Paige Barnes

Please join me here as I participate in a 31 day challenge in the month of April to pray specifically for our sons!

It's been MANY months since I've updated this blog. Matthew started third grade and is playing soccer and in Cub Scouts. His daddy is his cub master. Those of you who know my husband well are now smiling and maybe even chuckling at that. :) I am still working at the hospital on the weekends. I love my job, but we have very little family time right now. My health has not seemed to return back to normal since the baby was born. I have been in the hospital once and very sick several times. I am also having a lot of pain right now. After seeing my doctor, it seems that I am physically and emotionally exhausted. I am praying about how God would have me deal with this. I know that life is not merely about surviving, but about living to the fullest. I am praying and trying to sink that deep into my spirit. Just a few weeks ago our sweet Kate turned 1! It doesn't seem like a whole year since she came into this world a month early giving us quite a scare with initial trouble breath...

Photo courtesy of Baby Faces By Jamie www.babyfacesbyjamie.com Kate, you are growing so fast! We are amazed at how you change everyday. You are a happy baby who loves to smile and laugh. But you do like to let us know if you aren't happy! You are eating baby food. There isn't much you don't like, but your favorites are sweet potatoes and bananas. You love your exersaucer except when you can't get the apple in your mouth! You are drooling a lot and we expect to see a little tooth pop through any day now. You sleep fairly well through the night but only nap during the day if someone is holding you. You love "Baby Einstein's Baby Galileo" video and sometimes we watch it several times in a row. You love it when mommy sings to you, especially "Jesus Loves Me". You love it when your daddy comes home from work and you grin so big that you almost fall over. You think your big brother hung the moon and the world stops when he is near. You are a tre...

Dear Baby Kate, Yesterday you were 4 months old! I can't believe we've had you this long already! You are growing so fast. You weigh 12 pounds and can finally fit well into some clothes. You love getting a bath, but you don't like getting out and being cold. You love your big brother and just grin at him. He loves you so much, too! You don't really like being away from Mommy and Daddy. You love your swing and your big sunshine flower that plays music. You are rolling from your tummy to your back, babbling and cooing up a storm, and reaching and grabbing for things. We love you so much and can't wait to watch you grow some more!

Flu Baby Husband and son have had the flu all week. Two doctors appointments, tons of Lysol wipes and spray, and several hundreds of dollars given to Walgreen's for Tamiflu and Relenza and isolation of the boys and the baby still gets the flu. I came home from working Saturday night to a baby with a high fever who was lethargic and moaning. Then she had a slight episode where she went very pale and glassy eyed and looked like she wasn't breathing. Scared me to death and I am an ER nurse! So we spent most of the day in the ER on Sunday and after blood tests and xrays and such, baby tested positive for the flu. She's been just pitiful. I remember the one time in my life I've had the flu and I hurt so bad all over. She's just been laying and moaning constantly. Her fever hasn't budged despite round the clock doses of Tylenol. Here's hoping my flu baby will feel better soon!

How can you help the Haitians who have diabetes or other chronic illnesses since they have very limited access to health care at the moment? Check out Haiti Relief Efforts from dLife. ~Paige

One of my favorite quotes by one of my favorite people who've ever lived: "Let us touch the dying, the poor, the lonely and the unwanted according to the graces we have received and let us not be ashamed or slow to do the humble work." - Mother Teresa Ponder for a moment what your graces are. How can you use those in your everyday life? How can you use those to help Haiti? You may think you don't have much to give to the relief efforts for Haiti, but God is the only one who can take a little that is given with fervent heart and make it a lot. Here's what you can do. 1. PRAY! Prayer affects everything. 2. GIVE! Every little bit helps. Click here to donate to Compassion for the Haiti Earthquake relief efforts. Your money will be used in the following ways: • $35 helps provide a relief pack filled with enough food and water to sustain a family for one week. • $70 gift helps care for their needs for two weeks. • $105 helps provide relief packs filled with enou...