Bond, G-daddy bond

So my sister and I were always going to name a boy ____ Preston, after my dad (Michael Preston). Well, a boy wasn't meant to be between us; 5 glorious girls is what God had in store for us!
After having 3 girls, choosing 3 names (first and middle), coming up with a 4th wasn't the easiest ;)
So when I found out number 4 was a girl, we sought the help of our other 3 children to help name her! I wanted Stella, madalyn wanted Reese...obviously she won out! And I agree: Reese is definitely a Reese!
So the middle name! Not easy! Talking to my sister, she said why not name her middle name Preston! Just change the O to a Y to make it girly...
So we got a Reese Prestyn! Named after her G-daddy!

So to round out the naming story...
It has come full circle. Reese has an amazing bond with her G-daddy! She wants to call him all hours of the day, she asks for him, wants to see him, wants him to hold her, wants him to put her to bed, wants to ride in his truck, and prefers him over most!

I love how these things work out...not that the naming her made her this way, but what a coincidence!

This is what makes me get out of bed everyday! and get back in bed every night from exhaustion!

Every new day faces a challenge...whether it be a blessing or a blessing in disguise

A sign on Loraly's bedroom door reads "Wellcome; hope, joy, love"
Another one "I love my famaly"

Last one reads "I am a Princess!"
and if you know Loraly, you know this is truly how she sees herself! ;)


I only wish Loraly's doctor could see this now! This is the biggest blessing to Mark and I and our girls!

About 9 months ago, her bedroom door had signs that said "STAY OUT!", "DONT COME IN!". It was very sad to read these and the worst thing, is that she meant those hurtful words! She was in a dark place mentally, she was always sad, always hurtful to others, and was always a recluse.

We went to doctors to try and figure things out.
We tried eating differently...
we tried different parenting skills...
we tried giving her all our attention...
we tried ignoring the behavior...
we tried everything we read, everything we were told...

But come to figure out, our daughter was sick. Not sick like most think. But she just had a 'sad' heart, and a sad brain.

We finally caved in and went to a child psychologist. We talked everything out, told everything negative about her (which is the hardest thing to do!), we told her everything sweet and loving about our daughter, we remembered things from the past that were like 'light bulb' moments.

We tried more medicine to see that it still wasnt shaking those 'bad mood'...

So after talking, praying, talking more, and praying lots more...I talked to her doctor and said what we are doing is not working for Loraly... Mark and I can manage this stuff but she can't and its not fair to our beautiful, spunky, blonde haired, blue eyed daughter.

So we decided to start a new road to happiness that came with a new medicine. It was scary, it was hard to swallow, but we had to admit to ourselves and to each other that we are doing this to HELP our baby.

We are now about 2 months in, and everyone...family, sisters, friends, and even Loraly herself can see changes!

Good changes!

Happiness, spunky, joyful, loud, kindhearted, and 'our' Loraly back!

Glad to be back blogging after over a year, but it has been a long 9 months in our home...
We love each of our daughters and they all deserve the best from us, each other, and themselves! We have been working towards being better attentive parents, teaching them to love themselves more and each other more!
Life is good and God has truly and awesomely blessed Mark and me!

Thank you God for a much needed warm day to play outside!

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Ever realized how similar Loraly is to a Polar Bear?

Loraly had to do a report and project on an animal from Antarctica. She choose polar bears.
Here is her written report:

I am doing my report on polar bears. I like polar bears because I think about them alot.
I like to swim and so do polar bears. They can swim up to 100 miles. The real name for polar bears means 'sea bear'.
My dad says I am a meat eater. Polar bears are also meat eaters.
Sometimes my mom says I dont eat enough. Mom polar bears dont eat for 8 months because they are feeding their babies.
Polar bears and me are alike.

Loraly

This Daddy's first!

So I had a meeting on Friday, and Mark had to take Loraly and Sophie in for their well child visits! I think we were both a little nervous. Our oldest is about to be 10 and he has NEVER done a well child visit...at least not alone...and with 2 kiddos!

So they all survived.

Sophie came out with an ear infection...weighing 31.4 pounds (54th percentile), and 36.5 inches tall (30%).

Loraly came out with a bladder infection...weighing 49 pounds (38th percentile), and 48.5 inches tall (52nd %).

He also did really good and took them to brunch before picking me up and taking Loraly back to school.