Eli's 3 Month Pictures

Mom & I took Eli to Sears on Monday to have his 3-month pictures made. He did so good! I can't believe he is already three months old!

I hope you all are having an awesome week.

Please allow me to be selfish for a moment and ask you to please pray for Shad, the boys and me over the next few days. We would really appreciate it!

Love,
Casey

Place Your Bid! Haha!

Well...the bidding starts NOW on the infamous quarter!!!

It's out and Colby did great at the hospital. Thanks to everyone who prayed for him today - we really appreciate it. Here are a few pictures from today.

Good Morning from Christus Schumpert Medical Center

Colby & Clifford the big red dog

He was pretty intrigued by the IV. He was asleep before they put the IV in so he didn't have to feel that pain - thank goodness! But...when he woke up he was ready for it to come out!
This was after the surgery. Last time he had this done, he woke up screaming and I prayed that it wouldn't be like that this time. God answers prayers! He was so calm, just laying there in the bed, when they brought him back to us.

He was showing his IV to Eli and he wanted him to lay right beside him.
Colby is such a sweet big brother!



God is so good to us. I'm so thankful that He watched over our little boy today.
I will try to give y'all a break now from the updates! Y'all are probably tired of me posting everyday! Have a great weekend!

Casey

An Expensive Quarter!

Well it all started on Saturday night - Colby decided that his tummy might make a pretty good piggy bank. He was being rewarded with quarters for going to the potty and he thought he would invest his money in the tummy. Soooooo....I called the Pediatrician to let them know that Colby had swallowed a quarter and he said "Wow, that's the 2nd in an hour, the first was a dime!" He told us that more than likely it would pass but if it hadn't passed by Tuesday to bring him into the office for x-rays. Nothing about my child is "likely!" Sooooo.....we headed to Shreveport this morning (Wednesday) for our appointment at 8:30. They took xrays and there was definitely a quarter still in there. They said the chances of him passing it on his own were one in a million. It is lodged at the "drain" of the stomach and the opening of the intestines so they told us we needed to have an endoscopy done to remove it. So.........we are scheduled for him to have an endoscopy at 6:30 in the morning at Schumpert in Shreveport. He has had this procedure done before back when he was almost two and having tummy troubles. He was a little younger and didn't really understand as much as he does now. I'm a little worried that he might be a little nervous in the morning. But everything went fine that time and I'm trusting it will all be fine this time too.

While we were there, Eli got his 3 month check up and they said he was a healthy boy. He weighs 12 pounds, 2 ounces and he is 22 inches long. He is really smiling and "talking" these days....such a precious boy!

Well please keep us in your prayers in the morning. And, by the way, after tomorrow, the quarter is up for grabs....to the highest bidder!!!!

Some Recent Pictures!

Hope you all are having a wonderful Tuesday! Here are some pictures of the last few weeks.

One Sunday Morning all dressed up for church! It was freezing outside but I had to get a picture of them all matching.

Daddy And His Boys!

My Little Cowboy!

On New Year's Eve we went to Wichita Falls and spent a few days with the family! Brandon and Presley even came for a couple days. It was so fun being all together.

Colby & Paul

Can't keep boys from wrestling! They have so much fun all together.

And this is what Sisters are good for!!! This picture will haunt him in a few years!

Levi with a headband!

Claire & Presley


Brent thought he needed to have his picture taken with EVERYONE!
He must think he's pretty handsome!


Brent & Jennifer aka My Role Model
Maybe one day I can be like her! I'm trying!

Brent & Mom

Brent, Brandon, & Daddy

Brent, Eli & Daddy

Brent & Mikah

Hope you enjoyed the pictures!

Here's a little story that I got via email today and it inspired me...maybe you'll like it too!

A little girl had been shopping with her Mom in Target. She must have been 6 years old, a beautiful red haired, freckle faced image of innocence. It was pouring outside. The kind of rain that gushes over the top of rain gutters, so much in a hurry to hit the earth it has no time to flow down the spout. We all stood there under the awning and just inside the door of the Target. We waited, some patiently, others irritated because nature messed up their hurried day. I am always mesmerized by rainfall. I got lost in the sound and sight of the heavens washing away the dirt and dust of the World. Memories of running, splashing so carefree as a child came pouring in as a welcome reprieve from the worries of my day. The little voice was so sweet as it broke the hypnotic trance we were all caught in "Mom, let's run through the rain," she said."What?" Mom asked."Let's run through the rain!" She repeated."No, honey. We'll wait until it slows down a bit," Mom replied. This young child waited about another minute and repeated: "Mom, let's run through the rain,""We'll get soaked if we do," Mom said."No, we won't, Mom. That's not what you said this morning," the young girl said as she tugged at her Mom's arm."This morning? When did I say we could run through the rain and not get wet?""Don't you remember? When you were talking to Daddy about his cancer, you said, 'If God can get us through this, he can get us through anything!" Now the entire crowd stopped dead silent. I swear you couldn't hear anything but the rain. We all stood silently. No one came or left in the next few minutes. Mom paused and thought for a moment about what she would say. Now some would laugh it off and scold her for being silly. Some might even ignore what was said. But this was a moment of affirmation in a young child's life. A time when innocent trust can be nurtured so that it will bloom into faith. "Honey, you are absolutely right. Let's run through the rain. If GOD let's us get wet, well maybe we just needed washing," Mom said. Then off they ran. We all stood watching, smiling and laughing as they darted past the cars and yes, through the puddles. They held their shopping bags over their heads just in case. They got soaked. But they were followed by a few who screamed and laughed like children all the way to their cars. And yes, I did. I ran. I got wet. I needed washing. Circumstances or people can take away your material possessions, they can take away your money, and they can take away your health. But no one can ever take away your precious memories.

So, don't forget to make time and take the opportunities to make memories everyday. I can't wait until it rains again...you can bet Colby and I will be running in the rain and splashing along the way! I can't wait!

Have a "memory-making" week!

Love, Casey

A Glimpse of our Holidays....

Hey everyone! I hope you all are wonderful! We had a fabulous Christmas with our boys and of course our families....here a few pictures from the holidays!

Breakfast with Santa at the Methodist Church

An attempt to get a family picture for the Christmas Card - it was unsuccessful.

Maybe we'll try again next year!

CHRISTMAS AT MEME & POPPY'S

Aren't these just the most precious kids you've ever seen?!?! I could just eat 'em up!

Levi Brent

Claire Grace & Presley Daniele

Mikah Ashton
Meme & Eli Jack
Colby Monroe, Paul Abram & Braden Thomas

BUSH CHRISTMAS

The most beautiful sisters in the world!

Aunt Kim, Aunt Tammy, Aunt Sandra, My Precious Momma

The girls and Braden

Shawna with Gavin and Eli

Gavin & Eli - they are four months apart!

During the holidays Shad was off for about two weeks and I closed my shop between Christmas and New Years. Although this was NOT good for the pocketbooks, it was GREAT for our family! We had sooo much fun being together - we are so blessed.
During the time off, Colby got to go squirrel hunting with his wonderful Daddy. He woke him up at 6 am and you think he would be grouchy but as soon as we told him he was gonna go squirrel hunting, he ran to his room to get ready. And of course, momma had to get up to take some pictures!

I promise I will be back soon with more from the beginning of our year! Stay tuned!

~Casey~

Yeah, It's Been A While and I'm Sorry!!!

So I used to get onto Adria all the time - "You need to blog more" I would say! Well now she is saying that to me. So yeah, it's been a while and I'm sorry. But anyways - here I am blogging...YAY!!!!!

I had to take Colby and Eli to the doctor yesterday. Colby has double ear infections and the doctor put him on antibiotics. Eli is a little congested but hopefully it will go away. He weighed 8.5 pounds today so he has gained over two pounds in three weeks.

We are so excited about the Christmas season....all of the lights, parties, family time and everything that is a part of this wonderful time of year. Colby is so excited about Santa Clause this year and of course Eli could care less!

Shad's gone to the deer lease for a few days so the boys and I are just gonna hang out this weekend. The lighted Christmas parade is Saturday night so we are looking forward to that. I am really missing being home with Colby these days. He's growing up so fast and I feel like I am missing so much. Hopefully something will change soon...either he can start coming to work with me more or maybe I can stay home with him more. We'll see - maybe you can add that to your prayer list if you don't mind.

Here are a few pictures that I thought you might enjoy!

Shad and Colby went on a walk through the woods early one morning a few Saturdays ago and came up on the neighbor's cull chicken pile. There were two chickens that were alive and Colby fell in love with them. When they got ready to leave, Shad told him to tell the chickens bye but he wouldn't hear of it. He wasn't leaving without a chicken...actually make that two chickens! So Shad and Colby come in and wake me up and Colby is begging to bring his chickens in the house. I, of course, say no but I really thought they were kidding. I couldn't imagine them bringing chickens to our house - I mean what are WE gonna do with live chickens??? So, I finally got up and went outside to find two, real, live chickens under the carport. They were culls so they were a little crippled, enough so that they got put into Colby's dumptruck and hauled around for a while. Colby had fun with them and all the while I am telling Shad he is gonna get some kind of disease from handling those nasty chickens. Haha! The chickens stayed at our house for a few days laid up with the dogs if you can imagine that! Finally Shad carried them away and Colby hasn't missed them so far.

Eli at 4 weeks and wide awake!

Well, until next time, I hope you stay warm and well in this crazy East Texas weather!

~Casey~

Happy Monday!

Bubble Bath Time For The Silly Big Brother!!!

Hey everyone! Sorry I didn't update on Tuesday. Things are a little busier with two kids. Eli weighed 6lbs 7oz at the doctor on Tuesday. I have really noticed in the last couple of days that he is really growing. He is eating great and sleeping well and overall just being a great baby! Colby is still being a precious big brother too.

Shad took Colby deer hunting this weekend at his Uncle Jimmy's. Colby HAD to take his toy gun to shoot the deer with. So Shad and Colby are sitting in the deer stand and out come some does. Shad shoots one, hits it and it runs off a ways before dying. Then Colby cocks his gun and pretends to shoot one. They found Shad's deer but Colby's version of the story is a little different. He says they found his deer but they couldn't find Daddy's deer. So Colby is so proud that he killed a deer.

Kids are so much fun! We are so blessed that God would trust us with two precious boys!

I am back at work now - ugh! Wouldn't it be nice if money just grew on trees? It's not so bad though. Eli is with me and Colby will be with me sometimes and with Mrs. Martha and Mr. Jack sometimes.

So that's about it! Keep us in your prayers!

Love,
Casey

Home...but on the go!!!

"The Crew"

Paul, Mikah, Eli, Claire, Levi, Braden, Presley, Colby

Absolutely impossible to get a smile out of everyone at the same time!

The precious Big Brother!

Eli on his first day home!!!

Hey everyone! Well we made it home Saturday morning and it's been a busy week. Sorry I am just now updating! I just know you are DYING for more pictures of my boys!!! Haha!

We got home Saturday and had several special visitors, including big cousins, Presley and Braden, and we went to church on Sunday morning for the first time and received a very warm welcome. On Sunday night, my brother Brent, Jennifer and the kiddos came in to meet their new cousin! So we pretty much hung out at Mom's the first part of the week with them. We really enjoyed our time together. Colby had so much fun playing with his cousins! They headed home Wednesday morning and we have tried to take it easy but you know, that just never happens. We've worked a little and played alot and we are just loving life with our family!

Colby has adjusted so well. He absolutely loves Eli and doesn't want anyone to even mention taking him home with them. He wants him with us at all times! (And SO DO I!!!) He just talks to him all the time and wants to lay by him and hold him. He is such a great big brother!

Eli is sleeping very well. He wakes up about every 4-5 hours to eat at night and goes right back to sleep. He is a wonderful baby so far! So that's about it - we are doing great! I take Eli back to his pediatrician on Tuesday and I will let you know how that goes! I hope you all have a wonderful weekend!!!

Love,

Casey

God is Good!

Wow-I didn't get to update the blog last night because we were really BUSY holding a precious baby boy!!!! Lots has happened since Wednesday. Eli was taken off of ICU status last night. He got to come to the room with us for the first time about 8:30 and Colby got to see him and hold him. He was so excited! He just kept rubbing his head and kissing him - so sweet. They brought him in every three hours last night to stay for about 45 minutes and then he had to go back under the light for his jaundice. This morning, they said his jaundice was better so he has been in the room with us pretty much all day long and he has been eating like a pro. Colby just wants to hold him all by himself, all the time. He just talks to him and giggles. He is so happy with his baby brother.

We are scheduled to be discharged in the morning (Saturday). He has to have his hearing screen done in the morning and hopefully we will be headed home soon after that.

If you want to come visit, you are certainly welcome. Just remember that Eli does have premature lungs so that makes him more susceptible to germs. We certainly don't want to end up back in the hospital.

We thank you all again for your prayers and support, visits and phone calls. We are so blessed to have such wonderful family and friends. We are excited to get home tomorrow and we can't wait for Eli to meet all of you! Enjoy the pictures!

Love,

Shad, Casey, Colby & Eli

An update on Eli

In the hospital we remain. Eli is improving. He is off of the oxygen and he is breathing faster than he should be but hopefully that will be better tomorrow. They just started feeding him through a tube tonight. He didn't tolerate the first feeding very well but they said that was to be expected. They will feed him again at 12:30 and 3:30 and hopefully those feedings will go better. We are just hanging out. We haven't gotten to hold him but hopefully that will change tomorrow as well.

Thanks so much for all of the calls, visits and prayers. We really appreciate them. I will update again tomorrow.

Love,
Casey

Eli Jack Lout

Eli Jack Lout was born at 2:47 pm today - October 28, 2008. He weighed 6 lbs 11 ounces and he is 19 inches long. He is, of course, so precious! He had a little trouble breathing at first but his bloodwork at 10 pm came back normal - Praise be to God! They are going to watch him very closely tonight and we are trusting that everything will be normal tomorrow.

Colby hasn't really gotten to see Eli yet so we don't have a big brother reaction yet. Hopefully, he will get to see him tomorrow and we will have the video camera handy!

Thanks to everyone who has been praying for us! We really appreciate it! Shad, Colby and I are about to hit the sack for the night and I will update tomorrow with the progress!

Enjoy the pictures

Love,

Casey

P.S. Shad, Mom & Aunt Sandra earned an extra star in their crown today. They were so wonderful for me and I love and appreciate them so much!!! I owe them big time!

Big News!

Well I thought I was gonna get ALOT of blogging done before Eli got here! BUT - I went to Dr. Vineyard yesterday (Thursday) and I was dilated to a 3 and 50% effaced sooooooo if he doesn't come before Tuesday, Dr. Vineyard will be inducing labor at 7 am on Tuesday. Needless to say, this is not exactly how Shad had planned his opening weekend of deer season. Oh well, the deer will always be there! Haha! I am very excited but also very nervous and shocked! I had no idea it would be this soon! I will be posting all of the details and of course many pictures when he arrives.

Colby is getting very excited about his baby brother. I hope his excitement remains once he actually gets here. I took him to his pediatrician on Wednesday for his 3 year checkup and Dr. Pace said he was a very healthy 3 year old. He weighed 34 pounds and is 38.5 inches tall. I also took him to the Pumpkin Patch on Wednesday and took his pictures.

As you all know, I opened All Star Signs in Carthage in August. God has really been blessing our new business adventure. I have a very sweet girl, Megan, that is working for me and she will be taking care of the shop for me while I am out with the baby.

I am so looking forward to the next two weeks off with my boys! Please keep us in your prayers on Tuesday!

Love,

Casey

Wow - I never thought I would be a "blogger"!!!

Ok so my cousin, Adria, has a blog and she suggested I have one too so that I can keep everyone up to date on our growing family. It wasn't very long ago that I didn't even know what the word "blog" meant. I'm still not sure I do! Haha! However, this is where I will post pictures and updates on our family!!! Hope you are all having a great week and I will let you know when I post my next entry!

Casey