Birthday Boys!

Joseph and Benjamin will be one year old on August 31st! We can hardly believe how fast the year has gone by. Especially since some days seem to drag on forever ;-)

Watching the boys grow and develop has been such a joy. And we were particularly blessed this past Sunday to have so many of our friends and family over to help us celebrate the first year of their lives.

Here are a few photos of the event.

A Visit to Magee Rausch & Shelton

It is not often in business that one finds people who really care about people. It seems that mostly the bottom line is the only rule of business. However the Partners, Managers and Staff of Magee Rausch & Shelton are the exception to that rule. Throughout the last 12 months of difficulties and joys the good people of MRS have been there supporting us, praying for us and helping us in whatever ways they could. This kind group of people have given us such great and overwhelming support it is hard to express our gratitude.


When we needed food, they supplied our needs (especially when I was a batchelor at home while Renee was in hospital). They furnished our boys with two wonderful cribs that can convert to day beds and last for many years to come! Not only that but specific individuals (Who I shall not embarrass here) provided us with toys, hand made blankets, gifts of all kinds, clothes and also the gifts of freindship and support during all the most difficult days. And of course who could forget the gift of a portable home that we had up at the Hospital while the boys stayed in the NICU. I am of course refering to a certain partner and his family who allowed us to use their RV for over 2 months we will never forget that kindness.

It was therefore a great blessing for us that our boys could drop in on these great friends and show off their smiles and determind attempts at walking. They didn't get to see everyone so we will of course drop by again soon for another visit. We thought you might like to see some pictures of the visit and also so you know what kind and generous people look like!

Tricia holding Joseph

Nila amd Benjamin

Dad, Benjamin, Joseph and Mr. Shelton

Nila and Mr. Cunningham with the Boys!

I noticed that somehow Joan and Louann managed to avoid geting their picture taken but they also got to visit the boys.

A special thanks also to Heather for taking the pictures.

New Pictures!

We hope you enjoy the new pictures. But before you ask, the bandaid like tape on our sweet Joseph boy is used in his physical therapy to help support his muscles. This process helps him to right his head correctly as he tends to lean to the left (physically you understand not politically!). But either way we think he has 4 sweet cheeks!

Growing Boys!

Since our last post we have celebrated my first Mother's Day (photo at top), Joseph has surpassed the ten pound mark, and Benjamin is just over fourteen pounds. Our boys are growing and we are more and more in love with our "little monsters" every day.

I hope you enjoy the updated photos. The two close up shots of the boys were taken today. Don't you love those smiles?

Photos from March

It was darby day last Sunday which means Liverpool and Everton football (soccer) clubs were playing one another. Always a big match when that happens. Benjamin was determined to show his colors in support of the mighty reds. "You'll never crawl alone" is a baby version of the Club motto "you'll never walk alone".
























We have been blessed with good health this past month and have felt comfortable getting the boys out and having more visitors in. Here are some photos of our very special friends we wanted to share with you.

This one is Cathy Henderson from Half Moon Bay, California. Doesn't it look like Benjamin is patting her back too?


















Our friend Ofie Cruz from San Antonio, TX ws also able to visit and Joseph allowed this shot to be taken. He has been a real "Daddy's Boy" lately so it was quite an accomplishment for her to hold him without him getting frustrated.























Ryan Pickle is the pretty auburn haired lady holding Benjamin here. She is a labor and delivery nurse at St. Francis and the one who was on her way out of town the day my doctor decided we needed to deliver. I called to tell her and she turned around to come back to the hospital and be a part of the delivery team, even though it wasn't even her shift. An incredible young woman in many ways, and she was an especially important element in our hospital story this past summer.

Matthew and I celebrated our 12th wedding anniversary on March 24th. This photo was taken that day. Joseph looks as much in love with his dad as I am! At this point in time Matthew had been singing to Joseph to calm him and Joseph was absolutely engrossed. Joseph really loves music and especially when it comes from his Dad.

Ruth Amelia Williams, July 27, 1919 - April 1, 2008

The boys will certainly miss their Grammy. On March 31 Joseph and Benjamin turned seven months old and on April 1 my grandmother passed away. She spent seven months holding, rocking, singing and playing with them and I will tell them about her for years to come.

Saturday morning, April 5, at 9:30 will be the memorial service at the Rosewood Chapel of Moore Funeral Home for anyone interested.

This remarkable woman lived to be 88 years and 8 months of age and has left an enviable legacy. Her kindness and self sacrificing nature will not soon be forgotten.

Joseph and Shiloh have a secret!!

I am not sure what the secret is, as neither one is saying but you can tell by the eyes there is something going on. I suspect that Joseph slipped Shiloh a treat when nobody was watching and neither one want to give the other up. (I won't tell if you won't - oh hi mummy how are you!!)




















Renee and the boys, its a trick but Mom's can do amazing things entertain one boy while feeding another.

























The boys special and until April 1st their last surviving great grandma. Grammy was a beautiful lady and loved our boys so much. She did so much physical therapy work on the boys that we will be able to see her loving care whenever Joseph and Benjamin jump, run and play. I look forward to the day when she will be able to see how these boys have grown up, when we will all see her again in Gods Great Kingdom.