Easter and so much more...

So much has happened in the last several weeks and I have been glued to the news for most of these events. The devastating tornadoes hit my home state just two weeks ago. The pictures and stories seem completely surreal and hard to even fathom. I have been so heartbroken and sad reading story after story about missing people, those who lost their homes and many who lost their loved ones. I am grateful all of my family and friends were okay and not hurt from these storms, but our prayers continue to be with all the people affected by this tragedy.

The killing of Osama Bin Laden. I guess this is one of those events you will always remember where you were when you heard this news. I was actually in DC visiting C, L, and the babies when John sent me a text to turn on the news. And we all waited and then watch for Obama to confirm this news.
And on a much lighter note, I admit, I was one of those people who got up at 5am to watch this. All I can say is Wow. Totally worth it and I loved every minute. Don't judge.

And onto some of what we have actually been doing besides tracking world events. We had a wonderful Easter in Birmingham this year. Caroline participated in her first Easter Egg Hunt in Crestline. The eggs are not exactly hidden - had to make sure all the little ones could find them!

And she realizes there is something inside the eggs!

We are getting really good at saying cheese for the camera.

After the egg hunt we walked over to the library for story time. We do this a lot at our library so it was fun to go in Bham as well. Then, we met Anne and Jana for lunch at Big Blue. Sadly, I don't have any pictures from either of these things.

After a good nap, we headed to the English's to swim. The English's are my 2nd family and we would swim at their pool all summer growing up. This picture was taken before C really got a good taste of the water. She loved every minute and wanted so badly to take off swimming that I could barely keep her in my arms.

Easter Sunday

Love her sweet little curls

Attempt at a family pic

And an update on my niece, Brooklyn - She has had some great improvements in the last couple weeks. They were able to remove her ventilator last week, the doctors have slowly started her feedings back, and Christian and Linsey were able to hold her again. These were wonderful praises and we continue to pray for her full recovery! Thank you for all your emails, calls, and texts to check on her!

Little B

I have written this post several times and haven't had a chance to come back and finish because there are more updates each time I sit down. My niece, Brooklyn (one of triplets), has been very sick this week.

Brooklyn was doing great until Monday night when she developed something called NEC. This is an infection in the intestines. After rounds of antibiotics that didn't seem to be helping, the infection caused a perforation in her intestines. Wednesday afternoon B had a short operation that doctors hoped would help to relieve some of the pain and swelling. The doctors hoped this would also allow Brooklyn sometime to gain strength for a major surgery on Friday.

Brooklyn had a very rough night (Thursday) which led the doctors to perform emergency surgery this morning. Brooklyn made it through the surgery. There are NO explanations how or why she did...except the Lord. They removed 12 cm of dead intestine. The infection is still in her intestines but the doctors are hopeful the antibiotics should be able to work better with the dead part removed. The next 24 to 48 hours are critical. Her vitals all need to improve and she needs to be able to show she is doing some recovering on her own.

We are rejoicing right now in the miracle of what the Lord has brought Brooklyn through this week. Christian and Linsey have an amazing story. From the beginning, they have claimed God is bigger than what any doctor says, He is in control and He has all these children in his hands. Praise the Lord!

Please continue to pray for Bates, Gracie, and specifically for Brooklyn right now.

To read more about their journey go to:

www.notanaprilfoolsjoke.blogspot.com

Charleston and the Masters

This weekend was only my second visit to Charleston and it is quickly becoming one of my favorite southern cities. Here is why:

• The city is on the water (and has great beaches nearby)
• Fresh seafood
• Very southern
• Plenty of history and charm
• Not too big and not too small
• Fun markets and shopping

We were in town with John's family for his cousin's wedding. We enjoyed all of the above Charleston has to offer plus a carriage ride tour around downtown, looking at houses in the battery, and of course celebrating the bride and groom. I love John's family. All his extended family from VA were in town they are a fun and crazy bunch! Congrats and Best Wishes to Robert and Ashley!

I could have taken a million pictures of all the precious Charleston homes downtown.

As well as the larger homes on the battery too.

I was in love with all the flowers!

Wedding Festivities with some of the girl cousins

And ever since I met John the second weekend in April has become one of my most favorite times of the year. You can read more here on why I love this event so much. This year was no different than any other (except it was blazing hot)!

A beautiful day and some very exciting golf!

Miracles

Welcome to the world, triplets!

On Friday, April 1, these sweet babies (my nieces and nephew) were born:

Bates Thomas arrived at 7:34pm - 2 lbs 13oz

Brooklyn Leigh arrived at 7:35pm - 2lbs 7oz

Grace ("Gracie") Almon arrived at 7:37pm - 2lbs 6oz

They are precious, tiny and doing very well!

We are so grateful.

Please pray for continued growth and development.

Nashville and Auburn

A few weeks ago Caroline and I headed to Nashville for a girls weekend with Mary Brantley and Erin. It is safe to say C partied hard with the girls and was completely exhausted by Sunday. Totally worth it though! It is such a blessing to me having wonderful friends not only love me, but love my child just as much.

Afternoon in the park wearing Aunt E's glasses

Dinner and live band...

turned into dance party.

Up way too late!

And last week, JP and I finally got our weekend away. We wanted quality time together, to sleep in Saturday morning and eat good food. JP planned a weekend for us in Auburn. I know you are all shocked I would love a weekend in Auburn! Besides going to football games, we have not been back to Auburn since I was in school and we were dating. We have so many great memories in this little town. We hit up Big Blue, Amsterdam's, J&M, a jog through campus, afternoon naps, and a little shopping. Simple. Low-key. Perfect.

Backyard Fun

Okay, actually this was in our front yard, but backyard sounded better. This afternoon was Caroline's first experience playing with the hose in the yard. John is in the process of planting new grass in our front and backyard. So, as he was watering the new grass Caroline quickly discovered the hose. Our sweet neighbors joined in the fun too and another friend happened to stroll by and snap a couple pictures on her phone. I love afternoons playing outside! I think we have many spring and summer days to come enjoying in the sprinkler and hose in the yard.

City Escape

A couple weekends ago we headed to north Georgia to meet baby Ethan.

It was a great weekend to enjoy the weather, play outside, grill out, watch some high school baseball, eat a big Sunday lunch and rock on the front porch.

And oh so nice to be outside the city too.

The older I get the more I love the simplicity in a small town.

*don't worry Ethan was only face down for a second as we snapped a picture or two