Clara

We have lived next door to our friends, the Handshoes, for over 5 years now.  They were some of our very first friends in Indiana.  Jenny and I were very excited to find out we were pregnant together, and even more excited when we found out we were both having baby girls.  Clara was born 5 weeks after Madeline.  They go to the same babysitter, play in the church nursery, and hang out because that's what neighbors do.  Maddie really likes Clara's Elmo couch as seen here.

This summer we were devastated when we found out that Clara had a cancerous brain tumor.  Devastated really doesn't begin to cover it.  Picture me, person who never cries, completely sobbing in the middle of a hospital lobby.  And at work.  And in the car.  And climbing into Madeline's crib every night for weeks just so I could hold her a little longer.  I just couldn't quite get my head wrapped around the idea that this sweet, little girl that I've babysat for and is so much like my daughter, had a brain tumor.  It hit a little too close to home.  Of the things that have literally brought me to my knees in prayer, this is at the top of the list.     

One of the scariest nights of my life was the night I sat at Riley Children's hospital, hanging out with the Handshoes and trying to be of some service.  Every hour the nurse came out with an update.  Hours and hours of surgery.  But the awesome thing was to see how much peace we all had knowing that God was in control of the situation.  Had we not been there under those circumstances, it would have been a pretty good night hanging out with friends. 

Fortunately the surgery went amazing, as have the treatments in the months that followed.  We are all so thankful that Clara and the whole Handshoe family have pulled through this like troopers.  It is incredible to watch the church pull together like the family it's meant to be and to support one another.  Thank you for all our friends in Ohio who prayed for what was happening.  Our prayers have been answered in so many ways. 

Tomorrow we're going to the End of Radiation Celebration!

We're going to celebrate this amazing little girl and thank the God of peace, hope, and unfathomable love.

Fall Pictures with Leaves!

Ok seriously we're swimming in fall pictures. I love it!

This had better be the only tree hugging I catch....

She LOVED the leaves.

We love watching her discover.

More Fall Pictures

Ok so we wound up having family pictures taken twice this year...don't ask.  But the good news is that we have lots of great pictures! Here's a sneak peek from our most recent session:

Gross, Disgusting, Yucky

Those were the words coming out of Madeline's mouth after a nice afternoon of making mud pies. (Of course, she was only repeating me!)  We decided to sit outside and enjoy the goregous 70 degree October weather.  A little innocent scratching at the dirt turned into this...

Thus 3 baths in 24 hours. Sigh.

Why so serious?

This picture made me smile.  This little girl can be so expressive. 

P.S. If anyone knows how to make my video box on the side smaller so it doesn't float in the wings, please let me know.

Random Updates

I love my child.  I mean seriously love her unlike I've ever loved anything or anyone before. She's just so....cool.  Just listening to her laugh makes me happy.  I think if she were my age, we'd be good friends.  But since she's not, I will be her mother, not her friend, and help her to turn into an awesome woman.  Some people don't seem to appreciate the fact that they have children.  Which is really dumb.  Because you never know when something is going to happen and you won't be able to hug them one more time.  Just saying.  Ok that was kind of rambly....

So she still doesn't have her canine teeth in.  Her new favorite phrase is "I do it!"  (I have no idea where she gets that independent streak. ha.)  The words are flying and starting to become more consistent.  Her comprehension is unbelievable.  A little too good. I have to spell words like "cookie" now.  

I am officially an MBA student now.  This means that Brad is Mr. Mom quite a bit.  He's doing an awesome job.  You should be jealous that your husband is not as incredible as mine.   

Madeline still hasn't gained weight. We're going to a pediatric GI specialist in November.  I automatically assume this will involve a colonoscopy.  Scary.

Sneak Peak

We had some family pictures taken in the beautiful fall weather.  I think there's a possibility that my hair is whipping across my face in 90% of them.  Here's a sneak peak of what we got:

These were taken by our good buddy Chad Dumbris of M&R Photography. If you live in Indiana, you should call him.  But only for pictures.  No funny business.