thanksgiving recap

Thanksgiving was so fun this year. We had Thanksgiving dinner at our house like normal. My parents and Greg's parents came along with my Sis and her husband and my Brother. It was nice everyone brought a few sides, so that way I only had to cook the turkey and a few sides. I had the babies side by side in the high chairs, it was so cute!!! They really haven't ever fed themselves before so I was a little nervous about letting them try it out in front of everyone. I ran cooked potato's through a baby food mill and let them have a small bowl and spoon and some taters. I knew they weren't going to use the spoons...but it was too cute watching them try. They all tipped the taters outta the bowls. They did so good feeding themselves. I couldn't believe it...even Ryan did a great job! They finally gave up and starting getting fussy, so Delaney grabbed a spoon and starting shoveling food into their mouths. It was such a good day. Everyone got along and it was just great.



BLACK FRIDAY....I love black Friday. I love getting up super early and shopping. My Dad and Sister Sarah came to watch the kiddos for a few hours. Greg and I left the house at 4:30. We went to Toys R Us, the line was soooo long. It moved pretty quick though. We got just about everything we wanted. People were different this year. Not as crazy. It was a bit odd, but wonderful. After that off to JC Penney's. I gotta tell you about the AWESOME deal I got. Yes I went shopping for me too. I got a nice wool dress coat and a leather jacket. When the cashier rang it up it came to $450.00. After the sales and my friends employee discount card (thanks so much LC!) it came to $70.00. Can you believe it?! I was so excited. After that we had breakfast with Pat and Shantel at Bob Evans. We had the worlds slowest waitress. Then off to Walmart, where I finally got my Black Christmas Tree!!! I have wanted one ever since I went to Kraynak's in PA. They had a big beautiful black Christmas tree that was decorated with silver and white. It was beautiful. Do you know how hard it is to find a black tree? I have looked forever. Well I got one and it was the last one in the store. Since it was the display model I got an extra 10% off. The only down fall.....it's only 4'. Oh well, It will look awesome in our dining room.


This morning I went to church, and when I got there I stood and stared at the bulletin board for about 5 minutes. On the board there is a picture of the babies. They were 2 days old in the pic. Underneath is a recent pic. I just stood there and everything seemed to hit me like a flood. All feelings and emotions from that time last year. Not even the Dr's thought they would have made it. I remember the first time I saw them in the NICU, I left thinking there is no way babies that small live. I remember touching their small hands and remembering how their entire hand was the size of my thumb nail. I remember living on total faith. Hopes and Prayers were my only inspiration. I honestly thought they weren't ever going to make it home. I remember my prayers every night begging God to please let my babies live. Please make them fighters, help them through this. I made so many promises during those 5 months, more than I can remember. Tears started to fill my eyes, so I went into the church and sat down. A few songs into the service we sang a song titled "I am Blessed" Boy did that song hit home. I realized that I AM Blessed. I sang that song so loud....sorry to anyone who could hear me. It was so hard for me not to burst out into tears. I know there are days where I complain at how hard it is, and how I don't know if I can take anymore. I know how there are days I forget how very blessed I am. But as God as my witness I wouldn't change it for a thing. God doesn't give just anyone triplets. God doesn't let everyone bring their babies home. I'm still not too sure why he picked us, but I can tell you Greg and I both are so much stronger now. Much stronger than we were a year ago. We witnessed a miracle, and so did our friends and family, who seen everything that happened in those months. The whole NICU experience has opened our eyes to so much more. We have done so much more for people than we ever have before. We have so many plans of how to help others who are in similar situations. You know that could have been the reason for all of it....I don't know. It just goes back to those 2 sayings that I live by everyday....

Everything happens for a reason.

and
What doesn't kill you will make you stronger.

I can't believe in 15 days the babies will be a year old. I can't believe how fast this year has went. It seems like just yesterday they were still in the NICU fighting for their lives. I thank God everyday for these little fighters. My babies are truly fighters, they are so strong, they have been though so much. I pray they will only get stronger. I pray they stay healthy. I pray that all 4 of my children will grow to do great things. I am so proud to be their Mom.

This is a picture of me holding Ava. She was a month old here.





My Sis held this 20 oz bottle up against Ryan for comparasion. Ryan was a month old here.




This tape measure is 12" long. When Ryan was born he was 11 3/4"

Dylan looks like he's praying.