What Doesn't Kill You Will Only Make You Stronger.

Well, it has been well over a year since we (I) last posted. We have been extremely blessed in this last year. Our prayers have been answered in more ways than one. Can you believe it will be 5 years since Steve met Malia and Rolando? We cannot believe time has passed that quickly. The most amazing news came our way Christmas Eve. We were on our way to the Children's Mass at St. Thomas Moore, when we had a message from Lori Colbert our amazing lawyer, she told us the babies father had agreed to everything we had submitted to the courts and we should have custody of the kids after a few formalities were taken care of! Our prayers from Steve's amazing family, my amazing family and ours as parents had been answered. It may have taken some time, as we know God is busy tending to those who need him the most, and What Doesn't Kill You Will Only Make You Stronger.
Wow, did it ever test us though. We learned so much as a couple, as parents, how to be a supportive cohesive team, how to function when it seemed we were taking 5 steps back to every one step forward. All would not have been possible without the loving support of our friends, our family and each other. It is feels so refreshing to have a chapter in your life completely closed with no loose ends. It means so much to Steve and I, we can finally be together as a family. Elliott loves his brother and sister so much, it was extremely painful this last August to say goodbye to the babies when they left for AK. Elliott was so confused running though the house yelling "ROLO", "LIA". Now we talk to him with so much anticipation and excitement, he knows something big is going to be happening here really soon!
Speaking of "BIG" things happening, this May we found out we're expecting again! So, now here we are at 32 almost 33 weeks along in the pregnancy and our little Erik is creating quite the fuss. He like his BIG brother Elliott has decided he wants out a little earlier than both our doctor and we would like. If we can at least hang on till the beginning of February, that way we know for sure his little lungs will function on their own, we will be the happiest parents alive.
So, we also have an amazing new house and zip code. Our location is now Stanwood, WA. Stannnn a whoo? We are in a little slice of heaven, I swear we are on the tip of the banana belt here. It could be raining in Lynnwood and WOHOO! We have sunshine pouring through our windows. It is a little crazy to think 35 miles would make that big of a difference. Stanwood also has one of the highest rated school districts in the state! We can't wait for M and R's big arrival, it means school functions, getting to know people in our community and actually taking the time to get out and met some other parents our age.
I know more has taken place in this last year, we have so many things to be thankful for, but sleep calls!