Snow Day #3

We are going on day 3 being "snowed-in"! It has truly been God's perfect timing for all of this to happen at the same time. I am truly thankful to have had Mark home with us since Saturday - 5 straight days in a row at home. With Sarah being in casts and us being home-bound, it has been an answered prayer to have Mark home.
Today we took on the sled. We pulled out our ancient sled, which belonged to Mark's dad when he was a little boy.
Mark pulled the girls on the sled until Hannah was "done".
Our Eskimo girls "chillin" in their igloo.

Mark about to push Sarah down a hill on our make-shift sled. We used the slide off of the girl's climbing gym.
Sarah is loving every minute of it - even with casts on!
Hannah was "done" and just wanted to go in for a nap!
Our cul-de-sac was just about completely iced over, especially in one area. So, we took off ice skating or in Sarah's case - "ice scooting".

Mark pushing Sarah on the ice.

Today's adventures included sledding and ice skating. I am looking forward to what tomorrow will bring. Mark is going back to work tomorrow, so I am not sure how adventurous I will be alone with the girls. We may just wait until he returns home to go out to play.

We are so proud of Sarah for standing tonight for 10 seconds holding onto Mark. Baby steps!!!

My Little Eskimo Babies

Here we are on Day #2 of being snowed in!! We decided it was igloo building day! The girls were excited about helping Daddy construct an igloo. Sarah said, "I'll help Daddy build an igloo, because when I get older I am going to help Daddy build buildings and be a runner." She loves her Daddy!
Hannah enjoyed the snow much more today than the first day.
Mark starting to make snow/ice bricks.
Hannah wanted to ride her big wheels. We didn't get very far though.
The girls enjoying a tasty cup of snow while Daddy and Mommy construct the igloo.
Keep up the good work Daddy!
Hannah taking a break.
Daddy is still hard at work!
Goldfish always make a nice snack!
He's almost finished!
The little Eskimos having fun in their house!
I love my little Eskimo babies! Good work Daddy! Can't wait to see what tomorrow's adventures will bring!

Winter Bliss

The Southeast United States is in total shut-down from all of the snow and ice! I am so thankful we southerners have no clue what to do when snowflakes hit the ground, except for scurry to the grocery stores to buy milk and bread. We got 7 inches of snowfall at our home, which means Daddy can't drive to work, which means his girls are super ecstatic!!!!
Mark is like a big kid when it comes to snow. He is our little winter storm meteorologist. We were determined to get Sarah out in the snow - no matter what it took. So after 4 layers and 30 minutes, we finally had her ready to face the cold. We wrapped her legs with a layer of plastic wrap, 2 pairs of Daddy's long socks, and a plastic cooking bag with tape wrapped around it in 2 places.
Of course since Sissy had her legs bagged and taped, Hannah "insisted" on doing the same! For Hannah's feet we just used quart sized Ziploc baggies.

There they are - all 3 kids - ready to brave the snowy cold!!!
Hannah was so bundled up, she could barely move!

Couldn't even leave paci behind today. I am sure it was frozen by the time we went back inside after an hour of playing.
Whoo - the snow tastes good!

Daddy pulling Sarah on the makeshift sled.
Sarah and her friend Chloe being pulled by Daddy!

Snow-angels are always fun!
Whoa!! Down the hill we go!

Big kids can have fun too, especially in the snow!!!



Another makeshift sled!

It's snow-cone time!!! Yummy grape syrup snow-cones!

Everything is just beautiful covered in this pure white goodness! I better get my girls fed, so we can start bundling up - again for another day of the cold white stuff!!!! Hope you and your family are having fun in this winter bliss!!!

Let The Count-Down Begin

We are on the road to recovery for Sarah and her legs! Praise the Lord she will only have to wear casts for four weeks!
The morning after Sarah's surgery, Papa brought Hannah back to us. Papa and Baba kept Hannah for us for two nights so we would be able to concentrate on Sarah. Baba was sick, so she couldn't come with Papa.
Sarah and Hannah playing the Wii together!
Hannah loves to cuddle with her Sissy!

Sarah, Hannah, and Mark were playing "Pretty, Pretty Princess" together. I was not permitted to take photos of Mark wearing accessories! It was quite a sight!!!

Hannah won the game of "Pretty, Pretty Princess" wearing earrings, a bracelet, a necklace, a ring, and a crown.
Sarah's cousins, Elizabeth and Caroline, came to visit us last Friday. We were thrilled to have guests since we had been home-bound since Monday. They had fun playing, giggling, and eating pizza.

Thank you for coming to visit us Uncle Todd, Aunt Shari, Elizabeth, and Caroline! It really meant a lot to us to have you all in our home.
We were ecstatic to have Grammy and Grandpa come visit us too! Thank you for coming over and making our day much more enjoyable!!! Yall come back now - ya here!!!
On Saturday, Sarah finally decided to sit at the kitchen table instead of eating on the couch. We are taking baby steps to walking. Each day is a new challenge and a new victory.

Tip-Toe Princess

Our little "tip-toe" princess had surgery today on her tendons in the back of her legs. She has been a tip-toe walker since she started to walk, and we thought she would grow out of it. However, after visiting a couple professional orthopedic doctors, we learned she was not able to keep her heels down without pain. Her heel cords were extremely tight, which prevented her to walk or stand flat-footed. After much prayer and deliberation, Mark and I decided to go ahead and fix the problem. We felt like she would be so appreciative to us later in life for taking care of the issue now, instead of waiting.

Mark and I took Sarah to Children's Hospital of Atlanta on Monday, January 3. She was such a brave little girl through the entire process. She woke up that morning knowing where we were going and did not complain in the least. I bought her a new dress to wear for the occasion, so she was excited -at least about the dress anyway. We left the house at 5:45 so we could arrive by 7:00 a.m.
After choosing her cast color, the nurses gave Sarah some "silly juice" to help calm her down and ease those anxious nerves, which I was asking for as well. She was cracking us up!!! She was telling Mark he had 2 heads, 2 mouths, 4 eyes, 4 ears, and 2 noses. It was hilarious!
Sarah wanted me to go back with her until she was asleep. I really did not want to do this, because I knew I was already emotional. Mark looked at me, and said, "Amy, you've got to pull it together!" So, it had to be the Lord - nothing else could describe it. The Lord completely dried up my tears and gave me the peace and calmness to escort my baby back to the surgery room.
Sarah came back to us after about an hour and a half. She was extremely agitated, wanting to kick the casts off, and in pain after waking from the anesthesia. The nurses gave her morphine to help with the pain and calm her down, so she was able to sleep for another hour and a half in my arms. It was very difficult to see her in so much turmoil and not being able to help her.


When she woke up the second time, she was our sweet little Sarah Grace! She was excited about her green casts and wanted her strawberry popsicle.

We finally were able to get Sarah dressed in her new pink dress. She was enjoying her Tag book while we waited for the discharge papers.


This was the afternoon of surgery day. We promised her she could have chocolate ice cream with M&M's on top when we got home.
We were so proud of our little girl for going through all of this with such a happy heart and willing spirit! The Lord truly answered prayers and gave all of us grace and peace. Thank you to all of you who have and are praying for Sarah. She will only have to wear the casts for 4 weeks, instead of the 6 weeks we originally had thought. The doctor also gave her permission to start walking as soon as feels confident.
We are learning a new normal around here -at least a new normal for 4 weeks. It is taking some adjusting, but the Lord is good!!!