Fox59 Morning News LIVE

Wow.  Live TV is TOUGH!  One second you are getting a mic clipped on and the next second you are LIVE. We take it for granted how much work it is when people like @AngelaGanote make it look so natural and easy!

(You can click the full screen option to make it larger…)

 

I was so pleased with how well the boys responded on camera. You never know what you are going to get with four 3 year olds, but they were captivated by seeing themselves on the live feed screen and bribed motivated by an ice cream date after the show. =)

Waiting for our air time…

 

Hanging out in the Green Room… (Brooks and Clark look so much alike in this picture!)

 

Seconds from going live…

And we’re ON!

Thanks to the March of Dimes for giving us an opportunity to share our story and highlight why this walk is so meaningful to our family!

There’s still time to enter in the March 4 Miracles Mega-Giveaway here on 4tunate.  Can you help us spread the word and meet our goal?  Nearly 2K raised with 1K left to go!  I think we can meet it, don’t you?

We’d be thrilled to have you walk along with us on Sunday as well!  (Let me know if you are planning on walking and I can hook you up with a 4tunate Team Shirt.)

It warms my heart to see us all coming together to GIVE to a truly LIFE CHANGING organization!

Smile. Your On Live TV.

If you’re a local reader and tune in to Fox59 in the morning (around 9:30 am) you might see might recognize these familiar faces….

So sweet and innocent in this picture, but how will they be on LIVE TV? 

It’s worth risking on behalf of getting the word out for the March of Dimes March for Babies this Sunday at 10am! =)

If you haven’t checked out the our March 4 Miracles Mega-Giveaway, please do so! We are over half way to our goal with 5 days remaining!

Secrets. (Giveaway)

I have a secret. Part of it lives in this box.

I almost hugged my UPS man yesterday in my driveway. Instead I told him he was the man.  He smiled knowingly.

Another box or 2 or maybe more are soon to be shipped.

I love secrets.  Except when I’m the one who doesn’t know the secret. 

Whoops…

How about I SHARE a surprise with you?  Does that make it better? This is a secret worth sharing. And I promise I’ll share what’s in the box(es) soon!

Here’s the scoop: Walmart and P&G have listened to the voice of families who want more quality options in family television and created the television movie “Secrets of the Mountain”. I’m thrilled to hear that someone is willing to focus on family-oriented and high quality entertainment for TV, because you and I both know it’s a rare combination. 

I’ve only seen a trailer of the movie which debuts on Friday April 16th at 8/7c on NBC and I’m anxious to see more!

Here’s a short trailer of the movie and interview clips with some mom bloggers you may know:

So how about a family movie night Friday night? Who’s popping the popcorn? =)

In addition, I have a giveaway to pass along to you: A “Secrets of the Mountain” Bonus Pack that contains the full movie and soundtrack produced by Randy Jackson (Yo,Yo, Dawg!) with artists such as Jordin Sparks and Brooke White.  

You can enter by leaving me a comment answering the following question:

How do you get your family to spend quality time together?

**Just be sure to leave a way for me to contact you if you’re chosen as the winner (blog address, email, twitter)!**

Disclosure – Walmart and P&G provided me with a preview of the movie along with some popcorn and promo materials. I opted to write this post with my own words and opinions and pass this opportunity along to you because I believe promoting quality family entertainment!

 

(UPDATED) H1N1 – Swine Flu Shots…

UPDATE: There are diverse opinions being shared in the comment section of this post.  Thanks to many of you who are weighing in on this one.  We’ve decided to form a poll to track your decisions regarding the vaccination.  You can continue to share your personal thoughts in the comment forum, and cast your ballot in the poll located on the right sidebar. Unfortunately, there was a homicide that takes precedence over our story running this evening.  We’ll update you when we have a new air time. 

____________________________________________

So Jen and I are in a little dilemma here.  What do we do about this nasty little flu bug known as the Swine Flu?  We were right in the middle of a discussion about this very topic this week when out of the blue, the Fox affiliate here in town contacted us to get our opinion about this very topic.  There are apparently some folks outside the US preying on people who are scared of this illness, selling fake Tamiflu and other flu fighting drugs online.  Fox is doing a story about this problem and what parents are doing about the H1N1 virus.  Jen was out of the house when they called, but I agreed to do an interview and give our perspective on this difficult situation.

On one hand it is scary to think about our boys contracting a virus that has so little history in human beings.  But on the other, the vaccine that has been created to fight this pandemic has had very little testing, and we are a little unsure about letting it enter the family bloodstream.  Then there are the risks associated with the nasal mist vaccine, which we have heard is one of the only options available right now.  There are apparently risks with the mist on people groups who are susceptible to respiratory infections, which our boys would fit into.

This is something we plan to call our doctor to discuss this week.  We really need to cut through the hype and figure out what is best for Isaac, Brooks, Clark, and Henry.  And, for that matter, we also need to figure out what Jen and I will do. 

Please leave Jen and I a comment and let us know what you plan to do. 

Do we get the vaccine at all? 

Are the risks involved with vaccines in general greater than the risk that H1N1 poses?

Do we get the regular flu vaccine AND the H1N1 vaccine at the same time?  Spread them out?

Do we get one and not the other?

Lot’s of scary decisions, please let us know what you think!  Stay tuned, we will let you know what we decided.

~ Quatro Papa

NICU Survival Kits in the Media

Monday a local news station, Fox59 News, spotlighted our family and our NICU Survival Kit Project in their “Female Focus” segment.  I was grateful for the opportunity to spread the word on this project.  They did a top-notch job on our story, and were very generous at covering my nervous jitters, ramblings, and word fumbles.

The video, pictures, and dialogue of this story, is a great reminder of our own journey with 4 little miracles and the blessing they are in our lives. Our desire is to reach other families experiencing the uncertainty of the NICU (Neonatal Intensive Care Unit), that became our boys first home for their first 3-5 weeks of life.  If you would like more information on our project, check this link or the toolbar menu labeled “NICU Survival Kits” or contact me at quatro_mama {at} yahoo {dot} com .

PS  Hope my Quad Mama Sistas enjoy your Shout-Out!

Front and Center

Here's the front page of the IndyStar online today.

Here's a link to the full article:

http://www.indystar.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090124/LOCAL0503/901240328

There's a photo gallery on the right hand side (Quadruplets Turn 2) for your viewing pleasure! =) 

Thanks to Josh Duke and Steve Sanchez from the Indianapolis Star for highlighting our family!

Secrets...

Shhhh...don't tell Daddy that we played with Barbies today.  We are much too boy for that.  No sir, we wouldn't enjoy playing with those girly-girl toys.  Even if mommy's friend's little girl brought over a tub of them, we wouldn't go near them....Not even the singing ones or the ones with purple legs and especially not the boy one with the plastic comb over!

 

  Right Isaac?  Right, Henry?

Right, mama. Trains, trucks, baseball, football, mud, and bugs ALL DAY LONG! 

The other secret is for you local readers. The Indianapolis Star will be publishing an article on our Weblog Award and an update on our boys, so look for that in the Saturday paper.  I'll provide a link as soon as it's up for the rest of you!  They ran the story on WTHR's morning show this morning, but we missed it.  Thanks to those of you who caught it and clued us in...perhaps they'll repeat the story on the evening or late news. 

What I'd Like For You To Know...

To those of you clicking over from my guest post on Rocks in My Dryer, WELCOME! We are so glad you could join us!

Feel free to pop a squat and join us for a while or forever! Here's a few of my favorite posts to get you started:

Keepin' It Real Rewinds

Journey of 1 Year with 4 Miracles (video)

1st Birthday Cake Eating

Our TV Commercial Debut

Brad's Letters To His Boys

Oh and you'll want to check out the giveaway that's in the works so you can play along!

I was honored to contribute to a blog that is such a blessing to readers worldwide! I'm trusting that the 4tunate addicts will check it out - PRONTO ! =)

PS Feedback is always a perk! =)

Indy Stars...

We made the online edition of the Indianapolis Star.

Jen and Brad Murray, along with their quadruplet sons Brooks, Henry, Clark, and Isaac head home after enjoying the annual Brownsburg Fourth of July parade Friday morning. (Doug McSchooler / For The Star)

Yep, that's me looking like a HUGE dweeb.

Fun times.

Haven't heard if it's going to be/or already has been in the print edition....You locals keep your eye out!

Here's the link to the gallery if you just can't get enough!

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.....