A Dedication

Sunday, November 27, we dedicated Jake at our church during the 11 am worship service.

I am sad that we forgot to have it recorded, but I am going to try to remember what I said.

Jon Bailes, our student pastor introduced our family.  I introduced each of us individually and then Noah introduced Jake.  He said, "This is my baby brother, Jacob Robert Tigges". 
I don't remember word for word, but here is what I said:

"We are here today to dedicate our son, Jake.  Obviously, we dedicated him to God the moment we found out we were expecting.  We prayed for him from that moment.  But today, we want to publicly dedicate him in front of our church family.

This past week we were out in public, which we don't do often.  Several people remarked to us things like, "You have your hands full" or "You certainly have your work cut out for you" or "No girls?  You got all boys?".  A friend of our family has four little boys and she said those type of remarks were really starting to get on her nerves.  She told her mom this and her mom told her she should respond, "If you think my hands are full, you should see my heart." 

Well, our house is full, our car is full, our hands are full and our heart is overflowing!

We are so blessed that God has entrusted us to raise these boys to live for HIM.

A verse I want to share because I think it is appropriate is 3 John 1:4 - "There is no greater joy than to know that my children are walking in truth".  I pray our children will see us exemplify his word and live out his truth in front of them.  "

Then I prayed over Jake and our other boys.

Evidently, Noah was putting on a show behind me the whole time and Greg was attempting to corral him with a big grin on his face - real life right there on stage!

Here are two pictures from that morning before we left for church:

Is he not just adorable in his little sweater and jeans?

All four boys - and no one is making a face!

What a Week!!

Last Saturday, before Thanksgiving, Jake was diagnosed with RSV.  At the time, he was only running a fever.  Soon, the nasty cold symptoms reared their head.  I didn't sleep for three nights because I was sitting up holding him.  if we laid him down, he couldn't breathe.  His cough was AWFUL.  It sounded like he was gagging and/or not breathing when he would have a coughing attack.

I hated seeing him that way and felt like there was nothing I could do.

On Tuesday, I took him back to the doctor.  They ruled out pneumonia and gave him a breathing treatment.  That was SO helpful!  Once we got home, he was able to sleep in his cradle (under my watchful eye) and slept well that night for the first time since Friday night.  He continued to run a fever until Wednesday night.  By Friday at his doctor's checkup, his fever was gone completely.  He ended up having an ear infection and was put on antibiotics.  His sleep has still been pretty sporadic and he does better when upright, but now that he is feeling better, I hope to get back on track with that.

I am SO thankful for our pediatrician, antibiotics, tylenol, breathing treatments and supportive family.  I cannot imagine living somewhere where those things were not readily available.  I cannot imagine watching my child suffer and actually not being able to do anything about it.  I take for granted so many things that mothers in other countries do not have the luxury to enjoy.

Thankfully, Jake was able to celebrate Thanksgiving with both of our families.  He just didn't get passed around, much to the disappointment of those in attendance!

Here is my little turkey with my Mammaw on Thanksgiving

Jake in his Turkey shirt my sister made for him.  Check out her stuff on Facebook - Savvy Stitches.

 All four of my turkeys - we had a fun photo shoot :)

Jake in his adorable overalls.  He has a scratch on the corner of his eye - I trim his nails, I promise!

Noah's class turkey - each child decorated a feather at home with their family and sent them in.

We had such a GREAT day.  I hope you enjoyed your Thanksgiving with family and friends!  We are so thankful that Jake is on the mend!

Fall at Our House

This fall has seemingly flown by.  Part of that is the hustle and bustle of two kids in school, one playing soccer and the addition of a new baby in our home.

Here are some highlights of our fall:
Noah at the Black Cat Chase watching for Greg and Blake to cross the finish line.

 Blake after he ran the Kids One Mile Fun Run

 Greg took Blake on an airplane ride around Frankfort sponsored by our airport.

 This was the plane they rode in around town,

 Blake playing goalie in his soccer game.

 My boys in their Halloween costumes.

 Jake on Halloween night.  My friend, Noel, sent the little "monster" sweatsuit.

 All the boys with their friends before trick or treating.

 The whole gang ready to go.

We have had a busy couple of months! 

Thanksgiving Crafts/Printables

There are so many CUTE Thanksgiving Printables/Crafts available there to download.  They are FREE!

Download the set below here: The blog 2 Teaching Mommies has some cute and simple sets on Thanksgiving, turkeys, pumpkins, leaves and more.