Sickness :(

Well... it's happened. For the first time ever our ENTIRE family is sick. Boo! It's one of those devil viruses that no medicine will help. You just have to wait it out and do the homeopathic route (which I prefer over medicine anyway). Last Friday, Paige got a really runny nose and a little fever. Later that night Patrick came down with it too. Paige got progressively worse with this awful cold that made her so miserable. It was so sad, but it's been on the decline and only a nasty cough still persists. Patrick is also on the mend, thank you Lord. I worked so hard to keep Elijah and I from getting it, with my biggest fear being that we would continue to pass it back and forth to one another. Well, Elijah got a cold in his eye which is so sad to watch. Now it has moved into his nose and chest. And now, finally I have succumb to the evil virus. I have the worst sore throat I can remember ever having. So right now we are all in various stages of being sick. It's been 10 days, and I have had enough. But, I do see the healing on the horizon, and I'm holding fast to that. :) By the way, my babies are now 17 months and 3 months respectively. Can you believe that? I can't! Elijah is so big - over 15 pounds and 27 inches long. That's right, I said 15 pounds. Paige was 19 pounds at a year people. This boy is big, and beautiful. He has the most piercingly beautiful blue eyes, that look a lot like his late Papa's, and the sweetest smile. He is the happiest baby and is always flirting with the girls. Paige on the other hand is such a little grown up. She is saying so many words now, and doing so many things. We have even started a little bit of preschool with her, and she is picks up things so fast. When I say preschool I mean mommy and Paige at the kitchen table learning, not some institution. Patrick is doing amazing at his new job. He acquired more clients than anyone in his office for the month of January. He is so talented. And if you ever need insight on insurance, or financial matters he's a wealth of knowledge. So proud of my man. I am doing well. I love being with my babies, and finally feel like I have a schedule that works. Also, I have begun making all natural jellies and jams. If you ever want some of any kind (organic, sugar-free, etc.) let me know and I will be happy to oblige. :) I also have a few other little things I've been working on to see if I can make a little extra money from home - things like baking, baby blankets and tile covered trays. Anyway, just thought I'd update you on us a little instead of simply focusing on this dumb sickness. We remain abundantly blessed even in the midst of this sickness. So if you think of us, please pray it passes quickly. There is nothing sadder than sick babies who feel miserable, and I have 2 right now. But I will leave you on a high note - pictures of the two cutest kids ever. Enjoy!

A Christmas Miracle!

On Christmas Eve we were given an amazing gift. I opened my front door to turn on some lights and found a box sitting on my doorstep. On top was a computer print out that said Patrick and Regina Murphy and our address. There was no postage or return address. I brought the box inside and opened it. Inside was the box was nothing short of a miracle. Now to truly understand this you must know a few things - I have been cloth diapering Paige since she was about 4 months, but I couldn't afford the kind of diapers I really wanted and the number I truly needed. I have been wanting to cloth diaper Eli, but Paige's covers are too big and there are not enough to use for both of them. I resolved to save the money (which we definitely don't have right now) to buy the diapers I want. I figured it would take me around 6 months to save the money if I set aside some every week and went without some other things. But this box changed all of that. Inside this box was 25 cloth diapers. And not just any cloth diapers, but the exact style, type and even colors I wanted. I'm not sure that I have ever even said exactly what I wanted out loud. I received 25 Smartipants diapers, 12 cloth wipes, a wet bag and shower sprayer. I have no idea who left this expensive and amazing gift for us, but I know that it was God displaying His love for us. With the stock I already have I will be able to diaper both babies, and save us a lot of money. But perhaps the best thing in the box was a small note that simply said "God Bless the Murphy Family." He surely does, and this miracle was just one example but it got me thinking. This has been an interesting year. Our family has had to face some horrible things - my dad's sudden death, Patrick being laid off, a horrible interim job, many family members being diagnosed with cancer and financial troubles. But in the midst of all of these heartaches, trials and tribulations God has shown Himself in bigger and better ways than we have ever seen. Upon my dad's death we learned that he had life insurance, something none of us children knew. The money from that paid off debts, paid for the funeral and left my mom enough money to be able to pay the bills. When Patrick was laid off and we had no income for a month God provided unexpected gifts and checks that paid every bill on time and left us never wanting. The horrible job provided our family with money, new friends and some perspective. We learned to praise God in every circumstance. We saw God provide for our financial needs in every situation. He came through with just what we needed just in time, every time. Then there were the physical miracles. My cousin Tim was healed of cancer after surgery. My cousin Ashley's cancerous brain tumor was miraculously healed through prayer. My cousin Daniella's appendicitis was cured through prayer. Our dear friend Joe was healed of colon and kidney cancer without any chemo. The list goes on and on. But perhaps most of all I have seen Him drawing a lot of my family back to Him. Many of my cousins have come face to face with their Savior this year, and changed their hearts and lives to follow Him. It has been awesome to witness God calling His children home to Him. My God is so good! He amazes me. In all of these awful things He has sustained us, provided hope and proven faithful. But even more than that He has chosen to bless us in the midst of it all. He has given us exceedingly and abundantly more than we could think or ask. These diapers may seem silly to some, but to me they are just another example of how my God lavishes His love on us so generously. He doesn't hold back, He always comes through, He's never late and He delights in His children. Thank You Jesus!!

Yay for Christmas!

YAY!!! It's Christmas time - our favorite time of year. We couldn't even wait until after Thanksgiving to decorate the house. We were so excited, and this year has definitely not disappointed. Does life get any better than Christmas with kids? I don't think so. Watching them discover things and get excited over the little wonders of the season brings so much joy. Paige LOVES everything Christmas. She loves the trees, the lights, the decorations, the food, everything. Wait, there is one thing she does not like - Santa. She hates him. She runs screaming from him when she sees him. It's actually pretty funny to watch. Elijah loves watching Paige get excited, and is such a happy boy. We've had a busy and fun month so far. We've made a gingerbread house, have gone to numerous Christmas parties, picked out the perfect tree, made our traditional Christmas cookies with family, met Santa and even got to visit family in Colorado and see some snow. Wow! It's been so fun, and it's not even over yet. Hard to believe, but our baby girl is 16 months old - running everywhere and talking a mile a minute (I wonder where she gets that from?). Elijah will be 2 months old next week. That's right, I said 2 months old. Where has the time gone? He's growing like a weed, and eating ALL the time. He's the cutest little boy ever, with the sweetest disposition. So we've already received the best gifts ever. We really don't need anything else. Paige and Eli are the best gifts we've ever gotten. And watching them enjoy all the things we love just makes our joy even greater.