Thank You, Mom

Mother’s Day is a day we all spend time thanking our moms the way we should be thanking her EVERYDAY.  She fills so many roles, sacrifices much, and shares our highs and lows along side us throughout life.  Really, the longer I’m a mother the more I appreciate my own mother.

I’m truly blessed to have my mom in the same state.  I’m able to see her often (although it never seems often enough) and share lots of life events and holidays with her.  I’m not sure how I would cope having her more than an hour’s drive away. 

I know that many of you don’t have this same luxury of having your moms within reach. I feel for you.  And so does P&G, which is why I’m joining the Thank You, Mom campaign to help reunite daughters and moms. So how does a reunion (with a travel voucher) sound?

Watch the video to learn more.

Go ahead. You don’t want to miss this.

I’ll wait for you… 

**Don’t you LOVE what Arianne says about her mom? (2:20ish of the video)**

So how can you be reunited with your mom or spend a special day with one that’s close by?

Here’s how you can win:

• Head on over to ThankYouMom.com and submit your short story (100 words or less) explaining why you would like to be reunited with your mom or mom-like figure.
• Encourage your friends and family to vote for you.

15 Winners are being chosen each month from now until November. (That’s over 100 teary reunions!)

Winners will receive a travel voucher to help cover the travel expenses plus a digital video camera to capture the moments shared.

Somebody pass the tissues!

 

(Oh and let me know if you submitted your entry so I can vote for ya!)

Mother’s Day Agenda

Feeling blessed beyond what I could have asked or imagined.

Giving thanks for my own mother’s example, love, humility, strength, and sacrifice.

Being grateful for a mother-in-law who embraces our family, gives from her heart, and who raised a son who loves us unconditionally.

Celebrating other godly examples of mothers in my life who I admire greatly and who teach me much through their own display of grace.

Treasuring memories .

and

Striving to become a better mother and wife to my precious 5 boys. 

What are you doing this Mother’s Day?

For The Unspoken Mother’s Day…

How easy it is to overlook the details of a beautiful flowering tree.  I passed my own ornamental pear dozens of times, before stopping to take this photograph. We may admire the entire tree budding and blooming, but there’s so much more if you look closely. Within each branch are hundreds of blooms each so intricately designed and adorned with stunning beauty,

This Mother’s Day I didn’t want to overlook those who may blend in to the tree, so to speak. There are so many who are struggling with the unknowns of infertility, the loss of miscarriage, the pain of losing a child or your own mother.  The unspokens…

I hope that you find courage, strength, hope, and faith to face your journey today and in the days ahead. 

Psalm 62:1-2
Truly my soul silently waits for God; From Him comes my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; He is my defense; I shall not be greatly moved.

Please use the comment section if you feel led to share your own story, journey, or struggle. Help us to honor you…

The Journey of Motherhood

As Mother’s Day quickly approaches, my thoughts have been filled with my journey to motherhood.  There were years that I didn’t know if I would have the privilege of being called “Mama” and so many days that I questioned why God would give me such a deep desire to be something that I could not humanly achieve.

My personal journey to motherhood has been full of unexpected turns and unfamiliar territory. Even now, it’s so much different than I could have imagined. So many times I find myself falling to my own expectations of who I thought I would be as a mother. There are times I must of lower the bar I’ve set for myself yet again to survive another stage. There are times that I am giving it my all and know it’s still not enough. 

And then there are times that I find delight in the small moments of motherhood, like taking them to throw rocks into a nearby creek. Frequent moments that I look at my boys from afar and soak in once again that they are truly a gift from God. Suddenly I’m hit with the reality that this is my journey.  These tender, adventurous, rowdy, simple, sweet, messy, busy, affectionate, crazy-filled days are my own fleeting days of motherhood.

Whatever may lie ahead in my path, I am grateful for this role and humbled by this responsibility. My purpose is defined as I journey ahead down the unexpected, challenging, and joy-filled path of motherhood.

Psalm 25:4,5 “Show me your ways, O LORD, teach me your paths;  guide me in your truth and teach me, for you are God my Savior, and my hope is in you all day long.”

 

Easter ______ (Fill in the Blank)

Easter Clothes. Easter Breakfast. Easter Service.

Easter Travels. Easter Mexican Lunch. Easter Family Time.

Easter Bubbles. Easter Treats. Easter Egg Dying.

(All while potty training, I might add.)

Making progress every day… (but I’m too “drained” to write about it right now).

Plus I need to conserve any energy I have left to cheer for my Butler Bulldogs in the NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME! =) Unbelievable. My alma mater of 4,000 students is playing for a national title! (Insert Heart Thumping Loudly) Regardless of the outcome, it’s been an unbelievably exciting season. Go Dawgs!

For those of you who check this blog for the purpose of pictures, here’s a few from our Easter festivities!

A special “Virtual Hug” to a special blog reader friend, Carrie, for making these adorable tie shirts.  Thank you for being such a blessing! =) 

So fun to watch the boys play in the same backyard I grew up playing in…

 

Giving a go at dying Easter eggs for the first time…

    

What were your Easter ________ Fill in the Blanks?

Easter: Meaning vs. Marshmallow

It’s Easter week, the utmost important holiday to our Christian faith.  As much as I love the Starburst Jellybeans, I think we are guilty of commercializing Easter in a way that takes away from the message of the cross and the empty tomb.  I would love for our boys to see the Meaning vs. the Marshmallow at an early age.

Here are a few links I’ve found that I would love to incorporate into our family Easter traditions.

~ No Time for Flash Cards has a fun “Marshmallow Easter Egg” that looks simple enough for this not so crafty mama.

~ (in)courage has “Five Meaningful Ways to Celebrate Easter” that reflect on the true meaning of Easter. 

~ We Are That Family has a great “Making Easter Story Eggs” idea that I would love to recreate.

~ Need a Perfect Easter Gift?  I can’t recommend the Jesus Storybook Bible Deluxe Edition enough! 

~ I’ve heard of the Resurrection Rolls, but I’ve never seen the cookie version until Sugar & Spice and Frugal Advice posted her Easter Story Cookies recipe.

Somewhere there’s a balance between the meaningless fun and faith based ways to celebrate. We’re still working on what that looks like for our family.

We’d love to hear what Easter looks like in YOUR family! How do you celebrate?  How do you keep it meaningful? (Feel free to share your links in the comment section if you’ve blogged a tradition, recipe, or activity.)

Christmas Collaged

As I’m typing this the tree is being boxed up and shoved into a corner of the garage for another 11 months (while the quads are sleeping, mind you). And I can’t help but feel the mixture of emotions that goes along with packing up Christmas.  Glad to declutter, put things back in their place, get back to a routine, yet sad to say goodbye to the visual reminders of my favorite Christmas of all.

My memory is a collage of little moments along the way…

Decorating the Tree with the Boys (and breaking a few decorations in the process)

Watching Their Little Eyes Light Up as They Really Took Christmas In for the 1st Time

Singing Away in the Manger with the Boys Before Bed

Driving Around Neighborhoods Looking at Lights (And Laughing at How Brooks and Clark Were Scared of The Flashing House with Music)

Celebrating with My Family at My Parents House

Receiving Christmas Cards from Family and Friends

Wrapping Gifts Late into the Night

Being Blessed by Other Peoples Kindness

Bundling Up and Making a Trip Downtown

Watching the Boys “Sing” in Their First Christmas Program

Making Some Yummy Holiday Food

Spending Christmas Eve with Brad’s Family

Soaking Up Time with Family That We Don’t See Nearly Enough

Singing Happy Birthday to Jesus

Watching Their Excited Fingers Open Presents

Watching My Boys Bring Others Joy

It Truly was a Magical, Magnificent, Memorable Christmas! 

(And I’m probably not through blogging about it!)

Because Staying In Is The New Going Out

I’m sporting this T-shirt today, because you guessed we are STAYING IN for NYE (New Year’s Eve). I’m totally okay with it because we are having Brad’s sister and husband and his sister and husband (that’s a mouth full!) over for some chowing, chatting, and chiming in the New Year. 

What are YOU doing New Year’s? 

Does it involve GOING OUT or STAYING IN? 

If you’re GOING OUT share your plans with us, so those of us who are staying in can somehow justify how we are “cooler” for staying put.  =)

If you’re STAYING IN what’s on your menu?  What kinds of things do you do to entertain your family or guests? 

Why did you pick one over the other?

Wishing You a Very “Murray” Christmas!

Ain’t God Good

My pastor growing up used to sing a song that went like this…

If you’d like to flashback to 1986 with some really bad hair, you can check out this YouTube video to hear it.  (Of course it’s Southern Gospel, when else is “Ain’t” musically acceptable?)

I’ve been singing it all night. 

Not only does He bless us EVERY DAY with His mercy, grace, and love; Today was a day that can only be explained through His goodness and His provision.

If you don’t mind I’d love to share the story with you…

I’m sitting on the couch during nap time checking comments on the blog when the doorbell rings.  I jump up to answer it and there is a lady standing there with a card in her hand.  My first thoughts were,

“Are you one of my neighbors delivering us a Christmas card?” 

“Do I know you?”

“Stink, I don’t have a Christmas card ready for you…whoever you are.”

Very quickly she handed me the card and said, “I have a delivery for you.” And just like that she was GONE. 

Puzzled, I opened the card and out fell 4 one-hundred dollar bills.  Incredible!

Absolutely INCREDIBLE!

The card was addressed to Brad, Jen, Brooks, Clark, Henry, and Isaac and simply signed from “Our Family” 

Minutes later Brad made a call to our mechanic to find out if our car was diagnosed yet.  A low fluid indicator light has been coming on, even after refilling it with anti-freeze.  Turns out the heater core is leaking coolant just behind the dashboard.  To fix it will cost around $450! 

Minutes after that a guy called about an item that we listed on Craigslist a few weeks back to see if it was still available.  We had all but given up on selling it, since we hadn’t had any real interest or inquiries.  Lo and behold, he came by the house and it was sold.  The price that the item sold for should take care of taxes and leave a cushion for the repairs. 

Isn’t that down right AMAZING?   We are shocked, overjoyed, relieved, and we’ve even laughed out loud over the preciseness of God’s timing and provision.

People have been generous to us in many ways, and we feel exceedingly blessed and amazed by God’s provision for our family during this season of unemployment through the holidays. We are truly 4tunate!

Ain’t God Good? 

Worth Bundling Up For…

********************************************

Oh the weather outside WAS frightful…

The HOT COCOA was so delightful…

And since we’VE SOMEPLACE to go…

Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!  Let It Snow!

 

********************************************

Quads 1st Christmas Program

I’ve been having lots of surreal moments this holiday season.  Moments that flash me back to the pregnancy and I stop in amazement at the life I’m living out with 4 miracles.

Last week it happened when I stepped inside the NICU doors for the first time since we carried our preemies out in their car seats.  Last night it was when my 4 little guys participated in their first Christmas program.  Had it really been 3 years since I got special permission from Dr. Sumners to attend my nephew’s first Christmas program?  It’s hard to believe that much time has lapsed since my borrowed Lazy Boy Bedrest Mobile was transported to the back entry of the church so I could be present for his big debut, not knowing what the next Christmas would hold. 

So watching them up there was quite a moment, to say the least. It didn’t bother me the slightest that they didn’t sing or do the motions.  You and I both know they know it by heart.  All that mattered was they are all here with us now. 

It’s the season of miracles.  

 

After the program we celebrated with cookies, friends, and family!

 

A Twist In The Nativity Story?

 

Pretty sure there wasn’t a tractor involved in the escape to Egypt. 

I think the boys might have got a tad confused when they loaded up the tractor.

Checking Bible Passage Now…

Enough Sunshine To Melt Your Heart On A Cold Winter’s Day

The same day that we captured the boys’ caroling “Away in the Manger” in front of the tree, we were also serenaded by 4 little voices.

My heart melted right then and there and shall never solidify again.

Everybody gather around and warm your hearts together! We’ve got enough SUNSHINE to go around! =)

The Nester Christmas Tour Of Homes

Today I’m on tour with The Nester Christmas Tour of Homes and showing you a few pictures from our humble abode a la Christmas.  You won’t find these splashed on the cover of Southern Living Magazine, but nevertheless it’s our “Home for the Holidays”.

Speaking of “Home”, How cute is this advent house?  It’s new to us this year (a last year Target clearance find), and it’s been interesting to see what treasure we can fit 4 of in each door. It’s been something the boys look forward to doing each day, “Mama, wanna do the house!”

 

Stockings are my absolute favorite things to pull out of the Christmas boxes.  This year the boys know who’s is who’s and can point to and name each others.   Not sure what I’m going to put in them yet…any ideas that won’t cost a fortune x4?

Our new 9 ft. tree!  (Yet another 75% off Target end of the year steal!) Squeeeee!  I LOVE it.  I couldn’t picture how it would look inside our house, but it’s perfect.  Of course like any other tree it looks even better in the dark.  Don’t you love how a Christmas tree lights a room at night? I think all it needs is a little package love for the tree skirt. =)  Guess I should get on that, huh?  Maybe I should finish my little bit of shopping first! =)

I scored these little frames a year or two ago at Michael’s for $3 a piece.  Are you catching a theme here?  Usually I have candles hanging from this rack, but I replaced them with these little wooden signs for the season.

The boys got one Christmas gift a tad early, once I found this Little People Christmas Story Nativity* over 1/2 off, (thanks to a tip from Keeping the Kingdom First).  I really wanted a nativity scene for the boys that would remind them early on of the true meaning of Christmas. It’s so sweet to watch them play with the characters and sing “Away in the Manger” while they play.  (*Affiliate Link)

 

These are a few of my favorite Christmas decor items in our home.  I’d love to hear about your own styles and favorite trimmings. If you’d like to show the lovely interweb some of your festive Christmas decor, head over to The Nester and add your link.  (And leave me a comment so I know who’s to be sure to click on…there will be hundreds of participants in this yearly tour of blogs.)

****For those of you visiting from The Nester, please feel welcome to join us on our adventures in raising quadruplets.  We’d love for you to make yourself at HOME with us!

Keep on Decking Your Halls (and Trees and Mantles, and Doors, and Rooftops, And You Get the POINT)! =)

Christmas Past (Round 2)

One of the enjoyable things about Christmas is remembering past Christmas memories; Recalling family gatherings, church Christmas programs, a favorite gift, a precious memory with loved ones, Christmas ornaments from the past, and traditions that will not be forgotten.

I’m thankful that not only do I have beautiful memories in my mind of my Christmas’ B.Q. (Before Quads), but I have this blog to help me collect and retain the stories of Christmas with our family of 6.  It’s one of the main reasons I continue to blog, and hope that my boys will cherish the written memories and photographs of their childhood. 

To those of you who have joined us along the way, I thought I would post the links to some of our favorite family Christmas Past memories thus far.  I hope you enjoy looking back with us, and look forward to sharing more with us this Christmas!

It’s Beginning to Look A Lot Like a 1st Christmas (December 2007)

Visons of Sugar Plums (December 2007)

Please Christmas Don’t Be Late! (December 2007)

4 Babies in a Bed on Christmas Morning (December 2007)

Top 5 Christmas Traditions to Be Shared (December 2007)

Christmas Card Rejects (December 2008)

A Long Winter’s Nap (December 2008)

Christmas Caroling Blog Style (December 2008)

The Gift That Keeps on Chuggin’ (December 2008)

Christmas AM (December 2008)

Wrapping Up Christmas (December 2008)

Hope you are enjoying the true spirit of this CHRISTmas season!

Christmas Past

In order to give my writer’s cramp a break, I’ve stalled addressing our Christmas cards to reminisce Christmas Past.  This year due to our current situation and schedule we went with a less labor intensive/less $ route for our Christmas card, and I’m pleased with the result.  However, these cards from Christmas Past hold a very special place in my heart. 

Do you remember this one sweater/four individual shots winner?

Or how about this piece of magic….

It still makes me all warm and fuzzy inside!

The fun people behind AOL’s parenting site, Parent Dish, decided to feature our Christmas cards as inspiration in their “Great Holiday Card Ideas for Twins, Triplets, Quads, and More” article/slideshow.  They’ve featured some beautiful ideas and photography that you’ll love!

All of this makes me curious to hear about YOUR favorite Christmas card either given or received.  Tell us about it in the comment section if you’d like! 

I’ll post our 2009 Christmas card soonish! =)