And then there were 3...

Life is amazing! Kailyn is 2 months old, smiling, gooing and is the perfect baby to complete our family. I am so grateful that God gave us such a precous gift. She has completed my heart and I can not wait to watch her grow up. Noah has started transition and goes to school 5 days a week. He is doing awesome and his teacher said he is doing comparatively well in writing. It only surpises me because he thinks it is "boring." lol Andrew is home with me and Kailyn and I cherich the time we have together. He can always bring a smile to my face. When he thinks he puts his finger to his cheek and taps, hilarious. Brad commented the other night on how much the boys love life...sometimes they are loud and crazy but they are just totally in love with life. That sums them up the best. Everything brings them joy and their honest and frequent expression of that joy is amazing. Evrerywhere I look I see another person that makes me smile. It can't get any better than this.

Kick kick

I am feeling the baby move all the time now! It is still a crazy feeling even though it is the third time. I can't wait to feel the little hiccups the boys had all the time. I still can't believe it's a girl but I am having fun shopping. It is also fun to think about how she will be, how the boys will be as big brothers, and just how different life will be when the little princess is born. I know she will complete our family and I know God meant for her to be in our lives. It makes me smile thinking of His plan and how He made it happen. We are blessed!

Noah and God

I told Noah yesterday I wasn't feeling to good. He said that he and daddy would pray for me. He said he would ask God to come in to my heart and make me feel better. He said God always does that for him and everyone else, makes us feel better by coming into our heart. I love that he already believes and feels God's protection.

Graduation reflections

I walked in my college graduation yesterday. I was emotional about my accomplishment. I am especially hopeful that my graduation will serve as a reminder to my boys that they can accomplish anything and nothing should ever get in their way. I hope they get inspiration at some point in there lives from my experience. Most of all I thank God for giving me the strength and passion to persevere through it all. Anything is possible!

Christmas

I love this year! Noah is asking so many questions about Jesus. He asked about His birth then we talked about Easter. He asked how He died and where the bad guys came from. I love that he cares about Jesus who truly is who we celebrate on Christmas. I can only pray he continues in his faith walk which has become revealed through Christmas. He is also quite excited about Santa. I have always loved Christmas but there is a new joy experiencing it with my children.

Brothers

I just love watching the boys grow up together and really love each other. Andrew spontaneously kisses Noah and vice versa. They kiss and hug just because they want to and it warms my heart. Watching them laugh, play and create memories is a gift and I treasure their love for one another. Noah is already a great big brother and I can only hope Andrew will follow in his footsteps.

Noah's new hiding place

Someday he will get that we can still see him lol, but it was clever!

Halloween-cutest pirates I've ever seen

Halloween at school

We had our Halloween program and parade at Noah's school. The teachers had to dress up like Candyland characters (I was Mr. Mint) and the classes each recited a poem. Noah did great at remembering his and had no problem standing up and saying it loud and proud.

Birthday Party

We had Noah and Andrew's birthday party on Halloween. They had so much fun. They got to play with their cousins and Noah got to play with his old friend Matthew. They had fun attempting to break the pinata and Andy loved decorating his pumpkin. It was a full day and a wonderful celebration for both of our sons. Andy missed of the party because he was super tired, but I know he enjoyed his nap!

Hide and seek

Noah "hiding" from daddy....lol!

Soccer picture

Happy 4th Birthday

Dinner was wonderful. I am so full with love! Noah came home and went to bed like a champ, and he hasn't opened one birthday gift! I guess it shows that love matters more than gifts. Noah went to the 7 Acre Woods on a field trip, ate donuts, and ate cupcakes at school! He was in the best mood even without a nap. At dinner, he got to sit by his Nina and he went to each person and gave everyone a birthday hug. I am so proud that Noah is so easy to express his love....from our next door neighbor, to a stranger on the street, to his Grandad who he runs across the parking lot to meet, Noah always gives everyone a hello and a hug. Andy is following in the same footsteps and I just feel so blessed to have them both in my life. I can't believe my baby is 4, but as he told me today, he still isn't as big as me and he wants to keep growing. I'm am not so sure I want that though because part of me wishes I could freeze time and hang out with the sweetest most loving son I could imagine having. I can only imagine what the future holds for him, but I know I am excited to find out. Happy Birthday Noah!!

Full time

Well, I am working full time and today was the first day I have ever left the boys for 9 hours! I had a pit in my stomach and I was very sad to do it. They did great. Noah didn't nap, so I am thinking he might be giving it up. Andy only slept an hour-apparently they won't give him his paci. So, needless to say, I have two exhausted boys. I miss them both terrible. Andy learned a new word-STOP with his hand up....hmmm, where did he get that one from, lol.

I did apply to start my alternative certification in special education this am. I am going to work on that so I can at least have holidays and summers off with them if I am going to have to work full-time! Love to all!

BOO, FLU!

We, the Strouds, do love life however we would love to all be well! Noah and Brad have the flu and I am pretty sure Andy is about to. I am not getting it. Please keep the prayers! LOVE to all!

Doc appointment

It went well. The doc said he thinks we are over the hump with it and he thinks it is responding to the antibiotics I am on now. Praise God and thank you for the prayers!

Today-Day 6

Today feels better. It looks a LOT better. I am hoping I am on the better end of this. It is not draining much anymore and my only concern is it is still hard in my lip. I hope it will just go away! I have a doc appointment tomorrow. Noah has a staph infection in his leg at the same time. He developed it after soccer practice Friday. He is on antibiotics and is limping. So if you have any prayers left, please add him. I know they are working! Thank you!

After the doctor

Well he removed the packing tape and it was horribly painful. It feels better now though so I have some relief. The doctor said it looks as swollen as it did when I first went in on Friday so he is not happy with the progress. I told him I thought it was improving so he said we can give it a couple more days. It is still draining from the inside of my mouth. Prayers that we will turn the corner please...Thank you for the prayers so far!

Brad was there to hold my hand through the tears this time. We went to the grocery after and it began to pour rain so we got soaked! Kind of funny really....I lost the car so I am running trying to find it in the downpour.....I will blame the Vicodin but I always lose the car, lol!

Home, home, home

Another day at home! I want to venture out, but I don't want to scare any kiddos! I have been making some calls, and I sound funny because I can't say certain letters. What people must think! Please pray for my doc appointment today.....Relief soon I hope!

Thank God for my friends and family

So today has been yet another journey. I woke up feeling a lot better. No pain for a few hours. We took Noah to the Redi Clinic because he has an infection on his leg. I was sure it wasn't MRSA but scary anyways. He was put on antibiotics. A few days ago, I decided to watch the PETA video about how we get out meat. It has weighed on my heart for a while now, but I never watched the video. Well, I did and I am a new vegetarian! lol. So Alisha was going to take us to the store to get some fake meat and by the time we got to the parking lot I was in incredible pain again. She turned the car around, and I came in, took more meds and went to bed. When I woke up I knew I needed to pull half the packing material out of my kip like the doc instructed. It brought me to my knees. I am not sure why I would be informed to torture myself in such a manner, but the pain was unbearable. My dear friend had to watch me cry in pain and join my tears. Thank God for her but I also feel incredibly bad because I know how I would feel if it were her in my shoes. You never want to see someone you love endure such misery. I accomplished the goal but do not know where I will get the strength for my appointment tomorrow. From all of the prayers out there I am sure. Right after, Andrew woke up and came to hug me. He accidentally bumped my lip with his head which immediately brought tears. I just wanted to hug my baby, so I did and cried to myself.