Two GREAT Cuases

Hello all! I'm back from yet another blogging vacation, but I couldn't resist but get on to post about two great causes that I am actively trying to raise money for right now.

I'm sure if you've been around me at all since the twins have been born you have heard me talk about the "multiples board". I don't know what I would have done without these women (none of whom I have met in real life) during my pregnancy and these first 10.5 months with the boys. I didn't know anyone that had twins that I could talk to, so these women have been my lifesavers! They are just like true friends too! If I can't get on the bump for a couple weeks because I'm too busy with work, the house, etc. I can pop on any time for support and answers and they always come through for me...just like a true friend does.

Brook is on the forum and gave birth to twin girls, Sydney & Carynne, in August. They have both just been diagnosed with Werdnig-Hoffman Disease. It is a rare genetic disease that is untreatable. They have the most severe form. Their lungs are going to slowly give out because the muscles will not be able to help them breath anymore. They are both on feeding tubes, oxygen at night and monitors. They will never be able to sit up or hold their heads up because their muscles just can't take it. They might never talk because they have to choose between using their energy to breath or to do other things and they instinctively know to breath.

It breaks your heart to think of any parent losing a child. It's unthinkable to imagine parents told that both of their children have a terminal disease. She has been told they will be lucky to live past the age of 2. Here's the story and more information about their diagnosis. Click here for a recent update with some pictures.

Our group is raising money for Brook and her family so that it can help with medical expenses and to pay for a professional photographer to take some beautiful pictures of her daughters. If you'd like to make a donation, you can do so by clicking the graphic on the right side of my blog. Thanks so much and please keep Carynne and Sydney in your prayers.

As most of you know I am also trying to raise money for our breast cancer awareness game on February 18th - Pink Zone. In addition to all the work Coach Vivian has done through donations and silent auctions, I am trying to seperately raise $2500 by Saturday, February 7th. If we reach that goal, I will allow my team to shave my head at the conclusion of our game at halftime. We still have $300 to go. Check out more information here.

So again, if you can spare a few dollars for two great causes please do. Every little bit helps...$10 is just going a week without your daily coffee and you can help those who are less fortunate. Please keep Carynne and Sydney and their family in your thoughts and prayers!

It's a Zoo Around Here...

So it has now been almost a whole month since my last post, and I'm such a great mom I skipped "Our Babies First Christmas" post. Come to think of it, they turn 10 months next Saturday (the 17th) and I haven't even posted 9 months pictures. What a great mommy I am!!

Things here are a little chaotic to say the least. Let's go back to Christmas. We had a great time in Barneveld and Lancaster, but 10 days away from home proves to be a lot of work when you get back to Stevens Point. The boys had a great Christmas and so did we. We got to see everyone who we miss so much and cannot wait to move closer to. The boys made out like bandits and it's definitely a good thing that Josh and I each had a car back home.

Since coming back home and after a 10-day layoff, basketball is in full swing. We are now 12-1, on an eight game winning streak and ranked No. 10 in the country. We have a pretty special team this year and go on a three-game conference road swing. They're all important games and we start one at a time with Platteville tomorrow.

Besides staying on top of my current job, it's time to start looking for a new one, but that has been a bit of a challenge, while keeping up with everything else. We've made some tough decisions about the big move on April 1st. It was originally going to be Josh and Atlas moving to Lancaster, while the boys and I stayed behind, but because of daycare costs and all the traveling I will be doing to and from Lancaster (will only be in Point Tuesday-Thursday) my babies are moving to Lancaster with Josh. It is going to be such a hard time for me. I'm not really sure how I'll make it through those days each week, but we'll manage. They have found someone to replace Josh at Allied and he is so excited to start building his practice in Lancaster. It's a dream come true for him and he truly is a much happier person just knowing this change is around the corner. Our house has been on the market for 6 days now and we've already had two showings and have an open house this weekend. It's a tough time to sell, but as long as we sell we're going to be thankful to have that monkey off our back.

Our boys are wonderful as always! I have two all out crawlers. Aidan started crawling (I mean really move...not just a few steps/crawls) on Tuesday, December 30th and it only took Brody two days to catch him. Now they're all over the place having fun and starting to pull themselves up on things. Today we caught them in the bar room, one on each side of the french doors banging at each other and giggling. So cute! We had our first blood incident last night. Aidan face planted on the wood floor and cut the inside of his mouth. Poor little guy! It bled for a good 15 minutes. Brody is now sleeping through the night and Aidan has been battling a cold, so he's still struggling to get there. I think I'm just going to prepare myself that this actually may never happen.

Anyways, as I vow in almost every post, I'm going to try to be better with this. I hope to be able to catch up on all the blogs that these days I only can dream about visiting, reading and looking at all the adorable children. If I can find the time between selling our house (tough to keep it clean for showings with A&B), winning basketball games, raising enough money to shave my head-stay tuned, teaching four credits, finding a new job, and just enjoying the four guys in my life...I'll get to your blog soon! :) I hope all is well with everyone!!!

Here's a few pictures from Christmas. I'll try to post some more later.

Here's a couple of pictures from our 9-month photo shoot...Mommy & her boys...Our first Christmas as a family...Aidan and his cute reindeer hat...can't go anywhere without that paci...Brody...always thinking...