Wednesday, August 17, 2011

His Grace...

This is not a post on the reasons I have not been blogging or even a post about these two cute little ones.


Although, there are many posts for each of those things and hopefully one day soon that will come to pass. But instead this is an update on where God has brought us as a family.

In July, Kevin and I had a few days at home without the children. Well, I was at home and Kevin was at work. I am a doer and usually I would have spent this time being productive, checking things off of my growing to-do list. However, instead I did something quite the opposite. I took time to just be. I told Kevin afterwards that I felt as if God was preparing my heart for something. I took the time without the children to be still, to listen and to allow Him to just breathe life into my being. It was a sweet time. And He surely was preparing me for something.

In the past year God has been stirring in my heart. I had in essence closed the door on believing He was big enough, but instead had put Him in a box or at least in terms of what He could do through our family. When learning just over a year ago that Kevin had MS, I quickly determined our family was complete. However, as God has a way of doing so, He slowly began to work on my heart. I do believe God would have been fine with us only having two children. But I also believe God wanted me to acknowledge my need for control and thus, my ultimate need to surrender to Him…in everything.

In terms of control, life seems somewhat out of control right now and thus, one of the reasons for this blog post. We would love to share in person with everyone that we will be welcoming another Sasser Baby into the world come March, but because the yuckiness and tiredness have hit full force, we decided we had better spill the news.

We have friends who have welcomed new additions to their families, which we would love to provide meals for, but we are doing good to get dinner on our table at nights. We have birthday parties and playdates we want to attend, but at a moments notice I am having to say, “no.” We decided we had better give reasons for our “no’s” and lack of committing to do much of anything now instead of waiting to see many of you in person at events already planned in the near future.

It finally hit me this week that we are 8 weeks pregnant and we had not shared the news nor had I even called my doctor. So, today I headed to the doctor at which the nurse looked at me and said, “Wow, we need to schedule your ultrasound for NEXT week.” We are really pregnant!

We are both excited and I think still a little in shock. As my sweet friends know, I do not get excited about newborns. I actually don’t even hold my friends’ children as newborns because I know I will have to hold mine and that is more than enough time with a tiny little one. But amazingly, I have seen babies recently and had the desire to hold them. I have been excited about what is to come----all of it, the good and the not so good times.

When we shared with my parents or rather my sister guessed that I was pregnant, my dad shared that he experienced things with my sister, their third child that he never would have experienced with my brother or me. We are looking forward to those experiences and God’s grace that will pour out of those experiences.

I wish I felt like I did a short week ago, hardly pregnant and our plans to share in person with many of you could unfold. We ask for you to pray for this pregnancy and for our family as we prepare to be a family of five. It is going to be a wild ride, but thankfully we are not ultimately in control! Thank you Lord!

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Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Four pictures...

that lead up to this birthday, her fourth birthday. This is the baby girl that made me a momma. This is the baby girl that stole my heart four years ago today. This is the baby girl that brings a smile to my face each day. This is the baby girl that has blessed her daddy and me beyond our wildest imaginations.
Anna Cate on her birth day...

Anna Cate on her 1st birthday...


Anna Cate on her 2nd birthday...


Anna Cate on her 3rd birthday...


Today we celebrate her 4th birthday. Pictures to come of this sweet, sweet baby girl that is now really a little girl. I surely can't believe she is four years old. We love you!

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Monday, April 25, 2011

Sweet Boys!

Tonight we had to say goodbye to this sweet little boy on the right. Cousin Elliot has been in NC for over two weeks. Anna and Aiden are going to be missing him, but are excited he will soon be moving to NC! We can't wait!

My two boys! Notice the hair and curls in the back of Aiden's head. Love the curls and love these boys!


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Sunday, April 24, 2011

Just for fun!

Blogger and Picasa have been giving many of us trouble for the past few weeks, which partially explains the lack of posts. There are many other reasons. One of them being that life is full and the days and weeks are quickly turning into months. I rarely have a moment to just sit and document our life, but we are in a season with our children that we are really loving. How can it almost be May and how can we have a daughter who will be turning FOUR in a matter of days?! I have lots to catch-up on and have even tried to jot some posts down as Picasa was not working. But until then, enjoy this sweet picture of Anna and Aiden from this Saturday at an Easter Egg hunt. Anna was able to take a ride on Chief, the horse. Aiden really wanted to ride the horse and even asked for his turn. I think Anna was more timid than Aiden. Chief's owner was nice enough to let Aiden sit on Chief for some pictures at the end of Anna's ride.
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Thursday, March 31, 2011

Soccer!

Anna has been asking us for a while if she could play soccer. Several weeks ago after church we headed to the same sporting good's store where I bought all my soccer gear growing up and got this little one all ready for her first season of soccer. Cleats...check! Shin guards...check! Soccer socks...check! Umbros (or the new brand of umbros)...check! A little girl all smiles...check! Here she is ready for her first practice. A week later it was a little colder for her second practice, but Anna was still all smiles.
Here are some action shots. She really is beginning to grasp the concept and has a great kick. This girl LOVES to play goalie! She asked enough at her first two practices that when it came game time she was the goalie for the first quarter of the first game. Sadly, we don't have pictures from her first game as I left the memory card for our camera at home. Anna did not let anyone score on her and actually grabbed several balls with her hands resulting in a couple of throw-ins and even a goalie kick. Several times we did have to quickly get her attention as she was easily distracted in the goal. However, as soon as you called her name she would squat down and spread her arms wide waiting for the ball. The other three quarters were spent out on the field. She might have been one of the few players on her team that played the entire time. She has several teammates who are not 100% sure they want to be playing. We spent most of the game either yelling for Anna to go after the ball or laughing. Anna thoroughly entertained us as she ran almost the entire game, but most of the time it was just chasing the mob of other little people around the ball. She had us laughing as she would scan the sidelines as she ran down the field. Her eye would catch something---a cheering mom, a crying teammate, a little baby playing and she would fixate on that until she realized a game was being played. She beamed from ear to ear as she ran because of the crowd of people on either sideline cheering. I am sure many more pictures are to come of our soccer star in her jaguar uniform!

Saturday, February 19, 2011

The progression...

We are loving this warmer weather and the longer days. It means that daddy gets a little bit of time outside with us when he gets home from work and before dinner. It also means that daddy encourages Aiden to learn new tricks that mommy would never encourage because now this little man is going to have to be watched like a hawk in our backyard. In the first picture daddy is showing Aiden he too can make it up the climbing wall to the slide like his big sister Anna.

Surveying the scene.

Determined.

Now making his way on his own.
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Progression Continued...

Almost to the top and so serious.

His other new trick...swinging from the wood piece at the top of the slide.

And then this is what all the work was for....a slide down with his big sister.
(Yes, that is a small boo boo on Aiden's head. He fell head first down our concrete back door steps and did not shed a tear. However, as he continues to bump it or as we bump it tears are surely shed.)
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Monday, February 14, 2011

Dancing in the Minefields...

This morning these decorations greeted me in our kitchen. I had a full weekend with lots of fun events that kept me away from our house a good bit and Kevin at home solo with Anna and Aiden. Of course he took full advantage of his time with the children and graciously allowed me to play. He and Anna spent some time making these hearts, even hearts of garland were streamed from our light fixture. Anna even cut out her own hearts. And then there were Valentine cards for both Anna and myself. Such a fun way to restart our morning after it had originally started by being abruptly woken because clothes and sheets were wet and needed changing.
Kevin being intentional during his one-on-one time with Anna and Aiden is just one of the many reasons I love him. Below is one of the Christmas crafts he worked on during the weekends leading up to Christmas with the children. LOVE them. The Christmas trees are made-up of both Anna and Aiden's hands. Anna sat with her daddy as they both worked hard to complete them.
I came across this song on a friend's blog. It spoke to my heart and mirrors much of our journey. We have been in the minefields and in the storms. But with God's grace I think we are learning to dance and sail in those places. Without a doubt it was harder than we both dreamed but I don't think either of us would change where He has brought us because we know the last lines of this song to be true.

"Cause he promised not to leave us
And his promises are true
So in the face of all the chaos, baby,
I can dance with you."

Wouldn't want to be dancing with anyone else. Happy Valentine's Day Kevin.

Friday, February 11, 2011

A doctor...


and her patient. My laid back little boy has had a rough few days as six plus teeth are trying to make their way into his mouth. According to Kevin, it could possibly be eight. Aiden got teeth early but since the arrival of those top front and bottom front teeth he has had none to speak of...until this week. He has been in pain and he has been fussy. Whew. Little makes him happy, except a trip to see his favorite doctor. Anna got out the prized doctor kit as we were trying to make it to his AM nap this morning. My children LOVE this kit. Aiden sat completely still and perfectly content as Anna did a thorough check-up, even including a manicure as she cut all his nails. He held up his hand as she went through each finger. He looked away or down the entire time. He was so serious and Anna was so focused. If only we could get him to sit this still when daddy tries to cut his nails. It is because Anna spends so much time using the stethoscope on Aiden that he will finally not cry when our pediatrician makes his way with his stethoscope to Aiden's little chest or back. Aiden of course had to listen to Anna's chest as well. I am pretty sure this is the only time my children smile when they are getting a shot. And I left out the picture when Anna looked in Aiden's ears. Although no one was harmed, it surely appeared that the instrument being used was a little too far down his ear. It wasn't, but the picture misrepresents the doctor. And Aiden highly recommends this doctor and manicurist!
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Tuesday, February 8, 2011

DDD....

Daddy/Daughter Date! This past Saturday Kevin and Anna had a special daddy/daughter outing. The Chick-fil-As in our area were having a daddy/daughter Valentine dinner complete with reservations, placemats, a hostess to seat you, a waitress to take your order as well as to serve you at your table and to top it all off sundaes with an assortment of toppings. Anna had been waiting all week for this special time with her daddy. She had searched her closet for the perfect dress earlier in the week. She was so excited about getting "all pretty." So excited that it was hard to snap shots of this little girl. Although, the last picture is blurry it depicts the evening for Anna. She was literally jumping up and down as she and her daddy made their way to the car. When I asked her about the evening she remarked on how there were questions on their placemats for each of them to answer. I am surely thankful that Anna has a daddy that wants to pursue her and wants to spend one-on-one time with her to get to know her heart. I am thankful too that although Kevin did not need the questions on the placemats that Chick-fil-A wants to encourage that relationship between daddies and daughters. Anna had fun listening to her daddy answer his questions and of course Kevin said our little one was thoroughly enamored by the other daddies and daughters that sat near them. She is our people watcher or often even engaging them in conversation!
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Tuesday, February 1, 2011

Scissors...

are of course for cutting coupons. We were at lunch yesterday with some friends and the mommies were talking about crafts for little ones. We happened to talk about scissors at one point and Anna shared with one of the mommies that scissors were also used to cut coupons. Cutting coupons just happened to be on my list of things to do today. However, I thought Anna would be working on her numbers while I sorted through the coupons. I should have known better as this girl doesn't want to miss an opportunity to be a little mommy and she surely loves to cut those coupons. I pass on the fliers to Anna once I have out all the needed coupons. Notice her purse strap. She stores all her coupons in her purse, which she then takes to the store when we make a grocery run because of course we use her coupons too when purchasing items. ;)

She has mastered cutting on the dotted line. If only I could get her to know the coupons we need and don't need. One day. But I am sure when that day comes, cutting coupons will not be nearly as exciting.
Cleaning up her mess and heading to dump it all in the recycle.

She worked so hard this morning that by the end she shared with me that her neck was hurting. I guess from leaning over and concentrating so hard. She is a hard worker! It is tough being a mommy or pretending to be one. Just today at lunch she asked me if I liked cleaning our kitchen floor? Guess she is ready to tackle that chore next. ;)
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Saturday, January 22, 2011

Saturday Night Fun!


Greensboro is home to the US Figure Skating Championship this next week. We know very little about ice skating, but do know this is a big deal. We thought this would be something Anna would enjoy and learned that practices were open to the public and free. The second part was all it took to get us there. We arrived as the Novice Pairs were practicing. Both our children were enthralled as you can tell from the pictures above. The music was upbeat and both sat entertained. Our next form of entertainment came when the Zamboni resurfaced the ice and then the arrival of good friends. Anna and Grayson sat for only a short bit and then worked on their own ice skating skills. Not only was the event free, but was ideal for two excited little girls to move around and have fun together. Aiden eventually escaped the stroller and made his way around as well. A fun evening was had by all.
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Wednesday, January 12, 2011

Laundry Queen...

Often Kevin will refer to me as the Laundry Queen. I just might be giving up my reign to our three-year-old daughter. Although, we have a laundry room, my usual procedure with laundry is to take it into the den to one particular chair and fold it. I then sort it into piles by person. Thus, I can be with the children while I am folding laundry and also the piles usually get put up much quicker as they are visible. Anna has been helping me fold laundry for a while. Over the past several weeks she has really mastered folding washcloths. She has worked diligently to learn to fold them. This morning I took the laundry out of the dryer, but was in the middle of setting-up some morning activities or "school" as Anna refers to it for us to do together. Anna said she would fold the laundry. She called me in when she was done. This is what I found....
Three piles (and an accumulated stack of dryer sheets)
Aiden's pile (changing pad covers, onesies, etc) and a pile of towels/washcloths for the bathroom. I did happen to see her folding the large bath towel. She stretched it out on the den floor and then proceeded to fold it.
Anna's pile...PJs and washcloths. I will note that all these things are much easier for her to fold over a stack of clothes.
But still...a girl after my own heart!
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Saturday, January 8, 2011

Cookie Monster

Yesterday morning, Anna and Aiden were playing with the doll house in Anna's room. Since they were playing so nicely, I headed to put a few things away in our bedroom. After a short bit (only minutes), I called to Anna as her bedroom seemed a bit quiet for two little ones. My assumption was right, Aiden was no longer with Anna. I quickly looked around as there was no noise coming from any of the other rooms. When I headed into the kitchen this is what I found...
Box open. Plastic bag pulled out and open. Hand in the bag. Mouth full and Wheat Thin drool all down the PJs. Oh the foods this one has tasted WAY before his older sister ever did. Thank goodness they were the reduced fat ones. ;) Maybe this is why we have such a picky eater on our hands. The love of carbohydrates has started early. A word he learned early on was "waf waf," which is for waffle. Every morning this is the first thing Aiden says when he enters the kitchen. All breads, crackers and yes, even Wheat Thins are also known as "waf waf."
Later in the afternoon, this is where I found the little man. He had climbed up to the table and was stirring up a pretend treat in his cups and then feeding himself. I guess since the Wheat Thins were put away, he had to settle for his imagination. He did this for a good long while. Maybe he is ready to begin using a spoon to feed himself real food!
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Oh those fingers....

One day this week both Anna and Aiden were ready for their naps before normal. Both of them headed to their rooms on their own. Anna of course is able to get in her bed by herself, but as I was putting away laundry I put Aiden in his crib to rest until I could get my hands free to close the blinds, turn on the sound machine, etc. When I walked past their rooms with more laundry this is what I saw....
What you probably can't see is that with their other hand they are gently pulling and rubbing on their sheets. Both of them. However, opposite hands. So funny to me and so soothing to them.
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