Jobe's Story

I haven't blogged in YEARS and so much - SO MUCH - of our life has changed that there is just no quick way to update everything so I'm just going to jump right in with our sweet Jobe's story.

In the spring of 2015, I saw that faint pink line...after 5 other pregnancies - 3 that produced full term baby boys - I obviously knew what that meant. Britt baby #4 was on his or her way. Already having 3 boys, I desperately wanted a little girl, but that wasn't what God had in store for our family. At 16 weeks, we had our gender reveal ultrasound and confirmed what I was suspicious of all along - baby #4 was another BOY! Jason, of course, was over the moon...the other boys and I, well, let's just say there were some tears. I knew that this would be our last pregnancy and that was my last chance at having the daughter I'd always dreamed of. Don't get me wrong, my boys are the most precious things ever created but I thought I needed a girl. Little did I know how wrong I was.

On December 26th, 2015, at 11:41 pm, our perfect little boy peacefully made his entrance into this world. I had an amazing pregnancy and an even more amazing home water birth, surrounded by my birth team, husband, boys, and mom. It was picture perfect. I couldn't have asked for a more beautiful and easy birth.

Jobe Sheppard Britt was here! He was a peanut at 6 lbs 4 oz and 19 1/4 inches but he was perfect, happy, and healthy. BY FAR my easiest baby. He was just immediately so content with life. Loved beyond measure by his big brothers - who were obsessed with him. If I wasn't holding him, you can guarantee that one of the boys was. I don't think that there has ever been a more loved baby brother than Jobe.

This is where our story drastically changes...

"On Monday, March 21st 2016, Jason went to check on our sweet baby Jobe during his nap and he was found not breathing. Even with the combined efforts of the immediate action taken by Jason, the Taylor Fire Department, EMS workers, Beaumont Hospital (Dearborn), along with the continued care he has received from Children's Hospital (PICU), our precious, precious baby was not able to survive this horrific ordeal. BUT!!!!! HE IS HEALED AND IN THE ARMS OF HIS HEAVENLY FATHER, DADDY GOD, THE GREAT PHYSICIAN, THE ULTIMATE HEALER!!! Praise Jesus that Jobe is in no pain, for he is in his perfect body. This world is not our home and I am so jealous that he got to get there first! These tragedies are never supposed to happen to "you" and I pray that NO ONE ever has to feel the gut wrenching pain we are experiencing as a family. Jobe's story isn't over, though - he still has a big job to do, as we have chosen, through the Gift of Life Michigan, to use our tragedy to help as many families as we can. As his mommy, I am SO HONORED that God chose ME to be his mommy for the 12 short weeks we had with him...but my arms are aching for my baby more that words can say. We have a wide open, gaping hole in our family that only God can fill and make us feel whole again. We are begging that you continue to pray for us during the next few hours, days, weeks, and months as we learn how to live our new normal. Our beautiful, perfect, precious, HAPPY, easy, laid back, blue eyed boy ~ Jobe Sheppard ~ will be forever missed, forever loved and forever in our hearts. Until we meet again, sweet boy....rest soundly in the arms of Jesus."

That was an excerpt from a post to my personal facebook page. This blog post is just the easiest way I could get Jobe's story written down so it can be easily shared. There will definitely be more to follow, as we continue on this new grief filled journey that we find ourselves on. 

Job 33:4
 The Spirit of God has made me; the breath of the Almighty gives me life.

What a Difference a Year Makes...

WOW - I don't even know where to start. This last year definitely got away from me...

Well, first and foremost, I would like to introduce our NEWEST addition: Leland Cash Britt. He is our sweet, beautiful baby boy born November 12th, 2011. I am over the moon thrilled to now be a mommy of 2. :) I waited a long time for him and still just can't believe that God blessed me with another beautiful son.

Jace is now 4 years old and a wonderful big brother. He LOVES "his baby" and just stepped right into his new role without hesitation, like he was born to be a big brother. :) I can't believe how seamless bringing a new baby into our lives has gone. It's amazing to me how everything just "fit" together. I really thought that after having just one for almost four years we would have a difficult time adjusting but it's like Cash has always been here. He was definitely made to be in our family!

We also have a new furbaby - Dixie Belle. She's possibly a boxer/dalmation mix (though we really have no idea) and is a sweetheart. Right now she's almost 6 months old, just got "fixed" on Sunday and thinks she's a lap dog. *At this very moment* she is curled up in my lap, snoring away! She's pretty "energetic" (to say the least) but is such a lover and LOVES the boys. I can't believe the stuff she puts up with from Jace! He is such a big helper when it comes to taking care of her, too...he feeds her, lets her out to go potty, gives her treats and even puts her in cage when he's had enough of her "energy". LOL We're currently looking at some different trainers and trying to decide if we should do puppy school at a local pet shop or do one-on-one training at our home because she NEEDS it. ;)

I guess that's about it, for now. I was ridiculously blessed in 2011 and am looking foward to what 2012 will have in store!!!

Valentine's Date Night

We decided to take Jace to the movies tonight for an early Valentine's Day celebration...really, it was just a good excuse to make Jay take us somewhere fun. :) We don't go to the movies often because they are so expensive and Jay is usually working or doing some sort of time consuming DIY project on the weekends during the "cheap times" but he got his work done early so we were free all afternoon/evening. I wanted to see that new movie "Gnomeo and Juliet" so I checked the times and the price was right so we packed up and headed out.

Jace had a BLAST! This was his second trip to the movies (his first was to see "Toy Story 3" back in the summer) but he was just as excited this time as he was then. We pulled in the parking lot and he excitedly exclaimed "We're here! We're at the movie theatre!!!". I'm not sure who was more excited - me or him! :)

We bought our tickets, got our popcorn (much to Jace's delight since popcorn is somewhat not allowed in our house - only for special treats), and got settled into our seats. Jace was properly propped up atop of coats, had his - or what was supposed to be MY - popcorn in hand and patiently watched as the previews played. Being the responsible parents we always are, we *of course* made sure he didn't have to potty before the movie started, because you know as well as I do how they decide they have to go 1/2 way through the movie. Theatre got dark and the movie started to roll...que 3 year old's bladder! Since Jay is such a loving and wonderful daddy, he jumped up, did not complain at all (ok, maybe a little lol) and quickly escorted Wee Man out. Oh, he also eversokindly re-buttered our already half eaten bag of popcorn. Isn't he wonderful? :)

I have got to say that "Gnomeo and Juliet" was one of the cutest kid's movies I've seen in a long time. Maybe I don't get out much and spend 90% of my television viewing time on channels like Nick Jr. and PBS kids but the movie was so much fun. Of course, given the title, it loosely tells the age-old tale of forbidden love and who can resist the romance in that? Throw in an entire soundtrack of Elton John songs, cleverly adapted to relate to the world of gnomes and you've got a super fun movie! Jace laughed at all the funny part, toe-tapped to catchy, classic tunes and sat through the entire thing like the big boy that he is. I was so proud of him and so overjoyed to be able to have such an amazing date with my two loves. It's so much fun to be able to watch movies like this through his eyes. To see the delight and wonder on his face makes my heart swell beyond measure.

We topped off our night with dinner at this very exclusive, fancy restaurant where kids eat free on the weekends (SCORE) called Steak n Shake. ;P Maybe a "dinner and a movie" date are a lot different than they used to be in our single years but I must say that this was probably the best Valentine's Day date that I've ever had.

TGIF...Thank God for FRIENDS

Let's see...well, I didn't quite make my goal of 4 blogs per month last month but this is a new month and I'm going to try agian. :)

We've had a pretty busy week full of skating lessons, birthday celebrations and play dates. We had MOPS this morning, which was a well needed breath of fresh air! I had a rough day yesterday and will admit that it wasn't my best "mommy day". It was Jay's birthday and I wanted to do something special for him and bake him some cupcakes. Baking is definitely not my "thing", even though I try. I tried a new recipe (which I planning on writing about some other time) and the bottom line was: FAIL! I was annoyed at myself for failing at my cake baking attempt, mad at Jay for something that I'll explain in the cake fail post, exploded *twice* at my son, discovered that one of my favorite shirts had seriously, inexplicable shrunk (even though I washed it in cold AND hung it to dry) and then found my favorite pair of sunglasses broken down in my purse! When you add all that up, it equals a pity party for Mommy! I think at some point in the day I even actually yelled at the non-verbal voice of the Holy Spirit!!!

When the alarm went off this morning, I snoozed it as many times as possible and *strongly* considered not going to MOPS today. "It's beyond cold today" (fyi, it was seriously 0* this morning) and "Jace was up super late and I just do NOT want to wake him up" were my excuses. I finally decided that I needed to go today, even though I wanted to stay curled up in my warm bed, with Jace snuggling quietly beside me and boy, was it worth it! I am so thankful for our little group and we even had 2 new ladies. We shared lots of laughs and encouragement, like always, and I love the friendships and sense of community we're building. It's been a little difficult for me having to build new relationships and getting "plugged in" at our church but it's been so worth it! I've spoiled by having the same friends since elementary and I still miss them, dearly, and have dug in my heels and told God that I don't want *new* friends, I want my *old* friends but I'm so thankful for my new friends!

Speaking of "old friends", I am sooo excited to spend tomorrow with one of my dearest friends, Amy, and 2 of her 4 wonderful boys!!! Jace gets to play with Blake all day and I get to meet her newest little one, Toby! What more could I ask for? Oh how about one more friend to join in on our fun??? Yep, Marissa and Colten are coming, too! 3 friends + 4 boys = 1 happy Courtney!!!

Almost February already?

So I've realized that I'm already behind on quite a few of my "resolutions" and it's not even the end of January! Ugh, I *kind of* wish I wouldn't have put them out there publically but maybe that's a good thing. I realized the other day that I hadn't posted in a while and I only wrote 2 for the month so far so here I am...watching Jace play, er...make that sit on the table with his trains (when he's supposed to be playing with the Moon Dough he so desperately begged me to get out) and listening to Dora prattle on about godknowswhat. It's a cold, snowy day here in this great mitten state and I have no energy, whatsoever, to get anything done for the day. I have managed to put in a load of laundry but it's been finished for at least 1/2 an hour now and I'm just too lazy to get up and put it in the dryer. Oh well.

(and I apologize for the HORRIBLE, grainy picture -my biggest complaint about my beloved Blackberry)

BUSTED!!!


Anyway, I also wanted to give a quick skating update...Jace is doing wonderfully at his lessons! The first week was kind of rough - he did NOT like the idea of falling - but by week 2 there was a huge improvement. I have been practicing all sorts of silly things to say with him like "I will do my best...even if I fall, I will get back up and try again!"...my inner cheerleader has had to make an appearance. LOL Whatever it takes, right? We are looking forward to next Monday, as it will already be the 1/2 way point! Maybe if I feel adventerous this weekend, I'll take him for a free open skate. We'll see! :)

Skating Lessons are Official

Today was a day filled with good food, family and fun. Jace and I had a date planned with Nanny (my paternal grandmother) for lunch and whatever else we wanted to do. On days like this I realize how truly blessed I am to have both my grandmothers in my life. They are both active, lively, fun ladies who are also good friends. Anyway, lunch at Johnny Carino's was fabulous, then we went to sign Jace up for his lessons and decided to hit up Barnes & Noble after we were finished...I could spend HOURS in there! Nanny and I are a bad combination in that store, for sure. We are both book lovers and especially children's book lovers (which is the section we were seeking today). She found some wintery classics, a snowman and a Charlie Brown Christmas wooden puzzle (to keep at her house for Jace's visits) so I would say that the trip was successful and we were able to pull ourselves away (and Jace from the Thomas train table) without too much damage! :) On our way home we decided to stop by my aunt and uncle's house to see pictures of their grandbaby - their first grandbaby - who is visiting with her momma from North Dakota for a bit. Unfortunately we weren't able to see Maegan and Emmalyn but we will get to see them on Saturday. Jace played hard with Uncle Joel, Clay and their puppy, Molly and I had a nice visit with Aunt Kai and Rachel.

On the way home to drop Nanny off, I got a text from my mom saying she and Dad were meeting up with...now stay with me here...my aunt's sister, husband and her daugther. Hey, I've grown up in a very different way than most people - I know all of my cousin's extended families and have been around them my entire life and I love it! We visited with them for a bit and then I finally headed home to get my very sleepy little boy ready for bath and bedtime.

What a Difference a Year Makes?

*sheepish grin* Hi, there! Has it really been 6 months since my last post??? Whoops...I guess this SAHM thing isn't as easy as I thought it would be. Don't get me wrong, I'm not complaining. I just don't know how time gets away from me like that. Anyway, one of my New Year's Resolutions (I hate that term but whatever) is to blog more...so I'm publicly setting a goal of *at least* 4 blogs per month. Not too lofty and definitely achievable. So here is blog 1 for week 1 of 2011.

I guess I don't even know where to begin since I'm out of practice but we'll start with a Jace update. He turned 3 on 12/29/10, is potty trained (I know, I already blogged about that 6 months ago but it's still exciting), talks NON-STOP and eats (well...eats *a little*). Oh and I CUT HIS HAIR...ok, so I only trimmed about an inch and a half off the ends about 2 months ago but that's HUGE for me! After the many tears I shed after that bold move, I have decided that was enough for now. :)

I'm in the midst of putting together all the finishing details for his big b-day party (which is Sunday) so hopefully everything comes together without a hitch. We'll see...when you put 10 toddlers/babies and about 50 adults in one room there are no guarantees. :) We are putting him in ice-skating lessons (which perfectly fits my "Winter Fun" theme for the party hehe) and those will start next Monday so wish us luck! One of his little buddies will be in the class with him so hopefully that will help.

On a side note, Jay has a HUGE interview next Wednesday and I can't stress enough how desperately our family needs him to get this job so your prayers are GREATLY appreciated. I'll be sure to post updates.

I guess that's all for now...no major changes for us, just living life!