9 Months

9 months can mean different things to different people. It can seem like a really long time or not enough time. Peter and I were engaged for 9 months. It was the perfect amount of time to plan a wedding like the one we had (semi-big, 150 people--coming from far away). I was never stressed about stuff getting done. I never had any bridezilla moments. And while we hit a few glitches (nothing major) on the big day, it was almost exactly how I imagined my wedding would be (with the exception of the absence of my older sister, who had given birth to my nephew the day before...). 9 months is the approximate amount of time a couple has to prepare for the birth of a baby. Again, it seems like an appropriate amount of time (until those later months, as the mom, and your body is so uncomfortable). But, you're so anxious for the arrival that 9 months can seem to take forever, or flies by until you realize there are only a few weeks left, and you feel totally unprepared.

The last nine months, for me, seemed to pass without my awareness of it. Jeremiah is done with first grade, Peter has been at his new job, and Ezra has been gone. I remember this day 9 months ago--August 24th--it was a Sunday, like today. We were in the PICU and the kids and Grandma Ferrante were saying their goodbyes to the little man. Then, she left, taking the kids home for lunch and a swim. And Peter and I stood over our son's hospital crib. He was so pale and fragile. Hooked up to machines that were feeding him, giving him oxygen, and breathing for him. We prayed. We cried. We talked to doctors. Some friends stopped by to visit and say their goodbyes. People telling us we were doing the "right thing" for Ezra. And we felt peace in our decision to take him off life support. We were assured in our God, who could have healed him right there, if that was His will. But, somehow, I knew, Ezra's purpose had been fulfilled. The Lord would bring him home to live for eternity. And we would see him again, in his heavenly glory. What an awesome God we have. Ezra got the better end of the deal. We were the ones who had to sort everything out, stay here as aliens in this place and figure out the reason for it all. To no avail.

Over the last 9 months, I've asked myself and God,"What is the purpose of this?" How is this serving Him? How is this strengthening His Kingdom? The answer, over and over again, is "There is more". So, its not complete. God has more, infinitely more than we can ever imagine. And that is how we've gotten through the last nine months. That is how we move forward and seek His will for us here. By our faith in our God, who loves us more than we can fathom. He has a plan, not to harm us, but to prosper us. There is more. He never ceases to amaze me. We are so blessed.

Oh, but we miss him. We miss our little Ez daily. What I wouldn't give to see his smile; or to hear him clicking his tongue. To see him play with his little jungle gym or shake his rings. The sting of his absence has not subsided over the past 9 months. I wonder if it ever will.

Vegas Baby!

Well, we made it. My ailments maintained enough to take the trek up to Vegas for my Grandma's 75th birthday! It was fun! I hadn't been there in 10 years and Peter had never been there (neither had the kiddos, of course). It was just a lot of fun family time. The first night my Mom stayed with the kids and we went out gambling. I played penny slots and Peter did Blackjack. We walked away winners (I won a $100!). But, the luck didn't last Saturday...Peter lost all his money that night and I lost some of my winnings. All in all, we lost 40 bucks. Not too bad.

It was so great to hang with family. On Saturday, we went to my cousin's house for the actual party. My Aunt had hired a professional photographer who captured the occasion. The kids got to have quality fun time with their cousins. There was a Wii there and the kids took advantage. The food was fantastic (my Aunt, cousin, and her boyfriend had put it all together). It made my Grandma so happy to have all of us together: her kids, grandkids, and great-grandkids. It was all she wanted for her birthday! It was a special day and I praise God I was well enough to go!!!

We left Sunday after brunch. We drove down the strip--I cannot believe how much its changed. We also stopped at Hoover Dam on the way home for a photo opp. It was so hot, we only stayed a few minutes. It was a long drive home, but we made it and are settled back into the routine. Only 4 more days of school for J, and Peter's schedule switched--he now has Thursdays and Fridays off. Back to reality!

Our Hotel (Palace Station)


Kids in the arcade


Pool time




Cousins!


Eating at Grandma's party


Hoover Dam



If I ever get copies of the photos by the photographer, I'll post them...all the family shots are there. I wish I had taken at least one of the kids with my Grandma..live and learn.

It was such a great vacation; and we needed it!

Another haircut!

Peter took Alayna to get another haircut today! Same cute bob with bangs. The sweet little girl salon we used to take her to closed down, so she went to a regular low-cost hair cutter (Peter vows not to go again, but pay the extra ten bucks for the other cute kid salon we know of). She's as cute as ever. And just in time for the family reunion this week. We're supposed to head to Vegas Friday to celebrate my Grandma's 75th birthday. I REALLY hope I feel up to travelling. Yes, the colitis and inflammation in my arm (and now in my calf too) are still bothering me. I went to the ER yesterday, but really didn't get any answers. The IV fluids did help though...I must have been pretty dehydrated. Came home with more meds...we'll see how it goes.

Anyway, if I'm not up to it, Peter will be taking the kiddos solo. Pray for safe travels and good health!!!

In the meantime, enjoy the cutie pie:

No pictures now, Dad...I'm playing the DS


Refusing to pose


He didn't take any without the hair tucked behind her ears...oh, well. She's still the cutest girl ever.