Easter!

Since, according to Mr. Camping, I won't be around after this evening, I figure I'd better get our family of four Easter picture up during naptime.

Jadeyn had fun dying easter eggs and even though it rained on Sunday, we hid eggs at my parents house. She was very careful when she colored her eggs and only broke one (which she ate)!

BE-U-TI-FUL

Isn't she just gorgeous?

Obsession

Yesterday at school was sunglasses day. Jadeyn outgrew her baby pair and I neglected to buy any last weekend. So, our good friends Evan and Logan brought an extra pair for Jadeyn to wear. Let me just say she will not go anywhere without them. ANYWHERE. Outside. In the car. The bathroom. Her room. The kitchen. I guess it's time for a shopping trip.

While daddy's away...the girls will play

Jimmy was serving a church in Montrose, Colorado with our church over spring break. I wasn't too keen on traveling on a charter bus with a 2 month old and 2 year old, so opted to spend half my week in Tulsa with Grandma and Papa Quinn and the other half in Bentonville, Arkansas with Mimi, Bop-Bop, Maegan and Abel. We had a fun time in both places! Until Jadeyn got another double ear infection...geesh!

As kids, whenever our family got to stay in a hotel, it was a huge treat for Erik, Maegan and I to jump on the beds. Apparently, the same is true for Jadeyn. As soon as she saw the bed, she ran over to it and started jumping. Abel is trying too!

Abel's first dip in a pool, with his cool swim trunks for Aunt Terri.

Jadeyn's first dip this year. And in her new Dora swimsuit! She LOVED it and was so proud to show anyone who wanted to see it.

And not to be left out...Brynlee and Mimi were happy to watch the action.

Swim lessons~

I don't remember the exact conversation here. But I love the facial expressions of my parents. Whatever the specific topic was about, I cannot remember. But this type of conversation between my parents happens almost daily when Jadeyn is around. My mom telling my dad to not let Jadeyn do whatever she wants, my dad not understanding her point, etc, etc...it goes on and on : )

Maegan and I were treated to Ruth's Chris one night. Yum!

Heather, Bill, Haleigh, Judi and Don all baby-sat the three kiddos and only Heather wasn't worn out enough to learn Ticket to Ride!

Jadeyn is two years old today. I can't believe it. It has gone way too fast, and sadly, there's no way to slow it down. But man, what a great little daughter we have! One thing I have noticed and love about Jadeyn is a unique sensitivity God has seemed to have given her for other people. She is very aware of the needs people have who are around her...and she's two! And then, she doesn't just notice needs. She acts on them. I hope to continue to learn from her as I grow in my faith.

We woke her up by singing happy birthday to her and then she opened presents from us. Jimmy fixed her a specific breakfast that she requested last night: lots of fruit and bacon. Jadeyn and I played while Brynlee napped this morning and then met up with Jimmy, my parents, my sister, Maegan and her son, Abel and our friend, Michelle at Incredible Pizza for lunch, games and more presents. She was in a great mood all day. Saturday is her birthday party, so it's a week long celebration for our family!

Jadeyn Rose, WE LOVE YOU!!!

Snow Week

Praise God for showing me where I put my camera cord so I could finally download all the pictures I've taken since February!! We had a big 2 weeks of snow in early February. Here's most everything we did.

Making snow ice cream

Sledding!

We needed these discs for last years blizzard. So as soon as they were on the shelves this year, we grabbed them and used them well!

Catching snowflakes

They collided. My dad landed before the watery ditch. Jimmy landed IN it, but he was too quick for me and I didn't capture the shot.

Afterwards, tasting hot chocolate

Loving the 2nd batch of snow

Putting on the cheeto nose

But then changing her mind and eating it instead

Making cookies

Yummy!

The dough was balled, laid out and ready to be eaten...I look over because Jadeyn had gotten quiet and that's why!

Panty-less twister for her!

Do you believe in miracles?

We do!!! I have been blown away this week in seeing God work in so many different ways in our family's life and in our friends lives. It's beautiful to be a part of His work.

A few weeks after Brynlee was born, I became increasingly concerned over the health of our little one. Nothing too major stood out, but call it mother's instinct, or God prompting my spirit, but I felt quite strongly that Brynlee had some issues that needed attention. It was confirmed by a few others and I began to pray. I struggled in knowing how to pray. Do I pray for healing? I know God created her in the way that would bring him the most glory. I wanted to accept God's plan with open arms, even if it would not be how I had planned. I still do not know the answer on whether to pray specifically for healing. I did pray for that, but more so, I prayed for peace in my spirit and for God's will and purpose to be accomplished in Brynlee's life and in our family's life.  These thoughts and emotional struggle went on for 5 weeks. I kept this mainly between me and the Lord, but shared some thoughts with Jimmy as I needed his support and encouragement. Brynlee had her 2 month appointment scheduled for Friday, March 11. On Monday, March 7, I didn't know how I could make it till Friday. Jimmy called the doctor and asked if we could get in that day. Well, needless to say, we were not able to and just had to wait. We began to pray fervently. We have a wonderful small group that we are more than blessed to be a part of and as we sat down with them Monday night, we shared (Jimmy with the guys and me with the girls) the concerns we had. I told them I was basically terrified about Friday and I didn't know how to make it through the week. My sweet friends sat down with me and began to pray over Brynlee and myself. We boldly went to the Lord and asked for peace for me, wisdom for the doctors and if needed, a complete healing for Brynlee.

And God answered. Well, he always answers. But he answered so quickly! I had an undeniable peace of mind throughout the week. Scriptures invaded my mind as doubts and lies that Satan attempted to feed me tried to enter in. Friends were sending messages to me all week. Others gave me some great advice in different techniques to try with Bryn. I came to the point early on in the week, that as difficult as it would be to have a child different than what I was used to with Jadeyn, God would be our pillar. And I would confidently accept the good and bad (human thinking) of this life with a correct view of who God is.
As the week progressed, I began to see a dramatic change in Brynlee. It was like she made a 180 turn. She began to focus on us more. Watch us. Focus on toys. Kick around. Stay awake longer. She quit spitting up. Started eating more consistently. And finally, she gave us the long awaited smile that every parent hopes to see from their baby. It came at 8 weeks and 1 day. Wednesday night. She smiled at me, then her Bop-Bop, then her dad. It was amazing. And I truly believe our family was the recipient of a modern-day miracle. I am positive that God placed his healing hands on Brynlee Kate and she was miraculously touched by our loving and gracious Father. God is so good. But not just because he chose to heal Brynlee physically. He is good no matter what enters into our lives. Help me to claim that truth and live it, Jesus.

I mentioned at the beginning of this post how I saw God work in our friends lives as well. I won't go into much detail, but not only did we see God demonstrate himself as healer, we also saw him be a comforter and protector! I have already said how much I love our small group. One of our sweet friends brother tragically died this week. I have seen our small group gather around this couple and be the arms and feet of Jesus. Our comforter. Also in our small group, one of the girls' parents house was in a direct line in a massive fire in their town. We began to pray. Her mother got out of her house safe. And their house still stands, even though their backyard was in flames.

Our God is good. He is our healer. He is our comforter. He is our protector. He is GOOD!