The Red Flyer Gang and more!

Our garage sale was a big success in our opinion and I will write more on that this week.  In the meantime, here are a couple fun videos...

The Red Flyer Gang...since Santa brought them at Christmastime, they have really mastered their little scooters and have formed their own little gang.  

We've been talking about colors and shapes for a long time now, and they now try drawing circles and they are starting to get it!  That is when they keep the crayons on the paper ;)  

Kids pick up on so much if you just sit down, take the time, and keep it fun.  Recently I took the grippy, non-slip rubber shelf liner (you can buy a whole roll for $3 at Target) and cut out shapes in a few different colors, we turn on some music and I have them stand on the shape.  They are getting the hang of it, except Griffin never wants to leave his green circle ;)  I will post some more ideas soon (and hopefully a video too)!  

*pay no attention to my voice, I am so not a fan of hearing myself on video*

Busy Humble Bees

Spring is in the air...ahh!!!  We are busy bees around here getting ready for a garage sale tomorrow and Saturday.  We are hoping these funds will help with all the new gear, etc. the boys need, especially a new stroller!

Yet in the midst of the never ending pile of prepping that I am finding myself under, even with my love of all things organized, God always has a way of sending the make sure you stay focused on what is important message.

Last week Ethan asked how he could help the children in Japan and the idea he came up with is having a lemonade stand at our sale.  He heard of the Red Cross and their helping in Japan and we talked about how they help everywhere, even in the U.S., even right here in Illinois.  So, if you're in the neighborhood, stop on by for a glass of lemonade being served by the boy with the heart of gold.

Then today I received a call from a breast cancer charity, while I told them how I would love to help, right now we focus on raising money for Relay for Life and that Ethan is approaching (next month) his 5 year cancer-free milestone.  Her response could have come in 800 different shapes and sizes, but she chose...GOD bless your son m'am, bless your whole family and it came from her heart.

Yes it's springtime and yes we're working hard in the Krol home, but not too hard to let the goodness He so freely gives pass us by.

Little Brave Heart

Remember those lovable Care Bears?  Next to Tenderheart, Braveheart was my favorite.  Well, our little Liam, our little lion has a heart full of bravery.  A heart that defined itself unlike any other, that found a way to work and allow our little miracle to grow from 2.9 lbs. to over 23 lbs (at 18-months).  A heart that surely has been prayed for many times over.

It has been awhile since I have updated because we really have no new news.  We are waiting for Liam to grow and as he is doing it so well with his trusty little heart, his cardiologist has assured us we can wait for further testing that is less invasive.  Rush (Chicago) will have a new hospital in early 2012 which also means new equipment and more technological advances.  Liam's Cardiologist and I email which I love.  We have met in person a few times for Liam's tests, and it is so nice to able to follow up via email with the head of the entire Cardiac Unit at Rush.

While we want answers now, we trust in His timing, and allow us to live in peace seeing Liam continue to thrive.  He has proven that sheer will can move mountains.  Please continue to keep Liam and his heart in your prayers and we will post again about our little braveheart when we know more!

                                                  Liam at 2 mos (non-adjusted)                            Liam at 17-months (Valentine's Day)

We're Back...

After much thought I have made our blog public again with more changes, fun, and exciting things to come.  I know I always have the option to change it.  Hope you enjoying seeing my sweet little faces again.

Life in the Sweet Spot

I can write endless ridiculously heartfelt words about my boys, my family, but when it comes to me it's a little harder.

I love my role as Mom, wife, I seriously wouldn't wish to do anything different.  This is the time for me to be here, and I know it will be the most special of my life.  Last week I had a procedure and before they took me in and gave me the happy juice I had a really sweet conversation with one of the nurses.  One of those you know God sent, words just for you.  She said she would trade places with me in a "New York minute."  She had raised six children (not all at the same time as she said), but those were the happiest years of her life.  Did she seem to still love her life now?  Yes.  What she meant was just that the time was beautiful.  We also talked about how people expected her (and me) to be frazzled, complain about our kids, and how she never felt that way overall.  Her advice, to never talk bad about your children in public...you have to be their champion.  As I say, if you aren't going to be their biggest fan and support who will?

Her words spoke right into my heart and it was somewhat of an intimate conversation to have with a complete stranger, yet her kinds eyes, demeanor, and humor put me at ease.  I told her I love my life and I do, it doesn't mean I don't have super-hard want to scream at the top of your lungs, stay in bed and eat some Ben & Jerry's Fro-Yo (the whole pint of Half Baked to be exact) days, moments, even minutes.  I do and sometimes I wallow in them too long, but more than that I fight the feeling, I don't want to feel sorry for myself ever, and some days it's just better to admit it's a tough one and tomorrow is brand new and again His grace flows freely.

I am never one to give-in to what others want me to be or expect.  I will never give anyone that satisfaction.  Nor will my children.  I do not want a pity party, when someone remarks, "better you than me" I couldn't agree more.  I am not pampered in the way this world thinks of pampered.  I have always worked hard...my entire life, and most things I have really wanted in my life I have not come easy or even remotely easy.

I feel life, I can't turn it off, God made me this way and I will no longer apologize for it.  Label it sensitive if you must ;) but I am so happy to be touched by it all, maybe I feel the bad a little more than others, but I feel all the good and the joy more too.  I have known unaffected people who have no ability to process empathy and despite the intensity of my feelings, I would so rather feel!  Connecting to life is what makes it beautiful!  I was gifted 5 BOYS, little men to raise.  My little men are sensitive, emotional, and feeling too.  They were made perfect by Him.   My heart is joyful to work with my husband raising 5 men who will be allowed to cry, feel, connect, love, all of it, and I am trusting in His plan in entrusting them to me.

Sure this is the hardest, most emotionally involved, incredible thing I have ever done.  Those who know me best know I am a big fan of telling the truth and living who you are, living authentically.  When the day is done all that matters is feeling His grace, learning to lighten up on myself, and loving on my loves.  I know I am living in the sweet spot and it isn't lost on this blessed mama.

Our New Toy!

Single-handedly keeping Step 2 in business! :)  

After a L-O-N-G Chicago winter we are outdoors again (for a day anyhow!).  We have been keeping our eye on this climber and I think Matt and I were more excited when it arrived.  He put it together super fast and it was waiting outdoors...and then it snowed, yes in April.  At the first ray of sunshine we seized the moment and they love their new climber. 

Ethan has a wooden playset, but it's too big for the little boys, so he still gets it all to himself :)  I am just happy the boys can play in our backyard on something built just for their size and big enough for the 4 of them to fit in at once.  

Our little explorers....

Feed Me

Had to capture this one...Liam feeding Griffin...too funny! and then some group hugs!