Beach

I love the beach. I feel at home when I can see the waves crashing and the seagulls flying by. The warm sea air and the tropical blooms make me want to plant something. We couldn't resist the urge to purchase something tropical yesterday - a beautiful hibiscus. Pink - vivid pink. Monday we will choose a pot. Ah, dirt.

Yesterday we introduced Christopher to the fantasy world of old-school goofy golf. He was 'scay-yad' to begin with, but then he was tossing that gold ball from green to green. Who knew you could throw the ball, instead of hitting it? The thinks you learn from a two-year-old.

Goofy Golf 

Scay-ed of the Dino 

Fantastic Weather

By the way, I got wacked by my Paul Vincent as he was swinging through on the 11th whole. Ouch.

Juice

So, I watched a documentary the other day. I guess this whole getting older thing is really getting to me, so I feel a bit inspired to be healthier. Netflix suggested I watch Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead. This totally average looking guy from Australia went on a trip across the US, juicing. He wanted to get healthy and not rely on all the meds he was taking, so he went on a fast - a fruit and veggie juice fast. This guy went from flab to fantastic in maybe two months. Man! His skin looked fabulous in a matter of days after starting the fast.

I have no desire to weigh less at this time, but with many health issues, I feel that increasing my micronutrient level could help make my endocrine system function better.

Plus, WE OWN THE JUICER! Ha!

I went to Sam's for a grocery run yesterday and stocked the garage fridge with fruits and veggies. When I get the hang of it, I will get to Wholefoods for the organic versions. I made a carrot/cucumber juice yesterday and I am thinking about trying the juice all day, eat a regular dinner with the family. My only 'cheat' will be my morning coffee and my hot tea during the day - I am sure the antioxidants found in the tea count for something, right?

Another idea I gleamed from the documentary was reducing my consumption of animal products to twice a week. I am going to try a bit of this - without cutting out milk products. I think I need some dairy.

We will see how long this lasts. I figure Lent is an excellent time to start!

March?!

So, it's March. I can't believe it. The past few weeks have been so interesting. I feel as if I am in some type of out-of-body experience. I have been feeling better... I can tell that I have more energy and I am able to let things go a little easier than in the past. I am fighting anxiety as much as possible and trying to say YES more than no. Lent is proving to be a time of growth. I started listening to more EWTN during the mornings and taking the time to read my Magnificat. With the iPhone app, it's kinda lazy not to! I am so in love with my life at the moment. I get tired, but it's good. I walked with mom today for nearly 2 hours. I should be tired! Ha! Last weekend, Paula nd I went on a trip with the kids to Ft Lauderdale. We have been before, but this trip was different. We had fun. We dressed up. We looked nice. We spent time together. I spent time simply enjoying the moment - whatever it was. I live in a bit of a fantasy land (that I have had a hard time enjoying), and for the first time I had a really good time. It's terrible how health issues can cloud your mind. I have spent too much time in a fog. Clarity is much more fun. So, back to our trip. We flew down on Thursday afternoon. The boys did great. Christopher exclaimed, "We're flying!" as we took off from Birmingham. We arrived to find two very happy grandparents. The boys were equally excited. Friday evening, Paul and I dressed up super cute and drove to Boca Raton - yes, Boca! Ha! We arrived to a party that took place at the airport. In the actual airplane hangers! What?!? There were what seamed like thousands of people - all types. Even plastic! Ha! I felt like a little girl from Alabama. I was definitely out of my element, but it was still fun. Saturday evening was another eye-opening experience. It was 'black tie optional' and I really had not prepared to go... But I made do with a super cute top and black pants. I wasn't really dressy enough, but I looked better than most of the super glitzy fake body old ladies! ;) First there was a silent auction where all types of things were offered - artwork, vacations, clothing, books, etc. Paul and I tried a few offers, but by the time it was over, the room was too packed to check on our bids! We then went into the dining room where what looked like 100 tables for ten people each were set. We found our table (8) was in a perfect spot, the back left corner of the room. Ah, my comfort zone! An artist did these really incredible speed paintings that were also auctioned off - proceeds going to the local Boy and Girl's Club. While we ate, he painted three different giant pieces...a portrait of Sean Connery (from 007), a martini glass and a Shelby Cobra. Other items were also bid on during the live auction, but most all other things were WAY out of our realm of possibilities. The good news is, that Paul made some new friends in the car world. Connections are valuable in any line of business - especially his. Sunday morning, bright and early, we were on our way to the Concourse de Elegance. Paul's car was being delivered and we were meeting the truck driver there at 8am. Beautiful cars were everywhere. It was a blast. After a while, the boys arrived with their Grandparents. Paul did a fantastic car and all of the car people were thrilled to see such a rare item. When I woke Monday, I knew that I would miss watching the boats go by on the canal. I sat and enjoyed my coffee and tried to gather sun rays before traveling back to land-locked Birmingham.

Loaded Lent

I am loading up on the giving up and new activities for our 40 days. I have deactivated - yes, deactivated - my Facebook account(s). That's a little scary, but good old Facebooks says it will be waiting when I am ready to come back. Ha. I am also going to step away from any other chat boards and stick with blogging and pinterest - because it helps me to keep my creative juices flowing. This will probably be a good time to take photos. These babies are growing so fast! It's time to document. We'll have a few adventures to share in the next few weeks, so it should be fun to follow us along for the ride. Here we go....!

Another Month

As the calendar changes day by day, I look back and see how God has given me strength. And help. Christopher is such a sweet gift to me. As wild and crazy as he can be, he can also be so loving and sweet. He has really been just what I have needed the past few weeks. He entered the 'mommy' phase. He has made me feel loved like no other person in the world. I thank him for that. He has wanted to be attached to me whenever I am in his sight. He follows me as I do my housework, much like a shadow.

I am feeling better. I started synthroid after finding out that I have a TSH issue. I think that I really needed it - I am not as tired and run down as I have been in the past.

This Wednesday will be Ash Wednesday. A time for prayers and reflection - quiet and peace. I am so ready. Lent usually means giving something up... For me, Facebook has been the item of choice the past few years. I will probably do the same this year. I have started running/jogging/walking and I am going to incorporate that into my Lenten 'sacrifice'. Maybe give one hour of exercise a day, for the unborn babies. Time spent in prayer for them and for their mothers.

Perhaps I will set my clock a little earlier, so that I can spend time blogging my thoughts. I see this as a way to share with God and with you guys out there.

Almost a month

It's so odd. I keep thinking... today I would be about 8 weeks. And probably very sick. Lots of mixed feelings. Missing my Natalia. Enjoying my boys.

It was the best of times, It was the worst of times....

So much to say...

Christmas was truly magical this year. The boys are so precious. Watching them during the days leading up to Christmas was such a blessing. The Advent programs at school were so special. I will always remember those days with fond memories. We even took a special trip to the Opryland Hotel, in Nashville, just for a night. We wanted to do something fun with our boys - a spur of the moment memory made. Paul and I loved just being with them. We talked about how God has given us such wonderful gifts in these two souls.

Just as the festivities had come to an end (and as the Christmas season had begun) we asked each other how we would could continue to celebrate the miracle of Christ's birth with our boys. I woke on the morning of the 26th to the ultimate question... Where is my period? (Sorry for the information, but oh well.) I have a great stock of tests, so I took one - or two. And there they were, those lovely pink lines. Shaking all over, I walked to Paul to show him and make sure that I wasn't dreaming.

We were pregnant. We were the parents of THREE children. We were so excited, and nervous. Pregnancy is a difficult journey for the two of us. Our babies are miracles...

We were told (Spring 2005) that we should NOT have children, due to an uterine anomaly I was thought to have. We quickly jumped into the life of adoption paperwork. Surprisingly, we completed all paperwork in a relatively short amount of time. I spent my days searching for private adoption opportunities, while also talking with an agency. Our only road block was the amount of time we had been married (less than the often required 5 years). I did find a teen that told us that she would consider us as the parents of her baby girl. I was thrilled! We emailed daily and my mother even wrote to her. For a few weeks I was lead to believe that I might be this child's mother. Unfortunatly, we found out that this girl was just lying to us. There was no baby, I would not be her mother.

God was there through that moment of sadness and tears and he had a spectacular plan in store for us.

On September 7, 2005, we found out that we were pregnant! I didn't even have a doctor! I had given this part of my life to God, not really having any expectations for biological children. So, we had a wonderful unexpected journey of pregnancy until our wonderful son, Paul Vincent, was born on Holy Thursday, 2006. He was one month early - tiny, but perfect. 4 pounds, 7 ounces, 17 inches. What a gift.

Just over two years later, in God's perfect timing, we conceived again! In November 2008, we found out about what would be our beautiful son, Christopher Matthew. After many months of complications and scares, he was born - another child, perfect and tiny! Just 3 pounds, 2 ounces and 14 inches. We were truly in awe of God's gifts for us. The road was rocky and frightening at times, but who could have even imagined what God would have planned! Perfect.

I have had surgeries, procedures and several diagnosis (correct and incorrect).

...so back to December 26, 2011.

In awe of God's timing. A son in 2006, a son in 2009, and now a baby that would come in 2012. We were blessed. We spent the day in quiet excitement. A family of five. I could tell my body was changing moment to moment. Nervous excitement filled me. After a day a playing with new toys and spending time together, we went out to eat - our first meal as a family of 5. What a sweet time.

After dinner, I recall an instant. I had a strange feeling, some type of lightning strike. I dismissed it at the time, yet now I know what it was. After finally getting in touch with the doctor's office, I went to have my bloodwork done - to check my progesterone and pregnancy hormone level. I anxiously waited until the nurse called on Wednesday with the results. As we got into the car to take the boys to church to announce the news to them in the chapel, my phone rang. I answered, happy to finally hear from the doctor's office. But, as she spoke, I could tell the nervousness in her voice. Barely pregnant. Very low beta number...27, I think. Extremely low progesterone. Three. Three!?! What type of number is that?! They want it to be above 10, but closer to 15. And I was at 3. I immediately went to the pharmacy to pick up my prescription of prometrium in hope of it making a difference. But, in my heart, I knew. I took my first pill, praying for it to help. But, I knew. We told the boys to pray for the baby in mommy's tummy. Pray for a healthy baby. But, I knew. We went to Paul's parents house to announce the pregnancy, complete with sweet announcement and the boys in cute t-shirts. But, I knew.

Thursday morning, the 29th, I woke up and took another test. I knew what it would say, in my heart. And I was correct - no lines. The digital test proclaimed, NOT PREGNANT. I was broken hearted. I went to Paul and let him know 'she' was gone.

The night of the 26th her soul left my body. I felt it in an instant. The lightning bolt of God taking her into his arms. No pain, no suffering, no booboos, no tears. Just a trip straight into His loving arms. What a gift.

I named her Natalia. We had lovingly called her our 'Buon Natale'. Our Merry Christmas. A gift to make us aware of our third child, created in His image and likeness, destined to be in Heaven, as a saint. She will forever be with us, praying for us and loving us. As we will love her.

Her physical body left me late in the night of the 30th of December. I quietly reflected on her short life and thanked God again for the gift of her and for letting us know that she was there. What a gift.

We will plant a fig tree in her honor. We will remember her each summer when the tree produces its fruit. Sweet memories of a sweet moment.

We love you baby girl. We will see you when we get there. Pray for us.

Thank you for your love and your prayers. They are appreciated,

Paul, Katie, Paul Vincent and Christopher

14 hours until Angel Tree time!!!

So excited to kick off this year's Angel Tree!!!

Angel Tree 2011

Selling t-shirts for Ivan!

Ivan is my Angel this year! To raise money for his adoption, I am going to appliqué t-shirts (Christmas design). The cost will be a $35 donation. PLUS you get an ornament with his sweet face! Design coming soon!

Prayer Warriors Needed!

As long as I can remember, there have been certain families at church that you just 'know'. You see them most weekends, say hello in passing and wish them a good week. One such family has three precious boys. I remember watching them grow up as the years went by. I even had the pleasure of teaching one of their sons at St. Rose. I recall the youngest of the three - sweet little one with a head full of curls. Not long after this time, the youngest - Sean - was diagnosed with cancer. No one could believe that such a darling two-year old could have such a dreadful disease. Since this time, he has faced THREE separate battles.

Yesterday we got the news that Sean has a new tumor - behind his eye. He will begin his 4th cancer battle in his short life. 

Please pray for him and his family, especially his mother. 

Sean's site

Sean's New Site