Big Brother On Deck...

Brody is now the big brother on deck. Yep... this weekend we made the big move. No more crib. No more baby room. Those days are over. Sigh...

After much thought and a three-day weekend slam-packed full of rearranging rooms, Brody and Jadin ended up moving in together. 2 cute twin beds now fill the room and little-boy laughter can be heard as they try and drift off to sleep.

This has been much harder for Jeremy and I to adjust to than them. We want so badly to keep the 'middle child' label from smacking Brody in the face. We want him to flourish and feel adored by us. Not just get lost in the mix of our growing family. I suppose that if that is our desire, then we will do everything we can to make sure he is never looked over.

This one is for you sweet Bro-Bro...

The other side...

That day when evening came, he said to his disciples, "Let us go over to the other side." Leaving the crowd behind, they took him along, just as he was, in the boat. There were also other boats with him. A furious squall came up, and the waves broke over the boat, so that it was nearly swamped. Jesus was in the stern, sleeping on a cushion. The disciples woke him and said to him, "Teacher, don't you care if we drown?"

He got up, rebuked the wind and said to the waves, "Quiet! Be still!" Then the wind died down and it was completely calm.

He said to his disciples, "Why are you so afraid? Do you still have no faith?"

Mark 4:35-40.

Sometimes, we see a reflection of ourselves when we read the word. When I read Mark 4 this morning, I could see myself in full view. Currently, I am in the midst of somewhat of my own storm. I can feel the waves breaking over my boat if you know what I mean. I have done EVERYTHING I can to fix the situation but still- the water overtakes. And to be honest, I can hear Jesus snoring. He is snoozing away.

I think the point of this story is in verse 35 where Jesus says, "Let us go over to the other side." Jesus said it. And when Jesus says something, you can take it to the bank. Jesus told the disciples that they were going to the other side. That means, they were going to get there. There may be a fierce storm along the way... but where Jesus says we're going... we're going.

That reminds me of a time when I was on a youth trip and a storm came up on the way home from an event. And I mean a storm!!! As we pulled the church van into the hotel parking lot, we drove into to a puddle of water that turned out to be more of a flood. The van cut off in the middle of the flooded area. And we knew, the van was going to need a push. So, as we watched the teenage boys dallying to fold up there precious Abercrombie jeans, Gina and I jumped out of the van to give it a much needed push. It was dark. It was pouring down rain. The lightning was popping. And we were knee deep in water.

Our first reaction was to hop around like two idiots. After all, the lightning probably wouldn't get us if we were too fast for it. :) But, very quickly, we realized that hopping around and screaming would probably not get the job done. So, we put our back into it and got the van out of the flooded water.

I think we can all say that we have hopped around and screamed before in the middle of one of life's storms. We have splashed and treaded water as if the end was near. All the while, God said... "Let us go over to the other side." I don't know about you, but I need that reminder. God may be resting while I flail and holler in my knee deep water, but He's got a plan. And I am going to get to the other side.

A Crafty Christmas...

It's become a tradition to make some Christmas crafts to give away. So, here they are... the top 8 Christmas crafts...

#8- Homemade play dough- smells like blue raspberry and lasts forever.

#7- Star Shaped Gingerbread Lollipop Cookies- So yummy!

#6- An apron for Gigi...

#5- A frame for Nana

#4- A frame for Pop-Pop

#3- A copy of the blog I did for my mom.

#2- Personalized Pillows- Made for all the cousins.

#1- By far the coolest craft!!! My dad made the boys a Crooked Train Station for our yard. We saw the crooked houses on Jon and Kate plus 8 and thought they were so cool and I knew my dad was the right man for the job!!! It is just too incredible and I won't be surprised if the orders start pouring in!!! A huge thanks to Pop-Pop!!! Also, we want to thank Nana for helping paint and Jeremy, Jason, Daniel and Greg for helping move this Crooked Train Station on Christmas Eve and keeping it a surprise for Christmas morning.

Hand.... Me..... Down

The one thing about having 2 boys is watching some of the outfits (that aren't ruined beyond belief) reappear on the next little face. That was Jadin at 2 years 3 months and Brody at 22 months sporting the Christmas suit.

Let's see... in two years time, Jeremy is still wearing the same clothes and I am still pregnant! I guess some things never change!!! :)

We will see if the suit makes it to one more child.... It wouldn't hurt my feelings one bit if we had to trade it in for some girly clothes... but we will see. For now, I am just going to enjoy all of my handsome men.

Christmas Card Outtakes 2009

This has become one of my favorite blogs of the year. You know why? Cause it's just who we are. Every year, I try and get a Christmas card photo that captures our family the best. And, I have to say that the Outtakes are far more precious to me than any perfect picture.

It shows off the uncooperativeness of my boys. How.... although, we were trying to get them to sit still and pose, they chose to wrestle and clobber one another. It shows that no matter how many pictures you take, it is difficult to make everyone happy. Since we are dealing with 4 different individuals, it is near impossible to please everyone. It shows a small glimpse of Jeremy and I threatening the boys with everything we could think of to get one HAPPY Christmas photo. From, 'We are going to take a quarter out of your jar' to 'You know that Sunkist I promised you if you behave? Well, I am about to go drink it!!! Now, be still!!!' It shows our new puppy, who, although we would like to pretend is a wonderful addition to our growing family, has been quite the handful.

I suppose if I were to send out one of those Denton Family Newsletters it may sound a little like this....

"We are just a model family. Jadin is like a perfect little angel. He always listens- never disobeys. And that Brody, well, he is just Mr. Photogenic! He loves to sit and just let me snap, snap, snap. And, Jeremy and I.... we are just the perfect parents! We never barter with our kids. I mean, who does that??? We always are filled with patience and kindness 24/7. And we certainly never snap at each other during Christmas photos! God should just go ahead and slap an extra crown on our heads! Lastly, that puppy of ours is like Lassie. He never pees or poops on anything and is just the calmest little thing!!! Oh, don't you want to be us?!?!"

However, the pictures shown would blow my cover. We are real like everyone else. And, I like it like that.

Merry Christmas Everyone!!!!

Gluttons for Punishment...

On Sunday, the door bell rang and a "UPS package" appeared on the front porch. There was a card taped to the top for Jadin and Brody. Inside the card, Santa proceeded to explain that there was a gift inside the box that could not wait until Christmas. Santa went on to say that he and Mrs. Claus were too busy making toys and getting ready for the BIG night to take care of this present. Needless to say, he asked if Jadin and Brody would mind taking care of the present a little early and he would check in on it on Christmas Eve.

All the while the card is being read aloud, the box is moving all around the porch. Jadin, in GREAT anticipation, rips open the box to find a puppy with a bright red bow.

Meet. Dodger.

Yes, we know.... two boys, a baby on the way and now a puppy. We have been experiencing the weight of our decision the last few nights as the dog has to go out every few hours. Standing on the back porch at 3 am waiting for a dog to pee really makes you feel a little thing called regret. But, then you look at that face and remember why you are a glutton for punishment.

Thankful Thinking...

It was a regular day in Science class. The bell was about to ring. I was brushing my hair- since looking good was a major concern for every middle-schooler. And right before class was to be dismissed, my teacher decided to single me out. He came over and said very loud, "Ms. Walsh, we do NOT need to be brushing OUR hair!" I was already mortified, but yet, he went on... "Ewww, this brush has lice on it!!!!!!!!! It's crawling up my arm!!!! Tell your mother she can come pick it up from me once I disinfect it." It did not have lice on it, but the lie was much more amusing to a class full of seventh graders. He got what he wanted: my brush and a big laugh. And he also succeeded in sending me to the girls room to cry alone in the stall.

That afternoon, I proceeded to tell my mom this story and let her know that I was sorry I had lost my brush. As she drove, and I finished telling the story, she didn't say a word. Now, let me tell you... when my mama gets quiet... you better look out!!! The only thing she said was, "I'll get your brush back."

The next day in Science class, my teacher pulled me into his office and with tears in his eyes, he apologized all over himself. I'll admit, I was a little embarrassed, wondering what in the world my mom had said. But, I was thrilled that he would never pick on me again. When I got home, my mom said, "Here's your brush. Now, don't have it out in class again." And, I said "Yes mamm." But, in a nut shell, that was my mom. She did not endorse her kids acting up, but she did not STAND for anyone coming against us. If you did... you chose to enter the lion's den. And I am not kidding.

My mom and I have always had a great relationship. I was a ball of mush and she was somewhat stoic so we were a perfect match. We often acted as sisters as I got older. I can remember when I got big enough, she was trying to spank me for something I had done and I was holding her arms and we were going round and round in circles. She was yelling, "Let go of my arms so I can spank you." And I was saying, "Do you think I am crazy?" She would finally start laughing and give up.

I told her everything and she always listened with a nonjudgmental ear. The open line of communication really kept me out of trouble as I got to be a teenager. She was a nurse and she always kept me informed on where my decisions may lead. For that reason, I chose to stay away from all of it. And there came a moment, where she stopped coming to my rescue and I was able to STAND up for myself. I have her to thank for the strong backbone I carry today. And the legacy of the look.... 'Don't you mess with my kids or we will have to throw down!'

But, this time 4 years ago, my strong mama found out that she would need a biopsy on a tumor they had been watching for many years. It was right after Thanksgiving and I was waiting with my dad and my 2 month old baby for the results from an all day surgery. The doctor came out and let us know that it was a grade 4. And the prognosis was not good. I looked down at my sleeping baby and was so thankful that my mom had been there when he was born. But, in the same thought, I was devastated at her not being there to watch him grow up. Or to be there for the births of future children. I cried so deeply it hurt all over.

While we waited for the results to come back from the lab, I wanted nothing more than for everything to go back to the way it was. For just mundane life to return. All the moments we all take for granted.... I wanted those moments back.

As it turns out, the results returned as a grade 2. It still was going to be treated very aggressively with chemo and radiation but it was a HUGE blessing and we were all thankful.

So, now, almost 4 years later, she receives positive reports with each checkup. She works hard each day and is a fabulous Nana to my, now, 2 boys and one on the way. We are all so thankful that regular life has returned but not without a constant reminder of just how much gratitude we all need to have in our daily lives. God is gracious and I am thankful!

All that said, if there was one woman that I thought might make it through that type of cancer and come out standing, it would be her. She is tough as nails and I am thankful for her.

Happy Thanksgiving Ya'll!!!