February So Far...

We are stuck inside for our 2nd BIG snow of the year. I didn't take any snow pictures today because the kids just need too much help in the snow to mess with the camera. It was VERY cold and Phoenix and I only lasted about 30 minutes outside. It is amazing to me that 2 weekends ago it was 70 degrees outside! Tomorrow will be Veronika's 5th day of missed school due to snow since January! She also missed 4 days with Chicken Pox and 2 days with Strep Throat! She hasn't had a full week of school since Christmas Vacation!
Last weekend was a fun but busy one. Saturday around Noon the MOPS Steering Team met for lunch at Olive Garden. It was so nice to eat with other adults! That afternoon was Ethan's 5th Birthday Party and that evening was Veronika's Father/Daughter Dance!

Ethan's Birthday Party was a Costume Party: Phoenix went as Superman in one of Jackson's and Tucker's old costumes.

Violet went as Tinkerbell

Veronika and Steve LOVE their Valentine's Father/Daughter Dance. They have dinner, dancing and crafts.

Mischief Makers

We've had a long month! The day after Christmas Violet got Chicken Pox, 2 weeks later Phoenix got them and then last week Veronika came down with them even though she has been vaccinated! Because of this and the cold weather we've been spending a lot of time indoors and the kids have been getting into LOTS of MISCHIEF! One day this past week I was on the phone with Amanda; when I got off the phone I walked into the kitchen to discover this:

What really surprised me is that Phoenix let Violet color all over him and didn't cry or make a sound to alert me! He was probably in on it...he has really become a STINKER! One night I was making dinner and I heard Veronika yell, "Mom! Come look at Phoenix!" I walked in there and saw this:

This is just one of his favorite things to do. Lately he finds enjoyment in doing anything he shouldn't be doing! Standing on the dishwasher door, climbing onto the top bunk and throwing all of Veronika's stuffed animals over, dragging a stool to the bathroom and playing in the sink or with our toothbrushes, playing in the toilet or throwing toys in the toilet, emptying any drawer he can get to, unloading baskets of laundry, emptying trash cans...the list could go on! It is really so funny to watch him because he knows he is being naughty and gives us a really mad look when we tell him "No."

Today was a BEAUTIFUL day! We have had 2 days in the 60's and 70's, it has been like a sneak peek of Spring! We went for a walk after breakfast this morning then spent the rest of the day playing outside and even had a picnic lunch! Next week Winter temps are supposed to return but we will be ready for Spring when it decides to return!!!

Snow Day!!!

Happy Birthday Steve!

Happy 33rd Birthday Steve! You are such an amazing husband and father! We Love You!

Veronika Jayde Tripp

Veronika is 8 1/2 years old! I can't believe that our babies are all growing up! Veronika has really matured this year! She is the best big sister I have ever been around, she adores her brother and sister and helps with them anytime we need her to. She is a great student and really loves reading. She has more energy than she knows what to do with and loves her dance class! She takes Tap, Jazz, Hip-Hop and Ballet for 2 hours every week! She is also a really talented artist which is something I really admire because I can't NOT draw!
Keep Scrolling Down for posts about Violet and Phoenix

Violet Anne Tripp

Violet is 2 1/2, almost 3! She is so entertaining...whether she is dancing, singing or throwing a big ol' TEMPER TANTRUM!!! She is just like her MOMMA in SO many ways...my parents think it's a real hoot! This girl NEEDS her sleep...but convincing her of that lately is becoming increasingly difficult. Most of the time she is as sweet as pie, she loves to hug us and kiss us and tell her how much she "lubs" us. She adores her big sissy and wants to be just like her! She loves her "baby buddy" too, but she also likes to show him who the dominate one is. She takes a "Mommy & Me" Gymnastics class on Tuesday nights and she loves it; I think it is really good for her to have some one-on-one time with Steve or I once a week. She goes to a "big girl" Sunday School class and has Dodi as her teacher. We love to hear her tell us what she learned about each week and what craft she did. I love that she is learning about Jesus' love so young!

Phoenix Logan Tripp

I can't believe that our Little Man will be 18 months old on January 17! He is such a fun little guy and SOOO sweet! His personality has really blossomed these past several months, he loves to make us laugh and is absolutely precious when he gets angry! He is the cuddliest little baby I have ever met, he loves to sit in our laps, hug and give us kisses. He sleeps much better than he did in the past! We put him down between 8 and 8:30pm every night and he sleeps until 5am or so, we give him a cup and he will usually go back to sleep for a couple of more hours if we are lucky!!! He is doing fantastic in all of his therapies; his Speech Therapist comes to our house on Monday and Friday mornings and we go to a clinic in Benton on Tuesday and Thursday for Physical and Developmental Therapy. He is walking really well and is starting to run...I just can't believe how much he has learned and changed in the past few months.

Christmas Decor 2010

I would definitely categorize our Christmas decor as "traditional." Of course my favorite decoration at Christmas is our tree. I love that most of the ornaments have a story behind them...our Christmas tree tells the story of our life together. As you can tell our Christmas tree was not "fully" decorated this year...thanks to a certain little boy who is very mischievious:)

We bought this ornament in 2006 to commemorate our engagement.

We bought this on our Honeymoon, 2006.

Paula bought this ornament for us for our 1st Christmas, 2006.

Veronika's "1st Christmas" Ornament, 2002

Violet's "1st Christmas" Ornament, 2008

DisneyLand Ornament, 2009-I was about pretty early on in my pregnancy with Phoenix.

Phoenix's "1st Christmas" Ornament, 2009

DisneyWorld, 2010

Thanksgiving

"Give thanks to the LORD, for He is good; His love endures forever."

I love this time of year. The weather finally cools off and there is so much hustle and bustle in preparation for the Holidays. This time of year is reflective...people are a little kinder, you find forgiveness a little easier, we are reminded of how blessed we are. In honor of Thanksgiving, here is my Thanksgiving list:

• My Salvation-I was raised in a Christ centered family that was involved in church. When I was in 4th Grade I went forward at our church to be baptized. Years later, I was a freshman in college...I knew there was something missing in my life. I started reading my Bible every chance I got, I joined a Bible Study in my dorm and the Lord started to convict me. One Sunday in the Fall of 2001 I felt God's conviction so strongly that I couldn't ignore it any longer! That afternoon I knelt down beside my bed and asked Jesus to be the Lord of my Life! I am so THANKFUL that we have a Savior who forgives us!

• Our Marriage-We will celebrate our 4 year anniversary tomorrow. When I look back over the past 4 years I am amazed to see what God has done. Two years ago our marriage fell apart. Divorce seemed like the only option; there was so much hurt, anger and resentment. I am so thankful that we both decided to stay; it was ALOT of work, we spent a year in Marriage Counseling and had to rebuild our Marriage. It was by far the toughest time I have ever been through; I am beyond THANKFUL that God restored our Relationship. I have NO DOUBT that it is only by His Hand that we are in a Happy, Healthy Marriage today!

• Our Family-I feel so blessed to have a family that is so close, loving and supportive! I am so THANKFUL that my children are getting to grow up knowing their Grandparents, Aunts, Uncles and Cousins. I am so THANKFUL that we all are able to Worship, Serve and Learn together at East Union. I am THANKFUL for the host of other relatives we have that, although they may not be near, are always there for us. In addition, I am THANKFUL for our church family! It is so wonderful to have people who love you and are praying for you.

• Our Children-I tell Steve often that I am living my dream life! It may not seem like much to some, but all my life all I wanted to be was a wife and mother. I am reminded often how blessed we are to have 3 happy, healthy children. I know that there are countless women out there who long to be a mother and I feel so blessed to have these 3 children in my life. I am especially THANKFUL for Phoenix's health this year. He has recently been cleared by 2 Neurosurgeons. He has started his Physical Therapy and will soon start his Developmental and Speech Therapies. He has started walking and talking and getting into EVERYTHING!!!

• Steve's Job- I am so THANKFUL, especially when so many are out of work and struggling, for Steve's job. He has wonderful bosses:) We both have a peace knowing that his job is secure. I am so THANKFUL that his job provides for our family in a way that I am able to stay at home. These years are flying by and I feel so blessed to be able to stay at home and enjoy this time with our babies!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

I'm BACK!!!

My camera bit the dust this summer so I've taken a break from blogging. Lucky me...Christmas came I little early for me and I was able to get a new camera! Here are a few pics from our recent trip to Branson.

Wordless Wednesday (a day late)

Party Time

We had a quiet (or as quiet as it can be with 8 kids!) party tonight to celebrate Phoenix's 1st Birthday! We had Larry's Pizza, Cake and Ice Cream and Swimming. Genevieve and Audrey (Paula's nieces) even got to come! They are so sweet and always love to play with all of the babies we have around here!

Happy Birthday Phoenix Logan Tripp!

Happy Birthday Baby Boy! You are 1 Year Old Today! You are such a sweet baby boy, you LOVE to be held and even when you are playing you prefer for Mommy to sit near you while you play. You are a very silly baby and love to laugh and make others happy. You love your sisters; Veronika treats you like a baby doll and always watches out for you. Violet loves you and is sweet to you but she also hurts you sometimes. You and Violet have recently started fighting and you get very upset at her if she bothers you or your toys. You crawl and pull-up and want to get into EVERYTHING! You cruise along the furniture and we expect you to walk in the next few weeks. You love to eat, but only certain foods! You love to feed yourself goldfish, yogurt melts, advacado and fruit. You still let Mommy or Daddy feed you some things like yogurt and oatmeal but you prefer to feed yourself. You don't sleep through the night, we recently started putting you in your own bed at night but since you had surgery you are back in our bed full-time; Mommy even has to lay down with you to get you to take a nap again! I look forward to watching you grow and develop as you start your next year! I love you SO much "Angel Bear"!

Sweet Boy!

What a week! On Thursday, July 8th, Phoenix had surgery to repair Hypospadias and a mild curvature due to the Hypospadias. As we were preparing for surgery the Anesthesiologist came in and asked if he had any complications with his Spina Bifida?! Apparently during his X-ray back in May (he had this done with a couple of other tests to prepare for the surgery) they saw that he had Spina Bifida Occulta. Click HERE for more info on Spina Bifida Occulta.

We have noticed some things about Phoenix but when I read more about SBO things started to fall into place. Many of you have noticed his poor posture due to a curvature in his spine, he also has an unusual mole where the curvature starts. He has a tendency to vomit easily (which many of you have witnessed!), is often constipated, and his eyes have a tendency to become lazy when he is tired. His gagging and lazy eyes have progressively improved with time so we are hoping that he will eventually grow out of them completely.

At the very least (which we are hoping and praying for) Phoenix will need to wear a brace and do some Physical Therapy to improve his posture. As he is older we will find if he is going to have any Neurological problems...bladder and bowel control, leg pain, etc. This we DO KNOW...Phoenix has continually reached all of his milestones; he crawls, pulls up, walks along the furniture and it getting ready to walk very soon. He is so sweet, he babbles, claps, kisses, plays peek-a-boo, and laughs...ALOT! Right now we are overwhelmed but we know how blessed we are...so many people would love for their children to do the things that Phoenix is already doing! Please keep us in your prayers, right now our focus is making sure Phoenix is fully recovered from his surgery and then we will start the process of referrals and specialists. I leave you with this:

Mostly Pictures

Sweet boy is doing remarkably well after his surgery! He will have his catheter in for a week so we have to keep him pretty tame. Honestly, the hardest part for me is not being able to carry him on my hip! He acts like normal...he just gets tired easily!

We celebrated Veronika's 8th birthday on July 3 at Dodi and Poppa's. She chose a "WonderWoman" theme which complimented the 4th of July quite well!

Sunday we spent the day at The McIntyre's lake house on Lake Norrel. Violet did great, I was really concerned because she is such an anxious little thing but she even went on a Sea-Doo ride with her Daddy!

Happy 8th Birthday!

Veronika's 8th Birthday was Tuesday so I am a little late posting this!

Happy (late) Birthday Veronika! I can't believe how much you have grown, matured, and blossomed in these past 4 years. You are an amazing young lady...you are smart, funny, soft-hearted and so compassionate! You are a wonderful big sissy...you love entertaining and caring for Violet and Phoenix and they adore you! You are a wonderful student and you especially enjoy reading. You love playing your guitar and dancing and you are really quite good. You are an amazing daughter, grand-daughter, niece, sister and cousin. I love you!

100th Post/ Happy Father's Day

As I was writing this I noticed that it is my 100th Post! And it also happens to be Father's Day...well actually yesterday was Father's Day. It is 12:30am, Sunday night/Monday morning and Steve and Violet just got back from a run to Wal-Mart for a "papi" (paci). Yes, he took her to Wal-Mart at Midnight because she couldn't comprehend that "papi went bye-bye." So, Happy Father's Day to an Amazing Daddy! One that will go out at midnight to make his little girl happy! I love you!

Pharoahs

The Arkansas Arts Center is hosting "The World of the Pharoahs." It opened last September and we have been meaning to go all year. We were unsure of taking the two younger ones and thankfully Dodi volunteered to watch them while Steve, Veronika, and I went to the exhibit today. Honestly, I am not that interested in history but it was quite interesting to me to learn about Egyptian society and culture. They were quite civilized, they created beautiful works of art and "normal" household items. Veronika did so well, she had lots of questions and did a great job reading all of the placards. We got to see lots of artifacts as well as a mummified kitten, and two mummified humans. The best part of the day was getting to spend some time with just Veronika. If you have time in the next week and a half it is a nice,air-conditional and educational way to spend an afternoon!