through sickness and health

I have blogged through it all... but this Viral Respiratory Infection has got the best of me, so I haven't blogged or done much of anything else other than sleep over these past few days!

I got back from Vegas on Weds PM, and went to FPU, it was great.

So much has happened over the past week: Naomi and I took a trip to Vegas for her 21st Birthday, April and Sean have officially moved into a homeless transitional shelter called Mary's Palce (click to read more about the facility), I got really sick with a respiratory infection, I move to my new place in T-11 days!, Albert got his senior pics done by CT Ryan studios - some teasers are posted here, click to enlarge.

I would go into more detail about averything but I am dizzy, sick to my stomach, my head is pounding, and I cannot stop coughing, not to mention achy all over... so I will blog when I am feeling better.

Thanks for all of the prayer and support everyone, and for all of the help and assistance with April and Sean. Please continue to pray for their family!

The Two Little Munchkins are here

We welcomed Abby and Avery yesterday at 4:15pm!!

April had been experiencing painful contractions all day yesterday so she called her doctor in the afternoon and the doctor told her to head to the hospital. Aprils response was, "I am not in labor, I am not ready and the babies aren't big enough!" her doctor chuckled and told her that whether she was ready or not she needed to go in... April was only 35 weeks and 2 days gestation so the babies were born prematurely.

So after a full day of April experiencing Painful contractions... as 2:30pm arrived she finally came to the realization that she was indeed going into (if not already in...) labor. Sean came home from a Doc appointment to pick her up, they were admitted into the hospital at 3:58pm, and had the babies about 15 minutes later at 4:15pm.

Avery was in the birth canal when they first arrived to the hospital, at first they thought that it was his arm but it was actually his small little bum that was coming out... They rushed her to the OR and put her under anesthesia, she was completely knocked out!

Avery Stephen

Abby Jo

Avery Stephen, who was the 'Ready to Come' one, came first weighing in at 4lbs 15oz, then following her brother the 'Already Sassy and Stubborn' Abby Jo arrived weighing in at 5lbs 2oz. They are both as cute as can be. They were a bit swollen at first but after a few hours the swelling went down and they were able to calm and get some rest.

Avery did great breathing on his own, but Abby needed some assistance in the beginning. Both of their glucose levels were low, and they had a few other minor issues due to being premature. But overall they are doing great and are healthy! They are in the NICU and will be there for a few days until they eating and temperature stabilize, along with a few other minor issues are addressed.

Proud Grandma (Mom) and Auntie (Me)

Proud Daddy - Sean

April is pretty exhausted, and definitely sore which is to be expected, considering she had an emergency Cesarean. Sean is at the hospital with her, he stayed the night there to be by her side. He was so concerned about her all day yesterday, he is such a sweet husband! He has therapy and doctors appointments today, he will be getting another MS injection today...

I am not going to lie, yesterday was a bit stressful for me! Due to the babies premature arrival we (Mom and I) were unable to hold or touch the babies, and we were also turned away to see them -April, Abby and Avery- at times, which we all felt was a little ridiculous in some instances.

Not only that it is pretty tough not having more family here. It was so hard finding someone to take the older kids while I had to work today. So I was up til midnight finding someone to watch them... Thanks so much Charrissa, I owe you one. I know that as Aprils sister and a new Auntie it is my responsibility, but I just was feeling a tad bit overwhelmed last night, trying to get everything situated.

So I apologize if I seemed rude to anyone, I wasn't upset at anyone in particular just frustrated with the situations at hand. I love you all and am so thankful for all of the help and support that you all have been giving to our family!

Today we have all new issues that are going to need to be addressed... Nothing is ready for the babies, so I am sure that I will be busy for the next few days helping them out! Please be praying, their housing situation is still on the rocks as are other aspects of their lives.

All are welcome

April is having a Boy and a Girl!!

Please join us in celebrating the arrival of these two babies

If you can join us we would love for you to come!

She is registered at these stores (in store and online both)

(click on the store to be coneected to the link)

Babys-R-Us

Baby Depot

Target

Link here to see Seans Caring bridge website to get an update on the ERVINS.

Proceedings

Our court pre-trial is set for March 19th...
Madi now has a Guardian Ad Litem.

Oh and on a positive note, because I haven't mentioned it before... April is Having a boy and a girl: Abby and Avery will be their names. She found out the sex's at 13 weeks - technology is amazing! April is looking cute as ever, I want to say she is about 20 weeks prego right now :) Due June 17th, I believe. She has gestational diabetes, so feel free to add her to your prayer list.

Reminiscing on 2008

Some amazing things have happened this year, both Wonderful and some a little Overwhelming and not so great... I have decided to enter into the new year with Joy in my heart (as Rebekah put it). Thank you everyone for all of the support that you have given me this year, I truly don't know where I would be without my wonderful friends, Family, Church, and Most of all My Savior - Jesus Christ!

As 2008 began I was very pregnant, 50 pounds worth...LOL. I was so eager to have my daughter in my arms already.

At the end of January, the long awaited and anticipated move happened!! My sister April, Her Husband Sean, and their Four Beautiful Children made the long haul from sunny California to snowy Minnesota. I am thrilled looking back at this year, seeing how much joy they bring to my life. April is the best sister and best friend that I could have ever wished for!!

In February I turned a whopping 23 years old, I know to some that is young, but to me it is Old, and as a matter-of-fact it is the oldest that I have ever been! But with age comes respect and I deffinetly enjoy that aspect of being 23!

I was trying to work on my marriage. To hold it together... Dan and I took the marriage course at the church. It was amazingly tough, we really discovered how different we really are during that time. On occasion he would go intoxicated, and it was very hard for me.

A tumor was growing in my mouth, so I saw an oral surgeon and was told the it was a 'Pregnancy Granuloma', that it should go away post-partum.

April 10th of 2008 was a life changing day for me! My gorgeous Daughter Madilynn Paige was born at 8:20 pm, weighing in at 7lbs 3 oz (not 62 pounds!! so why did I gain that much?!) and she was 19.5 inches, oh how my little baby has grown! I never knew that I could have so much love for someone... But I do! She has been a gift from God, to open my eyes, to what is really important in life.

Dan and I struggled, as he continued to drink (it actually increased during April-June, I have financial statements to prove it). I was torn... I felt obligated to my vows, but my heart was torn. The last thing that I ever wanted for my daughter was the childhood that I had, with a parent dealing with substance addictions... and having to deal with the consequences that come along with those addictions.

After Madi, I discovered that I had a lovely case of Fissures (which took quite a while to diagnose) The colorectal Surgeon finally confirmed my situation! I won't get into too much detail But I will say that I was living in pain for the first 6 months of Madi's life because of them...

7 weeks postpartum the tumor that had grown on the pallet in my mouth had not disappeared it had actually changed in shape, grew larger and the color changed as well. So I went back to the oral surgeon, they, to my surpirise, removed it. I was awake, and it wasn't a fun experience! They reassured my that it looked benign and that I had nothing to worry about...

A week later, I was told that I had Mucoepidermoid Carcinoma... WhAt?! 'Are you kidding me?!' I thought that it was benign!!

July First I had surgery, to remove it, at Mayo Clinic... I was left with a huge hole in my mouth, ouch, that wasn't fun. Following the surgery I got very sick and ended up in the Cardiac ICU. Everything that I ate and drank came out of my nose, it was really tough getting used to it!

By 10 weeks postpartum I had thankfully lost all of my 62 pounds, YAY!

My mouth continued to heal, but my bottom end didn't. It seemed like I had endless cases of medical issues, following the birth of Madi.

Dan and My relationship continued to spiral downward, I think that going through everything that I did helped me to see how really unsupportive he was as a husband... Although he Loved Madi and treated her wonderfully, I cannot say the same about how he treated me.

Finally I received some fabulous treatment (botox in the butt ;) For real, I had botox... Funny, I know! I quit breastfeeding :( but I finally was able to live somewhat pain-free!! Thanks to my Mom who was there for EVERY SINGLE MEDICAL SURGERY AND PROCEDURE that I had this year, she is so awesome, I love her so much!!

As things started to get better, medical wise. I gathered up the strength to face one of my biggest fears... Leaving my husband, with my daghter in the mix! It was tough, but looking back, I know that it will be the best for all of us!

I Continued my pursuit for a God who has been simply Astounding. He has Turned my life upside down and all around, I have hope, in him... and finally we have a relationship like I have always desired to have with him, and it is amazing! Thank you God, thank you for standing by my side, waiting for me all these years, to finally turn to you!

I got a lawyer in September and started court proceedings. For the first time in my life, I live alone (well somewhat anyway... If Madi doesn't count). I got a beautiful apartment in Inver Grove, close to my Mom and church, yay!

I am learning to fully trust Christ. It is a journey and I struggle, stumbling along the way, but God and everyone around me have been lifting me up, so when I do fall, it is short lived, I am lifted up pretty much right away!

The divorce has brought it's ups and downs and we are only at the begining...

Madi is getting more and more beautiful day after day. Haloween, Thanksgiving, and Christmas were all a blast with her :) She has so much personality, and I predict that she is going to be a singer some day... she loves to sing already! She has 2 teeth that are popping through now :)

Christmas was amazing! It was my 10th annual Christmas day dinner at the church. Madi and I cooked for it, and it was a blast, great having all of my family there. The opening of gifts afterward at my place was a ton of fun too!

Sooo many more things have happened... I cannot forget about Blogging I started in September. I have also made many mistakes this year, that I hopefully will learn from and not make in the coming year. We are all on a journey, who knows where 2009 will take me!

Welcoming 2009 with open arms...
Love you all
I hope that everyone had a fabulous Christmas, and that you are going to have a wonderful new year.

ps Apparently My Blog is categorized as a 'Top Blog' in Rochester and Minneapolis, little did I know... Thanks to Lynn, I have discovered...

Pray For April

Friday night after the opening of her play, 'You Can't Take it With You', she fell and broke her tailbone. She is in quite a bit of pain and was unable to urinate for a few days due to the trauma. She has been in and out of the hospital over the last couple of days, and she has been bleeding. As far as I know the doctors say that everything is okay and the babies look like they are doing just fine. She still has to perform in the play this weekend, so If everyone could be praying for her pain, for the babies, and her overall physical health.
Thanks!

Ahhh!!

Crazy, seriously. You never know what is going to happen! April is having TWINS. Yes, her second set of twins, I am not lying. I know shocking, huh?! 6 kids later... YAY, can't wait!

Another Baby...

Yay! Not me... My sister, April, is pregnant. She might not be as ecstatic about it as I am but I know that she is just a little shocked right now. I bought her a pregnancy test yesterday and sure enough the result was positive. I think more than anything she is nervous about another 'multiples' pregnancy. According to doctors, because she has fraternal twins, she has an 8 out of 10 chance of getting pregnant with more than one baby again. She already has 4 kids (Ember 10, Cole 8, Cleo and Collin are 5 on the 25th). She wasn't planning on having anymore, but we all know how that goes, LOL!



So, I just had to make the announcement, because you know me, I am as happy as can be when it comes to babies. Not only that she is my best friend, and I cannot wait to experience this with her.

So Congrats to April and Sean. It will be a totally different experience for me, now that I have my own baby and went through my own pregnancy I am going to see hers in a whole new light. I cannot wait!