We're Ready...

to see your precious face in person, little one...I am longing to hold you in my arms

Prayers, Please!

If you think of the average high school senior, they have a lot going on.

College visits, scholarship apps, keeping up with their social lives, choosing a prom date and attire, and maybe a little homework here and there.

When you're in the midst of it it seems crazy busy and stressful...and when you get a little older and look back on it, you sometimes wish you could do it again...because you didn't realize how much fun it was the first time.

Most of us have it easy...and we take it for granted.

But sometimes, you get thrown for a loop...

My cousin Sydney is in the midst of her senior year...

happy, healthy, cheerleading, being an easy-going teen...

starts having some crazy things happen...so heads to the dr...

no biggie.

Dr. isn't sure what's up, so tries some different things.

They don't work.

Then things happen quickly...an MRI, a fast trip to Lincoln, several days in the hospital,

and ultimately, a diagnosis of MS.

Multiple Sclerosis. The aggressive type.

What???

She's a senior, she's got other things to worry about.

Like finding a prom dress, duh.

But she handles it, takes it all in stride.

Says, it's okay, I'll fight...like a girl that is!

It's no accident that she's a redhead by the way.

And she's holding true to her word...seeing progress already.

No, it's not fair. It's not easy. Not right.

But she doesn't talk that way...doesn't need our pity.

Instead she smiles, jokes, and takes it all in stride.

It all reminds me, that if life were easy...all the time

we would forget that we need Jesus.

And I have no doubt that her story is going to touch hearts...

and bring people closer to Him.

Those who may not know Him will get to see how he works.

Oh, and don't you worry, her killer prom dress is on the way.

She's going to be hot :)

Love ya, Syd.

You keep fighting...we'll keep praying.

Finally...

We missed getting to spend time in Wallace over Christmas because of the weather, then my parents thought they needed to go on vacation...but we finally got to go out for a visit before the baby arrives. Mom left her decorations up for us, so we even got a taste of Christmas. Mollie got to come with, and Adam came for a while too. We had some fun, relaxed, did a little shopping, a little wedding planning, a lot of eating, etc. My mom even made me a coconut cream pie - yum! I don't even care that my maternity clothes barely fit these days, when you get an offer like that, you simply don't pass it up! I'll say it again...there's no place like home!

Just a few pics from the weekend:

Papa Monte and Grammy Ruth with the big sister to be.

Love for Aunt Mo

These two still love each other even after a little wedding planning :)

Not sure who was more excited about her new remote control tractor...Aldyn or Dad?

Thanks for a fun weekend!!

Hadley Family Fun

I thought I'd post a few pictures of our New Year's weekend in Omaha together. Frank and Karen did this for us for Christmas...and we had a really fun time being away together. We started out the weekend at CocoKey...thanks to Scott & Stacy who gave us tickets for Christmas. I think it's safe to say that both the kids and adults had a great time swimming! I was little bummed that I couldn't go on the water slides this time...they are soooo fun! But nobody wants to see a gigantic prego zippin' down the slides...bad enough that I had to sport a swimsuit for the day...talk about a humbling experience :)
Aldyn wasted no time in getting in the water...and was happiest when Skylar was close by to play with her.

She wanted to try the slides, and I was sure that one time would fix her curiosity. But all she could say was more, more, more! She spent the entire afternoon going down over and over again.


But what she loved even more was just sitting at the top and making friends. She would talk to all the kids going by and was in no hurry to go down if she could socialize instead :)

On Saturday morning we went to 'Sesame Street Live'
She was totally captured by the show...This is definitely her favorite right now.
It was so cute to watch her wave and say "Hi Elmo! Hi Big Bird!"
She's still talking about it and the water slides :)

To be honest, I loved it too. It was a great production and I have fond memories of watching Sesame Street as a kid.

Little Eli even got into it a little bit...he was watching, talking and waving his arms in excitement!

Sesame Street AND a sucker...life is good!

The fam in our favorite mode of transportation, the hotel shuttle...so convenient and warm!

I think Carter and Gunnar were hiding from the camera.

Gunnar being...well, Gunnar :)

Thanks for the fun trip, Mama & Papa!