And Here We Go Again...

That is right, we went back to the doctor this week. I feel like we can't catch a break these days.

We went to Dallas this past weekend to see my brother and his family, Larry's parents and Larry and I went to the Arkansas vs A&M game. We had a wonderful time! The kids did awesome in the car. Natalie did not even cry once, she took a little nap and watch movies. Friday we hung out with my brother, sister-n-law, niece and nephew. Then Saturday, Larry parent's came in town and watched the kids while we went to the game. Sunday, we hung out with my brother again and then headed home. Overall it was great weekend!

Natalie woke up Monday with horrible diarrhea and I mean horrible. You knew when she went because she would start screaming bloody murder almost. So what happens to a baby when they have diarrhea...diaper rash. It is by far the saddest thing I have seen lately. Every time we go to change her diaper, she starts crying (the big tears type of crying) and starts shaking, because it hurts so bad. She laid on her side watching a movie for over an hour the other night. She is not herself at all. I took her to the doctor to be safe and everything looks good for the most part. The doctor believes it is because she has been on so much antibiotics lately, that this is the side effect. She has been on 3 rounds of antibiotics since the last week of August, each last 10 days, so you can see not much time off in between. She seems to be doing a little better today, so I am hoping we are turning the corner and getting well.

Carter has been doing good. He has some allergies right now, which makes him a little cranky. He is also trying to completely cut out naps. I still try and make him lay down everyday no matter what, but I can't make him go to sleep. So he has been extremely tired at night. I guess it is the never ending battle of parenthood.

We are starting to gear up for Halloween at our house. I got what little decorations we have out. I was trying to convince Carter to be what he was last year, a pirate (actually it is a skeleton sweatsuit, but he thinks he is a pirate). It actually worked for a while, but now he wants to be Lightening McQueen (from the movie Cars). He is so funny, I ask him what he wants to be and he says, "Lightening McQueen, Zoom Zoom." I think costume shopping is good father, son time (of course, Larry does not know that yet).

I can't believe it is already the middle of October. Where has this year gone?

I am not sure if any of you have heard Matthew West's new album, The Story of Your Life. He took stories from people's life that had written him and made them into songs. I have not heard the entire album yet, but what I have heard is amazing.

I was driving down the road one day and was listening to KLove, when Matthew was talking about this song, A Reason for the World. He talked about the story behind the song and then played for the first time ever to the mom who wrote the letter. I have to say, she seemed to hold it together a lot better than I did. I was crying so hard, that I am sure the guy at the drive through I was at, thought I was freak.

The song talks about a tragedy and finding comfort in the world, because...

"Maybe the reason for the pain

Is so we would pray for strength

And maybe the reason for the strength

Is so that we would not lose hope

And maybe the reason for all hope

Is so that we could face the world

And the reason for the world

Is to make us long for home"

I figure most of you know this, but some might not. I lost my dad two weeks before we found out about Natalie. There is not a day that goes by that I do not think of him or miss him dearly. I am not sure why we have gone through so much turbulence, as I like to call it, but I know God has a reason and a plan. So, I do not lose hope in knowing God does everything for a purpose. I believe my dad went to Heaven, so that he could be in the operating with Natalie when we could not. I know I will see him again in Heaven some day.

This song also touches my heart, because I a friend I have made through emails and facebook. I spoke of her family and her son, Cohen back this summer. Cohen was a heart baby as well, but he lived only a few weeks, but is still making an impact on everyone that hears his story. Cohen's mother, Megan is such an inspiration to me with her continual faith and strength in the Lord.

So I could not post the video on this post for some reason. I am still not too smart with the whole blogging bit. I am going to make another post right after this with it. Also, if you search around on YouTube, you can hear Matthew West talk about the story behind the song.

Just remember during your time of turbulence that there is a reason for the pain, strength, the hope, and the world...so that we long for home.