under God indivisible.
I'm sorry to ramble on about this, but it has been heavy on my heart all day. I love you all!

3's a Blast

I was so excited on Thursday when Richard's dad and stepmom came up for dinner. We were able to have our niece Kierra spend the night with us. Mallory and Tyler were super excited. This was Mallory's first little sleep over, and it went great. The kids loved getting out their hockey sticks from the Thrashers game in Atlanta. They would take them and use pom poms as pucks. It was so funny. I was just crossing my fingers no one would break a bone. Needless, to say we had a blast. The girls helped with baking a cake, and they even put the icing on all by themselves. Late Friday afternoon we went to a local garden to take pictures of everyone. I must say we really do have cute children (not that I'm partial or anything).

Friday evening we had a houseful of people for salad, homemade lasagna, cake, pie, and ice cream. It was wonderful. It was especially nice for me, because I must admit I've been down here lately. Having a houseful of kids, followed by a houseful of family was great. It just reminded me how much I can't wait for Richard and I to add more little ones to our family. I hope you enjoy the pictures! There are tons more than the ones I posted. However, it would take me forever to post them all. So, here are a few of my favorites! Enjoy!

Implementing a Plan

Over the past several months, I've been debating very heavily on a plan for our family. One of our goals this year is to be more organized. We're starting our plan with a weekly menu(in hopes of heading towards a monthly menu), chore lists for everyone in the house, and an activities/appt. calendar. I don't expect it to be perfect. I just expect it to be a guideline to help us all be more accountable and responsible.
We pretty much realized a plan was necessary especially with Richard's work schedule. We all have small chores to be done most days. Then we have designated Thursday to be the "Big Clean Day". I'm really crossing my fingers with this plan. I know it's going to be hard getting used to the structure, and I'm sure there will need to be little changes here and there. However, I have faith it will work.
We have also decided to designate a time every evening as family time. Whether the kids are riding their bikes, we're playing a game, reading a story, etc. We want to take time to stop EVERYTHING and spend time with each other. It doesn't matter if we take 5 minutes or 2 hours. We just want to work time in for all of us to be together. This is so important. There are many nights we don't always "have time" to sit down with one another. However, we are now going to MAKE TIME.
Also, I have a really special prayer request today. It's for my friend Ashlee's family. Her in-law's have suffered a complete loss of there home in a house fire. I can't imagine losing my home and all of it's memories. I know they must be lost right now, but God will help them through this. Thankfully, I believe they were able to salvage some family photos. I'm praying the transition from home to apartment will be smooth for them.

A Girl's Weekend

"Craft Time" with Aunt Rhonda

Relaxing with Buffet

Mallory and Kierra at the Chinese Buffet

Yes, my less than graceful child actual did the "Slip and Slide"

Mallory and Kierra

I love this picture of the girls!

Enjoying the Ice Cream

"Fab-U-Lous" Thanks Uncle Hank

Mallory Finds a Blue Crab Leg

Boogie Boarding

Watch Out World...She's dangerous on that thing!

Pirates of the Salty Dog

Sporting Hilton Head Visors

The Princess Room Pillow Fight

Wandering around the beach

Watch out Hank!!!

Keeping an eye out for jelly fish

Running through the water

The "Princess Bed"

This past weekend Mallory had the luxury of a trip to Hilton Head. With everything that happened last week, it couldn't have come at a better time. Mallory's dad was gracious enough to give up Father's Day weekend for Mallory to have a little fun. It was so cute though, because she made him the sweetest little card while she was gone.
Mallory went with "Nana Robin"(Richard's step mom) and Kierra(our niece). They spent the weekend with the now infamous "Uncle Hank and Aunt Rhonda". Now, Mallory is very lucky, because her step mom Tracey's parents also live in Hilton Head. So, Miss Mallory has become very accustomed to Hilton Head, and she just loves it. This was the first time for her to go somewhere for the weekend with someone her age and without a parent in attendance. So, I was just praying things would go smoothly. Guess what? They were GREAT!
Rhonda and Hank went well above the call of duty to put together a fun filled weekend. Robin went out of her way(even though she was under the weather) to make sure the girls had a great time. Richard and I really lucky to have such a wonderful family. This was Kierra's first time to see the ocean, and I think she was thoroughly surprised. I don't' know who was more exhausted the adults or the kids. The weekend was full of slip and slides, italian ice, boogie boarding, italian restaurants, homemade pancakes, homemade spaghetti, playing the Wii, the Salty Dog Cafe, fresh ice cream, craft time, hula skirts, boas, and "Fabulous" outings with Hank.
I hope you guys enjoy the pictures. Mallory's really growing up. This is just the beginning of her little summer social agenda. Also, I hope all of you father's had a great Father's Day. I especially would like to wish a Happy Father's Day to my dad, stepdad, and Richard's dad. They have truly been great to us.

Praying For The Right Answers

This week has been really tough on Richard and I. We've been tested once again, and together we are making it through this difficult time. I can't thank you all enough for your kind words, thoughts, and prayers. God knows how much we appreciate all of you. My surgery went well on Thursday. We did opt to have genetic testing done on the baby and surrounding tissues. It was a decision we struggled with, but decided we would never get over it if we didn't at least try to gain more knowledge about what happened.
As I laid there waiting for my D and C, Richard held my hand and was so amazing. He has been so wonderful to me throughout this whole ordeal. I'm so lucky! Here was I was thinking nothing in the world could be worse than what I was doing at that moment. How horrible was it to lay in the hospital bed knowing you were having surgery to remove your dead child from your body. Quickly, my thoughts changed. You see, about 10 minutes before my surgery, a lady came in across the hall to triage. She was only around 5 and half months. When she came in she was fully dilated. I just started crying. My heart ached for this lady, and I didn't know her. She would have to birth her baby without pain medication(because it was too late for that). In addition, the baby probably wouldn't survive. She would have to watch her baby be born living and breathing, and then there was almost a 100% chance the baby would die. We wanted our baby more than anything else in the world right now. However, God blessed me with an early loss. I can't imagine being in the lady's shoes across the hall from me.
I pray a miracle occurred and her baby survived. However, if he/she didn't, then our baby had an angel friend to go to heaven with that day. There's nothing worse than the loss of a child. We had already gotten so excited about this pregnancy. It was something so exciting to look forward to, especially after the prior 15 months. Together, we have decided we want another child, and we will try again. We know in God's timing we'll be blessed with another child.
In the meantime, I'm focusing on what I have NOW! I'm not going to lie. It's really hard, because my emotions and hormones are all out of sync, but I'm trying really hard to mend my broken heart. I have a wonderful husband and two amazing children who depend on me to be a mother and wife. They are giving me the strength to get through this.
I'm sorry I rambled. I guess I just have a lot on my mind and in my heart. I'll close with the most beautiful prayer Tyler has been saying. He says his usual stuff and God Blesses everyone and everything under the sun (it's so cute!). Then, he's been saying, "God, please send us a new baby to my mommy's tummy for my birthday. I'm lonely, and I want a baby brother or baby sister." We're crossing our fingers and praying Tyler will get his birthday wish. In the meantime, we'll enjoy and love our family just the way it is.
We love you all,
Leah and Richard

God's Little Angel

Most of you know I've been pretty sick this pregnancy. Last week I got a virus. It was like my body couldn't shake it. Everybody else had it, and it was a breeze for them to get over it. However, it was different for me. Sadly, it was just too much for our baby, and it's heart stopped beating. I've had the feeling something was wrong the past few days. So, I think I was kinda prepared for the worst. The ultrasound technician started the scan, and I knew immediately. I just cried, "there's not a heartbeat!" With my previous two miscarriages, no actual fetus formed. There was never a heartbeat. They were what is referred to as blotted ovums. I can assure you the hardest thing is to see your baby on ultrasound without a heartbeat.
This pregnancy was very exciting for us. This was our little miracle. I will be taking a break from blogland for a few days. I would ask each of you for your thoughts and prayers. We love you all!

Leah