October 2011

We have a hoarder. Ally loves to have ALL THESE toys in her bed....and knows when one is out of place

September 2011

Playing favorite game with Daddy

Anything outside

August 2011

Alyssa's Adventures: Movie: Finding Nemo, WALL-E
Color: Pink
Toy: Caterpillar-with different feet: laces, buckle, snap, etc.
Clothing: a blue boa from her birthday party last year
She said: Momma-I need my baby soup (bathing suit)

Samson's Shannagins:
Toy: leapyear car he got for his birthday
Game: the slam your head down on the couch, laugh and fall over game ;)
Words: new words are iloveyou  all one word---and sounds more like "eye-luh-eww" :)
Food: Boy can eat some avocados and bananas like no one's business
Newest Thing: besides a new bottom tooth--wanting what everyone else has and to do what everyone else does--for example:alyssa had pigtails--child wanted pigtails. child threw a tantrum--screaming and yelling--til he got them too....

Bobby has spent this month re-cooprating from traveling in July and preparing for the upcoming school year. I have this month with my Mom2Mom (M2M) Bible Study Group on Monday Nights. Maple stated Life:Connect on Sunday Nights-small grroups. I started the David Study by Beth Moore. I am not sure if you are familiar wtih Beth Moore, but I finished her Esther study and can say this: That woamn is an amazing instrument for the Lord. She doesn't hold back on those spiritual butt-whoopings, calls you out, and encourages you in your daily walk. Amazing. Bobby just started the Experience God Study by the Blackabys. That itself is an amazing study as well.

We're excited because not only are we growing closer in our walk with the Lord and deeper in our faith, but to be able to do this in the context of our small group is great. I can see the impact and difference this has made/is making in my M2M group. I started the group because we were built for relationships and connections with others. I know that as a mom I am incredibly overwhelmed at the task before me: the day to day of being a mom and the overarching responsibilty of raising a generation to follow the Lord. I needed an outlet where I can fall flat on my face, be held accountable, and be encouraged to look up and to keep going. I was blessed to have this type of group in college and am blessed to have this type of friendship and accountability now as well. Our lessons over the next few weeks are about marriage. The first few were about us as women-our worth and valuve being in Christ alone. Now we are learning about marriage and then the next 7 lessons about parenting. Whew! Incredible!

My birthday was this month too. My mom made a gardeners bench for me! Now, I have an awesome place to store my potting, planting, and gardening tools! I absolutely love it!

We are excted for our 1st family vacation in September! We are going to the mountains! Check out the rest of our family pictures on facebook :)

May 2011

 Samson LOVES swinging with his daddy

 My Blessings

I love how his face wrinkles up 

 Alyssa and her tomatoes

Bobby and I celebrated our 7 year wedding anniversary! And now we are getting ready for a very busy summer. Bobby has a camp, VBS,  and a mission trip-all in July! We're ready for warm weather and to see the beach! 

Comparison

This following post is from a note I wrote exactly one year ago:

Today I...

• Took Alyssa swimming. Pregnant woman and bathing suits don't work well. Pregnant woman and husband's rash guard shirt works a little better until pregnant woman tries to float. Then just looks like a beached whale. Glad to have been the only ones in the pool/awake at 9:30am.
• Watched Alyssa crawl on the carpet with her face first. Not sure why she thought that was funny, but alas, she did. Definately carries more of her father's genes than mine.
• Laughed at my child when she tried to run away from me before naptime. She happened to corner herself and then turned to look at me and started yelling at me in Japanese. I laughed, picked her up and took her to her room. Her response: To suck her thumb and lay her head on my shoulder.
• My dear sweet child started calling me "Mommy-son" Where did she get that from? What movies does she watch in her free time?
• Allowed my child to make funny of me. She walked around the house with her shirt up, belly poked out in full glory, smacking it, saying "Baby". Oh. And laughing at me.
• Sang "The Farmer in the Dell" so many times while awake, that it was like a chant that put me to sleep at naptime.
• Watered my plants, even the dead ones. When I say "dead ones" I mean they are shrivled, black/brown in color and crunchy dead. Why do I continue to water them? I secretly hope they are still alive under there and are just playing hide and seek?
• Took out the trash. It used to take me about 2 minutes to take the trash out and come back. Now, after two minutes, I am winded and only half-way there.
• Got a sweet surprise from my husband who came home on his lunch break to see how I was doing and drop off a Wild Cherry Pepsi for me! How did he know I was craving sugar? Oh wait...I do have the nickname Ms. Wonka
• Did some "mess-free" art with the babe. Special markers and paint that only work on special paper. I don't care if the paper is special or if it's the art tool is special-the stupid things ended up in her mouth and if I don't know what's making them so "special" should I let her use them?

One year later, after all the craziness of babies has almost been settled and we are settled in our new city and our house and jobs, etc-- my list for today is sooo very different.

• My day started at 2am. That's when Sam threw up. Yay!
• My husband got up early (6:30am) to help get the babies to daycare so I could have some time to myself to get ready for work.
• Even with that time, I snuck into Alyssa's room and we cuddled while she woke up. She then giggled as she poked my face.
• We went to say good morning to Sam and he was already sitting up and playing in his bed. He laughed and smiled when he saw us playing peek-a-boo
• Then the wrestling match begins with the children. Who the heck wants to stay in a pee-pee diaper!  So after I get them changed, cleaned up, and clothed, we are back to playing.
• Alyssa decided to she wanted to crawl like Sam---so I now had two inch worms in the hall :)
• And Surprise! She wanted a hair bow instead of a pony tail this morning.
• Left for work at 730-had to pick up a some materials that I designed to be distributed to local businesses. That was awesome feeling-to see something I had worked on be printed and publicized over the entire county to assit business with their workforce
• Attended a staff development meeting where my co-worker spoke of a process that I use with my youth and praised it in front of some of the corporate leaders
• Am now sitting at a facility in one of the poorest areas in our county to meet and teach students

There are joys to be found on both lists. The joy of being pregnant and waiting to meet your little babe, the joy of taking care of a toddler who is mostly compliant, the joy of being able to breathe for a five minutes and take care of yourself, and the joy of knowing your children are excited to play with their friends and just as excited to come home.

I enjoy spending time with my family and raising my children. I enjoy using the experiences I have had to mentor and lead youth. I'm not a stay-at-home mother, nor do I think I was made to be one. Have you met me?!  :)

March 2011

YES! Samson has TWO teeth on the bottom and his top ones are coming in now! He is sitting up like a pro, flipping nad rolling over to get where he wants to go. He's always laughing or smiling about something. He talks to his dad all the time! "Dadadadada" He holds his own bottle now and loves having his own space. He doesn't like eating jar food and would much rather use his fingers real food. His favorite meal? Green beans, mashed potatoes and chicken. Like a true Southern boy :)

I made her smile and look at me before she got her snack. And....that is what I got. Alyssa is very excited to be wearing "pincess panties" and potty training.  Alyssa is moving to a big kid booster seat as well as a twin size bed. Both the babies had their first school pictures taken this month. It's been a very emotional time for me. So many big changes!

We are loving the warm weather and playing outside with the kids! Bobby got a grill and has been making good use of it We LOVE grilling and have even started to try seafood . I got a cabinet with a hutch that has now been converted to a craft area. Bobby loves it because "all the junk is in one place now". I did some DIY and created some fabric inlays for the bottom cabinet doors and used the same fabric through the shelves as well. My mom sewed a liner for a storage basket, I used some to cover the bulletin board and two canvas. All with 1 yard. That's all that we have been up to this month!

[psst-Emily--this post was for you]

February 2011

[Happy Valentine's Day!]

Love,

The Vann Family

January 2011 from Sam and Ally

This is Samson here. Just wanting to let you know what's been going on around this house. Well, you know,  I spend my days sleeping, playing, sleeping some more, laughing, eating and--oh! did I mention sleeping? These past few weeks have been a little rough at the Vann House. First, we moved.Then, I started school. Then, we all got sick. However, I would like to say that I enjoy my room and can't wait to get out and mess everything up! I've been working on my acrobatic skills. For example, when I go to bed at night, I push my feet against the crib and turn in circles. Also, I am a PRO at rolling over! I do it so much that I now roll over in my sleep. Mom and Dad find me on my belly in the mornings. I do like to sleep you know! OH! And another favorite of mine is eating. I now eat 2nd and 3rd foods. I will eat 2 entire jars, plus some milk, plus some rice. For snack, I have a biter biscuit. It's more like a cookie and helps me with teething. I don't have any chompers yet, but I will soon! Give me a week and I'll bust my tooth through for you! I am a growing football player, you know! I'm only 6 months old and am wearing 18 months clothes. I am 30 inches long and 20 pounds. My big sister was that height and weight when she was 1--I got her beat! At my school, there is a really REALLY cool jumper play set. Let me tell you, I LOVE jumping. I have one at home too. You think I'm about to take off because I can jump so good in it. It's great. Well, you know I hd the flu and all and was sick last week, but I am finished with my medicine now and am feeling great. My big sister--isn't feeling so great.


Alyssa here. I'm under the weather. I haven't been feeling good this past week and my Daddy took me to the doctor. They said I had the flu. Well, I started the medicine, but then got a really high fever so Daddy took me to the ER. We sat there all night long and they said I have RSV. I have some medicine that I have to take and an inhaler with a little mask to put over my face to help me breathe the medicine. Mommy and Daddy have taken turns holding me and trying to help me feel better. I do like the "benefits" of being sick: popsicles, all my favorite movies (over and over and over and over) and LOTS of cuddling. My fever comes and goes, but I stay cooled down with medicine, special snacks, and lots of juice/water. I hope I feel better soon. The weather is so nice and I want to play in my big yard! Well, I'm going to go rest-now to find my pillow/Daddy :)

As for Bobby, he is enjoying getting settled in at Maple Baptist Church as the student minister. He did a lock-in last Friday night and has been working diligently on his lessons and getting to know the youth. Right now, the youth have sunday school and evening worship on Sundays, The Upper Room on Monday nights, and a more informal Wednesday night study also.

Virginia has settled into her job at KRA. Right now, we are trying to recruit for the program since it's very new to the area. My case load is expected to be in the 50's range and right now I have about 20. I very much enjoy my job. I am classified as a "Career Agent" which looks just like a guidance counselor except we have contracts with various businesses to help provide job experience for the youth we are working with. My biggest challenge that I have been working on is preparing cirrirculum for our workshops on subjects like: time-mangement, public speaking, finances, career planning, interviewing, communication, attitude, etc. I am excited about teaching, but nervous for now.

We are excited about being in Conway and look forward to getting to know others in our community!

December 2010

Quick Updates: List form.

1. We're getting ready to move...again :/ I'd like to be in a place where we can settle...put glue on our feet and stay. I'm tired of packing boxes only to unpack them for about a year and then repeat the whole thing again. But, I am excited to move. I know you can really tell, huh?

2. I wish I could hear my dad laugh again. Or hold Grannys hand. Or talk to Pam. I miss these people terribly. Some days I don't want to move. I feel stuck and don't know how to go on without them.

3. Alyssa is a treasure. She brings me joy everyday. There is always a new adventure or discovery waiting to be made. She turned 2 a few weeks ago.

4. Samson is my football player. 5 months old, eating almost everything in sight. Wearing 12 months clothes. Laughing, rolling over, jumping, bouncing, etc. He's a wonderful blessing. Now, if only we can get him to sleep through the night :) 

5. A co-worker and I are struggling alot with an incident that occurred at work. Wonder at times if our hard work and investment in these families is in vain sometimes. I try not to get discouraged, but often wonder.

6. On the subject of dealing with things: there's a situation that I have not really let go off. The friendship is gone and has been for many years, but I hold on to it so tightly. I know that people are in our lives for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.Maybe I needed her in my life while I was in foster care. I needed to see someone "normal" and know that I could make better choices. Maybe that season ended because after her, God placed incredible woman of love, strength, and encouragement in my life to take over. College was a wonderful time for me and allowed me to cultivate friendships that have lasted through fire and have come out stronger. Brandie, Andrea, Stephanie, Heather, Cherie, Becca--You have been and continue to be blessings. After college, Godly women, mothers, we placed in my life: Esther, Michelle, Janice, Wanda, Erica, Lynette--you're living examples of how to be be a woman striving after the Lord and while being completely transparent about how difficult it is, continue to be strong. Role-models. True friends and sisters in Christ. I've got to let that old relationship go.

7. Allow me oto introduce you to Stella. Yes. I named my Kindle. I like how it groups all my quotes in one place "My Clippings" . Makes it a lot easier when I need to reference one, instead of flipping through my library of 75 books (which are now all packed). Plus it's lightweight an I take it everywhere. AND I have a really neat quiltted cover for it on etsy.com

8. Looking forward to getting settled and taking classes again. I'd like to finish my Masters, but actually just enjoying learning. Especially history. Ever since an AP History class in high school, I've become addicted.

9. Incredibly thankful for my husband Bobby. Everyday he challenges and encourages me to grow stronger and to grow closer to God. We have been together for 8 years now and he's been nothing short of amazing.

10. That's all folks :)

FAMILY PICTURES!

My beautiful little girl

I love that man :)

Daddy's Girl

Our First Picture as a Family of FOUR!

August 2010

August

My birthday cake
26 years old

Samson-2 months old
24.5 inches and 13 lbs 6 ounces.

Alyssa-22 months old

I started back to work this month, the kids started back to daycare and
Bobby kept his busy schedule (for a few more weeks anyway)
It's good to be back in the swing of things.

June 2010

Bobby's mom, Pam, passed away unexpectedly on June 2, 2010. She was 48 years old. Please keep our families in your prayers.

Bobby and Pam at our wedding

Pam, Bobby and Alyssa at Thanksgiving 2009

I am just now realizing that today is the last day of May.
Tomorrow is the 1st day of June.
June is the month that our son will arrive!

Of course, we are simply waiting on him to make up his mind.

He did try to make an appearance in April.

It could be today.

But, I havent put away his clean clothes in his dresser yet, so

little man,

just wait a little bit longer, eh?

Ladies and Gentlemen-This is my Granny Tutu on May 1, 2010!

In February, Granny Tutu was not able to stand up or sit up at all. She could not remember very much due to swelling in her brain and dependant on a ventilator due to her lungs collapsing, and was given weeks left to live due to the various conditions that were ailing her as well as the fact that she cannot continue chemotherapy to treat the lung cancer. The situation was not looking good and we all took time to spend with Granny Tutu in February and March.

She does continue to have difficulty breathing at times and is on 24/7 oxygen, but has been off a ventilator and her lungs have healed for the most part. The swelling went down in her brain and she is sharp as a tack again. She is able to sit up in her hospital bed, sit in a recliner, sit in a wheelchair and even walk for short periods of time. She has been able to get out and enjoy her blooming garden. She is even getting ready to go to Maryland for a week to celebrate Mother's Day with family.

God has truly been watching over my Granny and yes, one day, maybe soon, she will pass away, but it is wonderful to see how good she is doing right now.

Two Years Ago Today...

We found out that we were pregnant!!

Now, Alyssa is a walking, talking toddler and is an absolute joy!

Somber Saturday...

Oy! It's been a while since I've updated. I can honestly say that while my mind has been racing for months, I've not wanted to say much to anyone really.

Expectations are a funny thing. People are people. They make mistakes. Quit expecting something different. Friends. Family. Co-workers. Whoever. Just be thankful when things go well with others and let it go when they don't. Relationships are fluid.

January: Granny was diagnosed with lung cancer. Granny started her first round of chemotherapy.

My aunt Kate died. Last I heard, her death was suspicious and there are a lot of questions surrounding her passing. As in-was my aunt murdered? Why so many secrets? I drove down to Florida with my mother-and given our history-it went alright. Mom said that she has been seeing a therapist and I actually believe her this time. Not just because she said it, but she took responsibility for what happened and why I ended up in foster care. After 10 years, she apoligized for putting alcohol and men before me.

I have been fine with this superficial relationship that my mother and I have had since I was a teenager. I call her most times, every couple of days to check in. She tells me about her farm, chickens, garden, whatever she is doing, and then our conversation is over. She doesn't ask questions like she is interested in my life, hobbies, feelings, etc and that's fine with me. Not only are relationships fluid, but they are not all the same. Different comfort levels. Different sets of boundaries. So, I have been fine with my mother seeming to not really care about the stuff that matters. And I've done my best to manage the emotions and feelings stemming from those years because you cannot expect resolution when a person is still an addict. But, now my mother is recovering, is in therapy, and...I really don't know how to deal with that I suppose.


February: One year passing since my father's death. I took this day off work and also had our ultrasound scheduled for that day. I figured the best way to remember the passing of someone close was to celebrate the life of his grandchild. I feel stupid that it's been a year and it still hurts. I ache to hear his voice sometimes. Just to hear him laugh again. I spent 18 years without it and just a few with it and...I'm left with this mess of feelings that are still all jumbled.

Also in February, my Granny underwent surgery to place a port in her chest to faciliate chemo easier. It wasn't healing up right and she went to the ER. Couple of weeks later, she woke up very disoriented and went to the ER. Long story short, she had swelling on her brain, her lungs ended up collapsing multple times (and once from being punctured from a surgical procedure) and the chemo was stoped indefinately. Granny is now off a ventilator, is home with hospice, and was given less than a month to live.

How do I let go of the anger and bitterness that I have held onto for so many years? How can I forgive my mother like Christ has already forgiven her? How can I think about my dad without feeling deep sadness about missing 18 years? Why do I try to continue to do this on my own? No wonder it's hard, right?

South Carolina Blizzard of 2010!

All the hub-bub about the snow coming and it all melted within two hours! Nothing compared to our North Dakota snows, but everyone in Charleston loved it! It started raining Friday eveing, turning into snow overnight and this is what we had a 9am!

Alyssa and Mommy

Alyssa and Daddy

Introducing...

Introducing

Baby BOY Vann!!

We are thrilled to be having a BOY this time around! We are still due June 30! How exciting!

December 2009

December started off in the 70s and today it was in the 30s on my way to work. BRR! It's not Northa Dakota cold, but it sure is cold!

Alyssa is now 13 months old. She is walking along furniture, but not on her own yet. She is dancing (bouncing up and down) when she hears fun songs and trying to play patty-cake. She wakes up with smiles and spends all day playing. She loves crawling in the bathtub and trying to eat the bubbles. She got a Little Tykes Cozy Coupe for Christmas and loves riding around in it!

Bobby is working nights at Olive Garden. He is still looking for a regular day job as well-hopefully one that will help pay for seminary :) I am enjoying my job working with social services. I get new cases faster than I can close them so I stay busy-however, I now have an iPod nano to keep me company :)

I've been feeling a little better this month. I still have my moments of nausea, but I am out of the 1st trimester and starting to show a little faster than last time. Our due date is June 30. My next appointment is tomorrow and we'll be able to hear the heartbeat for the first time!

We went to see the James Island County Lights and Alyssa was standing up on my leg, bouncing up and down and pointing at all the lights as we drove by. She also lost a shoe, which I am assuming she threw out the window in all her excitement. In the mornings, we only turn the Christmas tree on and cuddle with her while she points at the lights and drinks her milk. She has become proficient at ripping open presents and still enjoys playing with the paper more than the gift itself sometimes :) She continues to bring us laughter and joy every day! What a wonderful gift!

Now, we need to get a new ornament for next year with 4 snowmen on it :)

November 13, 2009

Happy First Birthday Alyssa!!
You have brought us so much joy!!

We love you very much!!

[Mommy & Daddy]