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!