We're moving..

Well, the blog is anyway... Here is the new link www.turnertanks.blogspot.com

See you there !

1 year ago tomorrow..

Noah was in surgery.. Heart surgery. I cannot believe it has been a year!!! My sweet, sweet little boywas born with a 4mm VSD or hole in between his ventricles. He also had a smaller hole that didn't close at birth like it should have..Everyone thought he was fragile, but not me. I knew if that little scrapper was fragile, he wouldn't be here! Noah is a fighter..always has been. From the beginning, when I was still preggo, Noah kicked harder, moved more. He basicaly flipped around like a fish or a frog ( he still does)

What an awful awful time that was, but so many people made that day , that week better! Our little group huddled in that waiting room, trying to be funny, literally shaking on the inside. Herb, Shanna, Kathi, my Dad and Betty, Mike and Me. And God, he was most definately there too. I remember sitting on the floor, outside the elevators calling my Mom, telling her he made it out.That he did well, that there was a 3 rd hole..and us both bawling like babies. ( Mom was sick, so she couldn't come) We were surrounded by people that afternoon, Jen, Kristin, Kelly, Lauren Fitzpatrick ( who probably knew and understood how I felt more than anyone else) I remember how much Noah HATED the vent.. I have never seen him shake his head so fast, trying to get rid of it. And how I felt the next time I saw him without it... All the sweet people that came to see us and love us that week Kelly J, and Brooke and Ms Beverly, Ashley C., Marilyn one of our fave NICU nurses, Tracy, Amanda and Donna Marie, who eat brought a cooler full of yummy goodness.. I am sure there were more lol....My Aunt Pam who came and took Natey the day before surgery...All of the people who were praying for my small and mighty boy!!

A year later, me and Noah, and Nathan too, still feel as surrounded and loved. It is pretty awesome! Thank you doesn't even do it justice!!

So, today we are celebrating the sweet gift of healing...inside and out. And the sweet gift of a community of people who will walk through a valley with you! And a strong little buddy, who made it all worth it.

Nathan as Woody

Noah as Buzz Lightyear

They LOVE the Cozy Coupe. They fight over it. ALOT.

Dear Noah,

You are such a sweet, funny little professor. I love you buddy, and I love being your Mommy! Every worry and fear I had over you, is worth it. You are so smart and so cheeky, and you are a blessed little boy to have all these people love you.

Love, Mommy

I will lift my eyes..

I am sitting at my favorite spot in my house. Yes, the computer/desk. Because it looks out onto my porch, which I love. I can see all the neighborhood kids getting off the bus, heading for the playground. I am thinking about how big my boys are getting. I think Nathan has grown a couple of inches in the last few weeks, and Praise the Lord, I think Noah might have gained some weight! It makes me a little sad to see them growing up so fast. Knowing, before I blink they will be getting off of that school bus! I think about the last year.. we have lots of one year milestones coming up in the next few months. In fact, the 29th marks ONE YEAR since Noah had his open heart surgery. ( And Nathan's first time away from ME, well, after the NICU that is) We have had a rough year, but so many hurts have been redeemed. I look around every day and see beauty from ashes.. Yesterday we sang a Bebo Norman song at church, I have always LOVED this song, but it spoke my heart.

"I will lift my eyes to the maker, of the mountains I can't climb

I will lift my eyes to calmer, of the oceans raging wild
I will lift my eyes to the healer, of the hurtI hold inside
I will lift my eyes, lift my eyes to YOU"

Such sweet words!

Now a Turner Tank Update!

Nathan is walking ( and running, mostly away from me when he snags my phone, or something else he isn't supposed to have!)

Noah is cruising, and letting go. He has taken a step or two with his OT, Danielle (who threatens to steal him, sometimes!)

Nathan is a little parrot, on repeat. "mama, this, that, dog, uh-oh, YUM, HEY, BYE ( loudly) and so on and so forth. And my favorite, Wuuuv Youuuu"

Noah, is talking more and more. Today he said DOG ( alot), and book, ick, yuck lol and MAMA!

I should have a weight update for him next week, please pray he packs it on!!!

Here are some pictures!

My Nephew Fisher, just because he is ADORABLE!

Noah, circa 5am. Awake and enthusiastic. ( Mommy is NOT)

Omygosh, Nathan you are such a big sweetheart!

Noah LOVES this horse at Offie's house!!

Everyone needs a Shanna

As I have said before, I am blessed with some really, really GOOD friends. I have lots of girls I consider a "best friend" From home, from work, from school and from church. Today I am going to tell you about my friend Shanna. I met Shanna at Georgia Baptist. Even though she was a year ahead of me, we went to the same church. I think I really got to know her the summer between my Sophomore and Junior year. Shanna and I ( and like other people) were living in the dorms that summer to work. So we bonded over dark and scary hallways, and a mission trip to Brazil. I think this is when I learned one of Shanna's most recognizable skills. She is a master packer/organizer. ( I am very much the opposite) Since then, I think Shanna has helped me pack, move or organize countless times! Shanna is an ER Nurse, and pretty good in a crisis. One of the scariest nights of my life happened about 3 days after Noah came home from the NICU. He had been there for oh, 13 weeks. He came home with a feeding tube and a heart monitor. That night, his heart rate kept dipping into the 60s. Seriously low for a little buddy. So, I texted Shanna, hoping she was at work. ( She was) She met me at the Scottish Rite ER (she worked across the street) She kept me calm ( somewhat) and answered questions for me when I couldn't stop crying ( I was a little emotional and WAY exhausted)

Most recently, Shanna has been my "Monday" She comes over almost every Monday to hang out with me and the boys. We do everything from wrangling my twins, to cutting out coupons to watching TV and playing words with friends. It is pretty much my favorite day of the week! Today we organized 3 closets, my guest room, and a dresser. Way overdue, and she didn't make one peep about how random my "organizational skills" were :)

So , Shanna, I am lucky to have you as one of my best friends! Thank you for all of the time you spend with me and Nathan and Noah!

PS, they cried when you left!

Busy Buddies

The week has been full of some ups and downs... I can't say that Valentine's Day or my 6th wedding anniversary were easy..but I feel so surrounded and encouraged.. Thank you! I have gotten so many sweet emails and messages from people that I have known for years, or for less than one year, and I am just so thankful! Last night, a sweet friend told me I was handling our separation and divorce with grace and a Christlike attitude.. I wish that were true of every second.. But that is the desire of my heart. I want to Nathan and Noah to look back at this one day, and be proud of the way I handled it. I cannot say that it is easy, ever...but that Christ is in the midst of the journey!

Now, about the buddies... soooo busy!!!

Our good buddy Ian had a Robot Birthday Party, complete with awesome robot hats.. ( Kudos to a Sarah and Paul for such a fun party) Nathan and Noah are at the very bottom! The birthday boy, is on the right!

Aunt Kristin and Natey!

Self Explanatory!

Noah likes to bang wooden spoons together.. At least it keeps him occupied!

As you can see, I am still figuring out this camera biz.. They are still blurry!

Love, from Lacey and the Tanks

The Sweetest Valentines

These sweet flowers were waiting for me when i got home on Friday.. with a note that read "You're our Valentine, and we love you, love Nathan and Noah." Now I love surprises, they are my FAV-OR-ITE thing..but this one was even better because it was just what I needed. After a looong couple of weeks of self doubt and insecurity, it was a sweet reminder that our GOD knows the deepest part of us. He knew I needed a reminder that even though I may not have a husband that brings me flowers or chocolate, I have two little buddies who are delightful, and a Jesus who still surprises me! So I may not know who dialed the phone (lol) for Nathan and Noah, I know that God was working through them..So whoever you are, thank you, I love you, and don't ever tell me!

New Phone/New Pictures

I got a new -to-me phone ( Thanks Kate) Soo I took some pictures today. They are a little fuzzy, I am still learning this whole touch screen phenomenon! I am not very tech-minded..ugh.

We like to play "who's in jail?"

I love these kids :)

Changes comin' round real soon

Finally updating the blog.. I have been avoiding it for awhile, because, well our lives have been turned upside down. I don't have to go into details here..those who need to know, know them. Our family of 4 is now a family of 3. Please keep Nathan and Noah's dad in your prayers as he continues on his journey. As for the 3 of us...God is good, He is our provider, comforter, and healer. I am excited about what His future holds for us!

As for the BOYS! I missed 12, 13 and 14 month updates... Here are some stats for you!

Nathan: weighing in at 24lb 4oz.

He is cruising around holding onto any furniture he can :) He has taken a few steps for ME, but is very hesitant..

He is a great sleeper, and a really good eater! He is totally a meat and potatoes kinda guy..and has a bad habit of spitting fruit at me..( and dumping his tray over) This last week, he began repeating everything I say (note to self: MUST eliminate words from vocabulary) His favorite word is "HEY" and he says it, ALOT :)

He is such a snuggler and loves to suck both thumbs! So sweet!

Noah: weighing in at about 17lbs

As you can see, we are trying to chunk him up! He is a good eater, now, but still behind. That said, if you have a pediasure coupon, send it my way!!!

He is pulling up to stand and started cruising this week also. He has a few intentional words, and his favorite is "MAMA" especially when I am trying to put him down for a nap.

Noah is known for his little smirky face ...a cheeky grin if you will..and he might be a little stubborn...just sayin!

He is very curious and perceptive...like trying to figure it all out.

They both love to open drawers and doors...we are working on the words that go with it, and not smashing fingers in the process.

Here are some OLD pictures from their birthday...

Nosey Nathan

Noah the Noisemaker

The buddies and their buddies.