Wow...

If you have time you should really check out this blog. It's amazing!! It's about a husband and a father of a sweet preemie-preemie. It's about his wife who is battling cystic fibrosis... it's an amazing love story. I should warn you... it's addictive. I found it while reading this blog:).... yeah, I know, "Don't I have anything else to do??" Well.. the boys are watching Cars so I thought I'd do some blog surfing.

Our purpose...

I was talking to my cousin the other day about marriage... she and her boyfriend were discussing how married couples keep their relationships strong. Honestly, I couldn't come up with any great words of advice except for the simple truth that the purpose of our marriages are to bring Him glory. Now, definitely mine and Cameron's marriage doesn't always bring Him glory, neither do our lives but it is His plan and purpose for us. It's not just His plan for my marriage but my entire life. I honestly don't think I realized that much at all growing up but am daily reminded of that now. My sole reason for existing is to glorify God. God has not only blessed me with the opportunity of glorifying Him with my life but with my marriage and with the role as a mom.
My greatest prayer for my boys and future baby Piper:) is that they truly get this. We are solely created for His glory!!
I am so, so thankful that He has chosen me to bring Him glory and I know I fail at it on a daily basis, but OHHHH... how thankful I am for that opportunity.

coupon deals

Here's a coupon for $5.00 your $25.00 purchase on a toy at Target. It doesn't expire until 10/08:)

Also... click here for a coupon for a free bag of Flat Earth chips.

Mmmmm... Delicious

So, I think Piper is addicted to Simply Lemonade. It's soooo wonderful. I seriously think I've consumed 4 bottles of this stuff all by myself over the past 1 1/2 - 2 weeks. I heard Cameron the other night ask one of the boys what they wanted to drink for dinner and he was giving them options and one of the options he threw in there was MY Simply Lemonade. I quickly gave him a glare that said, "ARE YOU CRAZY??? MY LEMONADE ... IN ONE OF THEIR SIPPY CUPS??? HUH????" He quickly said, "Or strawberry milk, tang, etc. :)

Thankful

Today has been a very humbling day. One of Cameron's coworkers is preparing to say goodbye to his daughter, Taylor. She's probably around 7 years old and has had health problems her whole life. Her mother posted this update:

**"There's nothing more we can do . . . ."

We met with the cardiologist and the social worker and others from her medical team. The cardiologist told us there's nothing else they can do. The sepsis is just too much for our Tater Tot. Our options are to: take her off of the vent and let her stop breathing; not to do CPR should her heart stop; and not to give her any more volume to get her blood pressure back up when it drops.

How to handle this, we are unsure. We are allowing her siblings to come again today and give her their love and hugs and kisses.

Taylor will finally get some rest. Her body will no longer be struggling with the heart condition and surgical procedures she has in the past. She will get to run around heaven all day long! I know that God will enjoy her just as much as we have.

When all is said and done, you will know. Thank you for all of your prayers, calls and support throughout Taylor's life and this last leg of her journey. We love you!

In Him,

The Royal Family**

Ugghhhh... how can you read that and not be so thankful for having healthy children? My eyes literally hurt from crying so much for them. It just makes me want to hug Andrew and Parker so tight. Kids are definitely a gift from God!!! My heart is so heavy for this family. Please pray for them as they go through this difficult time. I pray that they grow even closer to Him in their suffering.

Sweet Baby Blanket

My cousin Amy's roommate, Amber, is quilting my wedding dress for Piper Jane. I loved my wedding dress.... but it was taking up a lot of room in a closet and I thought it would mean more if I could get a quilt made out of it. Amber has never quilted a wedding dress before and was a little apprehensive but she's doing a fantastic job!! Amy sent me a couple of pics of the work in progress:)

Let's play ARRRRHHH!

I put some of these pics in the slideshow below of Parker's birthday but couldn't resist posting them separately:) Andrew's face cracks me up, he was definitely in character. After they finished playing, Parker went up to Andrew with the swords and kept saying "Let's play ARRRRHHH".