Lola Magazine has had the honor of bringing you the stories of countless inspirational women and families over the past six years. Here are just a few updates on some of our most heartfelt stories and inspiring women.
My sweet miracle girl, Caroline Grace Rome – our Eclipse baby – has brought more joy to our lives than I can express. I absolutely love being her Mom. Caroline is fiery like her Mom and she’s got her Dad’s sense of humor. She is a girly girl and loves all things princesses, make-up and the color pink. But, she can have a grand ole time digging for rocks in the dirt too.
When I read our story in the November/December 2017 issue of Lola Magazine, in my mind I thought, “…and they lived happily ever after.” The last 4.5 years have been filled with our greatest joys and our deepest sorrows.
When Caroline was six months old, we received quite a big surprise (I was pregnant again) without the help of fertility treatments! When I told Jordan, his first words were, “Well, at least this one was free!” Just in case anyone is thinking, “Oh! She finally relaxed!” Please remember that I had a 6-month-old (the LAST thing that I was doing was relaxing)! Ha!
My sweet miracle boy, Christian Jack Rome was born on October 11, 2018. This just so happens to be the same date as Jordan’s Mom’s birthday (whom the kids call “Zannie”) – I don’t think I’ll ever be able to top that birthday gift!
Christian is a firecracker! He is a dinosaur expert and a rather articulate speaker. He also got his Mom’s fire and his Dad’s humor. Where Caroline may express more on her face, Christian says what they’re both thinking, and his delivery usually is quite comical.
When we brought Christian home from the hospital, I might as well have brought home a baby doll. Caroline wasn’t concerned with him much and didn’t act jealous as long as she got a bottle at the same time he did.
Having two children way under 2-years-old was wild, but the best kind of wild. Now that they are 4 and 3-years-old, respectively, they are the best of friends and don’t like being away from each other very long. Their little relationship is such a gift and I’m thankful they have each other.
At the end of 2018, our family experienced something else completely unexpected. We were at the beach for our first vacation as a family of four when I received one of those phone calls you hope you never get. My mom was experiencing stroke-like symptoms and was diagnosed with Glioblastoma Multiforme, often referred to as “GBM.” GBM is a very aggressive brain cancer and the prognosis with treatment was two years at the most.
She bravely endured two surgeries and several rounds of chemo and radiation however, after 15 months, she entered heaven on January 4, 2020. We talk about Maw-Maw Jane with Caroline and Christian. Although they are too young to have memories of her that are their own, she is still very much with us in our present.
2020 was a challenging year, but the uninterrupted time that we were able to spend together was such a blessing.
In the summer of 2021, we moved into a new home with lots more space and the kids have loved it! They spend hours outside playing outside and love to go on an adventure in the backyard.
The Lord has blessed us beyond measure. At times it is hard to accept, but His plans are always better than our own. For that, we are forever grateful.