Children are a blessing from the Lord.

2010-03-09T16:58:00.000-08:00

Thinking

2010-03-09T16:16:00.000-08:00

Been doing a lot of thinking today about whether or not Dave should reenlist next year. Drill weekend is coming which I always dread so I think that's what's got me thinking more than anything. I don't like him being away from us. But I can deal with a weekend every month and a few weeks here and there. Although I don't like it one bit! What I really don't like is the thought of him re-deploying. That terrifies me. The one and only time he was deployed was pure agony. I lost friends, my faith in trusted loved ones ended. It was just hard. With that said, I now know I have some really good friends and family that really would be there for me. I've got to remember I moved twice during that time. Even though Clarence was closer to home it was still new. I was able to make the best of it but it was still difficult feeling alone. I know Julia and JD would be there for me as well as Anna Louise and Marnie. Marcia couldn't come see everyday but she would support me. Dave's parents aren't too far away. Mrs. Montgomery would certainly support me however possible. Of course, my wonderful church family. I am so blessed to be apart of 2 wonderful church homes. Brandon would be older and be able to babysit some so I wouldn't feel like I am stuck at home. So, I know in that regards I wouldn't be alone. But it still wouldn't be the same as having Dave here. I just don't know. I know next year we are looking at getting Brandon's braces. The dental insurance would sure come in handy. Health insurance as well. It's substantially cheaper than the prison's. The big thing would be retirement. But, boy that's 10 years away. I guess I just need to keep praying that God will show me the right answer. We've got 11 months before we have to make this important decision. Hopefully, if we do decide to re-enlist and he did get deployed it wouldn't be as long as the first go round. 14 months was the longest in Naval Reserve history.

Other than my thinking it was a pretty good day. Bryce got his cavity filled. Dave's dental work isn't as bad as the Navy dentist seemed to think it was. He'll get 2 wisdom teeth pulled next week. Means he'll be home for that day! Yay! The lil' boys are in bed. They are getting to be a handful and a half! But that means they are normal. :)

Unfortunately and fortunately we are still going to have to travel to Kirksville every other week for PT. It had looked like the boys could have PT at home but First Steps hasn't found anyone willing to come into the home. But, that's kinda good to because we really like PT Dave. It just would have been nice to not have to load everyone up.

Tomorrow, Selena comes to work with the boys! They always enjoy that and it wears them out which is good for me. :)

Tonight my show Biggest Loser comes on! Yahoo! Need to get back in gear with my whole weight loss deal. I pretty much stopped my diet over my birthday weekend. Thankfully, there wasn't too much damage done. But, I need to start hitting it hard again. Need to re-pledge on biggestloser.com since I reached my first goal.

I think that's all that' s on the little mind of mine. :) Until tomorrow!

Chef Hannah

2010-03-09T11:38:00.000-08:00

Hannah's first b-day party. We had a pizzeria theme. The girl's made their own pizza's, ate fruit pizza for the cake, decorated aprons and played Pin the Pepperoni on the Pizza. It was a blast, even for mama!

March 1, 2010

2010-03-09T11:33:00.000-08:00

Hannah on her 8th birthday. She wanted a chocolate cake with gummy worms.

Snuggie's

2010-03-09T11:30:00.000-08:00

Hannah and I got snuggie's for her 8th birthday and my 34th birthday!

Muffins with Mom and Dentist!

2010-03-09T06:52:00.000-08:00

Today was Muffins with Mom day at the school. I thoroughly enjoyed getting to eat muffins with my sweet Hannah. Bryce, didn't get to partake of this auspicious event has he is on his way to the dentist to get a tooth filled with his daddy. Dave has to have some dental work done for the Navy and well... just him seeing one of his teeth broke off. He does need to get everything done before the 29th when he heads to IN for 12 days for the Navy. Hopefully, it won't be too hard to get him into an orthodontist in a timely manner as I am thinking he's going to need a lot done.

Afraid today is going to be a short blog! I've got to clean which in some ways it just feels like I am a dog chasing my own tail. A dear friend of mine is coming Friday and staying the night which means I am in panic mode to get everything just right even though it'll all get undone many, many times which stinks. But that's the way it is and the way I am. I'm glad my friend is coming to see me as Dave will be at drill. It'll give me something to look forward to and it'll break up the weekend. But, I hate the massive cleaning and panic involved!

Blogging and rambling again..

2010-03-08T14:25:00.000-08:00

Hello! Been awhile I know. I'd be surprised if anyone is still following me, but you know that's ok. I always start and stop this thing. In the past I've always done it for others. This time I want to do this for my family and myself to be able to keep a record of their years of growing up. Boy, are they growing. If you blink they've changed in some way. I am so, so, so thankful for my husband and my children.

I made a playlist of songs that mean a lot to me to put on here. The first, "Keeper of the Stars" is mine and Dave's song. So, of course it has special meaning. It truly was no accident finding each other. Marrying Dave was the best thing I ever did other than accepting Jesus as Lord. Without Him there would be no us.

I get on here and I always think I don't have anything to say. But I am always putting funny little tid bits of things the kids do and say on FB. People are always telling me how much they enjoy my status updates. So, why not put the same thing on here even if I am the only person reading this. This way I have a record for the kids when they are grown.

I will not be sharing this on FB because there are way too many people on there! But, last night Bryce asked me if I had read his note in the bathroom. I was literally just in there. Didn't come across a note but then again I wasn't looking. So, I decided I'd look for it later. I kinda halfway looked this morning but didn't see a note. Figured it got thrown away. I'm really good at throwing things away without looking at it. Bad, bad, bad on my part but I don't need the extra clutter. Anyway, later on in the day I did find the note etched into the dirt and grime of my bathtub. Like Dave says people think my house is clean but if they really look they'd be pretty surprised. Hahaha!

So, there's my first blog post in many months. I promise myself for my kids that I will keep them coming.

Listen to I can only imagine

2010-03-08T12:10:00.001-08:00

2009-07-04T17:43:00.000-07:00

Hi! I know it's been a long time since I updated this thing. I guess I just don't really see why anyone would want to follow our lives, but if you are reading this I am honored that you do. I just think we're kinda boring, happy, but boring. :)

The reason I decided to get on here was to update on the babies. We're looking at a possible surgery on all 3. The doc thinks they all have fused sutures/plates in their skulls. They believe Beau and Schyler both have fused sutures in the back of the head while Max's is in the front. They need a CAT scan for a definitive answer. We were told they would set up an appt and send us a letter. Still waiting on the letter... The kids and I are headed for a week away with Dave while he does his AT at Whiteman AFB. On Monday, since we'll be heading that way I'll stop by the University Hosp. to see when their CAT scan is. If it does come back that their sutures are fused together they will need surgery. At first this was a lot to digest and I still really don't like the whole idea. But we'll do what we gotta do for them.

Beau and Schyler will also be seeing a physical therapist every other week for tortocollis which is a shortening in the neck muscle. Max doesn't have the tort. but will get to go for kicks and grins. PT doesn't hurt anyone! On their off week a developmental specialist will come out to the house.

Other than that things are going well! The babies are slightly behind developmentally which is expected but we don't care. They sure are cute and we love em' just the way they are. They are rolling all over the place and we're working to get them to sit up.

The big kids are all well. Hannah spent the night at a camp. Her first overnighter! Bryce and Brandon are next in line later on this month. I love that they love Jesus. I am proud of them.

Ok, well that's about it!

2009-05-08T10:41:00.000-07:00

2009-05-08T10:32:00.000-07:00

2009-05-08T10:27:00.000-07:00

Hat day!

2009-05-03T11:33:00.000-07:00

Durango

2009-04-07T06:49:00.000-07:00

You can't really see it all that well but snapped a picture before JD took it to be repaired. That front wheel is pretty bent. Dave (and I!) were so very fortuante that it wasn't worse. I'm glad Dave is so calm and was able to stay composed under pressure and knew how to stop even without brakes!

God's blessings abound...

2009-04-05T17:15:00.000-07:00

It's easy on days like these to get downtrodden when something semi-big goes wrong. But instead I chose to be thankful. We are so, so, so very thankful that we have friends that are willing to help when we are need. I do pray that we'll one day be able to return the blessings.

First off, I am so thankful that my husband is alive and well. He had drill this weekend. Fortunately, he was released early due to the impending weather. For one reason or another he decided to take the back roads home which is a blessing in itself. Our Durango's wheel barring is dead. Since he was traveling the back roads he could get slowed down quickly before the wheel came off. If he had chosen the Interstate he would have been traveling 70 miles per hour. The wheel likely would have fallen off and the outcome could have been very devastating. I am so, so thankful!

I am also so thankful that we could call friends to help us out. Friends who didn't even question picking Dave up and hauling the Durango home even though Dave is 80 miles away. We are blessed beyond measure in so many, many ways. Thank you, God!

2009-04-01T08:35:00.000-07:00

Our first trip to the nursing home! We had such a good time meeting new people and going to a new place. The babies were blessed to be held by the staff and residents. We enjoyed getting out. We hope to keep coming!

Beau

2009-04-01T08:33:00.001-07:00

Max and a nice lady

2009-04-01T08:33:00.000-07:00

Thankfulness

2009-03-31T10:56:00.001-07:00

A psalm. For giving thanks. 1 Shout for joy to the LORD, all the earth.
2 Worship the LORD with gladness; come before him with joyful songs.
3 Know that the LORD is God. It is he who made us, and we are his [a] ; we are his people, the sheep of his pasture.
4 Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.
5 For the LORD is good and his love endures forever; his faithfulness continues through all generations. Pslam 100

Somebody blessed me today with an anonymous card with Psalm 100 written in it. I quickly looked up and discovered it to be a Psalm of Thanksgiving. Dave and I have been so blessed and so thankful to live here. We know it was met to be. It's so amazing to me that at a time when you would think that we would be sturggling to get by that we continue to be blessed and we don't worry. I'm always finding myself being humbled and extremely grateful for and by His people. If a person doesn't believe that God exists I invite them to come to my house. We can look back at some pics taken 5 months ago of our precious tiny little boys and see where they are.

Last week, at bible study we studied about hospitality. I've been practicing and praying for opportunities to show what I have learned. Surprise me and come on by. I may stick a baby in your arms but I'll make you feel welcome. :)

2009-03-31T10:56:00.000-07:00

2009-03-31T10:55:00.000-07:00

This is Beau. He had turned himself completley around so he could see the tv!

2009-03-31T10:54:00.001-07:00

2009-03-31T10:54:00.000-07:00

2009-03-31T10:53:00.000-07:00

Beau

2009-03-31T10:52:00.000-07:00

Beau

2009-03-31T10:51:00.000-07:00

Sweet Sky

2009-03-31T10:50:00.000-07:00

Max and Schyler.

2009-03-16T09:24:00.000-07:00

The result of being kicked in the face by little sister. Hannah had naturally lost one tooth Friday. Sunday evening, Lily helped the other one along. The girls were fighting. Hannah shoved Lily and Lily shoved back but with her feet. Never underestimate the power of the little sister. I would have expected something like this out of boys (not my boys because I raised them better than that), but sure not outta my girls, who obviously still need some training. Everyone is fine now and Hannah is quite proud of the gap in her mouth. :)

2009-03-10T10:12:00.000-07:00

Our trio had a check up today. All is going very well. It looks like Beau will be able to get rid of his monitor. Dr. Ionas seemed enthusiastic about getting rid of it which will be super nice. I'm thankful for it and the help it provided but am looking forward to not having to deal with it anymore. The babies can start taking regular Enfamil formula, because they are growing and gaining so well. They were taking Enfamil Enfacare which provides extra calories to smaller than average babies. They've all grown around 5 inches since birth. Beau now weighs 11.9 lbs, Max is 11 lbs and Sky is 10.6 pounds. The only "concern" we have is Beau has a big head circumferance. He's in the 90th percentile. So, I am suppose to literally ask family members if they have big heads to see if it's a familial thing or if it's a preemie thing. It's pretty common for preemies to have larger than normal size heads anyway. But, Dr. Ionas wants to make sure there's nothing else going on.Tomorrow, they will go see a Developmetal Doctor in Columbia. Should be an all day event. Will post a note when I know something.

2009-03-05T18:51:00.001-08:00

Good lookin' kids!

2009-03-05T18:51:00.000-08:00

We took at walk on one of the trails at Long Branch park that summer. What a fun day that was!

2009-03-05T18:49:00.001-08:00

Brandon's much loved bear. When he was little he pulled out his fur and ate it.

2009-03-05T18:49:00.000-08:00

2009-03-05T18:48:00.000-08:00

2009-03-05T18:47:00.001-08:00

2009-03-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

This makes me anxious for Spring!

2009-03-05T18:46:00.000-08:00

What a purdy house.

2009-03-05T18:45:00.000-08:00

Great job, guys! I will join you.

2009-03-05T18:44:00.000-08:00

Bryce's much loved bear.

2009-03-05T18:43:00.001-08:00

Brandon playing games!

2009-03-05T18:43:00.000-08:00

No more pictures, please!

2009-03-05T18:42:00.000-08:00

2009-03-05T18:41:00.001-08:00

Bryce taking a self portrait! What a goofball. :)

2009-03-05T18:41:00.000-08:00

Sweet Hannah!

2009-03-05T18:39:00.000-08:00

Some pictures I found on an old camera that the kids took, probably in 07! Here's Lily! My how she has grown. What a cutie!

2009-03-04T12:59:00.000-08:00

Sky in blue, Max in gray and Beau wearing white. :)

2009-03-04T12:47:00.000-08:00

Today was a really good day! We've been consistently getting out more and more with our new set of wheels and due to the fact that the temps are warming up gradually. Today we went to the Elementary school so Brandon, Bryce, and Hannah could at last show off their newest siblings. It was a fun day! One of the kids in Bryce's class asked me "How many kids do you have now". I said "7! Isn't that cool?!" He said, "Did you want that many?" Haha! We sure didn't anticipate 7 kids, but we are sure happy they are here now!

Hannah's teacher asked her what her favorite thing was about her brothers. With a big grin and lots of giggles she said, "nothing". At least she was honest!

All the teachers thought they were pretty cool, which of course, they are!

Max

2009-03-04T12:22:00.000-08:00

Carothers triplets holding Mason triplets

2009-02-22T09:43:00.000-08:00

2009-02-20T12:32:00.000-08:00

2009-02-20T12:31:00.000-08:00

Beau

2009-02-20T12:30:00.000-08:00

This is Beau laughing for the very first time today!!!

Mommy Mobile

2009-02-15T15:22:00.000-08:00

2009-02-15T10:59:00.000-08:00

Beau

2009-02-15T10:58:00.000-08:00

Beau and Happy Sky

2009-02-15T10:57:00.000-08:00

2009-02-15T10:56:00.000-08:00

Smiling Sky!

2009-02-15T10:55:00.001-08:00

Max

2009-02-15T10:55:00.000-08:00

2009-01-25T13:29:00.000-08:00

Max

2009-01-24T16:02:00.000-08:00

Sorry about the red eye! Couldn't fix it but too cute not to post. :)

Sky

2009-01-24T16:00:00.000-08:00

Max

2009-01-22T09:03:00.001-08:00

Hannah

2009-01-22T09:03:00.000-08:00

Can't forget Sugar

2009-01-22T09:02:00.001-08:00

Beau

2009-01-22T09:02:00.000-08:00

2009-01-22T09:01:00.001-08:00

Beau

2009-01-22T09:01:00.000-08:00

Kool-aid face

2009-01-22T09:00:00.000-08:00

Here's Lily a.ka. "Rascal"

Beau and Mommy

2009-01-22T08:59:00.001-08:00

2009-01-22T08:59:00.000-08:00

2009-01-22T08:48:00.000-08:00

We've been doing really well! Lily and I went to D&B today and got in a walk as well. It's going to be a beautiful day. I'm feeling anxious to get back to church on a regular basis. You have no idea how much you miss it until you can't go. We're still shooting for March as far as being able to get the babies out and not worrying as much about germs! We're trying to be extra cautious right now as the flu is hitting hard in this area. We sure don't want any of our kiddo's to get it.

We've got good news to report on the vehicle front. In Feb. we are getting a 9 passenger Suburban. It's not the fanciest but it'll get us where we need to go! The guy we are buying it from let us put some money down to hold it until we get our tax return. I had no idea how stressed I was not knowing what we're going to do for a vehicle until we found the Suburban. We're especially thankful we won't have to take a loan out for it.

If anyone has dishes here from meals brought by don't be afraid to stop by and get them. They are all washed and ready to go. I'm just not able to get out and return them. We sure were grateful for all the wonderful meals. The kids sure got spoiled. Now, they are back to eating mom's cooking which can be a bummer for them. Ha!

Nice to run into a lady from church today at the store. She told me she checks out pics of the kiddo's so I'll keep on a posting them. :)

Have a great day everyone!

Max

2009-01-22T08:42:00.000-08:00

2009-01-10T07:53:00.000-08:00

He's expanded my horizons beyond what I could see and can see! I bought a praise and worship cd for my oldest son for Christmas. I find myself listening to it more than he does. One of the songs I have on repeat says, "Expand my horizons beyond what I can see". He has!

I was holding Max walking around our dining room table and thinking what He has done! For several years we prayed to leave our old house. It was getting to small for our growing family. But it wasn't selling. I'm so glad it didn't because we wouldn't be here in this place and time. This is where we need to be and where God wants us. We wouldn't have received the support, kindness, love and encouragement that we have here anywhere us.

Then I got to thinking how Dave's deployment was the best and worst thing that had ever happened to me. It was the worst because I missed my husband desperately every day we were apart. I had to be both Mommy and Daddy to our then 4 beautiful children. But it was also the best because I had to seek God. I have a much better relationship with Him beyond what I could have imagined, because Dave was gone. Because of that deployment we have awesome insurance that has covered almost everything. It's truly amazing.

Now, I am the mother of 7 of the greatest children I know. He created 3 babies in me at once. How amazing is that?! Some people would have thought, "Oh No, triplets". I was so excited and still am to know we have 3 more lives to show the love of Jesus too. Words cannot express how blessed Dave and I feel.

I can't wait to see what else He has in store for us!

The babies are well. Beau did stop breathing briefly while sleeping yesterday. First time for that, so I was a bit shook up. But once the alarm sounded he woke up before I even had a chance to get to him and corrected himself.

First Steps is coming on Monday. They are from MO Dept. of Elem and Sec. Education. Preemies are automatically referred due to the possibility of developmental delays. They just give us things to watch for and ways to help them stay on track.

We're all well! I got a full night of sleep thanks to my wonderful husband and YES! Brandon Ray Mason, a really good big brother and great son.

Thanks!

Weights

2009-01-07T12:30:00.000-08:00

Beau now weighs 7.9 lbs, Max weighs 7.3 lbs, and Schyler weighs 6.6 lbs. I knew they were growing but sure didn't expect that much of an increase! They've come so far from starting out at 1.15 lbs,2.13 lbs, and 3.3 lbs. Their doctor said they looked perfect. Beau still needs to wear his monitor for a few more months, since he has an apnea every now and then, but nothing major. Beau just likes to keep daddy on his toes when daddy tries to fall asleep during feeding time. Beau says "Oh yeah, watch this" and the alarm goes off which is loud enough to wake the dead.

Around March, we'll be able to start getting the babies out a little more (maybe church?). By then they'll be stronger and able to resist germs a bit more. It's still kind of a "wait and see" game but for now it looks like beginning in March we'll be able to take baby steps out into the big, wide world.

Dave and I are sleep deprived averaging between 3-4 hours, give or take per night. But that goes with having any addition to the family. We're just thrilled they are thriving. They all have a good set of lungs. Hannah has requested ear plugs next time we go to the store.

Thanks! Ann

2009-01-06T10:19:00.000-08:00

2009-01-06T10:18:00.000-08:00

Mr. Max

Sky, Lily and Georgie

2009-01-06T10:16:00.001-08:00

Schyler

2009-01-06T10:16:00.000-08:00

2009-01-06T10:15:00.000-08:00

2009-01-04T19:36:00.000-08:00

Schyler wearing light blue, Beau in stripes, and Max in dark blue.

2009-01-04T19:34:00.000-08:00

Brandon in black holding Beau, Lily holding Schyler, Hannah holding Max and Bryce.
That's the whole crew!

2009-01-04T19:22:00.000-08:00

Wearing dark blue is Beau. Middle is Max. Light blue on outside is Schyler.

As you can see the boys are all doing great! We rejoice in the Lord for all He has done. Dave and I truly believe that these little one's are His and He has blessed us by allowing us to care for them. We are honored to be able to do so.

I'm not sure on weights anymore. Will know more on Wed. as they go to the doctor.

We had an enjoyable Christmas having them all home.

I'm not sure what else to say. We still appreciate all the prayers that have gone up for our family. We know we could not have come this far without them. Thanks!