Happy Birthday to my TWO year old girl!!

Oh how I love my Paysie-girl!

You are sooo much fun and love to imitate your mommy. The very moment I sit down, you are on my lap, giving me hugs and kisses. You always try to be so helpful, and you love to take wipe upon wipe to clean the floor, cupboards and walls.

Your brothers continue to dote on you...and even when you take something away from them, you are still referred to as a 'sweet girl'.

When I fold laundry, you are right there, naming who belongs to each piece of clothing that I continue to fold.

You like to call your baby brother YOUR baby...and love to hold and kiss him.

You have a love for trying on shoes...whether they are yours or not!

And when it comes to holding your own with your big brothers, you definitely can!! The squeals of escape, as you run away, tightly grasping something that doesn't belong to you, is endearing in its own special way!

Your cheeks and your curls bounce when you walk.

My girl, you are a joy to be the mommy of....even when you make a smelly mess at naptime...I don't think I need to be any more specific, we both know what I'm talking about!!

Your are mommy's little girl...and I am so happy to have a little girl to pass on the art of homemaking to. I can already see your interest in many girlie things and can't wait to teach you what it means to be a Biblical woman!

You are two years old and a joy to have as a daughter. I remember when you were born and can hardly believe how grown up you are.

I love you so much my sweetheart!

Happy Birthday to my 7 year old boy....I am truly blessed to be your mommy

My precious Gideon...I looked at you tonight, on the eve of your seventh birthday and my heart felt like it was going to overflow with thankfulness that you are still here with us.

I write this with tears welling up in my eyes.

You see, I don't think you have understood the impact of all that has happened to you in the past year.

I know you have heard the story over and over again...that you had a brain tumor that was removed and now you are well. But, it is so much more than that.

When I think back to Halloween night and remember the devastation I felt upon hearing that my little boy was not well.....well, I don't even have the words to describe it.

Upon hearing the news...I couldn't wait to get to you...to hold you and hug you and tell you that it was all going to be okay.

That week before surgery....speaking to your doctor as he showed us pictures of what had to be removed....and as I sat there crying, knowing that I had no choice but to completely trust God with your life...that He would lead the hands of the doctors who would work on you...knowing that if you didn't have the surgery, you wouldn't be here today...and that there was a chance that even with the surgery, you may not have made it.

I remember laying by your bed, holding your hand, singing to you while you slept. I would sing Great is The Faithfulness and The Deep Deep Love of Jesus...and oh how my heart would cry out to God!

The hardest thing I have ever had to do was let you go.

That morning of your surgery, I didn't know if I would ever get MY Gideon back. Daddy and I didn't want to go to sleep that night...so we stayed up with you, playing and hugging and laughing...hoping and praying that this wouldn't be the last time we heard your beautiful laugh or saw your lovely smile.



And here we are...nine months later...and you are celebrating your birthday!

You have worked so hard. It wasn't easy and yet you rarely, if ever, complained. God gave you such perseverance to work through the pain and fatigue...


and you learned how to feed yourself...how to stand and walk again...and you are even golfing! You are running and jumping...laughing and tackling...and we are so proud of you!! When I remember where you were and see where you are now, I can't help but praise God for the way He has healed you.

God has used you to touch so many lives. We don't know what the future holds for you, my dear boy, but our prayer is that God continues to be glorified through you.

Our family will never be the same...and I pray that God continues to draw you to Himself.

Gideon, we love you more than you will ever know!

Happy Birthday Paysie girl

Oh Paysie,
When I found out that I was going to have a daughter, words could not contain my excitement! I never imagined that any ultrasound tech would ever say to me "It's a girl!"

My impatience to have you only got worse as your due date approached. I wondered if I would ever get to meet you.

When you decided to be 10 days late, I figured something needed to be done...so we forced you out. The eviction date was settled to be August 18th. Once things started, it didn't take much convincing to get you out!

From the moment I saw you, I was in love. There is nothing quite like that moment when the pain is over and there is a new life placed upon your chest.

A girl....I had a girl.

Your brothers were doting on you the very moment they met you. My heart was overflowing with the blessings that God chose to give me.

I love watching you grow and do new things. I love how your face lights up and you begin clapping and nodding, the moment you see me. I love how you follow me around the house and never let me forget that you are closeby. I love how you erupt in laughter when your brothers love on you and kiss you up.

You have started saying please when you want something. You say yes to me when I ask you a question. You cruise around the house, wanting to be like your big brothers.

Your hair curls around your ears in the most adorable way. You get so excited sometimes that your whole body shakes. You raise your arms to me in complete trust when you need something. Oh girlie, may your hugs and kisses never end.

I love you more than I can possible express. You are my little Paysie-girl. The daughter that I pray grows up in faith and Godliness. I promise to raise you up to be the woman that God has called you to be....and I guarantee that I will fail miserably. Just know that the Holy Spirit will lead you...and when mommy fails, God will never fail.

Remember that you are loved and prayed for daily.

Your Mommy

The day you were born....

Coming home from the hospital...

2 weeks old....

At your birthday party....

Happy Birthday, my 6 year old!

Oh Gideon,
It is hard to imagine that six years have gone by since I cradled you in my arms for the first time. You came so quickly and surprised us!

We had company over that night. My due date was 3 days earlier, and so far, there was no sign that you might make an appearance! You sure fooled us!

We went to bed around 11pm, and as I laid there, I began to feel the tightness of contractions begin. I got up, being sure not to disturb daddy, and went into the living room to see if labor was starting.

I watched a little tv and went onto the computer, where I timed my contractions. By midnight, they were every 6-9 minutes apart, but weren't too painful yet.

At 12:30am, I decided to wake up daddy and tell him what was going on. He was very excited!! He took a shower and got ready to possibly head to the hospital.

By 1:30, daddy thought he should call our friend Megan to have her head on over to our house. I wasn't even sure this was really 'it', but let him call her anyway. I remember taking a shower, still not sure if this was really labor!

Megan arrived around 1:45am, and we sat on the couch, talking, waiting for the contractions to pick up. We figured that because Nolan's birth took 22 hours, that it would take at least 10 hours until you were born. We were wrong, very wrong!

It was 2:30am, when I stood up and walked over to daddy...and things started to get much more painful. It was as though you got into just the right position and let my body know it! Megan began to get worried when she noticed that it was 3 minutes inbetween contractions. We headed for the door!

We only lived 10 minutes from the hospital, but in mid-August, it was HOT! I made daddy turn off the air conditioning because it was bothering me as I continued having contractions.

We arrived at the hospital at 3am. I was still able to walk, and turned down the wheelchair that was to bring me to my room. But, once the receptionist at the hospital saw me have a contraction, she made sure I was wheeled to Labor and Delivery.

As I was wheeled in, daddy stayed back at reception, since they were having problems with their printer. We thought we would have hours until you arrived, so we weren't worried at all.

The nurses checked to see how far dilated I was at 3:10, and I was at 5cm. I was excited about that, because it seemed to take me forever to get to this point with Nolan. John stuck his head in the room to see how I was, I told him I was at 5cm, and was ready for an epidural. That was an epidural I would never get the chance to have!

By 3:15, the contractions picked up, and they were one on top of the other. John finally arrived back in the room after moving our van, and just stood back, not sure what he was supposed to be doing!

At 3:30, I started to feel nauseaus and told the nurses that I needed to push. They looked skeptical, but checked me anyway....I was dilated to 10cm!!! Needless to say, the doctor wasn't there yet.

I remember the nurses telling me not to push, and pretend to blow a feather. Yeah, right. My body was taking over and was literally pushing you out by itself! The nurses had to keep lowering the heart monitor on you since you kept going lower and lower...it was beyond my control!!

The Doctor showed up at 3:45am, and was told what was going on....he suited up and told me to push!

The nurses had to break my water as you were crowning! I think you could have been born in the bag of water, had they let you.

After one push, I was told to stop and breath as they eased you out. There were no complications and no stitches were needed. I felt great the moment you were born, and had a shower soon after.

You were born at 3:53am.....less than an hour after we arrived at the hospital!

They swaddled you up, and you were laid on my chest. I hadn't even had a chance to put on a hospital gown! You began nursing like a champ and were one of the most beautiful boys (apart from your brothers!) that I had ever seen.

Daddy called up Megan to tell her you were here...and she thought it was a dream because you arrived so fast.

I remember when daddy left the hospital around 6:30am, to get home in time to see Nolan waking up. It was just me and you...all was quiet and calm. I loved on you and held you and was so grateful that God chose me to be your mother.

Gideon David...August 13, 2003...7 pounds 6 ounces...19 inches long

My dear boy, you have grown so much since you turned 5. You are a first grader now! You are able to read a bit and follow along in your hymnal. It has warmed my heart and brought much glory to God, as you have grown in your love for the Gospel.

It wasn't that long ago, that you told me "Mommy, I remember when I didn't love God. But now I do...but I can remember when I didn't." Oh, it brings me so much joy to see your joy that only God can give!! I pray that you continue in your thirst for knowledge of our great God. Though suffering is inevitable, I know you will persevere and become a great man of God.

I love you so much!

Love,
Mommy

The first time I held you...this was right after you were born:

The first week that you were home from the hospital:


You with big brother, Nolan:

Happy Birthday Mark!!

It got a little loud at the end...but it's hard to control the noise level, lol.

Happy Birthday my Haddon-boy!

You are FOUR!

I still remember the day you were born....

Gramma and Grampa from Maine came to visit, hoping to be able to be here when you were born! They arrived on your due date, April 2, 2005. Little did we know, you wouldn't make an appearance until the 11th!

Each day, I paid close attention to every ache and pain, hoping that it would be the beginning of labor.

I went into labor on a Sunday. We went to church, like every other Sunday....and daddy and Grampa went golfing that afternoon. All was calm.

Around dinnertime, I began to feel a little different, like something was trying to start up...yet I still had no contractions!

At 8pm, my contractions were very mild and not consistent at all. Gramma and I went outside to walk around a bit, in hopes that whatever was happening would continue.

By 10pm, we decided we should head out to the hospital. If you were going to come as fast as Gideon, then we had better leave! Daddy wanted to stop for some coffee, but he realized that as he heard me cringe while taking the turn onto the road, that we should probably head straight for the hospital.

We arrived at the hospital around 10:30pm. The nurses checked me, and I was dilated to a 3. We told them that once I get to 5cm, it will happen very fast, so be prepared. They didn't believe us...since every birth is different, but the pediatric nurse nodded her head, got the bassinet ready and just stood in the corner of the room.

At 11pm, I was dilated to 4cm.

At 11:45pm, I was dilated to 5cm.

Then things got fun. When they checked me at 12:05, I was complete and the Dr wasn't there yet!

They had me breathing through contractions...which is very hard to do!

When Dr Green showed up, he was quickly ushered into our room and waved at the camera daddy was holding. He asked the nurses "So, what's going on here?"

"You just wait until she has a contraction!" they told him.

He couldn't suit up fast enough....since that very next contraction, I told everyone, "I am pushing NOW!"

Within a single push, your head was out.

My response was "TAKE HIM OUT NOW!"

You popped out on that very next push at 12:23am.

Then, my response was "Wow, I feel SO much better!"

Haddon Edwards was born, weighing 8lbs1oz and measuring 21 inches long. You didn't cry right away because you had a lot of meconium in the amniotic fluid. They wanted to suction all of that out before letting you breath it in. We were so blessed that your breathing wasn't affected by this!

Gramma and daddy were there to see your grand entrance!

I felt great immediately upon delivery and didn't have any recovery time with you at all. I could really focus those first few weeks solely on you and your brothers.

You started to nurse as soon as you were born, and you haven't stopped eating since!

We love you so much and are blessed to have you as one of our boys. You bring a unique perspective to every situation, and you are always ready to hug or kiss anyone who asks.

I can't wait to see what else you come out with in the coming years. One thing is for certain...it won't be dull!

I pray that you grow in the Lord Jesus Christ. That you depend upon Him for all of your needs. That your faith grows and blossoms along with your years. I pray that mommy and daddy live in such a way that it does not hinder your spiritual walk with Christ. I thank God every day for you and the blessing that you have been to our family!

I love you SO MUCH!

Love, Mommy

Happy Birthday Nolan!

It was a special night as we snuggled tonight on the couch. You were able to stay up extra late to watch the Superbowl!

You glanced at the clock and saw that it was two hours until your birthday, and you said to me:

"Mommy, you know what happens at twelve o'clock?"
"What happens?" I answered....
"That's when I start to grow, cause it'll be my birthday!"

You are too cute, my dear!

I remember your birthday like it was yesterday. Here is what I wrote in your baby book:

Mommy was due to have you on January 29, 2002. That day came and passed and there was still no sign of you. On February 1st, Mommy and Auntie Erin went to a baby shower for Baby Denver who was born a few weeks earlier. We spoke for a very long time and didn't get home til 12:30am on February 2nd.

Mommy didn't think you would ever get here! Daddy was waiting for us when we got home after the baby shower. At 1:30am, Mommy went upstairs to brush her teeth. As she stood at the sink brushing her teeth, she had her first contraction!

Daddy was already asleep in bed, and Auntie Erin, Cosette and Mark were sleeping across the hall. Mommy started timing her contractions and they were already 5 minutes apart and it was barely 2:00am!

Mommy took a shower, woke up Daddy, and told Auntie Erin that we were going to go to the hospital! Mommy called Gramma and Grampa in Maine to tell them that you were on your way. Our son was finally coming!

We arrived at Sycamore Shoals Hospital at 3:30am. We were quickly admitted and Mommy was brought to her room. Her contractions were coming every 4-5 minutes and were starting to get painful. At first Mommy didn't want any kind of pain medications, but as time went on she changed her mind.

When the nurses checked Mommy, they told her she was 2cm dilated. Mommy and Daddy thought that it would go quickly, but they soon learned that you would take your time! By 11:30am, Mommy was still only 3cm. She decided to walk the halls for an hour to help things progress. After 45 minutes of walking, Mommy was in too much pain to continue. The nurses checked her again, and things had barely progressed! By this time, Mommy wanted drugs!

Around 4pm, Mommy had finally made it to 4cm and was able to get an epidural. But the Dr who was going to give it to her was busy, so she ended up waiting until 6pm. Mommy was very happy when the Dr finally arrived!

Auntie Erin, Cosette and Mark showed up around 7pm and Grammy and Grandpa Jordan were in the waiting room with them. Auntie Erin came to be with Mommy in her room. Mommy felt a lot better when there was no pain! The nurse decided to give her some pitocin to help you get here faster. By 9pm, Mommy was fully dilated and was ready to push!

Gramma and Grampa in Maine were on the phone while Mommy pushed so they could hear you arrive! Mommy pushed and pushed and at 10:03pm on February 2, 2002.....Nolan Donald Jordan was born!!! You weighed 6 pounds 11 ounces and measured 21 inches long!

Where did that little baby go?

When I look back over the last 7 years, I see a little toddler who would throw the meanest tantrums...and I also see a little boy who sings praises to Jesus. I see a 3 year old who had a will so strong that he would bang his head against the wall just to spite his mother....and a 7 year old who is quick to apologize and ask forgiveness as soon as he has done something wrong.

I thank God for the work He has done in your life and I thank Him for the work that He continues to do. You are a special boy and I love you so very much!

Happy Birthday Nolan!

Love,
Mommy

Happy 2nd Birthday Jamison!

My littlest boy is two!

Jamison,

I remember the late nights I spent contracting, wondering if tonight would be the night. But the night would often turn into morning, and you were happy where you were.

Your due date was November 30th...and you've always known how to make an entrance! You walked in the footsteps of your brothers and arrived quickly...before the doctor could even make it to the hospital! And then you entered the world full of life and curiosity...which has only grown as you have gotten older!

Oh, how I love my little man! You are loved by so many!

My prayer for you is that you love the Lord with all your heart, with all your mind and with all your strength! I pray that God uses you to further His kingdom. I pray that if it is His will that you marry, that He is preparing the heart of your bride. That she becomes a True Woman and is the perfect compliment to you. I hope you learn that your mommy and daddy really do have your best interest ay heart, even though you may disagree with us at times.

You are a joy, my sweet boy...

Love,
Mommy

Today is my birthday.

I have reached the point of no return.

I can no longer consider myself a 'twenty-something'.

Middle age is my new best friend.

Hello to the big 3-0.




I walked out of the shower this morning to find a gift certificate for a 60 minute massage, that had been pushed under the bedroom door! It's been far too long since I've had anything like that to schedule. I'm used to scheduling doctors and dentists appointments!

When we were getting ready to leave for church this morning, Gideon told me that I looked beautiful...and Haddon told me that I was a princess. You can't ask for much more than that from your children!

I find it hard to believe that I have reached my thirties. I don't quite know when that happened. I guess it snuck up on me while I have continually had baby after baby. If you had asked me 10 years ago if I thought I would have 5 children by the age of 30, I'd of thought you were crazy. Now, I couldn't imagine my life any other way!

Happy Birthday to me :)

And the golfing begins....

It didn't take long to begin playing with Gideon's birthday gift from Gramma and Grampa!







Of course, I had to add one of Paysie...she was in a milk daze...

Gideon's Birthday Package!

Party Pictures

We had a small party for Gideon last night....complete with Popeye pizza (spinach) and pepperoni!

He was very excited...as you can see! He wanted a golf birthday cake...and the best I could do was a golf tee and a golf ball. He thought that was perfect!





One of his gifts was a harmonica...and you can't have a harmonica and not go camping, right? This is what he's been playing this morning:

Happy 5th Birthday Gideon!

My little man is FIVE!

You are so excited to have mommy start teaching you when school starts! My newest Kindergartener :)

You woke up this morning talking about birthdays and balloons. You chose caramel chocolate cake and caramel ice cream for your party!

You were born in the wee hours of the morning after a very quick delivery. I can still remember holding you in the dimness of our hospital room, rocking you, as you slept on my chest. I remember your smallness and your sweetness.

I love watching you grow and learn. You are always full of surprises and there is never a dull moment when you around.

I love watching you sing hymns to Jesus...and I love hearing you sing your loudest "Holy Holy Holy". It doesn't even matter if you don't know all the words...cause you just want to sing!

I love you my Gideon, and mommy couldn't imagine her life without you in it! I thank God for you every day. I pray that through the working of the Holy Spirit, your heart be transformed by His grace.

You are a very special boy, and I hope you enjoy your special day today!

Favorite food? cheese
Favorite ice cream? chocolate marshmallow
Favorite toy? Anything Nerf
Favorite movie? Alvin and the Chipmunks
Favorite hymn? Stand Up, Stand Up For Jesus
Favorite story? "I don't like stories"
Favorite color? green
Favorite team? Reds
Favorite sport to play? baseball
Favorite drink? Root Beer
Favorite place to go? Ingles

To my Birthday Boy

You woke up this morning proclaiming "I a big boy now!"

Yes, you are Haddon-boy...you are my big three year old boy!

We began the day with our traditional breakfast outing to Cracker Barrel. You ate your pancakes while wearing your new sunglasses from Gramma and Grampa. Yes, they got sticky, but you were pretty cute sitting there.

Since we all know that money of any kind (including gift cards) burn holes in pockets, we headed out to Walmart. It didn't take you long to figure out what you wanted to spend your birthday money on. Now I truly believe we have every Alvin and the Chipmunk movie known to man!

The next stop was Baskins Robbins. You chose Jamocha ice cream and ate your cone all by yourself. Again, wearing your sunglasses. I don't think they ever left your face!

We ate lunch at the park and ate our Happy Meals. Daddy was even able to come by and join in!

It was a fun day, although we didn't like having to say goodbye to Gramma and Grampa as they left to go back to Maine today.

Your words are beginning to come out clearer, and you often want to be called Theodore! My little chipmunk!

It seems like only yesterday that I was laying in that hospital bed groaning the words "Get him out now!"

What a blessing you are to your mommy. There is never a dull moment in our house...thanks to my new little (or rather big!) three year old boy!

Nolan receives a package!

Nolan turned 6 years old a couple of weeks ago. He has been waiting patiently for his birthday package from Gramma and Grampa in Maine. I'm surprised they were able to shovel themselves out long enough to get to the post office, lol.

Each day...Nolan waited and watched. He would get excited each time he saw the mail truck...and each day: no package.

The day that he wasn't watching was the day it came. I saw the box leaning against our front door and knew that my Nolan would be soooo excited!

I brought the priority box into the living room and put it on the couch. Then I called Nolan to come quickly. This is the result of that package!

He wanted to get in that box so badly!

Why is it so hard to pull this tab?? I found my present!
Blendy Pens....just what I've always wanted! I've seen these on tv!
And a dot to dot book?!? I love dot to dots!!

He loves his new Blendy Pens and has had a great time coloring with them! He has been great sharing them with his brothers too.

Thanks Gramma and Grampa!!!