A true AZ Diamondbacks fan already!!!
Look at those lips!!!!
So cute!!
Tuesday, November 24, 2009
Monday, November 23, 2009
Pics of our baby boy:)
Dad and son
So happy....
Cuddling....
Helayna, reading the HUG book Mia sent for him
D Backs!
Reading together
So precious!!!!
I wonder who put the hat on him??? hmmm....
Sleepy head
Fell asleep in his sister's arms....
Look at that face!
teething, for sure!
Helayna, holding Sebastian in the new blankie she picked for him
Eric making Sebastian laugh
Does he look happy, or what?
love this one!!!!
Wheeee!!!! not too high, Daddy, or mommy will be mad!!!
Helayna and her brother, having fun!
Too adorable, I can't stand it!
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Wednesday, November 18, 2009
I LOVE PARKWAY/ A Thousand Questions
This is an incredible video that we watched at church.....
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiNBmNl88Pk
It also prompted me to write this....
Tonight I went to a dinner at Parkway and I had some thoughts I want to share. I was there, doing something that I've come to love, which is serving on the hospitality team. Which, is basically, setting up, serving food/drinks, cleaning up, etc. Tonight's event was catered so we were just there to help out as needed. I love this ministry because first of all, it's one of the gifts God has given me and I love using it. Secondly, I love serving the family of PCC in any way that I can and this is a small way that I can do that.
So, tonight, a few people stood up and spoke at the dinner, and one of the staff talked about how he loves Parkway, how the pastor and people are so "real", another talked about how much her and her husband had been changed since they started attending. All of the people who spoke were funny, honest, "real" and I thought to myself, this is a perfect example of the family of Parkway.
It also got me thinking about how blessed I feel to be a part of that family.
We watched a video called "A Thousand Questions" and it was basically about how there is so much evil, hate, violence, hunger, poverty, etc..in the world, but there are people who say "Here am I, Send Me" and ask God to send them out into that world to change it for the better. No matter where in the world that is, they GO. They don't ask why, how, what? They just GO. No questions asked...no fear, no doubts (well, maybe a few...) but they follow God's will and plan for their lives and are able to change it, a little at a time.
When we started coming to PCC about 5 years ago, we were different people. Every person we have met, the experiences we have had and the way we have grown has been directly caused by us attending Parkway. God led us to this church for a reason and I have only seen a small part of that and I know there is much more to come.
My husband is a different person than when we first started coming to PCC. He is now the missions director and sets up all the mission trips for the church. We both feel he was meant to do this, and wish he could do it as his full time job...People that knew him 15-20 years ago would NOT recognize the person he has become and I am proud to say he is my husband.
He left this morning for his 5th trip to an orphange in Haiti, where he loves to go and this time, he took our 13 yr old., Helayna.
She has wanted to go for about 2 years, but I have to admit, I was scared.... and just recently, I told her she could go after hearing a missionary speak about how "we are never safer than in the middle of God's will". It is a hard thing to allow your baby to go to a 3rd world country, but when you know she is doing God's will, it's a hard thing not to let her go. How could I? So, I "let her go"...not just to Haiti, but in general.
I don't think that, 5 years ago, they would be going to Haiti. I think we would've found excuses not to go. Whether it be money, time, fear....But I think we all agree now, that when God calls you to do something or to GO somewhere, you GO...no matter what. And I am so proud of Eric and Helayna for doing just that. While I was watching the video, I thought of them and I realized that they are doing exactly what they were meant to do. It made me cry.
My teenager is going to Haiti, to an orphanage to serve and love those who are in poverty and need it. If not her, than who?
I think, so often, we are scared to GO and do what we feel we should...but if not us, than who? We all should be willing to say "Here am I, Send Me" and not give it a second thought. If we could all do that, this world would start to be a better place. But it's hard....and scary....
I was so sad this morning when Helayna left, and my Parkway family came through for me...I got texts, emails and calls, asking how I was. And then tonight, at the church, my friends came up and gave me hugs and asked how I was doing. I could tell they understood and knew how hard it was for me to let her go. But, to have those people there who care enough to ask, is a wonderful feeling and I am so thankful for them.
Parkway is going to be BIG. I can feel it and I know it, in my heart. And not only the building, but the church itself. I am thrilled to see that 2nd building starting to be built because I know it's going to affect many people and I can't wait to see that.
That it's going to be big isn't the most exciting part, though. Like Trent always says, it's just a building. It's the people inside that matter, that are the church. And I have found this, 100% to be true.
I see how packed we are, and how you can't walk down the hallway without bumping into someone...which is sometimes fun, since you see so many people you know...but sometimes, it's not so great, like on those HOT summer days when you'd rather not bump into other people!!! Having a bigger building will allow others in Surprise to come and see what we're all about and join in on the wonderful things that are happening....and I can't wait to see that happen.
I love this place so much and I never want to leave. I want to be here to see it grow and to be a part of that growth. I feel entirely blessed that my family is a part of the Parkway family and I love and appreciate ever single person who has affected our lives there.
There is something different and wonderful about it and I can't imagine our lives without Parkway in it.
So, thank you to Trent, for being "real", for being a wonderful teacher and a huge part of our growth. Also, for inspiring me to be a better person and Christian and for challenging me, constantly. Once we stop being challenged, I think we stop growing and I never want that to happen. I respect and admire you for the leader you are and I think your honesty is infectious. You have changed our family and I thank you for the part you have played in our growth.
Thank you to my family at Parkway. There are so many of you who I love, admire, respect and appreciate. You are there for me, when I need you and I am constantly reminded of what a true Christian family is. You help hold me up when I am down...I was so sad this morning, but when I heard your messages or saw you tonight, I felt the sadness lift a little. I felt loved and supported and isn't that what family is? When i am going through something, and you are praying for me, I feel your support and it helps me to get through whatever it is. It makes me feel "protected" in a way. I also feel appreciated for what I do there and even though it's not necessary, it sure helps!
I can't say enough about how much I love Parkway, but this is just a little example of how I feel.
xoxoxo
Michele
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YiNBmNl88Pk
It also prompted me to write this....
Tonight I went to a dinner at Parkway and I had some thoughts I want to share. I was there, doing something that I've come to love, which is serving on the hospitality team. Which, is basically, setting up, serving food/drinks, cleaning up, etc. Tonight's event was catered so we were just there to help out as needed. I love this ministry because first of all, it's one of the gifts God has given me and I love using it. Secondly, I love serving the family of PCC in any way that I can and this is a small way that I can do that.
So, tonight, a few people stood up and spoke at the dinner, and one of the staff talked about how he loves Parkway, how the pastor and people are so "real", another talked about how much her and her husband had been changed since they started attending. All of the people who spoke were funny, honest, "real" and I thought to myself, this is a perfect example of the family of Parkway.
It also got me thinking about how blessed I feel to be a part of that family.
We watched a video called "A Thousand Questions" and it was basically about how there is so much evil, hate, violence, hunger, poverty, etc..in the world, but there are people who say "Here am I, Send Me" and ask God to send them out into that world to change it for the better. No matter where in the world that is, they GO. They don't ask why, how, what? They just GO. No questions asked...no fear, no doubts (well, maybe a few...) but they follow God's will and plan for their lives and are able to change it, a little at a time.
When we started coming to PCC about 5 years ago, we were different people. Every person we have met, the experiences we have had and the way we have grown has been directly caused by us attending Parkway. God led us to this church for a reason and I have only seen a small part of that and I know there is much more to come.
My husband is a different person than when we first started coming to PCC. He is now the missions director and sets up all the mission trips for the church. We both feel he was meant to do this, and wish he could do it as his full time job...People that knew him 15-20 years ago would NOT recognize the person he has become and I am proud to say he is my husband.
He left this morning for his 5th trip to an orphange in Haiti, where he loves to go and this time, he took our 13 yr old., Helayna.
She has wanted to go for about 2 years, but I have to admit, I was scared.... and just recently, I told her she could go after hearing a missionary speak about how "we are never safer than in the middle of God's will". It is a hard thing to allow your baby to go to a 3rd world country, but when you know she is doing God's will, it's a hard thing not to let her go. How could I? So, I "let her go"...not just to Haiti, but in general.
I don't think that, 5 years ago, they would be going to Haiti. I think we would've found excuses not to go. Whether it be money, time, fear....But I think we all agree now, that when God calls you to do something or to GO somewhere, you GO...no matter what. And I am so proud of Eric and Helayna for doing just that. While I was watching the video, I thought of them and I realized that they are doing exactly what they were meant to do. It made me cry.
My teenager is going to Haiti, to an orphanage to serve and love those who are in poverty and need it. If not her, than who?
I think, so often, we are scared to GO and do what we feel we should...but if not us, than who? We all should be willing to say "Here am I, Send Me" and not give it a second thought. If we could all do that, this world would start to be a better place. But it's hard....and scary....
I was so sad this morning when Helayna left, and my Parkway family came through for me...I got texts, emails and calls, asking how I was. And then tonight, at the church, my friends came up and gave me hugs and asked how I was doing. I could tell they understood and knew how hard it was for me to let her go. But, to have those people there who care enough to ask, is a wonderful feeling and I am so thankful for them.
Parkway is going to be BIG. I can feel it and I know it, in my heart. And not only the building, but the church itself. I am thrilled to see that 2nd building starting to be built because I know it's going to affect many people and I can't wait to see that.
That it's going to be big isn't the most exciting part, though. Like Trent always says, it's just a building. It's the people inside that matter, that are the church. And I have found this, 100% to be true.
I see how packed we are, and how you can't walk down the hallway without bumping into someone...which is sometimes fun, since you see so many people you know...but sometimes, it's not so great, like on those HOT summer days when you'd rather not bump into other people!!! Having a bigger building will allow others in Surprise to come and see what we're all about and join in on the wonderful things that are happening....and I can't wait to see that happen.
I love this place so much and I never want to leave. I want to be here to see it grow and to be a part of that growth. I feel entirely blessed that my family is a part of the Parkway family and I love and appreciate ever single person who has affected our lives there.
There is something different and wonderful about it and I can't imagine our lives without Parkway in it.
So, thank you to Trent, for being "real", for being a wonderful teacher and a huge part of our growth. Also, for inspiring me to be a better person and Christian and for challenging me, constantly. Once we stop being challenged, I think we stop growing and I never want that to happen. I respect and admire you for the leader you are and I think your honesty is infectious. You have changed our family and I thank you for the part you have played in our growth.
Thank you to my family at Parkway. There are so many of you who I love, admire, respect and appreciate. You are there for me, when I need you and I am constantly reminded of what a true Christian family is. You help hold me up when I am down...I was so sad this morning, but when I heard your messages or saw you tonight, I felt the sadness lift a little. I felt loved and supported and isn't that what family is? When i am going through something, and you are praying for me, I feel your support and it helps me to get through whatever it is. It makes me feel "protected" in a way. I also feel appreciated for what I do there and even though it's not necessary, it sure helps!
I can't say enough about how much I love Parkway, but this is just a little example of how I feel.
xoxoxo
Michele
Monday, November 9, 2009
What's new with us....
There's a lot
going on at our house....and we're all busy as usual.
We were all hit hard with the flu about a month ago and it was terrible!
It started with me, but I didn't get that bad right away. Then, it was Mia. She was the worst. I have never been so scared....We took her to urgent care during the day, because she had a high fever and was pretty miserable. They told us she had the flu and to bring her back if anything got worse. We checked on her that night before going to bed and her fever was 105! We looked at each other, debated a minute or two whether to bring her in and decided that we'd better. She's never had a fever that high and she's so tiny, we worried about her getting worse in the middle of the night. So, we all headed to the hospital at midnight! We were there until 5am! She was so dehydrated, her heart rate was really fast and they weren't comfortable with letting her go home so they wanted her to keep drinking apple juice, get re hydrated and see if her heart rate slowed...so after 3 cups of juice and about 4 hours later, they felt like we could go home and watch her.
But, I was scared to do that...what if she got worse? Once they mentioned her heart, I was so nervous and didn't know what to do when they gave us the choice to stay and keep monitoring her or go home and watch her....I was like, "watch her for WHAT?" I asked the dr. what he would do if it were his daughter, he told me he would take her home and told me what to watch her for. It was basically that her fever didn't get higher, that she wasn't acting totally "listless" and anything else that made me feel like she was getting worse.
So, I went home all scared and watched her like a hawk....in the meantime, Helayna started to get sick and then Eric...and I started feeling worse too.
So......we all had the H1N1 at the same time!!!!!!! All I remember from most of those 3 weeks was being quite frustrated that I didn't have the energy I needed to make dinner and take care of my family like I wanted to. AND that nobody could take care of me since they were all sick too! I remember sitting on the floor in between Helayna and Mia who were on the couch, Eric in bed...and not quite knowing who to help first....So, I just tried to lie down with them when I could, keep the dishes and laundry going for the most part and that's about it....
It lasted for 3 weeks, on and off....where one of us would feel better and then get sick again...it was just crazy!
But, praise God that we're all better now....
THEN, to make matters worse...I was out the other morning, walking Logan (our husky) and I get a call from Helayna's school telling me that she fainted while giving a report in science! I was like, "what?!?!?!" I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing and my thoughts went to all the symptoms she's complained of lately...stomach issues, headaches, being really tired, etc...and I started to let my mind wander and think the worst....I called my mom crying...thinking, what if something really was wrong with her???? What would I do? How would I get through it? And then I just prayed, really really hard....
I went to pick her up, she looked fine which made me feel better. (a little, at least) and then I took her right into the dr. They sent her for an EKG and bloodwork, and after all that, they've decided that it was a "vasovagal attack", which is the most common type of fainting, esp. in children and young adults. It's caused when blood pressure drops, reducing circulation to the brain while standing up. It may be due to anxiety, fear, pain, emotional stress or hunger.
Some people are more prone to these attacks and they think that Helayna may be. So, she needs to make sure she eats enough if she starts to feel shaky, she needs to sit down.
It was really really really scary....I told her, while she was lying in the hospital bed, getting her EKG, that her and Mia were going to kill me! I can't keep worrying like that!!!!! To have both my kids in the hospital within a month is just too much!!!
But, thankfully, everyone is fine now....
Halloween was fun...Mia was "Belle", Helayna was a ballerina kitty. They were both very cute...and we celebrated 3 times!
We had our small group Halloween potluck, a church potluck that I organized and then Halloween night. We went trick or treating with Mia's best friend, Faith and her parents. Helayna went with 5 friends in our neighborhood and then they all spent the night..yes!...I am crazy, I know! But, they were so good and I like having them here, so I know where my kid is....and they're all good kids. They were home early and were so good, I hardly noticed there were here....well, that may be exaggerating...but they were really fine. I enjoyed having them.
Mia's birthday is in one week!!! She's going to be 6 and I cannot believe it!
We're having a party for her on Sunday. One of my friends does dress up bday parties, so she's coming over and Helayna and her friends are going to help. They're going to dress up, get their hair, makeup and nails done and do a fashion show. Then, we're having some people over for pizza that night.
Helayna and Eric leave for Haiti next Wednesday! They'll be gone for 10 days...I am trying so hard not to be nervous about Helayna going, since I've been stalling for about 2 years...I never wanted her to go but I feel like it's time for me to "let her go" and so I am going to do that....she is so excited and I know Eric's so excited to bring her with so she can see what he does there.
He just loves it there and I have this feeling that she will too. I am just going to pray and pray and know that God will take care of her and keep her safe....and look forward to when they come back so I can hear all about it and see pictures. And I'll talk to them while they're there...even if it costs $300 like last time! (yikes!)
So, please pray for them while they're there...and also for me and Mia while we're home.
That's all I have time for right now....
xoxoxoxo
Mich
going on at our house....and we're all busy as usual.
We were all hit hard with the flu about a month ago and it was terrible!
It started with me, but I didn't get that bad right away. Then, it was Mia. She was the worst. I have never been so scared....We took her to urgent care during the day, because she had a high fever and was pretty miserable. They told us she had the flu and to bring her back if anything got worse. We checked on her that night before going to bed and her fever was 105! We looked at each other, debated a minute or two whether to bring her in and decided that we'd better. She's never had a fever that high and she's so tiny, we worried about her getting worse in the middle of the night. So, we all headed to the hospital at midnight! We were there until 5am! She was so dehydrated, her heart rate was really fast and they weren't comfortable with letting her go home so they wanted her to keep drinking apple juice, get re hydrated and see if her heart rate slowed...so after 3 cups of juice and about 4 hours later, they felt like we could go home and watch her.
But, I was scared to do that...what if she got worse? Once they mentioned her heart, I was so nervous and didn't know what to do when they gave us the choice to stay and keep monitoring her or go home and watch her....I was like, "watch her for WHAT?" I asked the dr. what he would do if it were his daughter, he told me he would take her home and told me what to watch her for. It was basically that her fever didn't get higher, that she wasn't acting totally "listless" and anything else that made me feel like she was getting worse.
So, I went home all scared and watched her like a hawk....in the meantime, Helayna started to get sick and then Eric...and I started feeling worse too.
So......we all had the H1N1 at the same time!!!!!!! All I remember from most of those 3 weeks was being quite frustrated that I didn't have the energy I needed to make dinner and take care of my family like I wanted to. AND that nobody could take care of me since they were all sick too! I remember sitting on the floor in between Helayna and Mia who were on the couch, Eric in bed...and not quite knowing who to help first....So, I just tried to lie down with them when I could, keep the dishes and laundry going for the most part and that's about it....
It lasted for 3 weeks, on and off....where one of us would feel better and then get sick again...it was just crazy!
But, praise God that we're all better now....
THEN, to make matters worse...I was out the other morning, walking Logan (our husky) and I get a call from Helayna's school telling me that she fainted while giving a report in science! I was like, "what?!?!?!" I couldn't quite believe what I was hearing and my thoughts went to all the symptoms she's complained of lately...stomach issues, headaches, being really tired, etc...and I started to let my mind wander and think the worst....I called my mom crying...thinking, what if something really was wrong with her???? What would I do? How would I get through it? And then I just prayed, really really hard....
I went to pick her up, she looked fine which made me feel better. (a little, at least) and then I took her right into the dr. They sent her for an EKG and bloodwork, and after all that, they've decided that it was a "vasovagal attack", which is the most common type of fainting, esp. in children and young adults. It's caused when blood pressure drops, reducing circulation to the brain while standing up. It may be due to anxiety, fear, pain, emotional stress or hunger.
Some people are more prone to these attacks and they think that Helayna may be. So, she needs to make sure she eats enough if she starts to feel shaky, she needs to sit down.
It was really really really scary....I told her, while she was lying in the hospital bed, getting her EKG, that her and Mia were going to kill me! I can't keep worrying like that!!!!! To have both my kids in the hospital within a month is just too much!!!
But, thankfully, everyone is fine now....
Halloween was fun...Mia was "Belle", Helayna was a ballerina kitty. They were both very cute...and we celebrated 3 times!
We had our small group Halloween potluck, a church potluck that I organized and then Halloween night. We went trick or treating with Mia's best friend, Faith and her parents. Helayna went with 5 friends in our neighborhood and then they all spent the night..yes!...I am crazy, I know! But, they were so good and I like having them here, so I know where my kid is....and they're all good kids. They were home early and were so good, I hardly noticed there were here....well, that may be exaggerating...but they were really fine. I enjoyed having them.
Mia's birthday is in one week!!! She's going to be 6 and I cannot believe it!
We're having a party for her on Sunday. One of my friends does dress up bday parties, so she's coming over and Helayna and her friends are going to help. They're going to dress up, get their hair, makeup and nails done and do a fashion show. Then, we're having some people over for pizza that night.
Helayna and Eric leave for Haiti next Wednesday! They'll be gone for 10 days...I am trying so hard not to be nervous about Helayna going, since I've been stalling for about 2 years...I never wanted her to go but I feel like it's time for me to "let her go" and so I am going to do that....she is so excited and I know Eric's so excited to bring her with so she can see what he does there.
He just loves it there and I have this feeling that she will too. I am just going to pray and pray and know that God will take care of her and keep her safe....and look forward to when they come back so I can hear all about it and see pictures. And I'll talk to them while they're there...even if it costs $300 like last time! (yikes!)
So, please pray for them while they're there...and also for me and Mia while we're home.
That's all I have time for right now....
xoxoxoxo
Mich
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