6:00 a.m.

6:00 a.m. - the official time of Addie's birth. I was laying next to her as the clock changed to 6:00. She was holding my hand and I was rubbing her back as the beautiful anniversary of her birth arrived. I whispered in her ear "Happy Birthday" and I thanked God for her. I thanked God for each moment I have had with her and I thanked God for her progress and for who she is. I thanked God for choosing me and for trusting me. This is a day of celebration and of new beginnings. I feel in my heart, the hardest year of our lives is now over. I look forward to the new miracles that are to come.

Please continue to pray for Addie and our family. We need your prayers and appreciate them more than words will ever say!

WE MADE IT!!!

We have officially made it one year seizure free! I feel more cautious optimism than anything. Addie is still at high risk for developing seizures, but since she made it one year then her chances of developing a seizure disorder has decreased!

I prayed every day to keep Addie seizure free and God was listening and responded! Please thank God for this blessing!

Had enough!

Addie missed her nap today because of all the excitement! As soon as I put her in her car seat, she fell asleep and then took a nice long nap after we got home...all snuggled in my arms - of course!

Addie's First Birthday Party!

WOW, what a day! I couldn't have asked for anything better, today was absolutely perfect! We enjoyed a beautiful day with family and friends in celebration of the day that God blessed me with my most precious miracle - my baby Addie. I would say that I can't believe a year has already passed, but it has been a long and difficult year and I felt today was a celebration of a new beginning. A celebration of a better time to come, knowing that we have already beaten the odds and will continue to do so. I managed to keep my emotions under control today, although I really didn't think that I would be able to.
We asked Kim to come and take pictures of the party, so we don't really have any good pictures of the party. I hate that we missed getting a picture of all the kids together, but some of our friends had to leave early. Here are a few pictures until I get the others back from Kim...

A gift from the heart

When the staff at my Aunt's clinic asked what she wanted for Christmas, the only thing that came to mind was a donation to The Mercedes Marathon in honor of Addie. Not only did they grant that wish, but they also presented her with this picture. My family is truly blessed to have amazing people in our lives. Thank you to each and every one of you! Your kindness is an amazing gift that is so very much appreciated!

Addie and Aunt Sue

Addie is enjoying some quiet time with Aunt Sue during Christmas dinner.

There are no words that can express the gratitude that I feel towards my Aunt. She was there soon after Addie was born and was forced to walk the thin line between professional knowledge and family opinion and emotion. She is an amazing source of strength for me, always there to answer my endless questions and to listen to my fears. She has been amazing AND just so happens to make the best banana pudding in the whole world!

Merry Christmas!

Happy First Christmas!

Alternate option for the wagon

9:30 A.M.

Addie didn't wake up until 9:30...that was a LONG wait for all of us! Julien's friend had already been over to the house to show off his new presents and we were on the verge of giving in and waking Addie up. When we sat down to open presents, she was still trying to wake up and would have been just as happy all snuggled up back in bed!

2:26 A.M.

You guessed it! Julien woke us up at 2:26 to open Santa presents! I'm not one of those Mom's that make their children go back to bed and wait for morning...it technically WAS morning! :)
Julien loved all of his presents!

The Kitties enjoyed Christmas too

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

I am thankful for this day and the true meaning of Christmas. Today is especially meaningful to us this year. May God bless you all and Merry Christmas!


Every good and perfect gift is from above, coming down from the Father of the heavenly lights, who does not change like shifting shadows.

James 1:17

How much I love them!

Winding down

Winding down after a VERY busy day!

Always working hard!

My mom bought Addie the perfect toy! We're hoping that her new push walker will help her learn to pull up and walk. She tries so hard!

Christmas Eve at HOME!

We had our Christmas Eve celebration at our house! It was so nice not to have to pack the kids up and go anywhere! It was great just to relax and enjoy the moment! We had a great time!

Ah, tough work!

Thanks to my brother and Chris, all toys were taken out of the boxes and assembled - without complaint! What great guys!

Saying good-bye to Butler

Julien had to say good-bye to Butler tonight! Had I known how difficult it was going to be for him, I'm not sure that I would have allowed Butler to stay with us. Julien cried while we got Santa's milk and cookies together and while we were getting Butler settled for his trip back home. I tucked Julien into bed, read him "The Night Before Christmas" and reassured him that everything was going to be alright. I explained that Christmas is magical and beautiful and that it was special that he was able to enjoy Butler while he was here. It broke my heart because I just don't know if Butler will be coming back next year...it's very sad.

Fainting spell... :)

Julien "fainted" when he opened his gift from my mother... a Wii! Julien is giving me a play-by-play on the baseball game he's playing as I type this! I keep telling him that Santa won't come if he doesn't go to bed!!!!

Christmas at Grandpa David's

This morning we celebrated Christmas at Chris' Dad's house. Addie had a great time opening presents and loves her new toy - an oversized cube like you would find in the doctors office! When we got home, she was playing with the cube and was trying desperately to pull up on it. It is too lightweight and we narrowly avoided a big boo-boo as it came toppling over on her. I managed to grab it and her right before they both hit the floor! Ah, the joy of the season!

Mommy's little helper...

Addie stayed up a little later in order to help me bake all the goodies for tomorrow! I was pleasantly surprised that the blender didn't frighten her. She sat on the counter and just watched. Each time I would take the top off, she would want to look and see what was inside! So sweet!