Christmas & Fireworks

So we took the ZZs to see Santa, a Christmas tree lighting and fireworks in Mansfield.

First we saw Santa at his Mansfield cabin. Both of the ZZs gave Santa fives. The boys smiled big for this (I had to hold Zad for the photo.) After this the boys had their photo taken with mommy on the giant presents.





We then got our selves a hot dog and a sausage and walked around the park. This included listening to people sing, watching people go down an ice slide, and an animal farm. With the people singing we clapped our hands with excitement. Zad & Zeke thought it was so cool to watch people race down the ice slide in inner tubes. We then went to the animal farm, where we saw reign deer; pet a llama, a pig, a pony, bunnies, and chickens. Then we got to brush a goat.
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It was than time for the tree lighting. Before it started we hung out with the Green family, with whom we had worked with at Hampton Prep(Lauren & Jeremy still work together there) The boys stared at the tree in awe. This was followed by the firework show. At first the loved it... Until the flame machines shot fire in the air. This scared them. Then they looked away. Zad kept peeking back at the pretty colors and would lay his head on mommy's shoulder and watch. Zeke almost curled into a ball in my arms and only peeked once, which was when the flame machines fired off once again. He was done after that. We watched the remainder of the fireworks, where we were close enough for the paper from the fireworks to rain down on us. The finally included what looked like the flame machines blowing up setting the grass on fire, but thankfully the fire department was ready. It was AWESOME!!! Overall we all had fun, and I look forward to Zad And Zeke to be a little older so they can stand in line for the ice slide and so they can wAit in line to build a snow man from the shaved ice. Events like this is one of the many reasons we love living in Mansfield.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Location:Mansfield, TX

It Has Been Too Long

Hello followers of the Tilitson Clan, we thought we'd give some updates of our little family.




The little super heroes Zad & Zeke are continuing to grow and develop now at over 2 1/2 years old. Zeke can read his letters and numbers up to 20 and has a very set personality (way to much like his daddy.) Zad's spatial visual skills are an exciting thing to watch as he is grasping an understanding of how things work by watching them, and he has an imagination that is always entertaining. Both are so much fun creating both chaos and order, and also working on potty training.

Shaun has been through a lot. He finished grad school and changed schools to work at, as he is now a school counselor. He also tore his peroneal tendon in his ankle and had to have surgery. Well a month later he developed staph infection in oh ankle and had to have 2 more surgeries. He is currently on IV antibiotics till the beginning of November every night.

Lauren has been a trooper. She has dealt with her husband going to grad school, changing jobs, having surgery (3 times), and recuperating. Her boys trying to go through potty training and developing their own personalities. All the while her father, Mark is going through cancer treatment again, but this time instead of his face it is in his lungs.

We are tired, but we know God is carrying is through. Continue to pray for us, and we look forward to what God has for us.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Today's Program is Brought to You by the Letter Z & the Number 2

Two years... Wow!!! It seems like yesterday I was rushing Lauren to the hospital for the miracle known as Zad & Zeke. This past year they have grown so much, and accomplished so much. They are walking and talking, and are doing everything a two year old should do; which is the goal for any preemie. It has been such a joy to hear them communicate what they want; to hear them say "thank you" and "I sorry"; Zeke recognizing letters; Zad using forks and spoons to eat with; each using crayons; starting to identify different super heroes (a special proud moment for me); using the potty; and doing what they can to comfort one another when they are upset. They are our little super heroes, and we couldn't be happier with them.

Out prayers for this upcoming year is for them to grow strong, be smart, and practice Christ like love. Go Super ZZ Bros!

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

Cael, we miss you

Today we lost a member of our family. Cael had busted out and was hit by a car. He was 6 years old and a big loving puppy.



Cael was a dog that when Lauren was pregnant would lay at her feet and wouldn't let anyone near her. But the thing I'll miss most is the howling. It was comforting to know that every time he howled I knew a fire truck was about to drive by with its siren.

Cael, I miss you and I know you are at peace.

Happy Birthday Zeke & Zad! You're 1 Year Old

Happy Birthday to our 2 amazing little boys Zeke & Zad.


It's hard to imagine a year ago we were rushing to the hospital 13 weeks early to have out very little, very sweet boys.





After 102 days we got to bring them home. We were so happy.


During that time, they've had their baby dedication at church,


Enjoyed swimming for the first time,


Had their first jack-o-lantern, and first Halloween,





And we're spoiled at the first (4) Christmases.


It's amazing to see the wonderful blessings from God that these two are. Zad started at 2 pounds 5 ounces, and now he's approximately 17 pounds.


Zeke started at 2 pounds 6 ounces, and now he's approximately 17 1/2 pounds.


We enjoyed the first birthday, where once again they were spoiled, loved, and had fun with their first cake.


We had so many guests, with their Pop, Grandma, Mama, Aunt Brandi & Caden, Uncle Paul & Aunt Holly, the Taylors, the Rosses, The Williamsons, and The Martins.
Zeke tore into his cake,


Whereas Zad preferred shoving his cake into daddy's mouth.


God continues to show is favor by blessing us with these 2 little boys, loving family, wonderful friends, and ways to praise him with our words and actions.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

ZZ's First Christmas

We celebrated our first Christmas with our wonderful superheroes.



To be exact, we got to celebrate 4 Christmases. At Mama & Papa's, Pop & Grandma Kathy, at home with LoLo and DiDi with us, and at GG Paw & GG Maw's in Mississippi. With all the toys that they got, what was there favorite thing? Not the boxes, but the wrapping paper!

Zad would tear at it and then eat it.



Zeke would bury himself in the paper, stick his head up, and go back in the paper. And play with bows.



The ZZ's got to experience their first Christmas Cookies





And their first biscuits.






Overall it has been a fun first Christmas and we look forward to many more.






Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan

3 Quarters... That's Almost a Dollar

Our little miracles have reached 3 quarters of a year. No one would recognize them from the 2 lbs 5 oz and 2 lbs 6 oz they started at. They are large and in charge from sitting, rolling and trying to stand.





Zad is now 15 lbs and 3 oz attempting to stand at 27 inches tall. Yes, you read that right, when holding on to something he will try and stand. Doesn't mean he is sitting, but he likes to practice standing. He is doing everything he can to feed him self as he builds up the strength to hold up his own bottle and grab food and put it in his own mouth.




Zeke is now at 16 lbs 9.5 oz, and stretching at 27.25 inches. Zeke is rolling around, and when I say around, I mean he is leaving the room he starts in... By rolling. He is also getting to where he grabs things and is moving them around intentionally.

Mommy & Daddy are so proud of them and are getting excited for their first Halloween, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Birthday in the next 3 months. We thank God every day for our growing miracles.

Dia, Teaghlaigh, Seirbhís
Tillitson Clan