The Annual Hogan Family Christmas

I know I promised a Chicago post next but I had to sneak this one in!

 

We had a great day with the entire Hogan family here yesterday for the annual "Hogan Family Christmas."  We had great food, yummy desserts, and so much fun just being together.  The night before, as I was tucking Keyan into bed, she asked me why we didn't ever take pictures of the whole family while they were here every year. In my head, I had a lot of reasons....we are always too busy, there isn't a very nice spot for a photo, ect. However, I knew ultimately, she was right. Pictures are about capturing memories, not about how we all look, or the back drop for the photo. So, I set the timer on my camera and got to work.  We all gathered in our out -of-date basement, with the yucky lighting, surrounded by flying Legos and the clutter of opened gifts and here is the final outcome. It may not be professional but I am so glad we took the time to do it. We had a great day together...why not capture it? Our angel spoke again!  I am so glad I took the time out of my busyness to listen to her!

 

And of course…when the kids outnumber the adults…there must be a goofy one!

Nine years ago…

As usual, the month of November was a flurry of activity around our house.  Everyone in this family celebrated their birthday in November except me, so it is a BUSY month.  With it safely behind me, I think I can find a few minutes to update the blog with birthday posts! 

Every once in a while, I have to look at these comparison pictures.  They are such poignant reminders of how far these precious girls have come.  Nine years ago, we were scared out of our mind, not knowing what the outcome would be for our girls…the doctors had painted a very bleak picture for us in the weeks before they were born.  We knew nothing of this medically fragile world, we were young, naïve, and so fearful….look at them now!

McKenzy Faith 2lbs 5oz. 13 inches long

 

Keyan Elizabeth 1lb 5oz. 10 inches long

 

Sidney Ann 2lbs 3oz 13 inches long

 

Abagayle Grace 2lbs 2oz. 14 inches long

UNBELIEVABLE!!!  Even for me, it never ceases to amaze me!  What these first pictures don’t show is the actual lack of photos that we have.  It doesn't show the hours spent staring into isolets, willing them to keep on. It doesn't show the tears shed at home while separated from our babies, or the late night phone calls to come back to the hospital because something was gravely wrong. The beginning was so scary that we didn’t photograph much of it.  They took turns being so sick on and off that there were periods of time when we couldn’t look at or touch them unless they absolutely needed care.  We weren’t focused on capturing the moments, we were focused on continuing them. It was a minute by minute roller coaster that on one hand I will never forget but in actuality, I remember so very little.  All the odds were against these little girls but one by one, and day by day, they struggled against those odds and here we are.  Some of them are still beating the odds every day in various ways but boy, what a miraculous story they hold! 
***I promise to blog about Chicago next!!!