Stylize Me!

Our blog needed a fresh, SPRING look and thanks to Blogs for a Cause we're looking fantabulous!

You guys REALLY have to check out Nikki (http://www.madebynikki.blogspot.com/). Get this - She's a college student making incredibly creative blog designs for charity. Most of the profits will fund her upcoming summer humanitarian trip to the Dominican Republic and another portion she donates to a charity of the month. This month is The Adoption of William, which will capture your heart.

Waiting by the computer for your reations (in between diapers, feedings, playtime, cleaning up, etc. of course!).....

The Story Is Still Unfolding....

I wanted to let you know that St. Vincent's Tiny Successes Campaign has updated our Quad Story with a One Year Update! It looks like this:

The writers and designers do such a phenomenal job creating such a great look and really "stick to the story". In fact, our Tiny Successes Campaign won several awards both locally and nationally for print ad, web design, radio ad, and the television commercial. (If you click on the links it will provide the press releases and/or link to the ads.)

You'll wanna click on the link below to see more and read the dialogue from my recent interview:

http://www.stvincent.org/MyStory/tinysuccesses/quad_1year.htm

In case you live in Indiana, you can find our print ad in this month's issues of Parents and Parenting Magazines.

If you're new to 4tunate and have no clue at this point to what I'm referring to I'll repost the radio and television ad for you to view, plus I know that some of you faithful readers want to see it again! (This original post will also fill you in.)

We just feel incredibly blessed to have a part in this campaign and to be living a Tiny Success Story!

Tiny Successes, Ginormous Billboard

Our friend Jayson alerted us that our St. Vincent's Tiny Successes Campaign was displayed on a billboard at The Fashion Mall at Keystone. We thought, "cool, we'll have to check it out sometime"....What we didn't realize is it's the size of a BUS! Hilariously Huge!

Funny story to go with it....Brad and I were able to go out to eat for his birthday (thanks Joan and Cindy for watching the boys), so we decided to check it out while we were in the area. I took the camera with me to take a few shots. Just as soon as I snapped these 2, a security guard from out of no where quickly approaches me and with his limited English skills informs me I cannot take any pictures inside the mall. Say what????? I told him they were OUR KIDS, but I guess a rule is a rule and he wouldn't let me take anymore. Thankfully he didn't confiscate my camera or throw me in jail....I'm such the troublemaker!

So if you're in the Indy area check it out...just watch your back!

(If you are not in the Indy area you can find our story on the St. Vincent's Tiny Success Website by clicking here.)

watch out Gap...our sign is 20 of yours!

PS I haven't forgotten the promised NICU Survival Kit Post....I'm planning on posting it tonight.

PUBLISHED!

Back in June (a lifetime ago) my friend Michelle Harrod gave me this great site, Babycheapskate, and it's been saving me money ever since. It was featured in the July issue of Parents Magazine and has earned a great reputation for saving money on everything baby. Many of you will recall this site from our post in August, "God Always Provides...Sometimes through Coupons", where Brad and I (and a few comrades) were able to buy 513 jars of baby food for just over $10 (unbelievable)! Well, Angie, the Babycheapskate herself asked me to write a guest post on saving money with multiples. I was honored! Anyway, I know many of you already frequent her site, but I had to plug my little article! (You may need to scroll down, because she posts frequent updates on the best deals!)

NICU Survival Kits: Part I

A couple weeks ago, we mentioned that we have a new project in the works which you, our faithful blog readers, have been contributing to without your knowledge. What you did not know is that you have been contributing money, real dollars and cents, to our new project since this summer!

You may have noticed that our blog started running advertisements earlier this year. We hope that these advertisements have not been too much of a bother, but I think you will be pleased with the results.

Everyday, as you log on to 4tunate to see what our little rascals have been up to, our advertisers (ie: Google Adsense and BlogHer) are keeping track of how many hits our site is getting. (By the way, we just reached 100,000 page views since June - UNBELIEVABLE! Who knew? Thanks for visiting!) As a result of these page views and clicks on their ads, they pay us for hosting them on our blog. As the weeks and months have gone by, this money has slowly accumulated to a point that we were finally able to fund the start of our project, "NICU Survival Kits".

We are really excited about this opportunity; getting people on board, reaching others with our story, being able to encourage other parents that are faced with the uncertainty of the NICU, and where it may all lead. Right now, for a variety of reasons (time, funds, resources, etc.) it's still in the "preemie stages". However, we have already delivered 3 kits!

There's sooooo much to tell you about, but it would be too long of a post, and besides my Colts are getting embarrassed and need me....

Coming soon:

• What's in the NICU Kit?
• Who's received a NICU Kit?
• What's next?

Sooooo what are your initial thoughts? We'd love your input!

Deep in the Heart of Texas

Many of you have been following my quad sister, Suzanne. They are all over the Dallas/Ft. Worth media today. She even gave me a huge shout out in the Ft. Worth Star-Telegram. Check out the link here:

http://www.star-telegram.com/news/story/216906.html

It's very fun to get mentioned, but most of all I'm just thankful to be a blessing to someone else. We've been blessed by so many, it's great to give a little back in the form of support to a fellow quad mama. Remember how I asked you to pray that the Steece babies would "thrive regardless of what typical 30 weekers are suppose to do"? God hears our prayers. Ben (similar to our Isaac), their chunk, is going home tomorrow with his brothers and sister following close behind.

I only wish that I could now go help with those middle of the night feedings, because those are killer! Makes me thankful for my full night's sleep. Keep praying for this family as they enter the enormous adventure of caring for 4 babies! I know they'll do great!

Suzanne, if you're reading I'm still rooting for you, girl! You're one amazing mama and I look forward to watching our little ones grow. Savannah, watch out you've got four older boys who think you're a beauty. They would like to have you over for chilli sometime! HAAA!

Love, Your Indiana Cheerleader

Quads Being Born As I Blog...

UPDATE: They are here! Please keep a prayin'! I haven't heard from the Suz herself yet, but she has a huge recovery ahead of her and challenges ahead in the NICU. Thankful that she made it to a whopping 30+ weeks! She's sacrificed so much for these pumpkins - what a mom!

I think Brad and I would be headed to Texas right now if we had a private jet! Just what she needs a bunch of company and more babies!

Some specifics that you could pray for:

• Recovery for Suzanne - for bleeding to stop and her body to adjust to all the destressing of taking 4 babies out
• Lungs - these babies are gonna have to figure out this new breathing thing and it's a lot of work
• That Ethan, Ben, Andrew, and Savannah would THRIVE regardless of what typical "30 weekers" are expected to do - that they would FLOOR the medical community!
• Strength for Joe and Suz as they face uncertainties and a entire new adventure
• NICU staff- wisdom and the BEST care possible for these tiny ones
• That God would be glorified and others would come to a relationship with Christ through their journey

Happy Birthday Steece Babies!

Andrew (born 1st at 3:47pm): 2 lbs, 8.6 ounces

Savannah (2nd at 3:48pm): 2 pounds, 14.8 ounces

Ethan (3rd 3:49pm): 2 pounds, 7 ounces

Benjamin (4th at 3:50pm): 3 pounds, 4 ounces

(My reaction moments ago....)

For those of you following my fellow quad buddy Suzanne, she is having a c-section as I blog due to premature labor. Alright,you amazing prayer warriors, get on ya'lls knees for this Texas mama! She is 30 wks 1 day. Please pray for Suzanne, Joe, and the little ones: Savannah, Ben, Andrew, and Ethan. I know many of you are "hooked" to her blog as well!
P.S. OUR little babies turn 6 months tomorrow! UNREAL!

New Pictures

I decided I better post some new pictures for you dedicated readers, especially since we are famous this morning. Baby Blog Addict featured us this morning on their site - be sure to check it out! It's a great site with lots of great, practical info. And besides, one of the writer's names is Jennifer - so you gotta love that!

Pictures, Pictures, Pictures.....

And now, what you all have been waiting for.....Pictures!!

Clark and Brooks, looking a little more alike all the time now that we finally have good ole' Clark home where he belongs, growing and trying to catch his chubby brother Brooks! :)

Clark.....with his fuzzy hair right after his first real bath!

Clark.....sleeping

Henry....sleeping

Henry, Isaac, and Brooks before Clark came home.

Henry and Clark

This picture taken by the Hendricks Co. Flyer

See article @: http://www.flyergroup.com/local/local_story_075163531.html

Murray boodies!

Brooks and Clark, finally together again!!

Sharing....this is something the Murray boys are going to learn to love!

(Isaac, Clark, Brooks, Henry)

Clark...sleeping...ain't he cute? :)

Isaac....chillin

From left: Isaac, Clark, Brooks, and Henry

This is right after we got home from the hospital and had all four for the first time!

Henry....yawning...

From left: Isaac, Clark, Brooks, and Henry

Clark.....thinking...

Clark....sleeping.....

New Murray Blog Spot

I was so tired of seeing the word "triplet" in our blog address, I decided we would start a new chapter, at a new address, when the boys all get home. Once Clark gets home, this will be the new location where you can follow our family. (Referring to our old blog www.triplet-update.blogspot.com that tells our pregnancy journey, the miracle birth of our quadruplets, and our stay in the NICU. I am so glad there was yet another blessing inside my belly, instead of "just" triplets!)

NICU Pictures

Friends and Family,

I wanted to let you all know that tomorrow our boys will be in the Hendricks County portion of the Indianapolis star. So, you will have to be in Hendricks county to get it, but hopefully we can get out to get a copy. Also, I assume it will also be on www.indystar.com in the Hendricks county portion.

In the interim, here are some new pictures of our little boys!

This is our little Henry. (2/12/07)

Brooks already likes to smile (2/12/07)

Clark (aka Superman) (2/12/07)

Isaac decided to open his eyes for this picture, very exciting!! (2/12/07)

This is Henry five minutes after birth (2/2/07)

This is Brooks five minutes after birth. (2/2/07)

Clark right after birth. (2/2/07)

Isaac, our big boy, right after birth. (2/2/07)

Mommy holding Brooks for the first time! (2/6/07)

Mommy very excited about finally getting to hold one of her sons, Brooks. (2/6/07)


Proud papa, I only wish I could hold all four at once!! (2/6/07)

(Copied from www.triplet-update.blogspot.com)

Miracles and the Media...

Family and Friends,

Just a quick update, then we are off to the NICU/ Press room. Channel 8 and the Indy Star are coming out tonight to do a story on the miraculous work that God has done in this pregnancy. Would you pray with us that God would be glorified through this story? We will update you when we find out when these stories will show up in the media. We do already know that our story will show up Wednesday in the West Side edition of the Indy Star. Channel 8 is still unsure about when they will air our story.

Also, Henry and Brooks continue to thrive, while Clark and Isaac have made miraculous improvements! We now have four boys who are breathing with absolutely no assistance!! Also, Isaac’s PDA heart valve has closed without surgery, and according to initial tests, so has Clark’s!

God is to be given the glory for the amazing recovery our boys have made from these difficult circumstances. The NICU deserves some credit as well, they are getting wonderful care. Praise God for providing such wonderful people to care for our precious little boys!

More later…..

Brad, Jen, and the Blue Crew

(Post Copied from www.triplet-update.blogspot.com)