Zakkai and Mugga!

A clip of Z reading! He was being a little silly while he read and it's really dark but at least you can hear him!

Also, I want to wish my very special Mama a Happy Birthday today! It's been such a tough year in so many ways and I just pray with all of my heart that this is the start of a new year; a fresh beginning. A year filled with peace and God's blessings, big and small. I love you, Mom!

Mugga Love.

I am not even sure how to begin expressing our appreciation and love for the help we recieved from family over the past 3 weeks, most especially my mom.

Also known as: Mugga:)

She rearranged her schedule, packed up and drove here for THE most hectic week ever (sick, screaming baby, daughter having surgery, cleaning, cooking, school-runs, chaos, chaos and MORE chaos).

And then, when things weren't looking as hopeful as we all thought they would, she packed up once again. This time with 3 more of us in tow. And she drove us back home to Ohio where she cared for us day and night. Literally.

From packing snacks and lunches to running up and down the stairs a hundred times a day bringing things to me. From cooking home-cooked, nutritious meals to giving the baby her daily bath. From taking the night time wakings for a baby who was seriously off from all the changes to getting up at 6:30 the next morning (every morning) with the same little rascal.

Taking me to drs appointments, listening to my worries, playing with my non-stop chatterbox son, washing endless loads of laundry, getting us out of the house when we were all cagey, changing diapers, tucking children in bed, helping me get everything set up to shower each morning (putting a chair in the bathtub/making soaps and shampoos accessible).

You did an amazing job becoming a mommy substitute to my little ones and couldn't have cared for them ANY better. You protected them like they were your own. You loved them, cared for them and never once did you complain about it.

That's what I call love.

We miss being with you everyday. I miss watching E lift her arms up to you so trustingly. (I was only jealous for a little while!) I miss watching Z follow you around the house, asking endless questions and soaking up your gentle love. I miss sitting with you watching "Say Yes to the Dress" and drinking tea. I miss your wonderful care and selfless love that you poured out on us for 3 weeks straight.

You deserve a gold medal! Or a free vacation. Maybe a lifetime supply of brownies?

If I could give you any of that, I would. But for now, I just want to say "Thank you."

Love,
Me