The Tipping FamilyRedefining Normal

I got back last night from visiting the Masche Family (sextuplets) out in Lake Havasu, Arizona, and wanted to share some things from being out there…

• that area is so different than anywhere in the south, I flew into Las Vegas, and then drove to Lake Havasu, which is about 2 hours away, and in between towns on the way, there is absolutely nothing except for rock and dessert!  Lake Havasu is really pretty because the lake kind of lines the foothill of the mountains.
• luggage didn’t make it with me, so had to wait until 2 day I was there before it got delivered.
• when you get out of your car there, it really feels like someone is blowing the hair dryer in your face, it is a different hot…I think it is actually worse than Columbia!!
• while riding down the road, Bryan (Jenny’s husband) was driving, and I had chicken nuggets and fries going up and down the aisle of the 15-Passenger van trying to feed the six before getting home so they could be put down to go to sleep.  Very challenging!
• two days I was there, they were filming for their show “Raising Sextuplets,” the first day was separating the kids from being in one room to splitting to the 3 girls in one room and the 3 boys in the other room, and getting organized.  The second day was going to JcPenny’s to shop for comforters and then getting lunch and playing nearby the store.  While the producers are there doing all of the filming and things, Jenny and Bryan have to do a good many interviews as well, which was all very interesting to see taking place.
• some of my time there was tougher than I was prepared for, but overall I know God was using the time for great things, and I am very glad that I went.
• had some great conversations with Jenny, praying, and getting to know each other better and better.  
• random history, the real London Bridge from the kids song is in Lake Havasu, drove over it!
• it was fascinating to see all of the children’s different personalities!
• One of the children, Grant, cracked me up…he constantly eats, if you could not find him just look around the kitchen table, and he was finishing off everyone’s plate!
• It was very healing to be able to share and talk with Jenny and Bryan at different times, and to see how God was using our time together.
• Got to go in a really nice recording studio in Vegas with Jenny and her friend Melana, it was tempting to want to change professions to being a silly voice for a cartoon character, or something fun like that!  Jenny was having to do a voice over, which is normally a breeze for her, but…she was losing her voice, so it was a bit more complicated…we were all  ready to get out of there when she was done!
• ate Cheesecake Factory for dinner!
• Jenny and Melana dropped me off at the airport to catch my really late 12:40 flight!
• My purse got stolen in the airport…not fun at all, although I was lucky to have my smaller wallet purse on me that had $ and phone, but in my bag was my journal, bible, baby pics, camera, sunglasses, and a few other things that mean a whole lot more to me.  I was pretty bummed!
• Made it home last night  after my friend Denise picked me up from the airport and we went to the Whitewater Park to do rafting and ziplining!! Super fun!

Glad to be home with my amazing husband, but glad that I took the trip.  There were times while I was there that I was sure I was ready to come home early because it was hard, but I am so glad that I stayed, and had the experiences that I did while I was there.  I know God has special plans with our friendship, I am super thankful for the Masche Family, love you guys!

It has been a while again since I posted a blessing, but I really want to do this more often, because I think of these people so so much.  Dr. D, or Denise is a precious friend of mine, and means the world to me!  I look up to her a whole lot, she has such a special place in my heart.  Denise and I met playing frisbee a couple of years ago, and now it seems like we have known each other for so much longer, I have so enjoyed getting to know her more and more.  She is an ER doctor at Lexington Hospital… so she takes care of all of us (that is an under statement!)

Let me just share, when I went in the hospital in preterm labor, I think Denise was out of town that weekend, and she was one of the first people I called, and as soon as she got back in town she was there right by my side.  I remember her asking me what kind of bagel I wanted from Panera’s when she was on her way, ( I was thinking, lord, please let me be able to eat that when she get here!!!) While in the hospital she had to work off and on throughout that week, and when she got off ,no matter what time it was she was back up at the hospital checking on me and fighting along side with me.  She showed more love that week that anyone I have ever seen!!  As things worsened throughout the week, I remember looking at her from time to time and seeing worry in her eyes, yet she was continuing to make me laugh and encourage me.  Thank you Denise for giving me the best hair washing ever and rubbing my feet…I know you really probably hated that!!!  Thank you for not giving up on me! I also remember when Denise came in on Sunday after I had delivered all of the babies, and she had big tears running down her face ( she doesn’t cry much, she is a tough girl!) and we hugged, I knew she knew what my heart was feeling.  Denise thank you for loving and hurting with me. Denise, thank you for continuing to be a huge support for me day after day, making me laugh, crying with me, running with me, cooking with me, and so much more.  

I love you, DENISE

I spent today trying to get the house in a little bit of order and started packing for my trip to Arizona…I can’t believe it is already here, it is kind of crazy!  Allen and I are leaving tomorrow afternoon and driving to Charlotte to spend some time together.  We are so blessed, there are a group of folks at the Metro Association that wanted to get us a night away together, so we are getting to stay in the Embassy Suites in Charlotte tomorrow night, yahooo!  Then I will be flying out on Saturday afternoon into Las Vegas and the Maesche’s will be meeting me there and then we will drive back to Lake Havasu, Arizona, and coming back home on Thursday.  We originally were going to the beach in California for a few days but they are having to do some taping for their show instead…if you want to check it out, it is on WEtv on Thursday nights at 9…the website is www.wetv.com, and it is called Raising Sextuplets.  This should be a great adventure.  I am super pumped about meeting Jenny and her family, she has been a huge encouragement to me for a couple of months now. I know God placed our friendship together for a reason, and finally getting to meet them in person will be great.  Please pray for me as I go out there just to be refreshed and enjoy! Look forward to writing about trip later for sure!

Summer has started off nice for me, this has really been the first week off.  I have had some good peaceful time in scripture, and focusing in on God’s goodness in all sorts of ways.

Just a few ways God is so good to me… an amazing husband that is a leader, teacher, listener, lover-great friends-can excercise now (especially play frisbee)-the riverwalk in columbia-he helps us heal-people to push us when we can’t push ourselves ( lifegroup/close buddies)-gerber daisies on my front porch-Eli and Dakota…I could go on and on!

I will miss you this week, I love you!

This is such a sweet story from my friend Kim, who I talked about in an earlier post.  She has two adorable little girls!  Read on…

I had planned to write and tell you something wonderful that happened during your most sad time. At first I wasn’t sure if it was the “right” time to share this wonderful moment with you. Then “life” took over and my little ones kept me busy. So here it goes…… The Tuesday after you went in the hospital the girls and I were enjoying time outside. Celia and Callie were playing with those “weeds” that you can blow and make a wish. I noticed each time Celia was blowing hers she would close her eyes, pause and then blow as hard as she could. As you can see I caught this moment on camera. After she finished she looked at me and said “I pray for Courtney babies”. Before you went in the hospital we had been talking about you and your babies and praying each night for all of you. Since you went in the hospital you, Allen and those sweet babies were a regular discussion in our house. Celia loves babies! So every night Celia continued to pray for “Courtney babies”. Each time when one of your sweet angels passed on to be with Jesus I would tell Celia. I honestly wasn’t sure how much she was understanding but she continued to pray each night for “Courtney babies”. Several weeks later we were outside once again and Celia got a weed and blew it as hard as she could. Celia then said “mommy I pray for Courtney babies”. I thought… she really didn’t understand when I had told her that Courtney’s babies had not been strong enough to live here and had gone to be with Jesus. So I looked at Celia and said that’s so sweet baby but remember Courtney’s babies weren’t strong enough to live here on earth. Celia looked up at me with the biggest smile and happiest expression and proclaimed “I know Mommy they are having a PARTY with Jesus! So many emotions overcame me at that very moment. My 4 year old had understood, but she had only seen the best part of the whole painful journey. In her next breath she wispered “but Courtney is sad”. I cried feeling in my gut how sad you must be, and I cried loving the excitement my sweet angel has for her version of death. 

I agree with Kim 100%, Celia gets it…such wonderful childlike faith that I long for daily.  My prayer is that you would see God in the little things, the big things, the good things, the hard things today…and be thankful for His grace!

God continues to show me daily to trust in Him and never ever let go.  At the memorial service for our babies, Travis sang the worship song “You never let go”…which has been so true.  Parts of the lyrics say, “through the calm and through the storm, you never let go.” Not only am I clinging daily to holding tight to Him, He doesn’t not waiver one bit from us in whatever circumstance or life things that may be happening.  I want to encourage with that, because even in the toughest of times, God reveal himself in such huge ways.

The first of this week was a little tough, and I am realizing as I hurt at times that some things upset you and you aren’t too sure why, and other things hit me and are frustrating and I just want to change them really quick!  There are times I don’t even know how to put into words how exactly I am feeling, and when it comes out I am not sure I make a lot of sense…thankfully I have some wonderful support around me that encourage and push me no matter what!

I had a great conversation with a lady on Wednesday night.  Her name is Brianna Morrison, and she lives in Wisconsin.  She had commented on the blog while I was in the hospital and it struck me when I went back and read some of the comments (which by the way, I love seeing so many different comments from people, it has been really encouraging).  Brianna was pregnant with six and she delivered at 23 weeks, and lost all of her babies except for one, Silas just two years ago.  She now also has a new little girl, Ivy Pearl.  It was great to get to talk to her on the phone and ask questions and learn more about her story.  I really feel like as we know people’s stories, and are able to relate to joys, hurts, etc. we form such a unique bond in Christ.  If you would like to read more about her story, check it out at www.littlegreenpastures.com .  I look forward to more conversations with her!  Thank You Brianna for your wisdom and encouragement.

Last night, Kristi and I kept some twins from Midtown, Isaac and Liam, and wow did they warm my spirits, they are so full full of life.  It was neat realizing, that even when things are tough and thing hurt, that there still can be things that bring smiles.  The good is even better now,and just to  appreciate life more every second! 

I hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and I will post again soon!

I can’t believe it is already June! Only 1 more day of work for me before summer!!  I am looking forward to some adventures this summer.  I am going out to Arizona at the end of June to meet Jenny Masche.  Jenny has two year old sextuplets, and was a big encouragement while pregnant,and after losing the babies she has been a great support for me.  About a month ago she invited me to come out to visit, so I am really looking forward to our time together!  Then, hopefully in July, Allen and I will be going to Mexico with Midtown for a week to work with the missionary there in the Yucatan Pennisula.  And, in August, my mom has reserved a beach house for a week which will be a good getaway for us.  Those are the plans thus far…but I hope to really have a lot of healing this summer.  After everything happened in March, I quickly started trying to do “stuff “…whether that be returning to work quickly or just going through things.

I will post again soon, my thoughts are kind of all over the place, and trying to put in to words is difficult right now…but I also want to post another blessing too…just be patient with me!!