Happy Birthday Justice!

Well...my little Justice turned 1 on March 23rd!!! I'm a little slow on posting for his bday...but here it goes!

(rewind)
March 23, 2009
7:30 am - I wake up with regular contractions about 8 minutes apart...but being me...I decided that it wasn't too bad & I really didn't want to wake up Lincoln too early, so I took time to fix my hair & put on some make up! I know...I'm ridiculous!!! As I'm doing this, I realize the contractions are still coming pretty regularly...and a little closer! So I wake up Mike @ 8ish & told him we needed to get ready to go. (with his eyes still closed) he says "where are we going?" I replied..."Well sweetie, it's time to go to the hospital (EYES BURST OPEN) "REALLY?!??!" Instantly awake! So we finished gathering a few things & decided to wake up Lincoln. We called Grandma Kimmie to make sure she would be ready for her little visitor! We went & dropped him off, then headed to the hospital!

9 am - At NCH, we start the check in process (blah, blah, blah)...oh and contractions about every 5-6 at this point! While checking in, my doctor walked by & asked if we were there on official business & we said yes! So, since Justice had been breech most of my pregnancy, she took us immediately to the ultrasound room to check his position! EVERYTHING WAS PERFECT!!! So we went to the delivery room! I was anxious because I knew how quickly things had progressed with Lincoln, and everyone had told me that #2 baby would be faster! Well, we got ready & they did all the prep stuff etc... he was really coming! So we just waited(ok...really everyone else waited while I worked, but I can't complain about 4 hours of labor!) a little while & at 12:23 p.m. we welcomed our sweet little Justice Terry! HE WAS PERFECT!!!

So now, here we are a whole year later! He has grown & changed so much! We have been through alot with this little guy! We are so thankful that Jesus continues to bless us by letting us raise Justice!

1 year stuff...

*Justice has 7 teeth...4 on top & 3 on bottom...pretty sure he's always working on a new one....he's been pretty drooly lately.

*Justice has been crawling for almost 6 months, he walks while holding onto furniture, walls etc. He waves, loves to clap, laugh & squeal! He nods his head "YES" pretty emphatically when asked a question. He LOVES music!!

*Words that he says...Mama, Dadda, up, more, Justice, hi, bye, Lincoln (pretty rough...but he is totally saying it), dog & makes barking sound, juice, no, papa, yeah, ball

He has recently given up his morning nap :-( But wakes up generally about 8:30...eats cereal & has juice for breakfast...just like Lincoln (pretty much want to do everything like big brother). He likes food...ALOT...somedays it seems as though he might never get full! After lunch he does take a really good nap. Yay...for Mommy time! He LOVES his daddy! He has the cutest little smile that turns up on the corners of his mouth & totally melts my heart everytime I see it!!! So far, the little bit of hair he has is red, his eyes are amazingly Blue & gorgeous! He is trying to walk, but he knows that crawling is SOOO much faster! He loves books. He's Perfect!!!!

For his BIG DAY! I planned ROCK STAR themed party! I found the cutest stuff online & went from there! I has so much fun! I LOVE making cakes for my boys birthdays!!! We had BBQ beef sandwiches, homemade potato salad, baked beans (I try to copy Papa's awesome recipe), then we had an electric guitar cake, & cupcakes too! Anyway, we are so blessed to have friends & family to celebrate with! Justice is a very much loved little boy! He will bring a smile to anyone's face! He has the sweetest eyes & the cutest little puffy cheeks you have ever seen...they are the best for kissing! Oh...I am so in love with him! Here are some photos of our awesome little party!! (an of course I have ZERO pics of me & my birthday boy..guess I should pass the camera around)

I pray everyday that God raises him up as a mighty leader for HIM!!! So...if you are reading this, join me in that prayer for my children as well as yours!

Our Adventure with Justice!

We got home from our trip to Chicago on Tuesday afternoon...it was so good to see the boys! Justice was sitting in the high chair eating & he just kept looking at me & giggling...soo cute! Lincoln was bouncing, climbing, & jumping all over Mike. It was kinda nice to be missed...it's nice to know how much they appreciate us!

Anyway, on Thursday morning we woke up & I notice Justice sounded a little congested...nothing major, so we continued with out day. We (the little boys & me) went to Cozad to the chiropractor & then we went to Kearney to go shopping! We only made it to Cato (women's clothing store) & Wal-Mart. What an adventure! Cato is not very large store & I carried Justice & chased Lincoln through the place the whole time we were in there! Needless to say, I didn't find anything to buy! Wal-Mart was a bit easier...because they have shopping carts! Anyway, we headed home & both boys were pretty tuckered out & slept most the way home!


When we got home we ate real quick (just some penne with marinara sauce) & got ready to have our small group come over. By about 7:30, Justice was seeming really fussy & tired, so...to bed he went. By about 8:15...he was crying & evidently his supper didn't set well with him cause it was all over in his crib (yuck...I know!) But he was acting happy & normal. he had a little dry cough...still nothing of concern. So we eventually got him back to bed. I went to bed but noticed he was a little restless, but nothing I tried seemed to make him sleep any better, so I just left him in his crib & went back to bed. About 3:30am I noticed him fussing pretty bad. I changed him, gave him a bottle etc. (all the things you try at the crazy hours when you are half awake). I tried to go back to bed, but he was VERY restless at this point. So I got up with him about 6:30 & just help him & listened to him breathing very hard. About 7:30 when Lincoln woke up I went to get Mike & told him I thought Justice was really sick. He held him & asked me how long he'd been breathing that hard & I said since about 3:30...We decided I needed to hurry & take him to the hospital.
So I did! I got there, did all the routine stuff, answering questions trying to figure out what was going on. They gave him a breathing treatment, which seemed to help some & kept oxygen in his face. I was asked "is there any possibility he could have gotten something in his throat?" I said, "well, he is 11 months old so...YES...a strong possibility, because he puts EVERYTHING in his mouth!" We all kinda chuckled. Soon, Mike arrived (after getting Lincoln ready & dropping him off at Grandmas). Justice was negative for RSV...still no answers.

We were asked if we "needed" to be sent somewhere else, would we prefer Kearney or Hays, we said Kearney...still thinking it was a maybe. Maybe turned to "you're going to Kearney" which turned into "we've spoken with the Pediatrician in Kearney & they are sending the Helicopter!" WHAT?!?!?!? My emotions at this point were so out of control. They were trying (unsuccessfully) to get an IV in Justice & my poor baby was super angry & upset... there wasn't anything I could do to help! We were making phone calls & arrangements, our minister came in to pray with us & at the end of the prayer I opened my eyes to see a few nurses had joined us for prayer & Brad (Mike's dad) was there as well! I went to the hallway & just cried in Brad's arms (my inlaws are amazing!) I didn't want to be in the room & watch them keep trying to get an IV in! They never did get it in...until we got to Kearney!

Knowing that there was a great chance that a parent would not be allowed to ride in the helicopter with Justice, we decided that someone should get a head start! So Jeff took me in his car & we got on the road! This was possibly the longest hour and a half of my life! Not being there to hold Justice, to have Mike hold me & to just be together as a family! This was terrifying. We finally arrived at the hospital in Kearney & they needed me to sign papers, give insurance info etc....REALLY?!?!?! I just drove an hour and a half & my son arrived here by helicopter...I JUST WANT TO SEE HIM & MAKE SURE EVERYTHING IS OK!!!!!!!!!! GRRR!!! Whew!!! Oh, and I need to call my insurance company to let them know that Justice has been admitted into this hospital! WHAT?!?! Well...that didn't happen right away! What parent wants to take the time to "pre-certify" a hospital stay....may I say EMERGENCY HOSPITAL STAY!!! Really....this needs to be pre-certified to qualify for coverage!!! Oh well!

I found Justice's room & he was being examined by the doctor. The nurses informed me that I had just missed a UFC fight to get the oxygen in his nose! (Oh & they did let Mike fly in the copter too!) The next few hours of time is kinda a blur to me! I remember needing to find a bathroom, charge my cell phone & stay out of the room while they once again tried to get an IV in. They called in 2 anesthesiologists in to put it in! They did finally get it in & then I could hold him! I sat & rocked him & he slept. Mike & Jeff went to get some food for us & found Cody too! We ate & tried to relax & trust Jesus! WOW!!! We just waited. They continued to come in & give Justice breathing treatments, take blood etc. He was so worn out that he slept for a good long time! They moved us to a bigger room...Yay! While we sat visiting, we saw some friends walking by...they had driven all the way to Kearney because they didn't want us to be alone!

Jeff & Cody went to get some snacks & supplies for us during our stay! We had a nice visit with Joe & Heidi! Then everyone traded places...Joe & Heidi went to get us some stuff. These friends are AMAZING!! Jeff, Cody & Joe & Heidi brought us snacks, chocolate, drinks, toys & books for my boys...anything we asked for! What a blessing to have friends!

We still were searching for answers to what was wrong with our little guy! I was relieved that his symptoms were seemingly getting better, but I wanted to know what he had, how he got it etc. He was responding to the breathing treatments(oxygen level was like 82%), but his heart rate was still crazy high(185-200) and his respirations (like 65/minute)were high as well. They didn't let him eat either & could only drink some pedialite. HE WAS CRANKY!!!!

Later that evening he finally settled back in for some sleep! My best friend Sheri came to visit! She had come to our house & collected some bathroom stuff for us & a suitcase of clothes! We visited for awhile & then she went & got Jimmy Johns subs for us! Poor Justice was watching us eat & acting like he was eating too...smacking his lips together...we felt so guilty for eating in front of him! It was soo sad!

Friday was a crazy long day! Through the night Justice slept on my chest, which probably comforted us both! We would wake up when the nurses came in for treatments & to check vitals! We were so exhausted. By Saturday morning, his oxygen levels were staying steady & his respirations & heart rate were much lower! We got to take off his oxygen. YAY!!! At home, Lincoln was having a rough time! He was missing us all terribly & we were wondering if he was starting to develop a cold! YIKES! So Mike decided to go home that night to be with him! This helped Lincoln immensely! I was so nervous for Mike to leave...I was so tired & didn't know how to make it through the night & get some rest! Justice did not want to relax & rest! He fought & fought...he did not want to give up & go to sleep...he had kicked his IV loose, causing it to leak & eventually he just decided that he didn't need it anymore because he kicked it the rest of the way out! Finally, he was ready to rest! The nurses were so awesome...they let me sleep & took care of Justice. He was finally sleeping good also!

Justice was diagnosed with pneumonia. He also was severely anemic (low iron), his hemoglobin was also low! This was creating a major struggle for him to get quality oxygen. His red blood cells were not working as well as they should! So...all of this combined caused him to have severe asthma attack symptoms. So they were treating the bacterial pneumonia with antibiotics & he also was give steroid to reduce the inflammation in his chest. He was also having breathing treatments every 4 hours.

Sunday came & doctor said he was greatly improved. His oxygen was staying at 97%, his heart rate was down to 130 & his respirations were down around 40. MUCH IMPROVED!! Everything continued to get better! Papa Bradley & Grandma Kimmie came to visit in the afternoon! What a blessing! That evening they forced me to take a much need break from the hospital room. We went & ate & then walked through Wal-mart & Target!

By Monday morning we were told we could go home!!!!!!!!! YAY!!! We got everything together, & we finally left around 12noon. We came home & started to adjust to "normal" life again! We mad a chart for the fridge to keep track of medicines & breathing treatments. It really helped! He was taking antibiotics, steroids, iron & vitamin C 2x a day, and breathing treatments 4x a day! He doesn't love the breathing treatments, he just really doesn't like to sit still that long!

Today (Thursday), we had an appointment with our family doctor! Justice is still doing AWESOME!!! He will finish up his antibiotic, he will only take breathing treatments as needed, and he is done with his steroid. We continue to give iron supplements & vitamin C (it helps with absorption of iron). She did order for hemoglobin testing in a few weeks & she also wants Lincoln to be tested!

It is so amazing to me that everything happened so quickly. His sickness peaked quickly & then he recovered quickly. It was making me nervous how quickly he recovered...until I remembered our prayers & who was answering them! Jesus healed our little boy & restored him back to the ornery, fun, & happy little guy that we have grown to love so much! It is so much fun to watch him & Lincoln play together...they missed each other so bad!

I am so thankful that we have a loving God who answers our prayers! When Lincoln was a tiny baby I told Mike that I didn't like singing "Blessed be Your Name" any more because of one part...

You Give & take away
You Give & take away
My heart will choose to say
Blessed be Your Name!!!

I didn't like this part because I had just been given the best blessing that I could have ever imagined. Then along came my little porkchop...Justice! Once again I struggled with this song! I had just told Mike on our trip to Chicago, that I could sing the whole song & truly believe it! I know that I can & will praise God through anything, I am just so grateful that He has seen my heart & chosen not to test my faithfulness...I'm glad he has spared me some heartache! So for now, I choose to be more deliberate in acknowledging God's blessings & returning Praise to Him Alone who is Worthy!


Thanks to everyone who prayed for Justice (my little warrior) & for Mike & I to have strength through all of this! We have amazing, encouraging friends & family...thanks for loving us so much!!!

SYMC Youth Ministry Conference

Last week we went to Chicago for Simply Youth Ministry Conference. I was looking forward to this trip. A much needed break from the everyday tasks of life, and as much as I love my sweet boys...I needed some rest from them also! We started off on Thursday & headed to Omaha! We did some shopping (I had b-day & Christmas money). I found some cute things...Mike however hit the jackpot @ JC Penney! He spent like $53.82 & then the cashier said "You save $232.94!" "WooHoo!" Mike replied....I was so jealous!

We spent the night at Bellevue Settle Inn...prophet's chamber! What an amazing ministry they provide to ministers! Such a blessing to have a relaxing first night away from home. We got up Friday morning & met up with Mike's Cousin Ryon & his wife Cheryl for the rest of our journey to Chicago. The travel day was long & we were tired once we got there...our room...very nice!

The conference was pretty good! We always learn alot! It was loads of fun! We spent the day in sessions & workshops. Then the evening sessions included fun stuff from the skit guys.
We (at least I did...Mike seemed to) also enjoyed Nicole C. Mullen concert & Toby Mac. It was so fun! All of these amazing people really made me feel so humbled & blessed by the way the showed their appreciation for what we in youth ministry do! So encouraging to hear their ministry stories & how thankful they are for youth workers!










This was a fun trip for Mike & I to just have time for us & to reflect on our ministry. We had some great brainstorming sessions & we are encouraged in the work we are doing in young peoples lives!
So...if you or your spouse are in ministry...find a conference to attend...its very encouraging time. It is refreshing for you personally & your ministry.

It was a great trip! A little long to be away from the boys...I was absolutely ready to go home!

Noises!

First of all....I'm really annoyed because my last two posts are out of order!!! Hair week was before birthday week...but I posted them both earlier today & posted them backwards...I don't know how to switch them without starting over! GRRR!!

Anyway, some cute thing that have happened with my boys lately.

Justice is growing so fast & learning so many new things! He is always wanting to do what is brother does! This week we were playing & the neighbors dog was barking (this happens alot!) And Justice noticed it & began to mimic the sound...it was absolutely adorable! So precious! I love watching his eyes glisten when he discovers something new! He is learning to stop what he is doing & look to me when I call his name! Such a fun age!

Lincoln loves to do animals sounds & we frequently ask what does the_________say? and he follows with the appropriate sound! Well....I asked him one day "what does mama say?" he replied "I LOVE YOU!" Oh for the melting heart...my never seems to stop! So I then asked..."what does daddy say?" He said "sooo much!" Mike often says "Lincoln I love you so much!" How sweet! What a treasured thought that of all the things I say to him throughout the day...he remembers that I love him! I cannot even express how sweet this is! If you are a mom you certainly understand! This is what I always want him to know & remember more than anything...that I love him! I learn alot from this kiddo! This instance makes me think about Jesus...and I think of all the things he teaches us & things we read & learn about Him...if we catch one thing...He wants us to know that He loves us! And like Mike says to Lincoln...so much! If we can fathom that Jesus loves us...& that He loves us SOOO MUCH, I think that is all we need to know! Sure, there are benefits of knowing more about Jesus & his life & teachings, but it all starts & ends with His love! I am so thankful that my sweet little 2 year old could teach me this!! Thank you Jesus for my sweet little Lincoln & Justice! I love that they continue to teach me so much about You!!!!

Hair week @ my house!!!

So hair week at my house started on Tuesday (2-9-10) with Melissa coming over for the Snowball trial run! It was alot of fun, we did hair & watched American Idol (my fav). Anyway...although she was nervous about exposing her forehead...she trusted me! Our inspiration was was this Carrie Underwood style! So we did it & I think she looked gorgeous!!!

Then Thursday was the next hair day & a busy one!! First I went to get my hair done!! It was fun...my great friend Sheri came to hang out at my house while the boys were napping & I got spoiled! My inspiration color was from a young Kelly Clarkson. I was afraid 1) the color was too young for me & 2) it was too bold for me! But I think it turned out pretty good! I really like it!!

After I got home then I had Snowball trial for Mariah! We found another great Carrie Underwood style! Its easy to make the girls look great when they are so beautiful to start with! We had so much fun!

So then to wrap things up, on Saturday...I had 3 girls hair to do!! It was fun & crazy busy...a little frustrating when the hair wouldn't cooperate...but it all turned out pretty good! I did Melissa's first, then Mariah & then Austine! They all looked so pretty!

My BIRTHDAY week!!!

Well...we started out our week going to see our friends Doug & Tami in Longmont, CO. It was a great trip, the boys traveled very well! They were real troopers! We left Sunday after Mikes meeting & then we came home Tuesday!

Keegan, Karson, & Jewel LOVE our boys...and our boys LOVE having the BIG kids to play with! Keegan & Lincoln are birthday buddies...October 28th! Yay for FRIENDS!!! It was a great time of hanging out & visiting with friends (Mike & Doug did do some work too!) It was fun to watch the kids play together!!

On Wednesday, we woke up & Mike started getting ready for work & Lincoln said he wanted to go bye-bye with daddy! So we got him ready & he went to work with Mike for the morning! Really they went for donuts & then Lincoln played at the office while Mike tried to work. Lincoln loves going to play at the office with Daddy, Cody, Jeff & Karen! So, I had the morning at home, just me & my little 'porkchop' Justice! I got lots of snuggles & loves...it was great!!! Then we had lunch & naptime, then we got ready to go to Jr High Youth group! We had so much fun! In the middle of youth group I got a delivery of a balloon & a certificate for family pictures with our personal photographer Karen!!! Can't wait to schedule those!!! THEN....at the end of youth group a few of our high school girls came in blowing whistles & they had a pretty Happy Birthday Crown & a pink feather boa all for me! They were ready to Cristina-nap me! So I gave kisses & hugs to my boys & the girls took me away! I closed my eyes & we drove around town (to confuse me) then we ended up @ Adventures! We all ordered ice cream (and Sheri got French Fries that we all shared). Then they showed me the super cool tie dyed roses, & a balloon & Forbidden fruits valentine candy...New Moon edition...with a picture of Jacob Black...oh silly girls!!! I love them! This was soooo much fun! I feel so loved!!!

On Thursday (my actual birthday), Mike left early to go deliver our inflatable games & so Sheri, I & the kids all went for donuts & coffee! Our great little coffee shop gives a free birthday drink of your choosing! Well, Renee loves me & gave us our donuts free too!!! So fun! She also talked me into trying a Breve, instead of my normal latte! For those of you who don't speak coffee...a latte has steamed milk added to shot of espresso & flavored syrup...well a Breve is steamed half & half instead of milk...mmmmm...so good & sooo naughty! Oh well! It was my birth-DAY! Then the boys & I went to hang out at the furniture store with Grandma Kimmie & Papa!! More fun!!! Mike called & said to meet him @ Destination Kitchen for lunch! I arrived to find Nate & Sheri & kids, Mike & flowers!!!!! I had the yummy California BLT....mmm...mmm...Pesto mayo on a focacia bun with apple wood smoked bacon, avocado, cheddar cheese, lettuce & tomato...way beyond tasty!!! OH...and I got to pick a free dessert!!! I picked a delicious chocolate cupcake & brought it home....I still have some! Then we just hung out at home for the rest of the day & had our Bible study that night...and Sheri made me a birthday cake!!!!

Ok..so those days were so exciting that I can't really remember what we did Friday!! I think it was just a normally awesome day with my boys & we hung out with Nate & Sheri....played pitch & THE GIRLS WON!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Only like the second time in a whole year since we started hanging out with them!!!! Oh and 2 of my sweet girls graced us with their presence...really just to have some yummy fruity pebble rice krispie treats!!!! Love you Melissa & Austine!

Now on Saturday, we woke up & had some family time! Then got ready to go! We took the boys to hang out @ Douglas' (adoptive grandparents) house! Then we left for Kearney! When we got to town Mike turned in a different spot...WE WERE GOING ICE SKATING!!! Now...he had previously told me that we were going to do something we had never done together before. I knew we were going to Kearney because we had a gift card to use at a restaurant there. I briefly thought we might go ice skating...but dismissed it because Mike has always said he didn't think it sounded fun! So when he told me thats what we were doing I'm pretty sure I shouted "ARE YOU SERIOUS!!!!?!??!?!" It was so much fun! I haven't done that in way too many years than I want to admit & Mike had never been! I can proudly say...neither of us ever fell! I did take breaks because it was kinda scary & lots of people were going soooo fast!!!!We had so much fun! Then we went shopping & I found some great bargains! Then we went to eat at The Alley Rose. It was a great day & even after 10.5 years marriage + 2 years dating....I never get sick of spending time with him! (Ok...somedays I do, but only for a short time).

It was a great birthday week! I am so in love with Mike & so thankful that he constantly tries so hard to help me fall more in love with him everyday!

Monday, Monday....oh Monday!!!

Not your typical Monday! I actually kinda enjoyed today...really...TODAY WAS AWESOME!!! I just stayed home & hung out with my amazing little boys! Doesn't get much better than that! It was a very nice restful day following such a busy weekend. It's really hard to complain when my day starts & ends with snuggles, hugs, & kisses from cute little boys!

The boys are getting to be so fun together. They play so nicely & laugh & giggle at each other constantly...I LOVE IT!!! Lincoln also was successful in potty training today...which makes Momma extremely happy! I do however, need to stock up on some fun surprises for days like today! He is growing up so fast. He is learning to pick up all his toys (I help of course!) but today before, nap & bedtime he picked them up & put them away! I am so proud of him! Justice is starting to really be a jabber-box!! He still says Mom-mom & Dadadadadad. But he has added Papa & mo (more...food of course) & something that sounded like Justice!! He is full of smiles & giggles these days, which is so fun!

I was not so productive today...unless you call a nap productive! I thoroughly enjoyed sleeping while the boys did today! I did also make some super delish Chicken Enchiladas for lunch! I do still need to empty all the trash (tomorrow is trash day) & rotate dishes in the dishwasher & plan meals for the week! Hmmm...we'll see what happens!

Oh the joys of bathtime!!!! My boys have so much fun together!!! They are so cute!!
Lincoln loves the bubbles & tells me Momma...I have a beard!








I love being a mommy...just in case any was wondering! It is so much better than I could have ever imagined! This will be repeated much throughout this Blog! My boys are such a blessing to me! I think that they teach me so much about the Father's love for us too! I feel like I understand a little more each day how much HE loves us...all because of these 2 amazing little people that I love so much! I am so thankful for the ways He continues to teach me & bless me! My prayer is always that we can raise these little boys to be Mighty Warriors for Jesus! So if you think about it...join me in this!