Labor Day weekend

We are taking a much needed, grown-up vacation to Hilton Head for the Labor Day weekend. It is the first time in a long time that Brian and I have gone away together. We are having a great time, but missing the boys too. They are camping with Nanny and Gaggy at the State Park and having so much fun. It is the first time for the triplets, so I know it will be so funny hearing them tell about their experience.
I know I have not posted in a while. I need to update with some back to school pictures. We are all so busy trying to get back into the routine of early mornings and homework, lunchboxes and school uniforms. The triplets are enjoying Kindergarten so much and Maxwell loves fourth grade.

Thanks for checking in on us here. I will update soon and add some pictures.

Mandy

P.S. I am reading the book, The Shack, on our trip. All I can say is WOW!!!! Can't wait to find out how it all ends. I will let you know what I think when I finish it. It is one powerful story! Check it out at www.theshackbook.com

Loving the Same Size

This morning during breakfast the boys were discussing who they loved. Maxwell asked the boys who they loved the most---me or their Daddy. I reminded them that they are supposed to love their parents equally and Maxwell agreed. Grayson then said, with a smile, "I love boff my pawents the same size!" I thought he summed it up perfectly.

H, G, and A turn 5!

It is hard for me to imagine the triplets are now 5 years old. Where have the last few years gone and how did it pass so quickly? I remember imagining what it would be like as they got older. Well, I now know what it is like to live in a house with 4 little boys, three of whom are the same age. It is all that you might imagine and then some......loud, crazy, hectic, stressful, fun, exhausting, hilarious, sweet, and the list could go on. Each of these precious little people are independent and have their own little personalities. They keep us laughing and praying for our sanity. Harrison looks a lot like Maxwell and wants nothing more than to be his big brother's equal. He is very observant and amazes us with all that he "absorbs" just by watching and listening. Harry, as we like to call him, is a dare-devil and is happiest riding his bike as fast as he can pedal. Harry is our child who has the most boo-boos and he is constantly getting hurt because of his love of adventure. Grayson is absolutely his own person and so unique. He reminds me alot of myself with his desire for things to go just as he plans. Grayson is happiest when he is aggravating one of his brothers and is known for the cute little mischief in his eyes. He is funny and doesn't mind expressing himself! Ashton is still our little love-bug and is our most affectionate and sensitive child. He is happiest when he gets to hang-out with Maxwell watching Indiana Jones movies. Ashton also loves to change clothes, even underwear, throughout the day so I have to watch him or my laundry can get really out of control. It is amazing how different each of these little boys can be, and yet, so similar. They are the best of friends and bitter enemies, sometimes within minutes of each other.
It has been an amazing five years with these little boys and we look forward to watching as they continue to bless our family. Keep us in your prayers as these three will soon begin Kindergarten. (You might also pray for their teachers too!)

Mandy

One Year Ago Today

We are very busy getting all the last minute details of the race done. It has been a great distraction for me and a blessing that I don't have the time to dwell on my sorrow as we approach Madeline's first b-day. It was one year ago that I had no reason to think she would come so soon. We got to meet Madeline on Thursday night about 8:30 after an emergency c-section. Her heart was beginning to show signs of stress, and my doctor decided it was best to take her a few weeks early. I am grateful that he did because she would not have made it another day, much less weeks. What an overwhelmingly emotional night that was! I have never been more scared in all my life, and I felt so helpless. I remember laying on the table in the delivery room waiting, what seemed like hours, for the doctor to deliver Madeline and I was trying to think of a scripture to calm me. All I could think of was "I can do all things through Christ who stregthens me!" I know I said it at least a hundred times as I laid their not knowing if Madeline would be alive when she was born. But God was good, and indeed she was alive. They wisked her away, and Brian got to go into the next room and watch as the nurses worked on her. I strained to hear her cry but she never really cried, just made little sweet sounds that I could barely hear. I asked my nurse over and over if Madeline was okay and tried to watch her face to see if I could tell by her expression what was going on with Madeline in the next room. You can not imagine the helplessness and fear I felt during those moments waiting to hear about my only daughter. Madeline was doing just fine and did not even need to be put on the ventilator. She was breathing on her own and only need a little oxygen in her nose. I spent a short time in the recovery room before getting to spend some time with Madeline. What a sight she was to me!!! Brian had been keeping me posted and had left me to go be with her since we did not know how long we had with her. Madeline was beautiful and so perfect in every way. God does not make mistakes! We tried to soak her up and I wished the clock would stop and we could have spent forever in that NICU, loving our only baby girl. What day June 7, 2007 was for our family and friends.
As I look back over the last year, it is only appropriate that we spend tomorrow celebrating the 12 hours we had with Madeline. We will honor her little life and the blessing that she was to us as we hold this first annual Miles for Madeline. I hope she is watching over us tomorrow and smiling down on us as we remember how she has changed our lives for the better.
Keep the race in your prayers and the blessings that God can give through our loss to others.

Mandy

Miles4Madeline slideshow

Please take a moment and go to www.madelinegracefoundation.com and click on Miles 4 Madeline on the left hand side. View the slideshow of our mission and vision for the foundation and for our first race on June 7th.

Thank you to Todd Lowe for creating this slideshow and to Dreau for posting it on our foundation's website.

We are looking forward to seeing you on June 7th!

Mandy

Miles 4 Madeline 5K Walk/Run

Just a quick update on the race we have planned for Madeline's first birthday, June 7, 2008. We are still trying to get sponsors and get some details worked out but we are looking forward to a great response. I am excited that we have been able to have this to focus on and honor Madeline's life in such a tangible way. We are praying that God blesses this event and uses it as He sees fit. It has been a lot of work and we have so many friends and family members to thank for their help. Without their support, none of this would be possible. If you have not had an opportunity, please visit the foundation's website at www.madelinegracefoundation.com

Thank you for your interest! If you are interested in participating in the race on June 7, you can go to runningintheusa.com and register online. Please email me if you have any questions or would be interested in sponsoring. My email is miles4madeline@yahoo.com

Blessings,
Mandy

Madeline's Brothers

I wanted to share some recent pictures of our boys and all the fun they have been having. The first is our oldest, Maxwell. We are so proud that he won a writing contest at his school called Celebration of Writing. He wrote a great story called "A Strange Day in July". The other photo shows the triplets and their love of all things "muddy"! It is a rare day when I can keep them clean, but I have learned that dirt and boys just go together.

Thanks for checking in on us.

Mandy