priceless

the end of the road...

2011-04-18T13:13:00.000-04:00

It's the end of the road for this little family blog.

The family has grown from plus one...to plus two!

It's been fun, but time for a change.

(Plus, I just found out that I am running out of space around here?

Who knew?)

You can find us here...

www.herpricelesslife.blogspot.com

Hope you decide to follow us...!

that's ok momma...

2011-04-12T21:54:00.000-04:00

"That's ok momma...you can tell Peter Rabbit Maddie can have the Rapunzel dress!"

My sweet girl has had 2 things on her mind...

1. Rapunzel dress (from Target)

2. Rapunzel hair (from Target)

We spotted these a few days ago and she asked if she could have them. For those of you that don't know my sweet Love...she never asks for anything. We can walk down every aisle in a toy store and she never whines, cries...expects anything.

Actually, I have only heard those words one other time...it was THE PURPLE DRESS and I bought it on the spot. So, when she asked, I told her "maybe Peter Rabbit will bring it to you for Easter!"

She has been relentless...

she remembered there was only ONE dress and ONE Rapunzel hair left on the shelf.

So, when she asked AGAIN tonight when Peter Rabbit was coming (and since I know I haven't made my way back to Target and just in case it is not there) I responded...

we'll just have to wait and see, maybe Peter Rabbit has another surprise in store for you (daddy really wants to buy her a new bike that she rides every time we hit up REI)!

She did NOT like this response.

"But mommy, there was only one and what if Maddie gets it first!"

(Maddie is her best friend next door)

I explain to her that it will be OK if Maddie gets the Repunzel "gear" and she doesn't because sometimes in life we just don't get everything we want.

(I know...I am that mom!)

She crosses her arms and stomps out of the room...

Suddenly...she re-enters with her Cinderella dress and the sweetest smile you've ever seen and says:

"That's ok momma if Peter Rabbit wants to give the Rapunzel dress to Maddie. Tell him she lives over there and he can just walk along the sidewalk and sneak it in her house. That's OK momma! I love Maddie and I can wear my Cinderella dress and she can wear her Rapunzel dress!"

She then races downstairs and I can hear her telling daddy...

that's OK dada if the Rabbit gives the dress to Maddie!

So now...

the question is...

do I get the Rapunzel dress and hair or do we go for the bike?

You know I want to get the dress and hair, but maybe this is a good lesson that we don't get everything we want...sometimes when you are kind you get an even better reward

...and then surprise her with the BIKE???

Momma just don't know, I think I'm gonna leave this in Peter Rabbit's hands!

I. Trust. You.

2011-04-05T19:01:00.002-04:00

Simple words...I. Trust. You.

This week did not go as planned. My hope was to give you an update of EVERYTHING that has been going on with our Little Lover.

Life with him has been busy.

Instead I will share with you just one week.

A week that did not go as planned.

Last Monday, he was scheduled to have his adenoids removed with a possible tonsillectomy. Why possible? His doctor explained that his tonsil were larger than normal, but from what he could currently see he was not sure if it was "necessary" for them to come out now. Naturally I asked...if we know they are already larger than normal, why would we not go ahead and remove them to eliminate a later surgery, anaesthesia, etc.

Because of his age. He responded...if he were 3 or 4, I would remove them without hesitation. But, this is a hard surgery for a 19 month old. Usually they stay in the hospital due to dehydration because they do not want to swallow, possible bleeding, yada yada yada.

OK...so on Monday we went in for a definite adenoid removal, maybe tonsils.

He was the definition of a Little Lover the morning we took him in.

Great spirits, flirted with the nurses, etc.

The doctor came to us within 30 minutes after they wheeled him back and explained surgery had went well, they did have to remove his tonsil, as they were much larger than he had anticipated. They scale the size from 1-4, 4 being a total blockage. He measured a 3.5.

So, we had already prepared for a night in the hospital "just in case" and within 30 minutes we were in his room, set up. That day went really well and we were sure to be released the next morning.

The night however, did not go quite as planned. As he slept, I could hear the fluid building up. I spoke to the nurse and asked if he should be suctioned and her explanation was...this is expected and we don't want to suction him due to how sore he already is from the surgery.

As I lay beside him, lets just say it quickly became an emotional roller coaster for me.

It was "that" same sound.

The sound I heard a short month ago when my mom's body was failing her and fluid sat in the back of her throat.

I spoke to the nurse again and shortly there after his O2 sats dropped into the mid 80's. They started oxygen around 4am. As I sat in his bed, in order to reposition the oxygen as he moved through sleep I read. Thank GOD for technology. I started looking up versus on my iphone and finally rested on this verse.

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

Proverbs 3:5

Because I lacked understanding.

Have we not been through enough already?

Is it not enough that we are in this room...does the sounds coming from my sweet boy HAVE to so closely resemble the memories of my mom I am trying to forget?

Is it JUST not enough?

I call Chris at about 5am and inform him I am not getting a good feeling. He is going to get ready, run by work, cancel a meeting, inform his boss of the situation and meet me at the hospital.

I call my sister at 7am and tell her I am not getting a good feeling, explain the situation. She tells me...TRUST your instinct, you know that baby better than anyone.

Shift change occurs and a new nurse comes to introduce herself.

She hears him and decided she wanted to change his oxygen mask...she felt he needed "moist" oxygen.

She leaves and his heart rate drops from 160 bpm to 40 bpm. Another nurse enters the room, who was watching the monitors and sits him up his heart rate quickly returns to 160. She listens but can't hear his heart rate over all the fluids. They decided to put heart leads on him for a more accurate account of what his happening. She leaves.

I snap two pictures on my phone. One of the monitors and one of my boy...and send them to Missy.

His heart rate drops again to 40.

His nurse rushes in. She calls two other nurses on that floor. They arrive. Then she calls the emergency response team. The room is quickly flooded.

A friend asked me if I left the room.

Hell NO!

I watched...I stayed in his line of vision...

they suctioned an extreme amount of fluid out of him,

an extreme amount of meds were flooding into his system...

at this point he was limp...

plans to intubate him...

I was insanely calm.

I repeated over and over...

I. Trust. You.....I. Trust. You...I. Trust. You...

and then my little Lover turned into my little fighter!

He perked up...started pulling monitors off of him...

I remember the nurse who was put in charge of restraining him kept saying...

keep fighting me...good, keep fighting me...

Daddy walks in.

After 45 minutes, they now feel he is stable enough to transfer to the ICU.

Two days in the ICU and one night in the step down unit later...

we are home!

What did I learn?

Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and lean not on your own understanding.

You see...

my lack of understanding during that long night led me to where I needed to be for the following day...

A gentle reminder.

Trust Him.

So, what happened? Is this normal?

The doctors explained it is not the norm, but they have seen it before.

Usually in kids that REALLY needed the surgery.
Basically, his body had been compensating for the blockage and working harder to get the needed air through his system. So, when they removed the blockage his body did not compensate and kept "pulling" with the same force. This action was pulling fluid from his soft tissue into his lungs and on top of him not swallowing due to it being uncomfortable, the fluid had no where to go.

So...you would think all that would be enough.

Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour. Resist him, firm in your faith, knowing that the same kinds of suffering are being experienced by your brotherhood throughout the world. 1 Peter 5:8-9

It wasn't.

Be sober-minded; be watchful.

We tried. We saw it coming.

We...being my husband and I.

We tried to prevent it.

We were specific -upfront.

It was communicated that our wishes were understood.

Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.

I believe he found an opportunity.

He found a situation that has been a consistent struggle.

And he devoured.

He used the chaos to slither in.

If you are sensible, you will control your temper. When someone wrongs you, it is a great virtue to ignore it. Proverbs 19:11

This verse was lost on me.

I can not begin to describe my level of anger.

I tried to walk away...I couldn't and in my heart I believed I shouldn't.

Eventually...enough is enough.

I heard a sermon on forgiveness a long time ago...shortly after our first experience down this long road.

At the time, it was a sermon I needed and through the years one I have continually referenced.

He commands us to forgive...not to forget.

I remember the first time I heard it...I was so relieved.

I had been trying so hard to forget and found it to be humanly impossible.

Why does he not require us to forget?

The reasoning is simple...if someone wrongs you, God does not expect you to put yourself in the same situation over and over for it to repeat itself.

Forgive them...learn to love from a distance.

Where are we now...

I can only speak for myself.

I am choosing to love from a distance.

I am going to step out and pray the God steps in.

I came across this statement a while back and while I can't remember where it came from here it is:

"Good morning, this is your Father. I will be taking care of all your problems today, and I will be working all things together for good. I will not need your help. So, have a nice day."

I am the Lord, the God of all flesh; is there anything too hard for Me? Jeremiah 32:27 AMP

-------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Last night, after waking our little lover to give him some pain medication he quickly became still and rested on my chest. I was enjoying him and then quickly he gave me a little reassurance.

He started climbing up my chest,

puckers those lips and gives me the sweetest kiss you could ever imagine.

He slowly scoots back down, finds his restful spot and falls back to sleep.

I can't control the tears.

I am so thankful we are home and so aware of how serious the past week has been.

The next few months will come with big decisions concerning our little guy

and what his life will look like.

It was a simple...I. Trust. You. that he (and He) knew I needed!

Opportunities...from Him.

2011-03-24T11:55:00.004-04:00

I am learning that He gives us opportunities.

Opportunities that sometimes we are not expecting.

Opportunities that evoke sadness.

Opportunities... that I don't want to miss.

Opportunities through a simple conversation...

Sweet Love: Look momma, there's where mamaw Debbie is at.

We are stopped at a familiar stop light and I look around but am not understanding her...

Momma: Sweet Love, where is mamaw Debbie?

Sweet Love: Over there (as she points out the window). She died.

I hear the "she died" and follow her little finger...

I can feel the tears but hold them back...

She is pointing to a little cemetary, behind a small church that sits next to the intersate...

Momma: Sweetie, that's not where mamaw lives that is where we go to celebrate her

Sweet Love: but momma, that is where we left her

Momma: yes love, we took her there so we would have someplace to celebrate the life she lived with us, but mamaw Debbie's heart is in Heaven.

Sweet Love: yes momma, but where is she at?

Momma: If we love Jesus and He lives in our heart we go to Heaven to be with Jesus.

Sweet Love: mamaw Debbie loved Jesus she told me. And her heart is in Heaven.

Momma: yes love, she did!

Sweet Love: momma, can we go there and celebrate her and can I wear my purple dress?

Momma: baby, that is called a cemetary and we celebrate mamaw at a cemetary where papaw lives.

Sweet Love: well, when I go visit my papaw Randy, I'm gonna bring my purple dress and we are going to go celebrate her

Momma: mamaw Debbie would love your purple dress and she would love for us to celebrate her

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

But you should continue following the teachings you learned. You know they are true, because you trust those who taught you. Since you were a child you have known the Holy Scriptures which are able to make you wise. And that wisdom leads to salvation through faith in Christ Jesus.

2 Timothy 3:14-15

A Fairytale.

2011-03-17T18:04:00.000-04:00

A date...

with me?

Of course princess...

as long as I can be your prince charming!

Flowers...for me dada?

Yes princess...

but... where are we going?

To a Cinderella Ball of course!

for now...

2011-03-11T19:39:00.006-05:00

There are moments in my day where my world just stands still.

It hits me hard, but it is silent.

When it leaves I am not sure whether to be grateful for the relief or long once more for the silence.

I just miss her...

Streams in the Dessert L.B. Cowman

March 11

Yesterday you experienced a great sorrow, and now your home seems empty. Your first impulse is to give up and to sit down in despair amid your dashed hopes. Yet you must defy that temptation, for you are at the front line of the battle, and the crisis is at hand. Faltering even one moment would put God's interest at risk. Other lives will be harmed by your hesitation, and His work will suffer if you simply fold your hands. You must not linger at this point, even to indulge your grief.

We never completely recover from our greatest griefs and are never exactly the same after having passed through them. Yet sorrow that is endured in the right spirit impacts our growth favorably and brings us a greater sense of compassion for others. "The joy set before" (Heb. 12:2) us should shine on our griefs just as the sun shines through the clouds, making them radiant.

...if we will turn from the gloom and remain faithful to the calling of God, the light will shine again and we will grow STRONGER. J.R Miller

I have steered many conversations, ignored many phone calls, and put off encounters...

I am not sure how to respond.

I guess...I know I'm just not in the "right spirit".

I'll get there.

I just need to know in my heart that I am not putting "His interests at risk" because of my sadness.

So for now...

I am going to be a mom and a wife.

Something I know that kept that sweet smile on her face!

Encouragement.

2011-02-07T11:14:00.000-05:00

I heard a message in church not long ago...

The gist was as follows:

TALK IS CHEAP!

When people are suffering...

SHOW them love.

Chris and I have been on the receiving end of this love and I will share with you...

it's overwhelming...

especially for two people who are not good at asking for help!

Ri gets her..."I can do it myself" very honest!

Our friends, Amy and Josh, watched our babies on Friday night so me and Chris could get a "mental break!"

We also went home with a dinner prepared by Josh's parents.

Amy shared that they just wanted to do something for us...

They know how much Amy and Josh love our family...

and who their kids love...they love!

I know...a true testament of God's love!

I also received a devotional book from Liz's daughter-in-law with a similar message...

I have been praying for you and your family and thought this would be a comfort in your time of need!

That night I opened the book to the devotional for that day.

February 1

This is my doing. 1 Kings 12:24

In lieu of sharing the entire devotional, I will just share with you what pierced my heart.

My child, I have a message for you today. Let me whisper it in your ear so any storm clouds that may arise will shine with glory, and the rough places you may have to walk will be made smooth. It is only four words, but let them sink into your inner being, and use them as a pillow to rest your weary head.

"This is my doing."

You did not come to this place by accident--you are exactly where I meant for you to be.

Have you not asked Me to make you humble? Then see that I have placed you in the perfect school where this lesson is taught. Your circumstances and the people around you are only being used to accomplish My will.

Are you experiencing time of sorrow? "This is my doing." I am a "man of sorrows, and familiar with suffering" (Isa. 53:3) I have allowed your earthly comforters to fail you, so that by turning to Me you may receive "eternal encouragement and good hope" (2Thess. 2:16)

Today I place a cup of holy oil in your hands. Use it freely, My child. Anoint with it every new circumstance, every word that hurts you, every interruption that makes you impatient, and every weakness you have.

The pain will leave as you learn to see Me in all things.

-------------------------------

I will tell you...
I am learning a lot about who I am during this season of life...
but better yet, who I want to be.

I have learned that my relationship with God is different, but more substantial.
Maybe I will share more on this later...maybe not...
but regardless, this is His plan.

Chris and I discussed over our date...
and have come to realize...
that we have little control over circumstances!

So, if we are out of control...
we are so lucky He is in control!

Quick update...

2011-02-02T13:11:00.000-05:00

First, I totally promise to update you on my babies soon.

There is a lot of fun stuff going on!!

But, momma has got to get through tomorrow...

Please keep my sweet boy in your prayers...

I will share that story later, but we have a big test coming up tomorrow!

But...since I ran across it I thought I would give you a quick update on my projects.

OK...Master Bedroom almost done.

Waiting on a shipment and then some final stuff for the walls, etc.

Here was the picture that I found last February and I immediately knew it was perfect for me and my Love!

{sorry...I have no clue where I found this pic}

What's not to love...

Gray Stripes.

Maybe you can tell by this pic...

We love us some gray!!

All the bedding is from DWELL STUDIO...

Yes, Target carries a Dwell line...

Yes, I rushed to see if they carried this...

No such luck.

So...I started saving because this bedding is NOT cheap!

Anywho...since I knew I had months of saving ahead of me I kept looking

and ended up finding something very similar at one of my faves...

West Elm!

Then...while catching up on some of the blogs I visit often

one of the being Copy Cat Chic

{go ahead click on it}

I totally found this deal before she did!

YES!

{insert a dramatic, kid style, elbow into my belly exclamation point}

Why am I sharing this with you...

I don't know?!?

Just got excited about it...

anywho...

play on playas!

Gratitude.

2011-01-26T14:24:00.000-05:00

I'm thankful for...

a mother who has loved me her whole life...

a daddy that has loved her his whole life...

siblings that share it all...

a husband that loves on his broken wife...

a little girl who in the last week has said "I love my momma" one hundred and eighty times...

a little boy that fights with a smile...

a home that is warm...

a pantry that is full...

meals being delivered to our home...

friends who show up when you don't ask...

a father-in-law traveling this way to relieve a mom who needs to be with her mom...

my relationship with God that allows me to be
angry, needy, desperate and thankful
all in one breath!

Projects...

2011-01-15T16:47:00.001-05:00

Alright peeps...

I have a whole list of projects waiting to be checked off my list...well, mental list.

I don't actually make lists.

Never have.

The hubby does.

The hubby wishes I would, but...

just not the way I roll.

Anywho...

I figured you guys probably get tired of me raving about how awesome my family is...well, they are.

But... that is beside the point!

I was thinking how much I love to look into other homes, ~~steal~~ borrow ideas and so on.

So...to keep things interesting for all of us (myself included) I have decided to fill you in a couple of things going on around here!

First project of the year involves a little of this...

...that's right folks, painting is involved.

Tip #1...only use FROG TAPE!

Tip #2... enlist someone to help!

(notice I did not say hire someone to do it for you)

Painters are not cheap these days and painting is easy peasy!

I usually enlist my hubby for the trim work and I do the rest.

We are a good team like that...and it gives us time together.

On to the project...

Just a little sneak peak...check back later for the finished photos!

Do you guys want to know what room ~~I'm~~ we're working on...

well I'm not telling...

but you can guess if you wanna!

Christmas 2010

2011-01-12T22:08:00.001-05:00

Here's a look back at our Christmas!

Cookies!

Everyone bake's em'...

and everyone eats em'!

A peek at our celebration at home with Mamaw Norma, Pops and Aunt B...

I couldn't resist sharing these two pics...

our little Lover still crawls on his head and I am afraid it's rubbing off on Easy!

Out of the hundreds of pictures I took...these next two will be how I remember this Christmas!

Normally I would tell ya why...but I think this time I will just keep those memories to myself!

Happy New Year!

Just a minute...

2011-01-11T10:58:00.002-05:00

Life has slowed down...
for many it has come to a complete halt...

here in our southern state that experiences very few snow days.

For this, I am grateful!

Appointments that I feel are "important" have been cancelled and we can breathe...and even have a little fun! More on that later!

I have taken a moment this morning to relax with the kids! They are playing with toys and watching cartoons which used to be an every morning event...as of late, life has been a little too busy!

With the computer on my lap, I started what I like to call "blog lurking"!
My hubby does not understand why I find this enjoyable. Mostly, I look at pictures and move on.

Today...a few things have caught my eye and seem to be exactly what I needed!

Are you interested?

Because you know I love to share a little sumpin' sumpin' with ya'll sometimes! Here goes:

James 1:5-6

If any of you lacks wisdom, you should ask God, who gives generously to all without finding fault, and it will be given to you. But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind.

{found here}

I know...isn't it amazing where you will find Him!

In the most unlikely places...hinting in just the most subtle ways!

I will be back, hopefully later, to fill you in on Christmas, the New Year and just life as of late!
Please...just take a minute to breathe...IT'S WORTH IT!

2010-12-16T12:20:00.001-05:00

Just park your car...you've found us!

UGHHHH...this tree is my nemesis this year!

It's a pre-lit, FAKE tree that was bought when we were first married to fit in our new (now old) house. So...it doesn't fit great in our new family room and I would say more than half of the lights no longer work. When we put it up...I strung lights through the middle section and about a week later all the lights on the bottom of the tree no longer work. FoooEEEEyyyy! Needless to say...it is trashed after Christmas!

This is totally a secret between us...I am actually giddy inside about this fact because I have always wanted a real tree. I grew up with the real thing and have always succumbed to the fake because we have yet to spend a Christmas in Georgia. Not anymore folks...my kids will from this Christmas on always come down stairs during the Christmas season to the smells of pine!!

YES!

Now, since we are 99% sure we will be having no more little ones, I will also be on the hunt for the perfect stockings for next year! I have been shopping already...just hoping for a sweet sale after the holidays!

Cue the music...

Truth be told, I am struggling this year.

The only way to explain it (or at least I try to explain it to myself) is that my heart is sad.

My life is good...I've been given so much...

but at the end of the day when my house is quiet...

my heart is sad.

I ran across an article in Real Simple the other day...actually it was in a Note from the Editor... that struck me as being very true. The gist...

Think small...happiness is all around you!

Find your joy in the little things.

I woke up the next morning to this...

and a little girl saying..."Look momma, I decorated the tree! Isn't it pretty!"

As I smile and say..."Yes sweet Love... it is absolutely divine!"

"yes momma...Diiii-vine"

The last paragraph of the Editor's note went like this:

This is happiness, each of these things.

And if you incorporate enough of them into your day

---and hit Pause when they come, if only for a moment---

you might just find that you know exactly what it means to

"be happy."

Do you want a glimpse at a few of the moment's I've paused...

the belly laugh of our little Lover when he gets caught sneaking up the stairs...

that sweet grin that always makes my heart dance...

a husband, that even though I may not always show it...STILL makes my heart flutter!

and the small things that don't matter but make life better...

a chai tea latte in the morning...just add milk!

or the smell of your favorite candle...definitely the Volcano candle from Anthropologie!

What do I want for you all this season...

all the HAPPINESS and LOVE you can stand!

Merry Christmas!

You better watch out...

2010-12-13T11:42:00.002-05:00

...Santa Claus is comin' to town!

Ok...well he made a quick visit to the neighborhood on Saturday and Sweet Love was ready for him this year! I finally got them both on his lap...yea!

And she wasn't shy...she wants a barbie, a baby doll...oh, and Santa don't forget I will be in WV for Christmas this year, so you either have to come early or come see us there!

(But...we've also already written him a letter to remind him of our location!)

Brother was fine with Santa...but preferred the elves who were handing out sugar cookies! I love that daddy is taking his role seriously and cleaning up mess regardless of the method!

Yep...sweet Love is waiting on something and it is the highlight of her Santa experience!

Yep...the horses were back!

Although, Ri reminded me that these aren't Santa's horses because he rides reindeer.

We decided Santa just wanted all the kids to have something fun to do while they waited to see him!

I love how calm she gets when she is doing something she really loves. She just sat there cuddled with daddy and brother with her eye's sparkling!

Brother on the other hand...was thinking about how he was going to get daddy to open that candy cane!

We totally did not sneak back in to visit the elves with the amazing sugar cookies...

you can't prove it!

Watching this scene play out was so stinkin' funny!

Update...

2010-12-08T11:10:00.000-05:00

Just thought I would update you all on my mom and what is going on. She had another scan yesterday which has revealed her current treatment has not been successful. The cancer has spread into her lungs and liver. As of yesterday, her liver is still functioning as it should so we are thankful. They have discontinued her current treatment in Morgantown and she will meet with her oncologist in Charleston tomorrow (Thursday) to develop a new game plan.

How is she?

Strong but tired.

Worried yet hopeful.

Please continue to pray that God will give her strength physically, mentally and emotionally and to rest knowing she is loved by many!

do not be anxious about anything, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving let your requests be made known to God.
Phillipians 4:6

Whatever you ask in my name, this I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son.

John 14:13

For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but one who in every respect has been tempted as we are, yet without sin. Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need.

Hebrews 4:15-16

She's 4...

2010-11-30T23:15:00.001-05:00

There truly are no words to describe our little Lady...which is exactly what she is turning into!

I love these two pictures of her on the beach. This is her. Even when there was no water around...she wore her swimsuit. It was a fight at times to get her out of the house in clothes...so more times than not, she had her swimsuit on under her dresses!

She is determined. I remember at the beginning of summer wondering how she would do in the water. She truly is unbelievable. It shows me what she can do when she puts her mind to something. When she finds something she really loves there is nothing stopping her. That is definitely one of her strengths. I have rarely seen a 3 year old who will dive to the bottom of the 8 foot to pick up sticks....and not just one, all five of them in one breath. I can't tell you how many times I watched as she got tired in the water. I would see her head go under and her body be still. She would come up, take a few breaths and be on her way...she calmed herself and rested under the water!

I have also found if she is not interested...there is little I can do to motivate her. I feel this will be our struggle. We of course will work on this, but my feeling is we will fight this many times down the road.

It's funny how you can watch them physically, mentally and spiritually grow. It truly is an awesome experience to be a momma...and He has given us a beauty in so many ways!

We love you sweet Love!!

Just normal life...

2010-11-17T10:58:00.001-05:00

So...finding out our little nugget can't hear stirs up an array of emotions. Some not so good...but also not all of them are bad. We have got a lot of calls, visits, emails, texts, etc. from family and friends which we are beyond grateful for! But sometimes...if you let your mind wonder you are hoping and praying they are not "feeling sorry" for him or us. I had this conversation with Chris when he was overwhelmed by all the support we were given. He made one statement..."I don't want their pitty, he is still Kellan!" While we both know this is not the case it is hard not to let these feelings creep in.

So, because he is just our sweet boy I thought I'd share some pics of his and our normal as of late...

Yep...doesn't every kid take all the toilet paper off the roll?

Now...I have found R in some predicaments in her 4 years, but this is new. Chris took one of the drawers out of his dresser and little nugget climbed right up and in. Here he is trying to figure out how he will exit?

Helping daddy fix the dishwasher.

Trying to figure out why I always have a camera in his face?

Just lovin' on each other...

So, here is the not so bad part of the emotions we have had as of late. Learning sign language. R is signing play which is what these two spend all their days doing.

This is K's version. It is beyond cute when he is on the floor and starts wiggling his wrists and trying to get his fingers out! So far he is signing play, eat, and more. At lunch, sissy reviews these with him and then goes over the sissy, mommy and daddy signs. My heart is overjoyed when I see those two interact. Somehow I feel this journey will give them a bond that will be unexplainable!

I have told her many times..."R, brother watches you and will do what you do!"

What do you guys think?

And yes...that is the sign for I LOVE YOU!

Speaking of I love you's and thank you's I have a few of my own...

First,

Mike, Emily, Maddie and Micah...thank you all for your help in the last month! We met Mike and Emily in our small group. They already lived in our neighborhood and when they decided to buy a bigger home they ended up beside of us! Maddie is R's best friend and to say they have made life easier for Rilynn and myself is an understatement. So...thank you all for being such great neighbors and friends. We love you!

Here's the biggy...

To OUR Liz, thank you would never be enough.

You are our family and we love you more than you could ever know!

It is hard for me to portray the blessing that walked into my life while working at FormWell.

Liz is one of my old clients, but became much much more to our family.

She LOVES my babies.

She drops everything if I need her.

She beat me to the hospital when K was admitted in September. I didn't ask her to come, didn't know that would be the first face I would see after exiting the ambulance.

She aches when I ache.

She steps in, so I don't even have to ask.

She researches for me.

She is a giver!

She recently gave me the best gift I have ever received. She told me for my birthday she wanted to give me sign language classes and handed me a slew of papers with some names and numbers. It's not the actual gift that brought tears to my eyes and turned my stomach into knots. Liz has never missed a birthday or anniversary. It's that she knows me and my fears. She felt my motherly ache.

What Liz doesn't know...SHE is my gift.

God gave her to me us and I hope she knows that I thank Him for her e~~veryday~~ multiple times a day!

WE LOVE YOU!

Severe to profound...

2010-11-11T10:36:00.004-05:00

Severe:

intensely or extremely bad or unpleasant in degree or quality;

"a hard left to the chin"; "a knockout punch"; "a severe blow"

Profound:

to a great depth psychologically;

"They felt the loss deeply"

After Tuesday, this is where we find our self today.

We've taken a hard left to the chin, a severe blow and are today feeling the loss deeply!
Our little Nugget had his surgery on Tuesday...after it being postponed due to a flare up of his bronchiolitis. They inserted tubes and then performed an ABR test, all in the hopes of a definitive answer to our questions concerning his hearing.

Our answer...severe to profound hearing loss, but not just in his left ear but also his right.
That's the hard left to the chin. The unexpected blow.

Our little nugget is deaf...he can not hear.

Where are we today...SAD.
I have had several conversations with family and friends and this is how I honestly feel...
It could be worse. I was not given a diagnosis that could possibly take my baby from me. A year from now...two years from now this will just be our life. Today...we have a lot of decisions that we need to move on. Physical therapy due to his developmental delay. Visits with the audiologist for hearing aids. Speech Therapists. Discussions with the ENT about cochlear implants. Learning sign language.

For those of you who need further explanation of degree of hearing loss check out these definitions.

Today...we are SAD, but still blessed.
He is a joy. Has ALWAYS had the best disposition. Loving. Goofy. Cuddly.

Missy shared with me today as she cried. "Sis, Livi came home the other day and told me she wanted to learn sign language. I told her sure, maybe that is something we could do together." Livi had no idea of K's hearing loss in his left ear and definitely had no idea that we would get the diagnosis we got on Tuesday.

God is good. He made our boy special. He gave him to us, Me and Christopher. Our job is to love him (easy) and to teach him that God's reasons are sometimes greater than our understanding.

Does it sound like I am trying to convince myself? I am. I am his mother. I want life to be as easy as it can be. I know he will struggle. I know (especially in the beginning) we as a family will struggle.

Most important...I know we LOVE him!

I told my mom yesterday when it was all sinking in..."He has never heard my voice. He has never heard me tell him I love him. I am so thankful I am obsessed with kissing that sweet face. I am so thankful that every time I pick him up I kiss him, every time I lay him down for bed...I squeeze him just a little tighter. "
He is our little Lover and I am sure even if he can't hear the I LOVE YOU'S he FEELS them!

Bragging rights...

2010-11-03T15:06:00.003-04:00

I rarely share with you all the sweetness that is my sweet Love...our Ri Ri. Usually, as I am told very often, I will share those horror stories or the latest struggles I find while raising a little girl who is beyond independent, strong willed, and willing to forgo another spanking in defense of her point or opinions.

Other than her heavenly Father, who has made her to His specifications, nobody knows or understands better than I the perfection that she encompasses. So without further adieu....

We usually attend the 8:00am Sunday worship service, but last Sunday we pushed our start time back to 9:30 which meant Ri was in a different Sunday school class than normal...but with the same teachers that she had had when we first started Church there. They were beyond excited to see her when I dropped her off and she walked right in without any thought. Church was over and I went to pick her up and one of the teachers grabbed me and our conversation went like this:

T: Sara, you have one of the sweetest little girls I have had the chance to teach
Me: (smiling) Thank you...we love her!
T: She has used her manners all morning (yes ma'am, thank you, please) and when I asked her if she wanted another cracker she said "yes" and then looked at me with that sweet grin and said "oh, sorry I forgot ...yes ma'am"
Me: we've been working hard
T: it's paying off...she also told a little boy when he wouldn't share a toy "you need to be kind because Jesus wants us too!"
Me: (heart is overjoyed)
T: not to mention she is beyond gorgeous...I have two little girls that I of course think are beautiful...but that Ri is a rare beauty.

I thank her for sharing and scoop up my rare beauty!

------------------------------------------------

Last night K got sick ---vomitting sick---so when it came to be her bedtime I wasn't able to go "love on her" because he was asleep on me. I told her that I would do my best to come to her room if I could get K to bed. I pass K to Chris and walk into her room. Her eyes are closed and she is playing with her hair...which she has done since she was a baby...it means she is on the verge of falling to sleep.

I lay on the bed and she opens her eyes and gives me her biggest grin and says:

"momma, I was hoping you were going to come in here. I was closing my eyes and hoping you were going to come love on me, but I didn't know if you could"

I of course respond..."love, I could never let you go to sleep without loving on you first!"

She then moves her baby and motions to her shoulder..."you can lay on my shoulder momma"

That is exactly where I lay my head and she wraps me up into a head lock and I hear..."I love you momma!"

In that moment I realize my life is
....priceless!

It's my fave...

2010-10-29T17:52:00.000-04:00

I love photographs.

I take a lot of them.

I've learned that if you don't, it's easy to forget the beauty of the moment, the expressions, the little things that can sometimes pass if you blink just a little too fast!

This picture hangs in my house.

Well...because it is my fave!

The beauty of the moment...

Her strength. Her eyes. Her hair.

His strength. His love for her. Ok...His lack of hair! :)

The expressions...

Her smile.

His grin.

The little things...

The hug. The way she eases into him. The years together.

It depends on the day, but different emotions arise inside of me as I walk by this picture and so often stop and stare. Sometimes I smile because her smile does that to me. Sometimes I get angry because I miss that life in her that she is fighting so hard to keep. I get angry...really at anybody who has been in my path that day. Sometimes I just think about her hair or how unfair it is that none of us kids got those amazing blue eyes. Some days I wonder how I got so lucky to have to of the most amazing parents. Somedays I get sad for my dad. I could keep going, and going, and going...

But everyday...I am hoping and praying that she gets that sparkle back. Yep...look real close and you can see that sparkle of life in her eyes, her smile, her body language!

To say it has been a fight for her...is a huge understatement.

She is tired.

She deserves a rest.

If I could give her anything it would be that...

a day of rest where she didn't have to fight, think, worry, pretend to be strong for all of us!

My mom is amazing and I am so proud of her!

It's the end of October which is Breast Cancer Awareness month...

The Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure, teaming up with over 130 NFL Alumni Philadelphia Chapter Cheerleaders and UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania, invite the world to help "Team Ra-Ras Kick Breast Cancer." To encourage viewers to share the video with others and increase breast cancer awareness, UnitedHealthcare will donate ten cents ($.10) per view to The Philadelphia Affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure up to a maximum donation of $100,000

I LOVE YOU MOMMA!

Family Photos

2010-10-23T11:04:00.000-04:00

Instead of...

2010-10-21T23:17:00.000-04:00

the pumpkin patch...

we chose the beach!

Our little nugget got in a little scrap with the bathtub the night before we left...and ended up with a black eye!

Here is a glimpse of our little Lovers vaca...

Eating

He ate everything in sight...including the sand!

Assisted walking

Momma and daddy took turns...he would have walked in and out of the water all day!

Crawling

Salt water...sand...he didn't care!

Sissy's days looked a little like this...

Running

Laughing

Jumping

This was the only way we could stop her!

It worked for brother!

Quick family shot thanks to the sweet lady on the beach!

We went on walks every morning and decided one day to take the kids to the downtown boardwalk.

We obviously stopped for pics here and there!

Me and Chris both decided it was one of our best vacations yet. I think we were all missing each other!

Stay tuned...more family pics to come!

I'm not saying a word...

2010-10-06T21:39:00.002-04:00

When the weather turns...

2010-09-28T21:39:00.001-04:00

...we head for the lake to see these guys!

{Oh...and maybe I'll snap a pic or two!}

This is the beginning of ...Monkey See, Monkey Do!

Follow me...

See, it's not that hard...

I'm leaving ya if you don't come on...

ok, we'll do it your way...

now that...I can do!

{That's my cue to exit!}

...can't get a break!

2010-09-18T18:03:00.001-04:00

My sweet boy...

landed himself here...

after a first-class ambulance ride due to a scary case of bronchiolitis.

For me and you, just a common cold, but it landed our little Lover in the hospital for 2 days! I sprung him out a few days early with some smooth talking, attending an asthma class and did I say some smooth talking. We are doing breathing treatments at home around the clock and things are looking good!

He stayed in good spirits the entire stay and managed to keep himself busy...checking emails, playing with equipment and of course a game of ball with daddy (thanks Liz for the basketball, it was a hit!)

On our way home from the hospital a girlfriend called and I was filling her in on our last few days...it was kind of funny because she had asked what we had been up to and when I answered leaving the hospital she said...Oh, so you're in WV again. Nope...not this go. We kind of laughed and she said...You guys just can't get a break!

I would be lying if I were to tell you that that exact thought hadn't crossed my mind especially the night in the ER when they informed us that they were going to admit him.

But in reality...God has given me a break.
The floor we stayed on was a neurology floor -specializing in brain tumors. I will tell you, Children's Hospital in Atlanta is phenomenal! K woke up at 3:30am one morning and I unhooked him from the monitors so we could venture into the halls for a little walk...we found an indoor play area, an outdoor play area, and a library all to entertain the kids who find their way into the hospital.

As we made our rounds, I saw a door decorated with Team Jacob photos, indicating that some little girl had been there for a while. I saw parents in and out of rooms with a quick glance inside realizing that their babies were laying in bed, heads wrapped in bandages, with too many monitors hooked to them for a quick stroll down the hall. I could go on, but lets not. So...did I get a break?

A BIG ONE!

Two healthy babies that catch the occasional cold...I'll take that any day!

A wish right now...

2010-09-10T09:57:00.003-04:00

...can we pretend that airplanes in the night sky were like shooting stars

A quick update on mom...

she has been in the hospital since Tuesday due to running a fever consistently for about 3 days. She has tested positive for a staff infection, has a couple blood clots in her arm and they are now saying it is possible there is an issue with a heart valve. More testing will be done today to either eliminate or confirm. After a conversation with Jake last night, it seems they will be keeping her for a few more days.

Please pray that God will give her strength

to endure the fight...

The family...

at this point we're praying, trusting, hoping and wishing

update: Just got a call from dad and they are going to release her sometime today. The echo shows her heart is functioning as it should and enough antibiotics have run through her the last few days to kill the infection. Thank you Jesus!!!!

Right of passage...???

2010-09-08T10:48:00.001-04:00

Remember this...sweet, beautiful, NO BANG hair cut!

Well...my sweet, beautiful girl got herself into a bit of trouble yesterday!

Exhibit A

And yes, I was a tattle tale!

Her daddy was the first to find out...this was what their conversation looked like.

The fix...a quick trip to a "real" salon because momma was too big of a chicken to try to fix it.

Not horrible...but we'll definitely be using some flare for a little while!

After it was all said and done, she said...

"momma, I'm still pretty?"

my heart broke...because I did make a big deal about it hoping if enough drama surrounded the event she would remember to NEVER do it again...

I almost responded "Love you could shave your head and still be the most beautiful little girl"...but I thought about that before it came out and ended up saying...

"Love it's not your hair that makes you beautiful, it's your heart and that perfect smile!"

She nods and responds...

"cause Jesus lives in my heart."

I can't stand it...

2010-09-06T21:10:00.000-04:00

This sweet girl...well she has been cracking me up lately with what is coming out of her mouth! But first, she had to model her haircut too! I cut her hair earlier that day...what a beauty!

an interlude with sweet Love...

Driving home from church on Wednesday she says:

R: momma, my stinkin' pee-pee is broke

Me: what?

R: my pee-pee it is not working (groans in frustration)

Me: Ri what are you talking about?

R: It's not going to hold it...I gotta go, it's broke and it's not going to hold it

Me: (now laughing) Love, we'll be home in 2 minutes

R: It'll have to do it's best!

Twice the Celebration!

2010-09-05T11:50:00.009-04:00

I couldn't think of a more perfect little boy to celebrate twice!

We had nuggy's "family" party while we were at our wild, wonderful home and lets just say...

he enjoyed some parts of it!

Obviously!

Other parts...he didn't care for!

(Neither of my babies like the spotlight!)

Now eating the ice cream cake...that's another story!

We rounded out the day with our first, annual...

Wiffle Ball Tournament

Now for little man's stats:

Length: 29 1/4 in.

Weight: 17.6 lbs.

Head: 18 cm.

He is still our little guy but is finally catching up!

In the month before his b-day, he...

sat up,

held his head up without it "sagging",

pulled-up,

starting traversing,

waving bye-bye.

(just started blowing kisses),

eating a ton and using his fingers to do so,

and last...wearing his cute little baseball hat!

What about his hearing...

We took him to his follow-up with the ENT and here is the story with his hearing (as I understand it). The ear canal itself has gotten bigger, which is what they were expecting and is a positive. There is a lot of fluid and the ear drum itself is not moving...but, he has not had any infections which they think is awesome considering most babies with water in their ears fight infections constantly. Regardless of the lack of ear infections, they want us to put tubes in his ears so the water will drain and hopefully the ear drum will start moving. They repeated the in-office testing and feel like there is some improvement, but again it is hard to get good results with a moving baby. What have we decided...after discussing with his pediatrician we are going to get tubes put in his ears. She feels like the reason he is consistently 6-8 weeks behind on most "milestones" has to do with the hearing loss. She also informed me that his ENT is not a "surgery is the answer" kind of doctor, which me and Chris both agree. Remember...after the audiologist recommended we put a hearing aid in his ear at 3 months old he advised that that was a little "crazy" at that point. Also, we are going to have another sit-down with him for him to asses him one more time. So, all that being said, if he is still recommending the proceedure we will probably move in that direction.

Personality wise...

he is still pretty laid back, but is getting a little attitude. He'll pitch a good one if he doesn't get what he wants and he is starting to interact a lot with his sissy! He'll crawl right over to her and pull her hair...not saying much to him at this point due to he deserves a few pay-backs, but soon!

Like I always say...

Jesus continually gives me more than I deserve! Thank You!

Another story...

2010-08-27T20:06:00.000-04:00

...another day!

"Momma you are so cool!" To start...that is the first time I heard cool out of my little girls mouth and it was super cute. But add to the fact that she was calling me cool...well, it is totally worth me sharing the embarassing story!

Lets start from the beginning...

I have made several trips from/to Atlanta and Charleston with both kids by myself. Really, it is not that bad. God has either given me good travelers or they have both learned they do not have a choice...I prefer the first scenerio. The part that is somewhat worrisome...I am alone, on the road, with two precious babies. So, being we have traveled this route many of times...I make 2 stops. I feel safe in these locations getting the kids out and letting their little bodies rest for a while and luckily they are spaced about 3 hours apart. Our drive is 9 hours, which means every three hours they get a break and I get a break. It works perfect. This last time coming home...the kids were asleep for our second stop...so momma kept driving!

The problem:

Momma had to tinkle soon there after. I am not sure if you guys are familiar with the WV Turnpike...lets just say it's a bumpy ride! I'm litterally almost home so I tried my best to stretch my bladder as long as I could. I am adament about not breaking my rule on where I stop unless there is an emergency. I contemplated over and over if this was a true emergency. Now, when you become a mom really nothing that pertains to you is an emergency. I am of the mind...suck it up for the team! I get off of our exit with 20 minutes to go in our drive and realize I'm not making it. So, I compromised. I would stop, but not technically stop!

The solution:

I grabbed my Starbucks cup...took off my seatbelt...pulled all the shades up in the mini-van (another plus to driving my momma's mini-van) made my way to the back and...

...yes, I PEED IN THE CUP!

Well, that's when she said it. "Momma you are so cool!" I start laughing and of course you know what comes next..."momma I gotta go pee pee too!" As she smiles from ear to ear...I let her pee in the cup!

What I learned:

When you drive through Starbucks and you find yourself debating whether to buy a grande or a venti...

ALWAYS choose the venti!

Those cups fill up fast!

Just a day in the life...

2010-08-25T11:57:00.001-04:00

of the ~~Clampets~~ Perdue's/Price's/Meeks'.

Wednesday, August 18:

1:30am - Kellan wakes up and is completely plugged up, coughing, hoarse and miserable. I feed him, saline/suction, hold him, love him...nothing is working. At 5:30am, I lay him in his pack-n-play screaming. I had tried everything and was giving up. I lay in the bed beside him and my thoughts drift back to the same place...are my choices wearing my children down. Have they had enough? As tears stream down my face, I remind myself for the time being...I have no choice!

7:30am - I hear Easy (Easton) upstairs saying "momma". I jump out of bed to greet that sweet face and make sure Aimee gets off to work. Check on mom and remind her that we need to leave the house by 11am.

7:30-10:30 - Feed, change diapers, dress, do hair, pack lunches for our pic-nic, etc. Get mom up and at em'.

11:00am - All 4 kids (Livi, Ri, Easy and my Lover), mom and myself are headed to the hospital to meet Aunt Missy. Arrive at the hospital ON-TIME 11:45am for mom's lab work, hand her off to Missy who is going to go inside with her, so all the kids don't have to sit in a waiting room. I park across the street from the hospital, jump into the back and start handing out food to the big girls and feeding the little ones. Did I mention it is pouring the rain...it was!

12:45pm - Missy calls me and says they are dropping her perscriptions off to go ahead and drive over to pick her up. I clean up the mess and jump in the front seat to start the car. It doesn't start! Battery dead. I check lights, doors, etc. to try to figure out what has happened and I call Missy back..."can't get over there, car is dead!" Missy response, "seriously"...Yep! She grabs her car and comes to our location. We squeeze her truck into a space meant for a small, compact car. Mom removes herself from the van because she can't stand to watch. I get the jumper cables hooked up and then here comes daddy. Thank You Jesus! Cars are running, so he follows us to Auto Store to get new battery.

2:00pm - Missy heads to get her root-canal, daddy heads back to work, I take my load back home!

3:00pm - We are now home, I am praying all kids take a nap! Not looking good! Kellan goes to sleep, the rest are up and at em'.

4:30pm - Missy comes in, we talk, laugh and start trying to figure out dinner. Finally it stops raining and the girls can go outside.

5:30pm - Daddy gets home, we are cooking, I happen to look out the kitchen window. I see Ri with her pants around her ankles and scream out..."what is Ri doing with her pants down?" Daddy and Missy join me at the window only to find both girls, pants down in the back yard, peeing? Missy is out the door, I am cracking up with dad. We are still at a loss for the WHY? behind that ordeal! (I might know the why behind this, but that's another story for another day!)

6:30-7:30ish - Jake and Aimee get home, we all eat dinner and all kids have their "no-nap" breakdowns. Missy heads out with Liv and of course Ri wants to go. I kiss my girl goodbye!

8:30pm - Jake and Aimee go home, my little Lover is exhausted and I put him to bed.

9:00pm - I relax with mom and dad on the couch and pass out.

Just another day in the life!

On the road...

2010-08-15T16:39:00.000-04:00

...to our wild, wonderful home!

To visit the strongest most beautiful woman I know!

I watched a sermon On Demand that I missed while I was away the last time.

It was on Miracles...here is what I learned.

1. Identify the need

A complete healing for my mom.

2. Write it down

What I am doing now...

3. Form Partnerships

Sharing with others the importance of their interceding on her behalf

4. Pray

Ask anything in my name Phillipians 4 - I am doing this and I know you are too, THANK YOU!

5. Follow Instructions

Be diligent in our prayers, time with Him, sharing!

6. Anticipate

Expect a miracle!

7. Respond

Show and tell!

Most important: We've all already been given a miracle.

His Forgiveness!

Projects.

2010-08-10T09:38:00.008-04:00

Another project to cross of my ~~excel spreadsheet~~ to do list! If you guys know my husband...I mean really know him...he creates spreadsheets for any project. He suggested I create a list of everything I wanted to do to the house...so I made him real happy and instead of a simple old list, he got himself an excel file sent straight to his inbox!

So...when your mind won't let you rest what should you do? Get busy! I've been home a week and managed to cross an entire room of my list. This is our guest bedroom on our main floor. Yes...your eyes are not playing tricks on you...I wanted me some stripes!

If you know me...there is nothing about me that is theme"y". I wanted a room that felt calm and a room I could put up a lot of family pics. Especially...beach pics. I have tons that I love and have blown up (not yet hung) but needed somewhere to put them. I don't think R's cute beach toosh needs to be hanging in our living room, so I decided this bedroom would be perfect. Considering only family stays in here and we have tons of pics of all our family enjoying each other on the beach this would work perfect. So...later I will show you pics of how I will display all the pics and keep rotating them yearly.

Let me give you the 411 on painting stripes...not as easy as I had convinced Chris it would be. We measured, snapped chalk lines, taped using only the best painters tape (Frog Tape), and got to work. Taping took a LONG time, but we both love it!

The one thing I am determined to do in almost every room is change our lighting. When you buy a builder house in a BIG neighborhood you notice real quick we all have the same lighting fixtures. So...my goal is to separate our houses from the rest and the first and cheapest way to do this is to change the lighting throughout the house!!!! This is an IKEA purchase that I thought fit perfectly in the room and was only $30!

Ok...so while I hope everyone is enjoying the house pics, the reason for this particular post is to get mom and Missy's opinion on this rug. I am also not a matchy, matchy person AT ALL. So, while some parts of me like this rug, I am debating if it works with the curtains and rug in my dining room??

Not a great pic of all of it I know, but it's the best I could do to get you a peek at all three things working together. So...Miss call me and tell me what you guys think. Is it too matchy, matchy???

Of course, if anyone else wants to give me their opinions it would be much appreciated!

And no...I have not mopped our floors since K's b-day party. Another tip...if you put down dark hardwoods you will LOVE them...but, you better like to clean!

It's my birthday...

2010-08-08T00:02:00.020-04:00

...it really is! Can you believe it?

We prepped the night before...

...so we could celebrate our little All-Star!

Faces of our little Lover!

Mommy made a wish for his birthday...

Kisses from this little one for the rest of my days!

LOVE LOVE LOVE his little curls!

That's all folks!

I can't believe it has been a year!

Everyday I wake up and think there is no way I could love him more...but I do! Every stinkin' day I fall deeper! K...you make momma, daddy and sissy so happy!

Happy Birthday to our perfect little man!

A hug from Jesus!

2010-07-31T11:03:00.000-04:00

Just a quick update on mom...she got the call Thursday that her name was randomly selected for the PARP trial at WVU! Just so you understand...the odds of her name being drawn was like your odds of winning the lottery. On Monday, I called the Organization of Rare Diseases who is in charge of randomly selecting participants to see if I could get any information. All she could tell me was that thousands of names were in their database and the week before they only drew 14 participants (ok, so maybe the odds are a little better than winning the lottery but when you buy a lottery ticket you are not talking about a life or death scenario).

So, we prayed! We did our best to stay positive...and assured mom that her name would be called the next week. Not only would her name be called, but that her name would be drawn FIRST! This became my prayer...our prayers! That not only would her name be drawn, but her name would come out of the computer first. On Wednesday night, I went in her room and kissed her on her forehead and said..."mom, I am going to pray tonight that your name will be selected first tomorrow."

So, I am making the bed upstairs and getting things around for me and the kids to begin our journey home. I hear daddy coming up the stairs and he says "I want you to tell her!" I grab my face, tears already welling and see the tears in his eyes! Her name was picked...but that isn't really what is amazing.

The nurse tells mom that her name was the first name to be selected!

So, here is what I know...it wasn't random luck that she will be starting treatment on Tuesday! When she is healed completely of this cancer...it will not be because of some "miracle" drug as they are calling it!

God, the only miracle performer, will be solely responsible!

So...while she has a long road before her, this was His way of giving us a little hug and telling us He is in control!

More beach pics!

2010-07-31T10:27:00.008-04:00

As promised...more pics from the beach!

Just a few shots of sissy and her little buddy!

All our little ones enjoying the sand and sun!

These two take my breath away!

Looks like daddy and uncle Jake aren't going to sway his opinion...Braves all the way!

I love taking them out on the beach at night...and you know I can't resist taking their pics!

Time with daddy!!

2010-07-25T19:07:00.001-04:00

I am starting to forget my address...what my house looks like...what my bed feels like...

Christopher said he is starting to forget what these two look like...(which I think is worse!)

So, we will be leaving our wild, wonderful home this week to spend a little time with daddy! And maybe, just maybe share a few more pics of our beach get-away with ya!

?

2010-07-01T13:54:00.006-04:00

Not really sure what I'm trying to get out or why I am even letting it go, but here goes...

My heart is heavy,

I cry like a baby at random times,

sometimes the fear of what's next for our family is unbearable...

and then some days

I just don't feel at all.

Mom has always told me I stray from the norm...if everyone is walking in one direction, I am sure to go the other way and I'll probably be running! I'm doing it again. Most people, when they are looking for a miracle, run toward God. I'm definitely not running away, but it's been different. I've prayed, but far less than I had been praying since we found out about mom. Even when I make a conscious effort, my thoughts drift. I told Aimee I was losing my mind and God was having a good laugh. In one night, I asked for the same thing in several ways. It went something like this...

Dear Jesus...please take the cancer away.

Dear Jesus...if it be Your will, please take the cancer away.

Dear Jesus...please take the cancer away in a way that glorifies you.

Dear Jesus...please use my mom as a witness of your love and mercy and take the cancer away.

This was all in one night. Truth be told, I was scared I was asking the wrong way. Then it occurred to me...Sara, God knows what you want, he knows your needs and regardless of how you ask, His will...will be done. Then I kind of stopped. In my mind...He knows what I want. But...I've been asking a lot of other people to pray. Kind of hypocritical I know! I spent the other night praying for others. People I know and some I don't. I figured that's the least I could do. If others are praying for my family...I can at least pray for others. It at least made me feel better...closer to Him. But, got me to thinking. I wonder why it was so easy to pray for other people but I am having such a hard time praying for my mom? Still pondering.

We haven't been to church in a few weeks...which is bad because I need church. I've never understood when people reason that church doesn't get you to heaven. My answer is this...you are right, church can't get you to heaven. But, if you love Him, I mean really love Him, you want to surround yourself with Him and His people and messages that confirm what this world tries to take away from us! But...due to being on the road, company and a night away with my husband...we haven't been.

So,

while I know He is there and while I know I love Him...
I feel my faith in Him and His plan is fleeting...

I'm sad about this.

But that's life.

Sometimes you just gotta...

and just take a peek.

God is good!

He knows where I am
and
still loves me.

Thank you Jesus, that even when I don't know where I am or what is going on...You do! Thank you that on the days when I feel far away from You...You are still there!

Catching up...part 2!

2010-06-30T11:21:00.020-04:00

After our beach get-away, we made our way back to WV to do just what our Easy has been up to...lovin' up on his mamaw! It's always the best medicine!

I have promised to update a lot of you who are praying, so here goes...

The trial we were hoping she could be a part of was not an option due to the amount of time she would have to wait for the meds. After her doctor examined her and they discussed the amount of pain she was in, the decision was made to start the "normal" chemo regimen and he ordered another CAT scan. From the CAT scan we found the tumor has tripled in size and if I understand the report correct, there is now a place on her sternum and in her left chest cavity. She has had 2 rounds of chemo since then, and it has hit her hard. She has begun to have chest spasm anytime she moves making it hard to breath, she can't lay flat, she has not been eating ...need I go on. SO PLEASE...my request is that you pray that God will give her relief from the pain, as I can tell from just our phone conversations that it is almost unbearable! Oh...and if you would pray for a miracle that only He can perform...PLEASE, PLEASE, PLEASE do!

In the mean time...we will just LOVE on her like she has always done for us!

Speaking of LOVE...her boys decided to get tatted up in her honor! I know, leave it to my brothers to come up with this kind of idea...and then once Dad was on board there was no stopping them!

We decided to bring this one home with us after leaving our wild and wonderful home! Ummm...we LIVED at the pool for a week!

These two girls had so much fun together...but I'm thinking I enjoyed it just as much as they did!

So did he!

It was funny...our little Livster does not stop talking. At one point, Chris looked at me and said "for real...is she like this all day!" I said...YEP! He just started laughing and said..."I guess this is what we get to look forward too!" I again answered...YEP!

And here is my nuggey! He was a sport living in the water with those crazy girls!

That sweet face is irresistible!

Along with crazy girls...comes splashing!

Loving...I would totally steal her if I thought I could get away with it!

Sorry ladies...THEY ARE MINE!

Now we're talking...bring on the "real" fun!

The Livster wasn't scared!

Ok...so I had to give her back eventually because her momma came a knockin'! Aunt Missy was lovin' on our little Lover and watching the madness!

We headed to our neighborhood's family night and came home with her...she introduced herself as Spot?!?

We thought she was pretty cute so we let her hang out for a while!

Then...we headed for the Aquarium. My nuggey seemed to enjoy this more than anyone.

He would have stood there for hours if I would have let him!

Our two guest eventually left us and we were totally bummed!

I loved having her here and I think sweet Love was lost for a few days without her.

This was the conversation we had while brushing our teeth the next day:

R: momma, do u have a baby in your belly

Me: NO!

R: momma, I want a baby in your belly

Me: but, momma doesn't want a baby in my belly

R: daddy can't have a baby in his belly

Me: nope

R: Ri, Ri can have a baby in her belly one day!

Me: yep, one day

R: i want a baby in your belly, i want a siser

Me: but you have "little buddy" (what she calls brother)

R: but I need a siser to play with

I proceeded to laugh with her and simply said...maybe one day, maybe not one day!

Catching up...the beach!

2010-06-24T09:10:00.011-04:00

We spent a few days at the beach before heading home and had a great time! It is an understatement to say our girl loves her mamaw...they are inseparable when they are together! We spent the majority of our time in the indoor pool for two reasons...first, our boy was running a fever and we took turns keeping him inside and the second being Ri loves the indoor pool?? Confused by this but it worked this go around!

We also had an early celebration for daddy's birthday...dinner and ice-cream cupcakes!

We were worried Ri had lost her mojo in the pool after we took her at home.

We had expected her to jump in and go to it. She did not feel the same about the water as she did at the end of last year. We could barely get her to loosen her grip around our necks. We let her go to the baby pool and watched her as she would put her head under the water...and continue to get progressively more brave...but still, anytime she entered the big pool she bear hugged us. One morning, after going to the pool with mamaw, she came into the condo raving about how she could swim. Now, after living at the pool...she"ll jump off the side and swim back like it's nothing. We should know by now...our sweet girl does everything in her own time her own way!

She loves to race and "beat" anybody at anything...so, her and daddy went to it. I love Chris...he will not just let her win. She gets so frustrated about this...but, I think it's good for her!

Of course, she had to go flying!

And then...little man's fever decided to break and so daddy brought him outside!

This kid loves looking at the world from a different perspective!

Ri was pretty stoked that "my Kellan" showed up to play for a little while!

So...he sat on Pop's lap and made sweet eyes at his aunt B!

We had a great time and are looking forward to our family trip to Kiawah in a week!

The important stuff we missed...

2010-06-22T18:12:00.000-04:00

Sweeter than...

2010-05-27T10:28:00.013-04:00

cotton candy!

I didn't think it was possible...but these two Loves are sweeter than the candy they put in their mouths!

Obviously...she doesn't understand portion control!

Brother is trying to figure out why sissy put his feet in an empty bucket...

and sissy...well she knew exactly what she was doing. Create a diversion for a quick get-away!

It didn't take him long to get a hold of that bucket only to realize what had happened...

These eyes are saying..."she took off with the good stuff, didn't she?"Our little Lover is learning quick that he can't take his eyes off sissy for one minute!

Speaking of our little nugget...(which I am now calling him for some reason?)...he has been with us for

9 months...and we are still lovin' up on him real good!

(That's how we say it here in the south!)

Let me run some stat's by ya!

Height: 27 1/4 (12%)

Weight: 15 lbs. 11.3 ounces (.5%)

Head: 17 1/2 in (21%)

Yep...he's a little old fella! I taught Sunday School with the nurse practitioner that I take him to (love her!) and she cracks up at how small he is! She keeps saying..."I would have thought you would have big babies seeing as Chris is so big." Nope...not now at least! Other news...we are having a physical therapist evaluate his neck and low back strength, because he is no where near sitting up! She is more worried (like I thought) that it has to do with his hearing, so we are going to let a PT work with him for a while. He is really strong everywhere else. I thought dad was going to crack up because when he "crawls" it looks like he is doing push-ups and when he is in his car seat, if you don't buckle him in he grabs hold of the handle and does pull-ups. Only my kids...right! Speaking of his hearing, we don't take him back for a follow-up until his year check-up, so keep your fingers crossed for him! He can get anywhere he wants to go and he even tried to climb Aunt Missy's stairs. It cracks me up when I go to get him out of his bed and he is standing there with his head cocked sideways grinning like he's a big shot! He LOVES to be scared...well, I guess he is not really scared because he laughs at us when we say boo or pretend like we are going to drop him...yes peeps, we love to play in this house! I seriously have to hold myself back from making out with him! I know...it sounds gross, but he is so lovable and I could seriously eat him up! AND...just to let you know...yesterday, he made out with me. He was on my hip, grabbed my face and came in for a big one...I had slobber all over my face (and loved it!). Then he was smacking those lips and smilin'...and here it comes again. I was beside myself. One day I will tell him...you made out with your momma when you were little and he'll probably respond..."mom, that's so gross!" But...between us...it was the best make-out session ever!

We are headed to the beach to spend some time together as a fam before me and the kids head back to Wild Wonderful WV! I have a feeling this summer is going to be one to remember!

------------------------------------------------------------------------------

In case you are wondering about the new little guy that is hanging out on our family page...well, he is now part of our family. His name is Murege and he is from Kenya. We have decided to sponsor a child through Compassion and received our first letter from him the other day! If you click on the link...there are tons of kids who need sponsored, so many that it is hard to choose. But...that smile of his captured me instantly!

It's funny how sometimes it just takes a smile...

Faith.

2010-05-21T15:01:00.005-04:00

Sometimes you just have to remember to...

here are two of mine!

The hardest days are made better by their little smiles...

It is my two Loves that are teaching me today...

to really just...

Heidi Devlin Designs

I recently read a list of the top 10 ways to waste your cancer. There is one that is weighing heavily on my heart today...

You will waste your cancer if you seek comfort from your odds rather than from God.

The design of God in your cancer is not to train you in the rationalistic, human calculation of odds. The world gets comfort from their odds. Not Christians. Some count their chariots (percentages of survival) and some count their horses (side effects of treatment), but we trust in the name of the Lord our God (Psalm 20:7). God’s design is clear from 2 Corinthians 1:9, “We felt that we had received the sentence of death. But that was to make us rely not on ourselves but on God who raises the dead.” The aim of God in your cancer (among a thousand other good things) is to knock props out from under our hearts so that we rely utterly on him.

My plan for today is to ground myself in the verse that I have posted many of times:
Hebrews 11:1
Faith is being sure of what you hope for and certain of what you do not see.

I know what we as a family are hoping for and I am certain that my God is in control and His design (even if it does not align with ours) is clear!

(By the way, I LOVE LOVE LOVE the pillows above!)

Her smile...

2010-05-21T14:23:00.001-04:00

is what we love most! So, we decided we should take care of those pearly whites and headed to the dentist for her very first visit!

She was an all-star and walked away with a good report and a handful of loot!

Round Two!

2010-05-12T17:59:00.142-04:00

DING...DING...DING!

Mother's Day was not how I had pictured...our plans were to pick strawberries at a local farm and spend a quiet weekend with my babies and my husband. Instead, me and the kids headed to WV...and trust me, it's never quiet when we all get together!

Our boys are getting too big and way too cute!

Our Livi...well she gets stuck being the big girl waiting on the little ones to cooperate!

Our little Lover is lovin' on his ladies!

Dad...well he gets stuck behind the grill because he is so good at it! Trust me, if you think it looks good you have no idea! I wish you all could have a bite!

Seriously...you thought ribs would be all that was on the menu?

We spent time playing...

...some winning

...some losing!

And when we headed inside...little man decided to show us his skills!

Sleeping Beauty decided to do what we all wanted to do and pass out!

But...

sometimes life doesn't let you rest!

It's hard to put into words how you feel about your mom. Mine is strong! She always has had this little fire in her that keeps her going regardless of her situation. Last year, we watched as she fought this cancer that invaded our entire family...this year we will watch her do it again! So, while this is not the Mother's Day we had hoped for...this is what God has given us! That is sometimes hard to wrap your mind around...God has allowed cancer to again invade my mom's body. But, I serve a big God who has plans of his own and who has given me a very, strong mother! One...who if it is His will, will walk through this challenge with an amazing grace and come out with that same fire in her spirit that we all love and depend on!

So, to my momma...

you are more than we could ever ask for!

Round two...ding, ding, ding!

Time. Together.

2010-05-02T18:25:00.008-04:00

Time. Together.

Friday we had just that...simple really

in our backyard

a picnic featuring:

two little hands, two of our loves

and a big, blue skyEnjoying...

the sweetness of an apple

the easy nature of our little one

a love that is so natural between the two of them

new adventures

the love of a daddy

that is never lost on just one

a natural beauty

the intensity of our little girla playful spirit

her daddy's description..."she's just magnetic"!

It is simple really...

time together!

We're almost out of here...!!!

2010-04-13T18:02:00.006-04:00

Do I sound excited? I mean...doesn't a little sun, sand and sleep sound good to you? Yes...I said SLEEP! Which means, me and Chris are headed out alone for a weekend. We will be going to Mexico Beach for a wedding and spending some much needed alone time together and time with friends! So...looks like we need a couple of ready, willing babysitters ready to take on a 3 year old and an 8 month old? Anybody up for the job...

Perfect! Resumes have been checked and it looks like Aunt B and Tony are ready! I'm thinking my babies are in good hands...don't you?
I mean, I wouldn't trust this little guy with just anyone! Especially, my first time away from him. But, looks like he's cool with it!
I'm glad I've caught a few of these here and there. Tony...she's gonna need a few hugs after this weekend! I'm gonna sugar them up good! JK!

Thanks guys for taking care of our babies while we are out!

Easter Weekend!

2010-04-06T16:14:00.005-04:00

We had a very fun Easter Weekend full of egg hunts, farm animals and friends!

Just chillin' for a while...

SWEET! Sissy came to play...

HEY! Where did she go...

OH...GEEZ! Playin with those "BOYZ" again!

2010-04-06T15:26:00.000-04:00

A Celebration! An Apology.

2010-04-06T10:33:00.003-04:00

A Celebration!

This little nugget turn ONE and looked good doing it! We were so excited to be there and loved watching that sweet smile (especially when we started singing Happy Birthday)!

He is undeniably the cutest little thing...seriously I could eat him up! Speaking of...he had no problem with the icing!

Easy...we love you and can't wait to see what the next year brings!
An Apology.
Nope...not from her...

...to her!

Momma got a gut-wrenching eye opener after watching Easton's birthday video. All the little ones were sitting around Easton and Gramee asked where R was...I responded "who knows", Chris responded "who cares". I heard it and thought I was going to vomit. I cried...and not a pretty cry...actually I sobbed. Honestly, I don't even know why I responded that way. I know R doesn't like to be in the center of anything. Easton's sweet reaction when we started singing was priceless...he looked at everyone with that sweet grin and you could tell he was loving it! My sweet Love would have covered her ears and dropped her head. She is special like that! She plays hard, loves people (after she figures them out), but does not like to be the center of anything! And that is just fine...in fact, that is one of those things that I think is remarkable about her. She is just fine being herself...by herself!

R...momma was just being nasty with her words! I am sorry and I love you more than you love me!

(...she then would say, "noway momma" with that sweet grin "I love chu more!)

So yes, disappointed in myself doesn't describe it! The sun doesn't shine in my world without those two little Love's! Just another lesson learned by an imperfect, blessed momma!

2010-03-25T09:14:00.009-04:00

There is something about spring that just puts a plain, old smile on your face...well, at least it does around our house. The weather changes, which means more time outside and beautiful things start to bloom! It just doesn't get any better...or does it!

While the flowers are beautiful and make me smile...these two make my heart skip a beat! So, what's new with them....hmmm, let see....

My sweet girl just couldn't get any more personality! She told her daddy last night "I like boyzzz!" We both about fell out of our seats...a little in shock at how matter-of-fact she put it...but we of course got a chuckle out of it!

She loves being around people and pretty much will latch on to anyone! I don't think she let Erika out of sight the entire weekend (thanks Erika) and we had a great school lesson this week counting down the days before her friend Maddie came home! She is doing great with her manners and has of late started correcting us when we are out of line. Her aunt B said the "s" word (sucks) and she informed her that was a bad word and momma says not to say it! Again...a little chuckle from that one. She is still taking gymnastics and is really doing good. She was invited to the "advanced" 4 year old class last week and will start that in June when this current session wraps up. She told us last week she was ready to go to the beach...which doesn't surprise me or her daddy in the least since she has been sporting bathing suits for the last 2 weeks. So...looks like a beach trip will be planned before long! We have also decided to start her in preschool in the fall, so that should be interesting...but, I am only giving her up for 2 days (they tried to talk me into 3 but it didn't work)! In all...our sweet Love just lives life to the fullest and keeps it interesting for her mommy and daddy!
Talk about make your heart skip a beat...this little guy does a little more than that for his momma! To say I am loving life with him doesn't even describe it! He is an utter J.O.Y! And, if you can't tell is so ready to get up and go! I keep saying "any day" and it's true...any day he will be a mover and shaker! He does little more than smile the entire day and has figured out that if he is laying on the floor and I come near him if he waves and flutters his arms and legs I am sure to pick him up for a little cuddle session!
He is eating like a big boy now and the only thing he seems not to like is avacado...which doesn't really have a taste, but??? I'm going to start giving him baby carrots before long since he continues to push teeth through like it is his job. He has 4 on the bottom and 3 on top with another one on it's way. I actually just found the last 2 the other day when he gave me a big grin and laughed to myself...I would have never known cause he doesn't make a peep. His cough is almost gone which we are so thankful for...his little throat has been raw! But...he loves talking! He is definetely saying "dada" and says it more when Chris is around so at least this boy knows who he is talking too!
I guess I am going to have to let him get bigger, which I really don't want too! But, I tell him all the time that momma can't wait until he is as tall as his daddy and gives me a big hug...oh, my heart melts just thinking about it!
Our joy runneth over!

CRAZY BUSY!

2010-03-22T19:15:00.013-04:00

We've been crazy busy...and we've only just begun! Thankfully it is a good busy! Let's see...the Armstrongs came to visit and we spent the weekend having tons of fun! Funny story with that one...we made beds for the kids in the playroom and I was tucking them in and giving them kisses. Little P and sweet Love were kissing each other good night over and over again. I told them it was time for bed and walked out but decided to peek around the corner and no way did I see little P on top of my girl giving her a "real" kiss. Well, what did momma do? I hollered for Ryan and told him to come upstairs and get his boy off my baby! We were cracking up! Little P ...uncle Chris has got his eye on you boy! Anyways...we LOVE LOVE LOVE when they come to visit!

The next week we made an impromptu trip to the Dr. with our little Lover. He ended up having a very mild case of RSV, but a WICKED cough. His little spells at night were doosies, but he is getting better. Love his heart...he would have 10-15 minute coughing spurts and when we finally would get him settled he would look at us with his wrinkled forehead, a look of worry and of course...his little smile! He is an angel!

This past weekend was filled with friends and family...well, they are not "really" my family, but then again they are. I threw a shower for my best friend Kara and all her family came in to be here. Here is the happy couple that will soon be newlyweds!

AND...our high school friend and my college roommate Erika flew in for it! We had such a great time! We are all hoping she visits more often...hint, hint!

We never say it enough but we are blessed with great friends! The Armstrongs are an extension of our family. Chris always refers to Ryan as his brother and Brandi and the kids are nothing short of great!

And Kara, well I can't say enough how much I love her! We are always in sync, which is funny since we are complete opposites! It's that friendship that doesn't require work, is always honest, but never judgemental! I really do feel like she is my family!

And the rest of you...old and new...that somehow put up with us and our babies! God Bless Ya!

-------------------------------------------------

A quick week will pass and then we are headed to WV for Easy's first birthday...wouldn't miss if for the world! Plus, I can tell sweet Love is missing everyone...especially Papaw Randy! Here are a couple convo's me and sweet Love had in the last week:

We're outside playing on her swing set and she sees a van that looks like Mamaw Debbie's and Papaw Randy's...

Love: momma, it's papaw Randy's car

Me: it sure does look like it

Love: she starts jumping up and down, waving her arms over her head and runs to the corner of our yard and says...papaw Randy, he found me, he finally found me!

Me: sweetie, that is a car that looks like papaw Randy's but it is not really him

Love: my papaw Randy loves me!

Me: yes Love he loves you a whole bunch!

----------------------------------------------

We are leaving Target and she sees the sign for Chick-filet

Love: momma, lets go eat lunch there...chicken

Me: we're going home today to eat

Love: starts whining, but why momma?

Me: cause mommy doesn't have money for us to eat out today so we're going home to eat lunch

Love: papaw Randy has money

Me: yes, papaw Randy has money but he's not here

Love: papaw Randy will send me money to eat chicken

Me: yes he probably would but we're not eating there today

Love: I love my papaw Randy

Me: I know Love and he loves you alot!

flippin' mad!

2010-03-10T10:12:00.009-05:00

The weather has been GORGEOUS so...

we've just been hangin' around!

But, then we got to thinkin'...we're gonna miss mamaw Debbie's birthday...
and just got flippin' mad about it!

But, our little Lover said..."No worries, mamaw Debbie knows we love her and she is the best mamaw in the whole wide world!"

So, we decided to turn our frowns upside down!

Love you momma! I hope you had a wonderful birthday!

A (one) snow day!

2010-03-04T13:22:00.011-05:00

We had one snow day and had to take advantage! Our little lover didn't know what to think about this...but, go figure...he LOVED it! Sissy and daddy were having a little snow ball fight until daddy grabbed our little man. I am thinking this is what is going through his head:

Wow...what is this stuff?

daddy...this is pretty cool!

Oh, hey sis! What'cha doing over there!

Seriously, you're going to throw a snowball at me...I can't even walk yet!

Hey mom...she thinks she's funny! But just wait...one day...

I'm warning you dad...one day I will be bigger than her and she'll get what's coming to her!

Yeah...yeah...yeah! Love on me now. BEG FOR MERCY...you'll need it!

These two are so much fun...we are LOVING life with them!

And before we headed in...yes, I got the board out! Hey...I at least want my kids to know that at one point I was wicked cool!

After we got in from playing in the snow...sweet Love immediately stripped back down to her leotard (thanks mamaw E). These days she is either in a leotard or a tank top? Weird!

Now these next pics are specifically for papaw Randy! Sweet Love...well, she literally is one solid muscle. And other than myself of course...papaw Randy LOVES IT!

Yes...she has a pair of quads on her and her arms are ripped! The other moms in gymnastics are determined I have already had her in the gym!

So, this is for you papaw Randy...

welcome to the gun show!

Even you can't handle this!!!

ok...time for some hot chocolate!

LOVE and miss you all!

Bucket List...

2010-03-02T09:49:00.003-05:00

So, we've all heard of a bucket list...you know, the things we want to do before we leave our earthly home. Me and Chris have decided, after watching the show The Buried Life on MTV, that we were going to make our own and see if we couldn't start checking some of the "want to do's" off our lists. It's fun to think of things...even if they are outrageous! Well...back track to Sunday. Beth called the night before and wanted to watch the kids while we went to church. We said sure and ended up dropping our little Lover off at her house...sweet Love wanted to go to church! Pastor Johnny was preaching on Mark 1:9 and the act of obedience. The first act of obedience God asks of us after giving our hearts to Him is baptism. Fast forward to near the end of the service...Pastor Johnny instead of doing an altar call does a baptism call. Now, for some, this would be a very special event. Family and friends would be invited and probably a dinner or something afterwards in celebration of this huge event in someone's life. Well...my Love gave me that look, I patted him on his toosh, he handed me his Bible and he took off. Now, my heart is beating out of my chest. Our church is BIG...on an average Sunday there are over 10,000 people that walk through the doors. Does that make his decision more special...NO. But, from a humanly perspective it does make that split second, when you are making your decision to step out a bit more complex. So, he's made his way out of sight and I of course am on the verge of crying and then I take off. I am literally running across the church (remember it is HUGE) to the children's church determined to get sweet Love back in time to see her daddy. We made it! Thanks Aunt B for watching our little Lover...wouldn't have made it carrying 2 kids! So, we are sitting in the balcony and she spots him on one of the TV's. This is her response..."that's my daddy." He says his name and they baptize him. She is intensly watching the screen very serious and then when he came up out of the water the biggest smile appeared on her face and we started clapping. She then says..."momma, why is daddy in the water?" I explain to her that daddy asked Jesus into his heart and after you do that you get baptized and that is why daddy is in the water! She is smiling that huge smile that takes over her whole face and she says..."Jesus in daddy's heart, Jesus in your heart, Jesus in Ri Ri's heart, Jesus in Kellan's heart...mommy can I go in the water?" I explain to her that one day, when she is big enough and tells mommy she is ready to be baptized I would be nothing but overjoyed to see her in the water and on the big screen. She smiles at this. They ended up baptizing over 200 people and sweet Love looked around searching for daddy. Then here he comes and his face breaks out into the same smile that overtakes your very being. He said..."did you get her?" Well, of course I did. He grabs her and she hugs him and sits on his lap until the service ended. So, was everyone there? NO...but it was perfectly special just the way it was. However...I found it online and if you want to share in this exciting event here's how:

click on this link: http://www.fbcw.org/204.htm when you get to the page you will see in yellow about the middle of the page VIEW SERVICES ONDEMAND...click on that...the next page will be a list of sermons by date...click on Feb 28. When you do this the service will start at the beginning, but if you fast forward to 1:21:40 you will soon see my Love!

We get to the car and I asked him if he was nervous? He said in that split second after Pastor Johnny made the call his heart started pounding and then when he looked at me and I gave him the little "toosh pat" he knew he was going. He then explained his experience as somewhat of a locker room experience before a big game. Everyone was excited while they were getting dressed, high-fiving, etc. I personally thought that was hysterical and perfect! We high-five when we win a game...we should definitely be high-fiving when somebody not only gives their hearts to Jesus but is then obedient and publically professes their love. He then says...I can cross one thing off my Bucket List. I again was brought to tears!

I love this precious man!

Never...ever...EVER!

2010-02-25T09:40:00.004-05:00

Do I get tired of walking in and seeing this...

and then coming back after letting them play for a while and seeing this...
and then finding this, when she goes missing and you are sure she is up to no good...
...MMM can't you just taste the sweetness?

Sometimes...

2010-02-23T14:14:00.002-05:00

...I get tired of these little boogers!

I wonder if they ever get tired of me?

Happy (late) Valentines!

2010-02-16T17:49:00.017-05:00

Hope you all had a LOVE filled Valentines Day! We did!

We went here...

To visit them... to celebrate his 81st b-day and introduce him to his 2nd great-grandson...
well, you could barely pry our little Lover out of his arms...
but that was fine because these two were busy anyway...
momma was a little scared by that elbow being so close to mamaw Mernie's nose, but it didn't seem to phase her... we did a little of this... and a little of that... alot of this... and seen a few of these... and a little of this too... but, eventually figured this was more fun... or maybe this was... oh and you can't vacation without alot of this... and a little of that... we might as well try this...
and when your hands are finally frozen, head indoors for a friendly game of...
and maybe if you're lucky he'll show up...but don't stay inside too long cause you could miss this...

or this...

and don't forget to...
and enjoy the simple things... like your mamaw's funny hat!

Thanks for having us...miss ya already!

2010-02-14T21:39:00.001-05:00

6 months!

2010-02-09T20:58:00.009-05:00

Our little Lover is turning into our little Man! He is getting so big...well, I can't really say BIG but he is growing fast!

Here are his stats:

Length: 26 1/8 (39%)

Weight: 13 lbs 12.9 ounces (2%)

Head: 17 in (33%)

What's new?
He is definitely getting strong...when he stiffens those legs there is no moving them! His neck strength is better and the doctor said she is not in the least worried. I can tell everyday is better. (It's just so different when I compare him to sweet Love, which is all I really know!) We have started him on veggies and it is quite the sight! Again...totally different from his sissy, but am sure he will get there. We'll put a spoonful in his mouth and out it all comes...this happens over and over. It took me 1 hour and 10 minutes to get a small serving of carrots in him the other night! But...we had fun as he laughed at us trying!
He is definitely Chris' boy...if you can't tell. I see Christopher all over him! He even has that crooked grin like his daddy that I think is meant just for me! Sweet Love adores him and has went from calling him K-K to bubby!
He is still EXTREMELY laid back...not in the least bit needy, which makes me love on him more! He definitely is not a napper...if I get one a day I think we are doing good! But, he sleeps a good 12 hours everynight without a peep which is HEAVEN! He is a mover! He can't hold his head up while he gets around...but that doesn't stop him!

My favorite momma memory this month:

I went on a walk with a friend the other day and my two Loves held hands the entire way. We were talking away...but my eyes only briefly wondered from their little hands. I am hoping it will be engraved in my memory forever!

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Ok...I am going to brag on my Love for just a moment because I am so proud of him. I should preface with this...if there is anything I get frustrated about is him getting home so late. But, I married the guy that won't leave work if the job is not finished regardless of the number of hours he has put in! Why do I get irritated...I don't know! Really...it's just me being selfish with him!

So...on to the bragging! He had a meeting with one of the VP's yesterday and came home with a great honor. I won't go into the details...but the letter read he is only 1 in 2% of Lockheed Corp. employees to have received this recognition. I am extremely proud of him! Why am I sharing...because he won't and to me...he deserves the recognition! He works really hard for us and we LOVE HIM!

Gymnastics!

2010-02-09T20:50:00.003-05:00

Sweet Love started gymnastics and LOVES it! She asks me everyday..."momma, can I go do flips?" Here are a few pics of her in action!

This was a total momma moment...she was moved to the front of the line because she was a good listener! Say WHAT?!?!?!

The last few minutes of class they spend on the trampoline...which they all love and then if they were good...they get to jump in the foam pit!

Picking Paint...Perfectly!

2010-02-04T12:05:00.007-05:00

I think the hardest part of decorating a house is picking the perfect paint color! Now this little one...

she has no problem picking out the perfect colors of paint...doesn't even hesitate!

She said..."pink and daddy's favorite color...orange!" So...that is what she got!

But this time...we did it! We being my husband and I! Yes, we are starting back up on house projects! We did our year walk through with the builder and are now ready to take on painting the house. I went to Sherwin Williams and came home with a few samples and up they went. Lets start with the kitchen...I wanted the dark grey...he was a little unsure! "Hun...it almost looks black at night"...I respond "love...it's not black and it makes everything pop! (See, I am a color girl...he is fine with sticking with neutrals) But, he finally came around to my thinking and here is the after shots!

Everybody who has seen it has really seemed to like it, so what do you think? Me...I am perfectly pleased (actually I LOVE IT)! Chris...well he said "hun...you were right, it's perfect!" So...on to the rest of the house. We have decided to paint the entry way, living room and hallways (up and down) a boring neutral color. I know...totally bummed about it but there is no good starting and stopping point and I think it would just give it a much cleaner feel. So...at least I got some color in my kitchen!

Oh...and just because... I have also started accessorizing my dining room! You might notice those curtains that me and Miss worked so hard on are gone. Truth be told...I hated them! They were too heavy and didn't let enough light in and these, well I fell in love with them the moment I saw them! And even better...it happened to be my birthday weekend so mom and Miss bought them for me! I just love them, my momma and sis!

the wall is still empty but not for long...do you remember that pic of my sweet girl praying? Well I am having it made into a canvas and it will be hanging on that bare wall soon enough...along with some other goodies!

Anywho...hope ya'll have a good day!

Thought I'd share...

2010-02-01T13:31:00.004-05:00

Here are a couple video's of my Love's! The first is long (sorry)...sweet Love is reading to her "K-K", which you will hear at the end of the video... Oh, and if you are listening...no, she can't read, but she thinks she can!?!? I have been working so hard with her on her numbers and letters...and she loves to read, but we are making very little progress! It is WAY frustrating! But, I was watching her the other night and she was building a track for her cars using colored pencils...it was pretty amazing. And she loves her blocks and will configure them until they are just right for her project at hand. I was thinking, yep...she is her daddy!

the other is our little Lover with his daddy! Ok...I was so hoping he would be a momma's boy and I guess in some ways he is, but...if you would see him searching for his daddy it would make your heart melt! Enjoy!

(don't forget to pause the music at the bottom)

Just because...

2010-01-28T13:03:00.009-05:00

Let's start you off with pics of ...

...who is getting so strong! Moving on...the "nakee" pics are due to me finding our little Lover in his bed like this...
...and no, he is getting stronger but is not yet coordinated enough to pull that off! Well, by the time I got my camera to document this occasion and ask his sissy what on earth she was thinking (I won't even share her response)...I snapped one shot and up it came...yes, like a waterfall. So, we shed his clothes (which he loves) and laid him in the chair for a quick sec...then I saw this!

...and could not resist catching it for you all! Then I moved him so I could sit and put some clean clothes on him and he decided to roll over...again, I thought the perfect shot!
I particularly think it is so sweet he loves his momma enough to tat her name on that perfect toosh!
All dressed and we decided to go outside to play!
...and because I promised

...a shot of his teeth! Yes, I said it...TEETH! The other broke through yesterday and let me tell you those little suckers are sharp!

A couple quick convo's with sweet Love:

Momma: come feel brothers teeth

sweet Love: (smiles that cheesy grin) wait till daddy sees this!

momma: love, what are you doing?

sweet Love: working.

momma: how long are you going to be?

sweet Love: Ri Ri will be finished when daddy gets home from his work!

momma: daddy just called and is on his way

sweet Love: Ri Ri don't hear the garage!

momma: alright, I hope they are paying you overtime! (momma then exits to find her camera!)

Finally...this happened today and if I don't write it down, I am sure to forget it!

Setting the stage: A friend is leaving, sweet Love is throwing a fit and I tell her to settle down...she screams no and slams her door. I walk to the front of our house under the landing that leads to her room and tell her to come here now...she exits her room...looks at me and says..."NO!" I let her know she will be getting a spanking with the spoon after our guest leaves. She leaves...sweet Love meets me on the steps crying and telling me her ankle hurts. Great excuse, but I tell her to get upstairs to her room...now following her with the spoon in hand.

momma: R you know better than to tell mommy no and you are too old to be throwing a fit like that

sweet Love: I know momma, I settle down (she is now swallowing her tears and breath and is in the middle of what I call finding her "woo sah")

momma: R I need you to put your hands on the bed

sweet Love: (still settling herself down) momma you love me

momma: yes R, momma loves you a lot but you were very disrespectful and you know better than that

sweet Love: momma, I promise not to be respecful all day

momma: R it is called being DIS-respectful and here is the deal...if you back talk momma, tell me no or throw another fit today...momma will spank you with the spoon

sweet Love: ok momma...Ri Ri sorry...you love me!

momma: (I grab her and squeeze her in my arms) yes, R, momma loves you but you are a big girl now and I will not put up with the way you acted this morning

sweet Love: I love chu momma!

so no...I did not spank that sweet girl of mine. She had a break down...we had a good discussion...and being 100% honest, when she said "momma you love me" I knew at that moment I was not going to spank her. Call me a sucker, but every now and then...even that ornery girl of mine needs a break!

UGHHH!

2010-01-25T16:01:00.004-05:00

...family pics! Never a good thing in our house when that phrase escapes my mouth. My Love hates them, sweet Love can't hold still and my little Lover, well he gets a pass cause he is so little!

BUT...WAIT...it wasn't as bad as I was thinking. And I LOVE THEM! Why do I love them...because it wasn't forced. I went in thinking if we get a couple...I will be happy. Truth be told...I got more than a couple that I love...because they are us! Nobody holding still...we all aren't looking at the camera (will never happen)...and my little Lover, well he managed to hold that head up!

My faves...the family shot where we are all looking at my Love. I think it speaks for itself...we all adore him! The red shoes...if only you guys would understand the battle we go through everytime we leave the house over those red shoes. Sweet Love thinks they match everything...I disagree! Plus, I love that her tights are twisted and falling around her ankles. Why? Because that is her! The picture with me and my little Lover looking up to the sky...because that is what he does all the time. He stretches that head up and starts talking upward...sometimes he gets so excited and loud gazing up...I think he could possible be talking to Jesus himself. Who knows? And finally, I love the pic of me and my Love when I am snuggling his face...well, simply because that is my favorite thing to do!

Ok...enough rambling! Go here http://jasonpendley.smugmug.com/ ...find the Price Family... and our password is Canton. I hope you like them! Thanks Ash for the great pics!

(Oh...and check out my sweet highlights I paid for. Well...these pics were all it took for me to ~~grow a pair~~ be an adult about the situation and call to get them fixed! Just in case you are wondering, the second round was successful!)

my Loves...

2010-01-18T17:00:00.000-05:00