never doubt the power of prayer!

So, we had my appointment on Tuesday for my glucose test & yet another, ultrasound. I had already come prepared with a list of questions for my ob about our next steps in actually setting a date for the c-section and various other questions about the actual process. Since I had to be there for an hour anyway before they could draw my blood, they went ahead and did the ultrasound first. The technician was pretty quiet at first and then said, "Well, this is odd. The baby's head is right there & I can't seem to see the placenta!" What!?! We were all shocked & amazed. The placenta had done exactly what it was supposed to do from the beginning, exactly what we weren't expecting at this point in the game. By the time we went back to see my doctor, Anthony & I were just both so giggly and ecstatic. Dr. Irvin came in very cheerful as usual, but we weren't aware that she hadn't seen the pictures yet. All of a sudden she looked at us with surprised eyes and said, "Oh my goodness! Are you serious!? This is amazing news!" She too could not believe that things had changed so drastically from my previous appointment. There are two forms of placenta previa; partial and complete. In most "partial" cases the placenta tends to move where it is supposed to be as the baby and uterus grow and things move around. In "complete previa" there is just so much less of a chance because everything is right on top of the placenta and it isn't able to move back up as easily. My family and so many others have been praying nonstop for both myself & the baby. We were sure things were going to turn out okay for my delivery, but I really hadn't thought there was even the slightest chance of things changing before. I am no longer in need of a c-section or at high risk for this pregnancy. I have never doubted it before, but this just re-strengthens my faith in the power of prayer even more. Thank you, thank you, thank you to all of you who have been praying for me. I really didn't know how stressed out I was about the situation until after I found out things were okay. Whew... what a relief! We did find out one very minor something else during the ultrasound. The baby has a nuchal cord, which means the chord is around his/her neck. Although, this is very common (1 in 4 babies) and there is no reason for concern as it usually changes on its own before delivery. Thanks again! We were so excited to get to share this wonderful news! Love & Hugs!

Snapped With Love

Last weekend two of my greatest friends from college came for a little mini-visit. Missy (with her amazing assistant of a husband, Nathan) was shooting a wedding in Marble Falls on Saturday and thought it would be the perfect chance for an opportunity to swing by our place and take a few maternity pictures while she was here. Between both of us having kids & trying to run home businesses we have had little time for visits lately. We realized it had been well over 2 years since we had the chance to see each other. Missy hadn't yet met Tripp & Nathan hadn't had the chance to meet either him or Mackenzie. You never would have known that however, once they got here. All 3 kids were waiting at the front window of the house for about 30 minutes before they got here anticipating their arrival. As soon as they pulled up, they were greeted with hugs and smiles. Tripp was instantly attached to Missy as though they had been best friends since he was born. It was too sweet! All 3 kids were hanging on both Missy and Nathan, like the little monkeys they are, the entire time.

(see what I mean!)

After a little catching up, and finishing getting ready at the house, we headed to our school to do our little photo shoot. I am extremely blown away at what an amazing job Missy does with her photography. She is a true natural! I am so lucky to have a friend with such a special talent ask to take our pictures, because the kids are just so comfortable with her. So, enough of my rambling... here is a little sneak peak of some of the pics Missy sent me to hold me over until we get our CD, courtesy of Snapped With Love Photography, by Mellisa!

....and they were done!

Thank you Missy, so much!!! We had such a great time hanging out with the two of you and are so thankful for the lasting memories you have given us. Can't wait to see the rest! :)

a little pregnancy update

Things are moving along quite nicely with our little one. I hit my 29 week mark yesterday. Baby & mommy have both been doing wonderfully. There are a lot of changes going on at home right now. We are in the process of moving (more on that topic later), so as you can imagine things are a bit chaotic at the moment, causing more exhaustion than I am use to at this point of the game. Anthony & I found out at my 20 week appointment that I have a condition called placenta previa. As far as the effect it has on myself & the baby during pregnancy, it is really minimal. I just have to be sure to take it extra easy and not overexert myself for any reason and hopefully that will help me avoid any bed rest as the due date gets closer. The real factor comes in for delivery. If the placenta doesn't move before my 36 week appointment I will be scheduled for a c-section at 37 weeks. One exciting part is that we get to see the baby at every appointment (because I am required to have an ultrasound for monitoring the placenta & the baby.) We just have to be extra careful not to see the sex of the baby any time... no, we still aren't finding out for this one. My next appointment is this coming Tuesday. We will continue to keep everyone posted as things draw closer to our due date and we find out more information. Thank you so much for all your prayers. We are putting everything in God's hands & have faith that both the baby & myself will be happy & healthy after delivery! :)

the Kemper blog

Todd & Pene have created a blog (YAY!!!!!) so we can follow along life with their little princesses, Zoe, and my two newest nieces, Abigail & Sophia.
Go for a visit when you have time & are willing to shed a few (happy) tears ;)
http://toddkemperfamily.blogspot.com/

The TWINS are here!!!!!

aren't they precious!?!!!!!

Well, they just couldn't wait! Arriving 6 weeks early... Please join us in welcoming Abigail Reese and Sophia Leigh Kemper! Abigail was born at 9:31 am on Sunday January 16, 2011 weighing in at 4 lbs 9 oz and measuring 17 ¼”. Little sister Sophia arrived two minutes later at 9:33 with a birth weight of 4 lbs 7 oz and a length of 17” even.
The best news of all... Mom and babies are resting and recovering at the hospital and everyone is healthy. We are so blessed by this wonderful event and could not be happier!
Congratulations Todd, Pene & BIG SISTER, Zoe. We are so extremely happy for your sweet family! Love & Hugs!

Good News on the results & more...

Thank you everyone for all your prayers. Good news: everything with my biopsy came back normal. It looks like my enlarged thyroid just came about with this pregnancy and is nothing of big concern. This is what we were hoping for and honestly really thinking was the case, but the thought of all the possibilities of what could be was definitely enough to get the mind wandering. It was so nice having such a wonderful support system praying for me. I think it was the anticipation in waiting that was the scariest part of the whole thing, even though I had such a strong feeling that everything would be fine. Thanks again! I love you all & am so grateful for all your thoughts and prayers.

my 17 week baby bump

In other news, all the kiddos just got over having a really yucky stomach bug. We are so grateful for that to be over! Anthony got to play in a high school alumni football game this past Sunday. It was a lot of fun getting to see so many of the guys we graduated with. Sort of a mini-reunion, which was nice since we missed out on ours last June because we were in the hospital having our sweet baby boy! Unlucky for him, he ended up dislocating and breaking his right ring finger at the knuckle. He had the paramedics buddy-tape it to another finger so he could finish the game. (Typical Anthony!) This was at the end of the first half. He went on to score a touchdown in the fourth quarter (yes... with his broken finger) and get the medal for defensive MVP. I guess the adrenalin kept him from feeling the pain during the game, but it sure did hit him afterwards. So, a 4 hour trip to the e.r. later wound him up in a cast all the way up to his elbow because he apparently pulled the major tendon that runs from your finger to your arm off the bone. Ouch!

Daddy's biggest fans ready for the game:)

Monday and Tuesday were extremely challenging for him staying home with all 3 kiddos being sick and having to give left handed baths, thanks to all the mess that goes along with a stomach bug! I think I better give him a medal for making it through the most difficult daddy day yet.;)

Our last little bit of news for this post... we should have 2 new nieces next week!!! My sister-in-law, Pene, is in the hospital now resting and scheduled for a c-section on Tuesday. (A "mini-vacation" according to Todd:) ) It's a little earlier than expected but due to a few different circumstances will be best for both Pene and the girls. So exciting! The first set of twins in the Kemper family ever! Prayers for a healthy delivery would be great.

Pene, Mom, Todd, me & Lyndsey

@ Pene's shower - December 4th

Good News/Bad News

I really need to try to get to the point from not having to preface each of my posts with how busy we have been and how I wish I had time to blog more often. I think it is obvious life can be a bit hectic with 3 little ones and running our own business from our home. Still, for some reason it seems to be the trend. Maybe 2011 will be the year of getting back on track.... we'll see! :)

So much has happened since I've posted last. The kids have all grown quite a bit. Isabella and Mackenzie are both attending the Montessori school where I teach (and the same one I went to growing up.) Which I completely LOVE and am so grateful for. They have already learned so much in just the first half of this year. Isabella is already writing in cursive (yes... cursive at 4 years old!) and coming home speaking more Spanish than even Anthony can understand.;) Mackenzie is such a hard worker in her class and has become so independent she hardly lets us help her with anything anymore. They are both such great helpers to both me & Anthony at home and love to do anything to help out with their little brother. Who, by the way, is not so little anymore. He seems to grow a little more every night.... we think he may pass Mackenzie here pretty soon. So... on to the other news....

the "good"

I wouldn't just say good... more like GREAT! Many of you have probably been wondering when this announcement would come. That's right! We are expecting... again! My due date is June 24th (my sister, Amy's, birthday!) This makes me 15 weeks on Friday. I'm already showing quite a bit... the baby bump seems to come a little faster with each pregnancy. So, I'll have to post a picture soon. We are so excited to be expecting another little blessing. The girls are very anxious to have a new baby in the house. They want to know if it can come home now! I told them God doesn't work that fast, but the baby will definitely be here before we know it!

the "bad"

So, at my ob appointment a couple of weeks ago, when my doctor was doing all the regular check-up stuff, she found a rather large lump in my throat. She said that I had an enlarged thyroid and she'd like me to have it checked right away. So, I immediately set up an appointment for an ultrasound to get it all checked out. The radiologist found a pretty good sized nodule, 3.5 by 1.8 cm. So, I head back tomorrow to have a biopsy done. It all sounds pretty scary, and to be honest I was a bit scared at the initial news. But, the good part of it is that even in the worst case scenario... if it did happen to be cancer, it is something that is very easily treated. What a relief! So, my reason for even posting this is to know I have a support system praying for me in addition to my family. Thank you all so much in advance. I have complete faith that everything will turn out just fine.

Hopefully our next post will simply be the good news!:) I hope everyone is having a wonderful Christmas time with your families. Love & Hugs to you all!

p.s. We're a little late on getting our Christmas cards out.... surprise-surprise! So, I'll give everyone a little preview of some of the pics we took for them... none of which actually made it onto the final card. Ha!

Last night in my 20s....

It's hard to believe, I will be 30 years old tomorrow. I'm having a hard time accepting this reality... I thought maybe if I wrote it down it would be easier to grasp. Ha!!!

There are so many goals I thought I would have reached by the time I was 30! So many more things I expected to have accomplished. I had my life pictured completely differently than it has turned out to be.

It's truly amazing to see God's path unfold. I may not be where I thought I would or should be in my life, but I couldn't be happier than to have it be the way it is. (Thank you Anthony, for helping me realize that. I love you more than life!)

I have such an amazing family that I am beyond grateful for; 3 beautiful children and the most wonderfully helpful, supporting husband I could dream possible. Anytime life seems a little tough, I am always able to stop for a moment and look at what amazing people I have surrounding me and forget all my worries because I couldn't be happier. They are what makes me happy & feel accomplished! On this birthday I have many visions, dreams and goals in mind for the next decade of my life. I only pray that I can be as happy and blessed in the next 10 years as I am today.

Thank you to God & my wonderful family for giving me the happiness and joy to truly enjoy this birthday. Love, love, love you!!!!

my 3 little munchkins, who bring joy to me every day... this is true happiness!

One more year...

Another September has come without our sweet angel. We love you and miss you dearly. Although you are not here with us on earth, you will live in our hearts forever. Happy 6th Birthday Baby Girl!

March For Babies is Here!

It has been just over 5 years since Anthony & I went through the tragedy of losing our daughter, Mary Alice. After months of pregnancy complications, emotional ups & downs, we faced the unbearable... our sweet child was coming in only my 5th month of pregnancy. For years Anthony & I had dreamt of getting married and starting a family. Never could we have expected what we were about to go through.

Last year was our first year participating in the March for Babies walk. We plan on continuing this tradition every year from now on in memory of our sweet angel, Mary Alice. With the help of our wonderful family and friends we were able to raise just over $500 and put together a team of 16! Thank you again to everyone who helped us last year.

Nothing has felt better for me than to know I am making a difference by helping others, in the future, to not have to go through the loss that Anthony & I did. If we can even help just one family, one mother, one child... I feel we have done something to make a change.

Please consider donating to help this wonderful cause. It means so much to us and so many others. If you cannot donate, but would still like to help out, we would love to have you on our team.

It is my personal goal this year to double our team size... that's right, we want to have a team of 32 people!!! So, get out your walking shoes & lets March for Mary Alice!

Just click the link to the right in order to donate or join our team.

Thanks and God Bless!
Anthony, Alice, Isabella, Mackenzie & Tripp

Jamie is safe!

Thank you so much to everyone for your prayers!!!! Jamie is safe at home with Amy & the kids now. It has been an extremely long day with lots of waiting and praying, but I'm happy to say that I have a true hero for a brother-in-law! THANK YOU GOD!!!!! More later, but Goodnight for now...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTER!

We just wanted to say Happy Halloween to everyone & a very Happy Birthday to Cassie! We love you to pieces & miss you soooooooooooo much!!!! Give your cute little dragon & big hug from us & tell her to give you on back too!

Kenzie Roo Turning 2

How can our little baby girl already be 2 years old!?! Mackenzie has grown up so much this past year & developed quite the personality. We had a low key dinner at our house on her birthday with some of the family. Her favorite part... the cake, of course!

Is everyone singing for me?

Want some?!?

The following day we had her party at the Texas Jumping Bean. What better place to celebrate our little Roo's birthday!?! Mackenzie is constantly bouncing around the house as a different animal every day. (This being the reason that her nickname as stuck since her first Halloween.) I really didn't get many pictures at all. We had so much fun running around & bouncing that the camera was a bit neglected. Next time I think I'll have to hire a photographer to tag along.

I did get one good picture of the Birthday Girl in the party shirt that Anthony & I made for her...

Kenzie saying "thank you" to everyone for making her birthday so special.

5 Years

Today marks the fifth anniversary that our baby angel came and left our lives so quickly. There is not a single day that goes by that Anthony & I don't think or talk about our Mary Alice. However, every September 17th on her birthday, our day is consumed with her memory and thoughts of what life would be like if she was still here. She would be 5 years old today. What a special birthday. This marks such a "big girl" age in Isabella's eyes. So many things she says all the time start with, "When I'm 5 years old I can... (fill in the blank here.)" I can only imagine what it would be like to have 3 little girls running around the house right now & 1 little baby brother. I can completely envision how much fun all 3 of our girls would have together. Life would definitely be different.

At the same time, I cannot imagine my life without my precious guardian angel. How many people can actually say that they know who their angel is?! I believe with all my heart that she is ours and that she is continually watching over our family. How else could we have been blessed with 3 other wonderful & healthy children?

Today was special for another reason as well. We celebrated the life of Anthony's great-grandmother who passed away on Sunday. I know our little angel is welcoming her home. She was a truly amazing woman who will be greatly missed.

We love you Mary Alice & miss you every day. Your memory lives on in our hearts and will never ever fade. My heart aches for you so unbelievably, but I know you are in a much better place. May God bless you & continue to hold you in the palm of his hands.

Bye-bye Summer

Where to begin...? So much has been going on since our last post. I cannot believe how far behind we have gotten. I said I would do my best to stay updated, but obviously that has been a little difficult. The summer was wonderful, for both our business and the family. We can only pray that things will keep up during the year. We've been staying busy with shirt making, sports, spending time with the family, more sports & more shirts!

Tripp & I sporting our shirts at Daddy's softball tourney

Tripp is already almost 3 months old! It is amazing how quickly the time is flying by. At his 2 month check up he weighed in at a whopping 14lbs., 8oz. He is definitely our big boy! 97th percentile! He is still eating and sleeping for a very big part of the day, but he has so many more awake moments now. When he is awake, he is just so alert & smiley. Such a little cutie & joy to be around.

Mackenzie has developed quite the personality lately. It is so fun to see what an individual she is becoming. She loves to make people smile and laugh, just like her daddy. She is definitely starting to come out of her little shell.

Isabella has really become my little helper. She loves to do as much as I will allow her to help around the house. Cooking, cleaning & helping out with her little brother & sister. This is her very first attempt at making homemade tortillas. I have to say she did a pretty good job! We have tried to spend as much fun outside time with the kids as the high temperatures will allow this summer. This usually means we are by some sort of water... which they love!

We recently just got back from a trip to Corpus Christi. The kids all loved the beach. Their favorite part had to be building sandcastles. They even braved the big waves in the ocean for a bit.

We took the kids to the Texas State Aquarium where they got to see all sorts of cool sea life.

The following day we went to the USS Lexington. The kids loved seeing all the planes on the ship and getting to sit in them to test them out, but the favorite of the day was the little jail cell. Go figure!

This is ultimately what we live for right here. The 3 sweetest kids you could imagine. Some of our favorite times are early in the mornings when we all cuddle together in our bed. They just make life so much fun!

Although, with this many in the bed, the positions can get a little silly at times. Kenzie & Tripp at one end...

& Bella at the feet!