C'mere...I've Got A Secret...(not)

If we have ever spoke for more than three minutes...you know my LOVE of being Lolli! It's not a secret ;p

It seems like only yesterday I shared the news of Mackenzie's pending arrival...

OOOOhhhh Baby

My gratefulness, heart full of joy, excitement...

Then we found out Will was going to be born...our first grandson! And this recent little dude is the tiniest bundle of joy ever!

Will...The Movie Star

How could Lolli & Pops ever be so lucky...so blessed? Two grandchildren in consecutive years!

And now...the icing on the cake! (and no longer a secret ;p) (click on the photo for the Mackenzie's announcement)






There are days we just have to pinch ourselves...and always remember to give Him the glory and thanks (and just keepin' our hearts ready to love on MORE babies!)

POUF...or maybe a drop in the bucket!

Since we've moved into our home, I have not had time to be "creative".

Nothing new was purchased, we simply made our "stuff" fit. And it has been funny, several friends that have visited thought we had new "stuff"...but no, just arranged a little differently - and maybe even in a new room/location. Admittedly, it has felt "fresh"...and I, personally, love change!

I'm beginning to digest, think...and dream.

You know me (or if you don't know me (yet ;p)), I buy on the cheap. It's really how I began to know I was "creative". I wanted a certain look for my home years and years and years ago, but could not afford it. So, I dreamed, I figured, I created, I tried, I failed, I tried again...and the entire process is fun for me! (I know, you just called me a weirdo again...but, really, I understand)!

I've been thinking about the grandchildren's room here. It is all hand-me-downs..that I LOVE. Each piece has a "reason" to be belong...



I want a play/work area for them. They are very small...a toddler and a newborn...so something that will grow with them.

The dramatic, looking for inspiration "me" loves this set sold by Serena & Lilly...



I could live without the stuffed dear, but LOVE the look and functionality of this table and soft "pouf" chairs.

Or this is another style of "pouf" chair sold by Serena & Lilly...



LOVE IT...hmmm, I am thinking how portable this would be...they could play in the family room, or even use them to scoot up to their little dining table! I think this could be recreated and "lollified".

Then, I found this by a brilliant blogger...



She was influenced by another leading design store, put her spin on it...and the bucket serves as storage & seating! BRILLIANT (and cute)!

The thoughts are spinning now...and I LOVE this feeling.

Are you a cheap on the go friend with expensive designer taste? Are you working on projects? Would LOVE to know / and see!

I am considering hosting a project group in my home this Fall...anyone interested? I have the concept of what I would like to do...just curious if anyone would be interested...

Gotta go...good to see you again!

Blessings...For Us...But What About Them?

The last week and a half has been an emotional roller coaster for our family.

If you follow my blog, or my life ;p...you know about Will.



A few weeks early, born on Thursday, surgery on Saturday, NICU for ten days and counting...but he is DOING GREAT! We are blessed by this little boy and all that he has taught us in this very short time.

You will hear me talk about Will ALOT...but today I want to tell you about "them". Elliot, Lilly, Sierra's sister, Claire and Baby J's family...

They are in the same NICU suite as Will. At his what looked so tiny 6 lbs. and 4 oz. - he looks like a GIANT to these fragile sweethearts.

The nurses are not allowed to give you information about the babies.

But with the many hours we have spent in the waiting room with their also anxious parents, grandparents, friends and families...we learned so much about and through these little angels.



Claire's Mom was our first NICU "friend". Her husband is in the military and has been out on training for five weeks (out of state). Claire was born 16 weeks premature, she has a brother that is 18 months old...a baby himself. Each day, Claire's Mommy makes the 45 minute drive in the scorching heat to spend the day nursing and nurturing her. A family friend, a teenager, comes along to play with Claire's "big" brother. Now really think about how life is for this family...Dad, unable to be with his family, Mom is doing everything on her own, a teenager is giving up her summer to play with the 16 month old EVERY DAY, and the 18 month old always has a smile on his face and eager for loving on.

I've thought about being in their place...how would I be handling it? After SO many weeks would I be able to handle your military duties if I were her Dad, would I be her continuously joyful Mom eager to arrive each day and seemingly never tired, would I be the teenager who loves the little guy and dotes on his every need...or the little guy - his world disrupted - yet he naps on a chair, or the floor, eats to go every meal...but always smiling and ready to share a hug?

We are so blessed...but what about them?



Lilly shares the bassinet (plastic box, thin mattress, hooked to an unbelievable amount of wires and tubes) next to Will's. She is almost shocking to see. She has been in the NICU for two months, and almost weighs 3 lbs. She was a twin, her brother did not survive. Lilly's Mommy is young, beautiful, smart and all on her own. She spends hours beside Lilly, following the nurses' instructions to a T. She bathes her, dresses her, and is familiar with how to hook everything back up for Lilly's safety. On Friday, Lilly's Mommy brought some precious new clothes for her, they were brightly colored, very soft baby doll dresses. And some of them remain too large. In spite of her struggles to move, or cry, Lilly's eye contact with who is over her bassinet is a thing of beauty...it's almost heartbreaking.

I've thought about being in Lilly's Mommy's place...would I have handled her day when I was that young, would I remain so hopeful for my little girl who is still so fragile, would I grieve for my lost son...yet live for my Lilly?

We are so blessed...but what about them?



His brother and sister (going into 6th grade and 3rd grade) would sit in the waiting room the beginning of the day until after a true dinner hour. They were staying at the Ronald McDonald house. They brought a very nicely packed lunch, big brother would break it out at the appropriate time and they truly enjoyed a picnic each day. They would look out the window at the parking lot and make up stories about cars of people they saw...it was magical to listen. We had a couple of preemie outfits Will was TOO big for, so we offered them to the brother and sis. They LOVED them, adored them, discussed how they would have to take them in...their brother weighs less than two lbs. They compared his size and weight to a liter drink bottle, their intelligence and logic was awe inspiring. They never complained...not once...never whined, never wished....they were just happy to be there with their less than two lb. baby brother. Well, I will take that back...the little sis did tell John she had always wanted a laptop computer like his ;p With her adoring little charm and eyes...I wasn't so sure she wasn't about to get it!

Would I have been like them when I was their age? Could I be as brave as their Mom, away from home, family, still caring and trusting for her two older children while trying to help her little one survive?

We are so blessed...but what about them?




The sisters share a birthday a week apart...Sierra is a very tiny one year old, her sister was born six days after Sierr'a first birthday. Her baby sister is up to three lbs. The family relies on a friend to bring them to the hospital each extremely hot day....the drive is 1-1/2 hours. Sierra is charming, precious, bright and very independent.

If I were this young Mom, could I handle everything she is dealing with? No car, a one year old, a critical newborn...the financial burden and worries?

We are so blessed...but what about them?



Elliot's bassinet stayed behind a wall for the first day, she was then brought out into the NICU general area. I still have a lump in my throat from my visit with Eliot's grandmother. She had flown in from Illinois, and was leaving the next day (extremely reluctant I might add). Elliot's parents live in College Station, and were also staying at the Ronald McDonald House. Her first day in the NICU, and she had open heart surgery. Elliot is another 3 lb. little angel. The surgery was a success, but the 48 hours that follow are critical...as well as all the long days and nights ahead.

How would I handle Elliot's Grandmother's situation - flying back when she was so critical? How would I handle being her parents...they are both young, intelligent professionals...with a new priority that absolves all other aspects of their lives.

We are so blessed...but what about them?

None of us know what the future holds - but I do know that under the best of circumstances each of these children will continue to struggle with health, development, and some - survival.

I don't want to EVER forget how it hurt my heart to see them.

But I also don't EVER want to forget how their parents & families live for EVERY MOMENT, ANY MOMENT to have them. Would you join me, please remember these little angels and their families when you pray.

What a lesson...maybe they are the ones that are blessed (in disguise).

He's Already A Movie Star

Yes he is...good looks, personality...even a movie star name...say in your deepest voice out loud....) "Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the world's brightest new star, WILL SPURLIN!"

The crowd goes crazy... ;p

Not really, he's just a precious angel God has loaned to John and Nicole...but he is a bright and shining star in our eyes.

Click Will to view his first feature film...yes, a starring role at only one week old! (FYI, it's safe, it's my Animoto link)

Stay strong little man...each day will get better!

Simple

I know I am simple, and I don't mind that others think about that me. It's not an insult (I don't think, at least hope not).

It's just that it doesn't take much to keep a smile on my face. Simply...I am a happy person.

Simple things like picnics by the lake, with family, grandkiddos and that guy I love so much - wouldn't trade hours like that for anything. They make me the happiest.












What a great little afternoon with the kids...simple is good with me for sure!

Now...let's talk about this heat wave...it cut into my simple fun! The heat wave does not make me happy. How is your family coping with the heat?

Maybe we will call the kids for a "meet in the middle" dinner (in the AC).

When Your Children . Grandchildren Cry . Just Because

As you know, we have been expecting the arrival of our grandson. Last Thursday we were about 45 minutes away from a "just because" day when we got the call. (Definition: Just Because - no specific reason, dinner together, time well spent. Source: Spies / Donna / Lolli)

"Dad, come straight to the hospital." Nicole was being induced. First...our fear for her - her blood pressure was off the charts. Second...would it be safe for Will to be delivered a few weeks early?

Just because had just taken on a whole new meaning.

Although it has been just a few days, our minds and hearts feel like it has been an eternity.

In a nutshell, Nicole's blood pressure was dangerous throughout - but thankfully returned to a reasonable number as soon as she delivered. And she did great - and is doing great.

And then we met William (Will) James Spurlin.



He will take your breath away, or at least he did Lolli's. At a whopping (not) 6 lbs. 4 oz, he stretched out 18-1/2" long. He is SO tiny, and when he opens those big eyes, they dance like twinkling stars on the water. He has a smidgen (I believe that is an actual word and not a Lolliism) of hair, and it appears to be red/strawberry blonde. Which this red headed (both sides) family LOVES! Several friends have commented how cute he is...so that means I cannot be biased ;p

So as time went on, he was so sweet, quiet...never fussy.

So as time went on, he wasn't eating.

So as time went on, he had not had a bowel movement.

So as time stopped (2 AM) - they took him to the NICU.

She called again (4 AM)..."Dad, come to the hospital."

And our hearts stopped.

Will had been born with an abnormal bowel. He was totally blocked. Anything that had gone down was lodged, or came right back up.

It would require surgery - on this sweet, precious, innocent, seemingly frail little angel.

There were a series of incidents...but I'll get to the bottom line, just because.

They did the surgery, it was totally successful.

He will remain in the NICU for several days. There is a step plan that he will follow to be able to be released. So far, the patient, precious, innocent, seemingly STRONG Will is right on track. And although it hurts your heart to see the tubes, the wires, his little eyebrows furrow from the pain - he is right where he needs to be - receiving the care he so desperately needs.

His Mommy and Daddy are spending lots of time with him...and he most certainly recognizes their voices.

Lolli and Pops prayed over Will before we had to leave. The lump in my throat is still in his little bed, right there beside his tightly swaddled little heart.

And just because you never want your child or grandchild to know pain or cry...you can't stop it or prevent it.




I can tell you this...when I asked for prayer - it flowed. From friends, from churches, from people I have never met. And to each of you...thank you...those prayers were felt. God held Will gently in his hands, he watched over the shoulder of those angelic doctors and he must have guided their every move.

And I will never understand in crisis - how anyone can possibly cope without having faith - without the confidence of knowing a loving and caring God. I could not - I would have lost my mind.

Will...God will continue to hear your name.



Lolli & Pops will be back soon...and I meant it when I said each day will get better. And I meant it when I said that there is nothing we can't dream of...and receive it...just because.



If you haven't told your child or grandchild that you love them today...call them, now, just because.

July 4th Freedoms...and the flies died from happiness

"You have to love a nation that celebrates its independence every July 4, not with a parade of guns, tanks, and soldiers who file by the White House in a show of strength and muscle, but with family picnics where kids throw Frisbees, the potato salad gets iffy, and the flies die from happiness. You may think you have overeaten, but it is patriotism." ~Erma Bombeck

I had to giggle at this visual Erma painted for us here...

LOVE what she said about the non-violent appreciation of our strength.

LOVE the family analogy, salad, and even the flies made me smile (ooohhh).

And yes, in a few hours "overeaten", I am in full confidence, will be mentioned in our household.

Anticipating that the brisket, chicken and sausage (and all that goes with it) to be enjoyed later won't clog our arteries quite fast enough - I have sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits (with butter / yes Paula Deen reference here & Fredricksburg Peach preserves) on the stove right now!

It's been a fun holiday, we SO enjoyed the hometown activies and parade...
















And for the lady (who shall remain nameless), you can thank me later for NOT posting the not so attractive photo of you enjoying festival food... ;p (your welcome) .

There have been beautiful fireworks for the last few days, more to come this evening. We've heard incredible music...and braved the almost unbearable heat, enjoyed family, friends and new friends.

Today we plan on MORE food, MORE music, enjoying a picnic with a couple of our kiddos and Mackenzie...maybe even some "schwimming".

Joy is mine, freedom to enjoy is mine.

And yes, I feel guilt. Guilt for families that are not together, soldiers here and abroad and all their families sacrifices...for my joy, my freedom.

I hope you know sweet people that you are never far from my thoughts and never leave my heart. God hears your name daily.

I have such gratitude for all my freedoms, my privileges...and I know that I do not deserve the blessings that are mine for the taking.

Happy 4th of July sweet friends...remember those I've mentioned, enjoy your freedoms, family and friends...and remember to give thanks. (and smile...eat that salad before it gets iffy ;p)