2015 in a Nutshell

I’m apologizing to the triplets in advance for being the pathetic mom who can’t keep up with pictures or a blog. I just checked and realized the blog I started with the twins hasn’t had a new entry in over a year—from when we officially announced we were having triplets! Although this year has flown by, I could never recount all the details of 2015. And in all honestly, I don’t have the time or desire to do so either! With that said, we did have some really big God moments this year that are worth mentioning. 

In December of last year we announced we were expecting triplets. Overall  it was a pretty normal pregnancy with no major issues. On March 26^th I went in for a routine check-up and ultrasound at just 32 weeks pregnant. It was during this ultrasound that the technician noticed our identical twins were showing signs for late Twin to twin transfusion and Baby B was pushing all the fluid to Baby C. Because of the extra fluid, Baby C’s heart was having to work extra hard and after several tests they made the decision it was best to have the babies that day—otherwise we risked losing both baby B and C. Although this wasn’t the timing we had planned for we were confident God had a plan and were trusting Him with our babies lives. Baby A was born at 3lb 11oz and was a little boy who we named Josiah James. Shortly after we delivered Baby B, a little girl, at just 3lb. 2oz and we named her Eliana Noelle and then her identical sister Baby C was born at 4lb and was named Avea Elise. I only got a glimpse of their sweet faces before they were whisked away for doctors to start assessing their condition and get them what they needed for life. All preemie’s are miracle babies, but it was neat to see God at work as he restored and healed Avea’s heart in a matter of days. After 6, 7 and 8 weeks in the NICU the babies were able to join us at home and our family of 8 was complete. 

Yesterday the babies turned 9 months old. In just 3 short months the babies will turn one! Developmentally the babies have no known delays and are chunky and as healthy as can be! Praise Jesus!! Josiah is over 24 lbs. while the girls are both right around 20 lbs. They can say ma-ma, da-da, and ba-ba. They can sit up, crawl, pull up to stand, hold their own bottle, and they love to smile and giggle. We know these milestones are answers to prayer and there isn’t a day that goes by that we don’t thank God for their health. 

In addition to God answering prayer with the triplets, God has also provided for our family financially as Fred decided to take a step back from administration and reentered the classroom to teach allowing him more time at home with our family. Our children are growing up so fast and we are so thankful for this  time together as a family as we know we can never get it back.  Also in April of this year, just 3 weeks after the triplets were born we were blessed with a new cousin Layla Brooke. She is a doll and the happiest baby I've ever met :) We look forward to watching these 4 babes grow up together. 

Although I could go on and on about our other 3 beautiful children and all the memories we’ve made this year I’m most excited about surviving this year! After having twins, I had an idea of what to expect with multiples but 3 is a whole new ball game, especially since we had 3 others under the age of 4 when the triplets were born. Through tons of prayer and help from our families and friends God sustained us and has used this difficult time to draw us closer to Him—humbling us daily as he reveals our dire need for Him in our lives. 

~Here are some pictures from 2015~

All babies are home and 3 Months Old

Josiah James

Eliana Noelle

Avea Elise

Layla Brooke..love her! 

My crew

Identical sisters

5 Months Old

1st of many trips to Disney World

First Halloween and 7 Months Old

Meinke Ninja Power

My little turkeys~1st Thanksgiving

First Christmas and picture with Santa

Heading Down Memory Lane with the Meinke's

This is a long overdue blog entry so I'll try to capture the more important/interesting moments of the last few months. On Halloween we announced we are expecting triplets. Although we are still getting over the initial shock, we are very excited to have 3 more miracles joining our family this Spring. Fred and I have always dreamed of having a large family and boy does God have a good sense of humor. Just 4 years ago we didn't know if having children of our own was even a possibility and now here we are expecting our 6th baby. It's awesome to see how God provides even when things seem impossible. We are so thankful for His grace and pray He continues to protect these 3 babies and prepares the rest of us for the craziness that lies ahead.

This Halloween was the best one yet! Every year Courtney and Adam throw a big pirate themed Halloween party at their house. The twins got really into dressing up this year and had fun saying "Aargh" and "Ahoy Matey" to neighbors as they trick or treated. 

For Thanksgiving we were invited to Adam's parents house, which is always a lot of fun! They live in Plant City so the kids have a blast running around their property or riding around in the golf cart. The weather cooled off quite a bit which made it feel more like the holidays.

After Thanksgiving, we haven't stopped. We did the Christmas tree lighting downtown, took the kids to Disney World and Christmas Town at Busch Gardens a few times, watched the Christmas parade, got pictures with a few different Santa's , made gingerbread houses, cookies and a cake for Jesus, went to see tacky Christmas lights, had fun with Elfie, and visited the North Pole on the Polar Express. It's been a busy month but such a meaningful time making lots of memories. The kids are now at an age where we can talk to them about the true meaning of Christmas and why were celebrate Jesus' birth.  This year we walked through the advent curriculum "Truth in the Tinsel." It was a special time for us as a family experiencing the greatest story ever written and the greatest gift ever given- God's own son Jesus the Christ!

Although we are often busy and days can be long and hard, I'm thankful for our Savior. Having children reminds me of my constant need for Him and His grace in my life. I pray that one day my children will understand their dire need for a Savior and choose to follow Him. In the meantime, I pray that God works through Fred and I so we can be an example of Christ to our children. I'm thankful that His mercies are new every morning and I'm excited to see what God has in store for our family in 2015!

Here are a few pictures from the last few months....