Family Pictures!

We recently had some pictures taken by a fantastic photographer, Jay Isaac, in The Woodlands. We had a lot of fun and love the pictures! Enjoy! :)












This picture is what "normal" looked like when we were living with the Wilhelmsen's! :) (You really need to enlarge the picture to see everything...look at Aubrey!)

Happy Birthday Bethany!!

Happy First Birthday sweet girl! It was on this day just a year ago that you graced us with your presence six days late! Oh how we have enjoyed this past year. You have grown so much and we have loved every minute of it. God has given us a precious gift in you and your Daddy and I love you more than all the stars in the sky!!!!

Wilhelmsen and Muirhead + Eight! :)

Life has been crazy for us lately (I know I ALWAYS say that, but it's TRUE!!). I was trying to wait to write this post until I had a picture to go with it, but it might be awhile so I am just going to write...

Back in September, after Ike, we were living in Navasota with my Aunt and Uncle, waiting to close on the houses we were selling and buying. As it turned out the commute from Navasota to Spring with three little ones was about to kill me, so our very precious friends the Wilhelmsen's invited us to stay with them for about a week while we were waiting to move into our new house. We thought that would be great, but were still a bit hesitant because we have three kids and they have five. That would be eight kids and four adults under one roof...imagine the chaos getting ready in the morning or at dinner time and bath time, but we were sleep deprived and we took them up on their offer...it was only for a week, right?? Well things didn't exactly work out like we planned, after we closed on our house, we found out that we could not move in, and that work would need to be done first, so where are we now? We are still with the Wilhelmsen's. We are a family of twelve living under one roof. Life is certainly busy, but surprisingly ordered. Our kids fight like brother (mostly brother because their five are all boys) and sister. They love each other too, and to see them when they are being nice makes my heart melt. I wish I had a picture of them all to post, but I don't, they don't stay still long enough for me to capture the photo...when I have one I'll post it! :)

I hope you all are doing well!!

Love you!
Abby

Whew, that was a close one! :)

The other day while Russell, Bethany and I were all playing, Bethany crawled into my lap and started to put her fingers in my mouth. I told her "no no", but she persisted. After several minutes of this, I was beginning to get extremely annoyed that she wanted her fingers in my mouth, so I put her down and began to get up when Russell came and said...

"Mom, she was just trying to get that out of your mouth."

"What thing out of my mouth?" I replied.

"THAT!!" He shouts pointing to my mouth.

"Describe what 'THAT' is!" I say

"That BIG brown thing on your front tooth." he says

So I go to the mirror and look and sure enough I have food stuck in my teeth and Bethany was trying to pick it out. Now I'm not sure if she was hungry or if she was already trying to protect my vanity, but none the less I am happy she saved me from a potentially embarassing situation! :)

TEXAS, TEXAS, YEEEEEEEE HAAAAAW!!!

We are all excited at the Muirhead household about Texas' win over o.u.!!




HOOK 'EM HORNS!!

The Desert

A few months ago I was talking to my cousin Faith about seasons that God takes us through, and that no matter how hard we try we can not avoid a season. Right now I am in a desert season. Everywhere I turn heartache abounds. I desperately want out of this season, yet I know from past failures that when I try to escape it only compounds the problem. Right now I am memorizing Psalm 40 and I love the first verse. It says:

I waited patiently for the LORD;
he turned to me and heard my cry.

I will wait patiently for the next season to come, even though I am really struggling to do so. I will wait because I know that God will see me through because, as my cousin Faith says, He is kind.

Love to you all,
Abby

We're still here

We came through IKE well, our home didn't sustain any damage, only trees down in the yard. We have since closed on our old house and we are hoping to close on our new one sometime this week. I have limited computer access so I will blog more when I have the chance!

Thank you all for your prayers for my friend Lisa she is now the proud Mommy of twins. She overcame some significant challenges to have these babies, naturally, and I'm so proud of her. Go to her blog and wish her well!!!

Love you all,
Abby

Calling all Prayer Warriors

Will you please lift my friend Lisa up today. God knows what she needs.

Thank you guys!!

Love,
Abby

"Russell, will you please STOP taking things apart?"

I might as well be on repeat these days. Russell has become quite the handy man lately. At times this is a great thing, he can help his Daddy around the house and the numerous repair people that have come through as a result of selling the house (yes we sold it, no we don't have another place to live...another post all together) BUT there are times when it has it's drawbacks. Like last Saturday when he took a wheel off one of our lawnmowers, or all the tiny screws he's accumulating that have come out something in our house but he doesn't remember where, or his sisters toys (but not his because that would break them) and the list goes on. Truthfully, I think I would be more laid back about this if I wasn't so worried about Bethany ingesting a small, sharp piece of metal. I think it's great that he knows how to take things apart, now it's time to learn how to put them back together!!!

I hope you all have a great weekend!!

Much love,
Abby

Labor Day...a day late!

Laborious

I got this off of Ashley's blog, and thought it was fun. Play along if you want!

How long were your labors?

Russell: 12.5 hours

Aubrey: 11 hrs.

Bethany: 10 hours



How did you know you were in labor?


Russell: My water broke and I had to call my mom to take me to the hospital. It was great, I loved it that she was the one to take me to the hospital. It is a memory I will cherish forever.

Aubrey: It was 2 days before Hurricane Rita was scheduled to hit HOUSTON and I was eight days past due, so Titi (my midwife) "helped" me a little and I was in labor instantly.

Bethany: Well, after almost three months of contractions, and "modified" activity, a false labor that went on for TWELVE hours, I was "helped" out again almost a week after her due date because she was having heart decelerations.



Where did you deliver?

Russell: Texas Women's w/ a Dr.

Aubrey & Bethany - St. Luke's in Med Center with the Midwives. I love the midwives, they are awesome!!!!!


Drugs?

Nope. I am one of those weird ones that actually likes labor...yes it hurts, but doesn't life sometimes?


C-section?

No.


Who delivered?

Russell - a real nice Dr. who was there for the 10 minutes of pushing, and then gone. I think her name was Theresa Robinson..I've seen her in magazines.

Aubrey - Theodorah DeFrancesca one of the most amazing midwives ever!!! Aubrey's birth was AMAZING!




Bethany - Titi Otluna another one of the most amazing midwives ever!!! Bethany's birth was peaceful and calm, I really didn't have much pain, only pressure, until it was time to push. Notice the difference in my facial expression after Bethany compared to Aubrey...much easier labor with Bethany.




***If you want to play along with this me, just cut and paste the questions into your own blog and leave a comment so we can all read about your laborious day(s).


Abby

Picture Update!

We've had a fun week, here are some pictures from our week...

Look at me, I'm pulling up!

What a helper!

So sweet!

Cousins!

First day of Pre-K! Is he really old enough to go??

What we've been saying!

As I've mentioned before, Russell has food allergies, so it is a topic we discuss a lot. Yesterday he was trying to figure out some things about his allergies, specifically eczema and he says "So I'm 'lergic to eggs and Connor's 'lergic to eggs you put that together and we have "egg"zema! That makes sense right?!

Yesterday we celebrated Puppy's 4th birthday...Puppy is his special blue dog from his Mamo that he must have before he goes to sleep...so I made a gfcf egg free cake because Puppy is also on a restricted diet now too. After giving Puppy some cake Russell exclaims, WOW Mom, Puppy really likes his pupcakes!! This time he was trying to be funny, we love his sense of humor!

Russell also tells me all the time that I need to "blog" about that, if he thinks that it is noteworthy...often times it has to do with the jumps he has mastered on his bike. Maybe I will blog about that sometime.

Aubrey has said some funny things too, but unfortunately I can't remember what they are right now, I'll update if I can think of them!! (I know, all of you who are not the firstborn are thinking right now about how your mother didn't remember all the great things you said and did too, well stop it, we love you just the same, we're just tired that's all.)

Much love,
Abby

Wonderful Evening!

Tonight was wonderful!! Colin took Russell to a Texans game so that meant the girls and I had a night to ourselves. I asked Aubrey what she wanted to do and of course she wanted to watch a movie. So the girls and I loaded up and took off. First stop, Redbox to rent High School Musical 2, then to Chick-fil-a for a milkshake to share. We headed home and popped in the movie. Aubrey LOVED it!!! She was dancing and singing her heart out. She and Bethany finally tired out and laid down to watch the end of the movie.

Sisters!!!


Hmmm, something tells me this won't be the last time Aubrey is irritated with Bethany


I'm so glad that I had tonight with my girls. These are the times that I dreamed of when I was pregnant with them. Laughing and having fun, just being with one another. If you knew my mom, you know this was her idea of fun too, and tonight God healed a little piece of my heart letting me have this with my girls. Do I wish she was here too? You bet, but I'm glad that she taught me how to have fun so I can pass it on to my girls.

Aubrey and Bethany, you are precious. Thank you for tonight! I love you stars in sky!! ~Mommy

Love to you all,
Abby

Over a month since I last posted...that's AWFUL

Well we've been busy, but isn't everyone else who blogs. I'm going to try to do better, really I am.

Some updates...

We recently found out that Russell is allergic to gluten, casein and eggs, so we have had some major dietary changes around here. Some have been good, like cutting out processed junk from our diet, some have been bad like trying to make gluten free, casein free, egg free muffins. Not gonna lie, they were really bad, really bad. We are collecting gfcf recipes, so if you have any good ones, let me know, I would love to try them.

Russell and Aubrey just finished up swim lessons and I'm really proud of how they progressed. They will both go under water for a few seconds and can manage to get themselves out of the pool if they are not too far from the side. We still have a way to go until they are swimming, but I think we have a good start.

Bethany is cutting teeth like crazy. Poor little girl is working on her fourth tooth in one month. She's a tough one!

Ok I'm done doing what I was doing, you know what I'm saying Lisa!! **smile**

I'll post more later!!

Much love,
Abby

Lazy Days of Summer

Summer is off to a great start for us, I have enjoyed having the kids at home. It's been nice to have at least two days a week that we don't have to be out and about, getting three kids breakfast, dressed, in the car and off to wherever we are going is exhausting!

Russell is keeping me laughing. He told me I smelled like cheese today as if it were a compliment...nice, right?? Aubrey is in the process of giving up her Doodler (aka pacifier) and is a little out of sorts. She also flooded our bathroom today because I didn't get to the sink fast enough to turn off the water, seems she and Liel something in common these days! :) And Miss Bethany is trying her hardest to crawl. Where did my baby go?

Here are some pictures...











Love to you all,
Abby

Just for You An' Amana

Dear An' Amana,

I love you! Thank you for teaching me to dance with my arm up in the air, I know it will be useful in the future!

Love your protege,
Aubrey

Feetsies (My Mom's name for feet!)

Those of you who knew my mom, know that she loved a good pair of shoes (and of course a purse too)! She couldn't help herself when it came to buying my kids shoes too. Here is a picture of all of them in shoes that she bought...I think Russell and Aubrey's personalities are captured perfectly and even though she never met Bethany, I think the shoes "fit" her perfectly too!

The princess sleeps

Random Pictures

Aubrey Ann and Cinderella


Kids and Goofy


Kids and Mickey


Russell

The Pink Princess

Smiley Girl

All Dressed Up


Dancing with Daddy


One last time...


Love you all,
Abby

Broken.

So those of you that know me know that I don't like to cover up my true feelings. I wear my thoughts and feelings on my face. Rarely do you have to wonder what I am thinking. However, since my Mom died, it has been more difficult to be "real". When people ask how I'm doing, I say "I'm hanging in there" and I am...kind of. I say "I'm alright" and at that moment I probably am. However, there are days when I feel like the pain is suffocating. I literally can't breathe because it is pressing down on my chest so hard. I am angry, sometimes full of rage. I want an explanation from God, and when I ask for one there is usually a long silence and then I hear the faintest whisper saying "I am here. Lay your burdens at my feet sweet daughter. I look on you with love and I am weeping too." Then I ask "what is your purpose with this? My heart is broken, don't you care?" My God replies "I do. I am putting you back together. Trust me." We end this conversation and I go on.

A few days ago I was reading a grieving mother's blog and I read this post (The rest of this post will make more sense if you read her post first) I had expressed to Amanda a while back that I wanted to break some pottery so I could just get this frustration out and deal with it. However, I chose not to at the time. After reading this mother's post, I decided now was the time. I had just attended my Dad's wedding and I was feeling the weight of the past year on my shoulders. So at 10:00 pm on a Saturday night, I went out to my front porch and smashed a cup that my Mom had given me with a tea pot a long time ago. I drank out the cup a lot, it was special to me, and I knew it was the one.



It felt so good to smash it, but I knew before I smashed it that I would be putting it back together. I wanted to go through the process no matter how long it took me. I looked at the pieces and began to sob. It really was me on my front porch. Just laying there in tiny pieces waiting to be put back together.




I went to work, putting it back together. I started to panic at one point, I didn't think that I could do it. I prayed for God to help me. My hands fumbled around for the right pieces. I was having trouble seeing through the tears, but I pressed on. I thought about why I am broken...

I thought about my past and how I regretted it. I asked God to heal the places that remained unhealed.

I thought about my Mom, about how much I love her and how I miss her terribly. I asked God to see me through my grief.

I thought about my Dad. I asked God to mend our relationship.

I thought about the things that make me bitter, and what I do when bitterness threatens me. I asked for forgiveness.

I thought about Jesus. Nailed on a cross. Broken for my sins. The punishment that brought me peace was upon HIM, by HIS wounds I am healed. I am put back together. Grace. Amazing Amazing Grace.

So here is my mug, put back together. It sits in my kitchen to remind me, of my brokenness and that God is making me whole again.






For God, who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," made his light shine in our hearts to give us the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Christ. 2 Corinthians 4:6

My heart may be broken, but I pray that his light that is in my heart will shine bolder and brighter out of the cracks.

Love to you all,
Abby

A year...

This is the third time that I have tried to post now. My heart just hurts and I'm having trouble finding the right words. My cousin Faith posted about my Mama yesterday, it's a great post, check it out when you can.

I managed to get through yesterday. I can now say that I've made it a year without my Mom. It has been a tough year. I have learned a lot about myself. I am thankful for my family and friends that have come along side me and encouraged me in some very dark times. God has been faithful to pour out comfort on me every time I have cried out to Him. I am blessed.

Abby

Where on earth have I been??

I have been taking care of sick babies, at Cenacle Retreat House on a silent retreat, taking care of sick babies and not sleeping, at Disney World , taking care of sick babies and being sick myself, taking care of sick babies.

If I could find the pictures of Disney World I would post them, until then no pictures, just a post to let you know I'm here!

Dallas Trip

I'm a little late posting these pictures because it's been almost 3 weeks since we went, but better late than never!! I'll post Easter later too! Bethany and I had a great time driving to Dallas with Grandma to visit Daddy's Grandma and Mommy's cousins...hence referred to as Uncle and Aunt! :) Enjoy!

On my way

Bethany and Daddy's Grandma

Cindy & Nancy

Cindy, Abby & Nancy

Bethany & Uncle Dubbs

Bethany & Evie

Bethany & Aunt Jenny

Bethany & Uncle Brad

Jenny, Evie & Abby

Love to all,
Abby

Plenty

So I have a friend, Jovi who may or may not know she had challenged me to rethink the way that I do things. Back in 2005 when she and I started e-mailing back and forth a friendship was formed discussing cloth diapering. She also taught me about CSA and lots of other things that we can do to be healthier and protect the earth. Have I done the things that she taught me you ask? Well not exactly, I tried, and gave up far too easily. I want that to change though, I don't want keep doing the same things I have been doing just because it's what I've always done. So I'm blogging about this for a little accountability. I plan to read this,




and hope that it helps me to start living better than I am now. It's time to make some changes and this a good way to start! Who knows maybe I'll start cd'ing Bethany next!

Abby

Blue Cake

Way back in 1981, when I turned 3, I wanted a Mickey Mouse birthday cake more than anything for my birthday party. My Dad, being the baker in the family, obliged and set about to make me a Mickey cake. At some point during the cake making process something went terribly wrong, and I ended up with a blue cake....inside and out. Being the quirky family that we are, we latched on to this little accident and made it a tradition in our family. Now when I have a birthday I have a blue cake and so does everyone else from time to time. Here are some pictures of our blue cakes...

Aubrey's Pale Blue Birthday Cake

Colin's Blue Birthday Cake

My Birthday Cake

Abby