New Orleans

During Spring Break, Chan, Miranda, Andrew and I went to New Orleans. Yes, we left Jenna in Starkville with Chris. This was a trip for Andrew before baby #3 is born. I don't want him to feel left out when his second baby sister arrives. He was our only child for nine years and probably will forever be our only child. Since he is our only boy, he will probably still continue to be our unique child. We spent the night and went to the aquarium, rode the horse and buggy and got to eat at Cafe Dumond. We enjoyed our short trip, but was very happy to return home to Dad and Jenna. 

I will miss you so much my sweet Janie

My cousin Janie from MO, was diagnosed with ALS right after Jenna was born in 2010. Today, Janie passed away and my heart is so heavy. She was a distant cousin, but all my life I've heard about Janie. See, Janie became a nurse and in my Mimi's eyes that sealed the deal of favorite niece. Mimi would keep Janie's picture above her TV and talk about Janie ALL the time. So, I grew up knowing Janie without ever meeting her when I was a child. My Mimi passed away in 05 and Janie came to her funeral. She also brought her sister Regina, who I didn't know existed because all I heard about was Janie. Turns out Janie had two sisters, Regina and Stacy. I have made several trips to MO to visit and have grown to love all of them so very much! Uncle Orval, Janie's father, my Mimi's brother, passed away three weeks ago to the day. Chris and I made the trip to his funeral and I got to see Janie one last time. My heart is so sad for this sweet family. I can't think of the pain that my Aunt Shirley is going through right now. She lost her husband three weeks ago, now her oldest daughter. There aren't any words...

Goodness.. where have I been?

Wow, hard to believe it's been almost a year since I've updated my blog. I'm guessing I was side tracked. It's been a different kind of year. A year of growing, becoming secluded (I do this EVERY TIME I am pregnant), letting go, realizing what is important in my life, watching Andrew & Jenna grow, heartache, and great joys. We've lost family members and gained a few. At this moment we are getting ready for Baby C's arrival in just about 3 weeks. Andrew has grown up. He has had many accomplishments in school and was also named one of Henderson's best students for the past nine weeks. (BIG DEAL FOR US) Andrew was diagnosed with Asperger's, which is an Autism Spectrum disorder. We are learning things about Andrew and why he does "certain"things at certain times. This diagnoses has allowed me to understand my child and give him much more patience than before. Jenna is walking, running, talking and just growing up so fast. We lost my great uncle orval and my pop has been diagnosed with liver cancer. My days have been filled with work and children and I've not had much time to do anything else. I've never had a schedule like this before in my life, but I wouldn't trade it for the world. I took Andrew to New Orleans for Spring Break.. much needed time for us without any babies around. I think he enjoyed the trip. With Asperger's he thinks he should have the same routine year after year, so of course he thought we should have been at the beach...


Getting ready for baby #3 has been so different than before. I had all new things with Andrew & Jenna and now I am so thankful I have things I saved from Jenna that Baby C can use. It has saved us tons of money. It's just remembering "where" I have stored the things and washing them up that has consumed most of my time. I have the car seat washed and bassinet ready to go. Just have to wash the swing and the other bassinet. Many things to complete before she gets here. I do have all of her clothes washed and ready.. big accomplishment for me!

Hopefully, it won't take me another year to update my blog. I have really missed reading my real friends blogs and the pretend friends (people I don't know) and catching up on their life. One of the blogs that I follow just had a baby. I missed her whole pregnancy. Kinda weird I feel guilty about missing something from someones life that I don't know.. but I kinda do.

Hoarder

Poem by my friend Brandi Denson

I must confess,
I am a hoarder.
Every smile
that seemed especially
for me
Every first kiss,
awkward and sweet
Each handwritten letter
the longer,
the better
The pictures
even the terrible ones
All the corks
from all the wine
from all the times
we chased away sadness
with a drink,
or celebrated
with a clink
of our glasses
Every compliment
he ever gave me
(they don’t take up too much space)
Every memory I can’t erase…
I hoard them all
I keep them
and carry them
And forge my way down
the narrow path
that lies between
my treasured simple things -
always with eyes wide
and arms outstretched
because I can never have
too much.

It's already my favorite!

Easter 2011

Many pictures from Easter Weekend! Friday night, we went to an egg decorating party, Saturday, we went to an Easter Egg hunt and Sunday we spent time with family. Jenna stayed up ALL night Saturday night and we finally went to sleep at 5am Sunday morning. We had planned to spend Easter Sunday with my family and attend their church for service at 9.. we overslept and missed church. We ended up doing a bible devotion at home and dressed up and went out for Sunday lunch. Not the typical way to spend Easter, but it worked for my family. Jenna has been running 101 fever since her shots last Wednesday. At this point, I'm not sure if it's her teeth.. shots.. or if she's sick.

Super Bulldog Weekend!

We caught two baseball games last weekend during super bulldog weekend. Jenna went to both games, while Andrew only went to one. We think Jenna may end up being our "sports" child. She loves anything that's outside! We had a blast!

Andrew

Yet another school year comes close to an end and my first born child has done it again. He's pushed his teacher to the limit and I got a call from my father in law saying that principal called him b/c Andrew's teacher was in her office complaining that Andrew didn't get any help at home. Hold up a minute, last night I spent over an hour making Andrew write his spelling words 3 times a piece. I cannot believe that I am viewed as a parent that doesn't help her child. I do not appreciate the teacher going to her boss and telling her this. First, if you have a problem with me or my parenting skills, come to me. Second, I don't appreciate me finding out through the "grapevine" about how you view me.

I'm still waiting on the principal to return my call. In the meantime, I call my father in law once more and the main issue is Andrew is shutting down. He's tired and wants the school year to be over. My response.. is.. we are all tired and so ready for this school year to be over. I can only do what I
I can do at home, but once again, I can't go to school with him and make him put forth the effort that is needed.