2010?

I remember being in school and thinking that the year 2000 was like going to bring in the things that we saw on the Jetsons. Anyone remember that show? Now here we are in 2010 (well, almost) and life is not like the Jetsons. There are no robots that clean my house, do my laundry or cook the food. We do not fly our cars and well, life is just not Jetsonesque :) 2000 just seemed light years away, being in my 30's seemed like an an eon away and now looking back it was more like a blink of an eye!

This year as we celebrate the new year .... here in our household we will also be celebrating a new job for Jeremy! The Lord provided at the 11th hour a job and we didn't have to go one day without work or pay! We are very grateful and thankful. Though I can admit there have been many days over the last 3 1/2 months where I have been scared of the year going to 2010 because I had no clue where we would be in the job realm. Jeremy was a bit more laid back and relaxed as we waited on God's timing. Thanks to those of you who prayed for us during this transition time ... we really appreciate you, your prayers and your friendship!

I hope you all have a happy and safe time as you bring in 2010!

Happy New Year!

Happy Birthday Jesus

And Merry Christmas to all our friends! Hope you are having a great day as you celebrate and spend time with family!

What fun!

Tonight we went caroling with Jeremy's Aunt, Uncle, Cousins, his parents and a BUNCH of his Aunt and Uncle's neighbors. It was too much fun. A neighbor of theirs had hooked a trailer with lights up to the back of his truck, filled it with hay and the kids jumped in. We walked behind them stopping at any house that had lights on.

This picture is of Ryan with his cousin. He was "taking care of her" - she was cold so he put his arm around her to keep her warm and to make sure that she didn't fall out. Such the gentleman! We hope to get to see more of them before they head back home! We sure hope to do this again next year!! What a great tradition to keep going with our little ones!

Happy Birthday Benjamin!

Happy Birthday to my brother! I love you very much. You'll always be my favorite brother ever!!! :) (I won't mention that you're my only brother) Love you bunches! Wish we could be there to celebrate with you ... try to have a good day even though we are not there. I know it will be hard but give it your best shot. K? Love you!

Message from Santa

This website is too cool! When your child is not around go here and fill in a few pieces of information and Santa will send a video to your child. We did it tonight with the boys and it was so fun to see their reactions!

So What's Going on?

We have been battling the sickies in this house. Kennedy has been running a fever for a week. I took her to the DR on Wednesday and our DR said it was just a virus and would work itself out. Last night was the first night without a triple digit fever for her! Today she hasn't had one at all ... Thank you Jesus!

Ryan woke up Wednesday morning with a slight fever 99.7. So I kept him home from school and prayed it would go away. Wednesday night we met with some people who are planting a church in our area for dinner. Ryan was feeling fine and so we thought all was well. About 20 mins into the night he wanted to sit in my lap and snuggle. So NOT my child. About 30 mins later he was burning up so we excused ourselves and came home. He had a 102.7 temp and a rash all over his face. Called the DR and she said it was most likely strep throat. Got into the DR on Thursday morning and low and behold it's strep throat. Today he has not run a fever and I'm not sure if it is the amoxicillin or just being inside but this child is wound pretty tight. He's bouncing off the walls! I'm glad he is finally feeling better.

The other 3 members of this family seem to be fairing pretty well. So far (knock on wood) we are not sick. We are preparing for Jeremy's family to arrive in a few days for Christmas. The day Jeremy's parents leave, my parents arrive and we are excited to have a house full for the next week or so!

And seriously when Did December arrive? How is Christmas less than 1 week away? I still feel like yesterday was May and we were celebrating Pace's third and my brothers wedding ... this year has seriously flown by.

Have a great day peeps and I'll catch you next time!

Weekend update

This weekend was a whirlwind of activity! We celebrated Ryan's 5th Birthday. I simply have no clue how I have a 5 year old. This should not be! Saturday we went to the playground in our neighborhood with one of Ryan's friends and his family from school. Later that night we grabbed a milkshake from Chickfila and headed out to look at lights. We even made it by a nearby city who makes it snow. Too much fun!

Sunday we celebrated in a big way and Ryan just had such a wonderful birthday. It was such a great day. One I know I will remember for a long time.

Today I picked Ryan up from school and he told me that he needed to talk. About 2 months ago he came home from school and told us about an incident at the playground with a girl from another class. He felt like she was being mean to him and each day since he felt like this girl was making fun of him. He had not talked to her at all since the incident but assumed much about this little girl and her thought life. We tried to talk to him about talking to her and trying to work it out with her. The incident was very minor and we think that Ryan took it out of context. We had not talked about it in a while so I just figured that Ryan was over it. Today though he had something to tell me. He had talked to this little girl during playground time and worked out his "issue" with her. He had been practicing his conversation for a while I think because he said that he had forgotten what he wanted to say when he was face to face with her but "God filled his heart with the words at the right time" and he was able to talk to her. They came out friends and he said that she told him bye a bunch of times. He even exclaimed how beautiful she was.

There might have been a tear or two as I drove down the road and heard this story from my son. It was awesome to hear him as he retold this story and how he had "faith in his heart" that it would work out. I loved how he did it in his own time and in his own way. He now has a new friend all because he stepped up and did the right thing to work out his problem. This is something that even adults have a hard time doing. I hope he carries this with him during his life and I look forward to more conversations like this with my son. I hope he always wants to tell me about things like this!

He made me a mom!

Five years ago, he made his way into this world. It is hard for me to believe that five years have come and gone already. It seems like just yesterday. I remember on Saturday that year we had spent a lot of time out and about gathering last minute items that we needed for his arrival. We were at Babies R Us, Target, the mall and a few other places. We got home to sit and watch the UGA game that was coming on that evening and I started to feel contractions unlike any that I had been having. We had already been to the hospital only to be sent home so I wanted to make sure that this was it before going. We called Jeremy's parents since they were 13 hours away to alert them that this "might" be it. We called my parents and my brother and began the process of waiting. I was still feeling contractions but not like I thought I should be. We decided to call it an early night and turn in. I knew if it was the "real" thing that I wouldn't be able to sleep through it. I woke up at midnight and was having contractions pretty strong every 15 minutes for the rest of the night. My OB had told me not to call but just come if it was on the weekend and they were 5 minutes apart. At about 6 AM they started coming every 8 to 10 minutes so we got up and decided to shower and put the final touches on our hospital bag. At 8 am they were coming very strong and about 6 minutes apart. We made a few phone calls and headed toward the hospital. Jeremy was very sad to make one phone call. You see our small group was having lunch together that day at a Brazillian steakhouse. He had been looking forward to this lunch for a while.

We made our way to the hospital and got checked into triage. My favorite doctor was on call ... Dr. Scott. I was so excited! I had always feared that the one Doctor I didn't like so much would be on call when we went in. My contractions were hard and heavy every 3 mins but I was not progressing in any other way. They tried to get me to walk but that was hard to do. They kept checking me but I was not budging. Contractions were closer and harder but no progression. Dr. Scott admitted me and broke my water and then I started progressing. They had warned us that even though my water was broke it would still be awhile before he arrived.

Around midnight they told us that it shouldn't be much longer, maybe 4 to 5 more hours ;) Everyone had arrived and at 2 AM they kicked everyone out of my room and the pushing began. I pushed for about 2 hours and Ryan was born at 4:08 in the morning. I couldn't believe that I was finally holding my bundle of joy.

My precious Ryan,

Happy Birthday Son! I can't believe you are FIVE! I am so very thankful God allowed me to be your mom. I can't imagine my life without you in it. Being your mom (and Pace and Kennedy's Mom) is the greatest privilege in the world.

It seems like yesterday that I held you in my arms and lulled you to sleep for the first time. I still try to cuddle you, but you're not as easily convinced anymore (grin). Unless of course you are not feeling well and then we can cuddle ... but that is few and far between.

You are already pondering hard questions and you are ever so sensitive to deep spiritual matters. You asked us earlier this year how Jesus could be God and God's son and how he could actually live in your heart. Whether saying your blessing or praying for friends, family or children around the world you are already developing an instinct and hunger for prayer, and an awareness of how great and wide God's love is for us. I love hearing you pray. Sometimes you like to go to a place all by yourself and pray for the needs you know and sometimes you allow us to be apart of it. Either way you enjoy talking to God and I know he loves hearing from you!

I pray that if you learn only one thing from me that it would be to, Love the Lord your God with ALL your heart, mind, soul and strength and to also love your neighbor as yourself. These truths along with Christ in you has the power to affect this world in a positive way.

These words are not new but there could be nothing better to build your life around. You are fearfully and wonderfully made. You were knitted together in my womb and God makes no mistakes. He deserves every bit of your love and affection throughout your life. If you allow Him to, he will always provide for your needs and he will never steer you in a wrong direction. He will lovingly lead you beyond what you or anyone else can think of or imagine ... but my son, you must allow him to lead your life. You are so close to giving your heart to him ... I'm sure many happy tears will be shed on that day.

I pray that you will leave a mark on this world by continuing to love each and every person your life touches ... those who love you and even those who do not. Love is patient, love is kind it attaches no conditions and expects absolutely nothing in return. It will multiply and grow when given freely and in abundance. You have such a loving heart and I pray that you will continue to grow in love and grace. I pray that your father and I will be able to provide a home that will continue to nurture you to grow into the young man that God wants you to be. I play that you will always know that this is a place of security, love and grace. A place of laughter and nourishment not just for your tummy but also for your soul. A place where you can laugh and cry without fear.

I love you buddy and I hope that the next five years do not pass by as quickly as the first five. Happy 5th Birthday Ryan!

Love,
Mommy

Santa ... I know him!

Not really but I love that line in the movie Elf! Tonight Santa came to Jeremy's office. It was SO much fun! The kids had a ball and enjoyed every minute of the attention Santa gave them. Kennedy even sat on his knee and played Peek a boo with him. It was too much fun seeing them talk to him and tell him what they wanted for Christmas. Jeremy's office had put together a first class event for the kids with Santa, cookies, hot chocolate, crafts, 3 wise men, and making cards for the Soldiers!

After meeting Santa we went to Ryan's school where they had their Christmas program. It was so much fun to see him up there singing. Jeremy and I sat and talked afterward about how much he had changed since his first program in the 2's class 3 years ago. I was a proud momma tonight ... but then I'm always proud of my kids!

Hope you guys are enjoying the season and are able to slow down enough to remember the real reason for the season. Jesus coming to earth, humbling himself to become a man and live just to die for you and for me. That's what it's all about ...

She squeals and babbles

A couple nights this week we have been out after our normal hours ... Lots of people have lights up around our house and so coming home is so much fun ... and takes us longer than normal as we have to go super slow so the kids can see all the lights. Kennedy absolutely LOVES the lights. She squeals with such delight and just babbles on and on about the lights. I love it. Last year we drove through a town known for it's lights and it was so hard on the rest of us as she cried pretty much the entire time ... never mind the fact that she was 4 months old, tired and hungry ... seeing lights was NOT on her list of things to do at the time. This year it is completely different. She loves them just as much as the rest of us and it is so fun to hear the sheer joy coming through her little squeals and babbles.

This weekend we are celebrating Ryan's birthday ... he will be FIVE. yes, tears are streaming down my face. I cannot believe my baby is FIVE! FIVE! just in case you missed it he will be F I V E on Sunday!!! We are having a party for him on Saturday and then doing something super fun on Sunday .... Saturday night we are going to a nearby town that makes it "snow" and everyone goes all out on lights and such. I cannot wait to see their faces as we stroll through and feel the "snow" on our skin.

Hope you guys are having a great week!

Happy Birthday Cousin Casie!

Have you tried it?

Have you tried Swagbucks? If you haven't you should! So far I've earned 100 swagbucks and that translates into about $10 either at amazon or paypal. That's FREE money or FREE stuff just for searching the internet. So here's what you should do if you haven't tried it .... click here and sign up. You will get swagbucks when you search (not each time but random times) and I will get them too for signing up under me. It's totally legit. I've been at it for about a month and have gotten the 100 swagbucks. I have a friend who got some amazingly sweet deals for Christmas that I cannot talk about because I don't want to spoil any surprises but she was hooked up all because of swagbucks!

So don't wait ... Sign up now! :) And start earning those swagbucks!

Weird Taste Buds

This girl has got to have the weirdest taste palate around! She is learning quickly what food she likes and doesn't like. I'm not a short order cook so if the kids don't like what's served ... they don't eat very much that meal. Take today's lunch for instance ... Kennedy had cooked carrots and pineapples. She ate about 5 bites of the carrots before she would have no more of it. However, if I added a few pineapples to the spoon she ate every last bit of it and wanted more. I tried again to give them to her alone and she just shook her head at me no.

Oh and that's a new thing she's been doing lately. She will shake her head no or yes to our questions. She thinks it's quite cute because she has the biggest grin on her face when she does it.

She's rotten .... what can I say? Love her!