Please stay home when you are sick!!!

It’s the middle of the day, you’ve been cleaning all morning and your phone rings.  You have high hopes that it’s your hubby calling to invite you to eat lunch with him but you turn your phone over and it’s the school’s phone number.  You answer it and it’s the nurse telling you your child is sick.  Crap, you have a hair appointment tomorrow that you have been so excited about (your roots are about three inches too long) and then dinner with your girl friends that you haven’t seen in 18 days because well life is crazy.  

CANCEL IT!  All of it.  It’s not worth sharing your germs with others.  Think of it as extra snuggles with your children!!!  And for Pete’s sake keep your kid home from school until they are at least 24 hours free of symptoms.  I say this in the kindest way possible.  I know some people don’t have or have never dealt with a chronic illness but a little cold, flu, etc. can be detrimental to those who have other health issues.  Please be considerate of others and let’s all try to be a little better about this!!!  Praying this scary flu is over soon and that you all stay healthy!

P.S.  wash your hands often!!!!

God knew..

God knew but we didn't.

That Sunday morning in 2012 we received a phone call saying the birthmom changed her mind after giving birth.  I remember standing in our bedroom taking that phone call.  At that moment I felt as though our world was being turned upside down.  I was upset that God would put her in our path and just take her away before we even met her.  I longed to know how that baby girl was doing..if she was being taken care of properly..if she ended up going to foster care.  I thought about her for years.  I still think about her occasionally and pray for her but it's been awhile.  It's crazy when you are walking through a tough situation to realize God is in control.  He knew months later we would have adopt Adalyn and years later Ansley would be in our lives.  He knew our hearts would hurt but He also knew what would be in store for our family in the future.

Everything is made beautiful in His time.  Ecclesiastes 3:11

Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness Month

November is Pulmonary Hypertension Awareness month.  I was going to throw out a statistic about how many people have this nasty disease but really...even if there is only 1 out of a million we deserve a cure.  There's also a number out there of how long we (people with PH) have to live, I was told 2-4 years maybe and I'm working on year number 10.  The statistics don't mean much to me... Because those statistics didn't write my story....God did!!!  God knew I would have PH, God knows how many days I have left.  Does it worry me that I may leave this earth way too soon because of a lung disease?  Abso-freakin-lutely...but I made a vow when I was diagnosed to not let this disease control who I am and to not Google Pulmonary Hypertension.  Some may see it as I'm naive but I'm not!  I'm choosing to live my life to the fullest and not to let statistics control my fear.

But, with that being said I want people to be aware of this life threatening, life altering disease.  When I was diagnosed not many doctors knew what Pulmonary Hypertension was.  I would say I had PH and they would automatically assume I had high blood pressure.  I went to the ER multiple times and sat there for hours wondering if I was going to make it out alive because they wouldn't believe me on how serious of an issue I was having.  Today more doctors are aware of this disease.  A lot of people don't understand how serious this condition is because we don't look sick but our heart races with little exertion, we get short of breath easily, and if it's bad enough we have passing out spells.  

It took me four years and moving 700+ miles away for someone to properly diagnose me.  It shouldn't have taken that long, it shouldn't have taken me almost losing my life for them to figure it out.  So, if I can share my story and save one person's life..that would be great!!!  

Medicine has come pretty far since I was diagnosed, but there is still no cure.  I'm hoping a praying for a cure but until then I am going to be thankful for the medicine that saves my life everyday.  

110 days

So I wrote this post and then decided to delete it..... 

110 days ago our life went from being comfortable to a world wind of good chaos.  Within a 24 hour period we found out about baby girl and immediately put our lives on hold to bring her into our family.   We went from a family of four to hoping to become a family of five.  It has been a hard road but I would do it all over.  That sweet little face, that is so similar to her brothers, I just can't imagine life without her now.  We have been there with her every second since we picked her up from the hospital.  We were the first ones to see her cute little smile, woke up with her every night, changed diapers, taken her to doctors appointments, worried over every little thing, but mostly we have see Adalyn and Josiah fall in love with her.  Josiah loves to kiss her face off and Adalyn squeals when she smiles at her.  She is a part of this family and we love her so much.

We have 5 days until court..  I feel like the countdown for this day has taken forever.  I would be lying if I said I wasn't scared or worried sick over the whole thing.   We won't know if the birthfather will be in court until we walk in that courtroom on Wednesday morning.  Best case scenario is that he doesn't show at all.  Worst case is that he comes to court and we have to wait another month or two to go back to court.  

We are so thankful for all of our family and friends (old and new) that have prayed for us, called to check on us, sent text messages, and have supported us financially.  We have been truly blessed and love each and every single one of y'all.  We are just continuing to pray for God to do what is best for my sweet girl and that the birthfather would also see what is best for her.  We have seen God's work throughout this and we know that He isn't going to stop here!!  No matter what happens on Wednesday I know that this journey is exactly where God wants us to be.  He chose us to love, care, pray, and protect her and I won't ever stop doing that.  

–Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding.  Proverbs 3:5

(I didn't use her name for safety reasons)

After posting this I thought....I made that seem like we weren't struggling, like everything was just hunky dory (is that how you spell that?!)  I have been completely honest with our peeps from day one so I don't want yall to think this is easy, but I'm not one to have a pity party.  We need prayers...and although I feel like a complete basket case at least a couple times a week I really do believe that God will take care of us. ( And just maybe our struggles can help someone else going through a tough time.) It just might not look pretty...there may be some ugly crying going on but we will get through this with the support from our people and love from our God. 

M&Ms and School Talk

Josiah started kindergarten this week!!! OMG...I can't believe it.  I will do another post later about that (hopefully...ha!)

 

I don't know about your kids...but Josiah never wants to tell me how his day went.  Last year in Pre-k I would ask him and he would say "I can't remember."  Thankfully, before we moved I had friends that their kids would tell them about their day so I would get the scoop from them. 

 

We had an incident when we first move here that one of the kids were being very mean to Josiah and I didn't find out until the teacher conference at the end of the year.  Well since we are new here, I don't have anyone to ask yet.  I was determined to get a little bit of information out of him.  I decided to have an M&M Questionnaire.  I would let him have one fun size pack of M&M's and he had to tell me a color and I would ask that question on that color that I previously made. 

 

 

This worked great and he even opened up about some other things they did at school!!!  I posted a picture of it on Facebook and Instagram and everyone loved it so I thought I would share on here so maybe it will help out other parents too!!! 

I think I am going to try to do this once a week in hopes that I can get him to start talking to me just a little bit about school!!! 

Beach Week in Pensacola

Last week we headed back to Pensacola (the kids and I were there for three weeks prior to this!!)  We rented a beach house as we do every year!! 

 

Josh and I decided to have our friends over the first night!  It was so good seeing all of them!!!  We miss them like crazy!

 

The rest of the week we spent with the family. 

One night Josh and Josiah went to  Blue Wahoos game with our friend Porter. 


We fished and fished some more.  I don't know when I started to like fishing (it's new), but I could literally do it all day long!!!!




Uncle Bobby loved sitting on the front porch watching the ladies errrr....maybe the blue angles too!!!


One of the days Josh, Josiah and I went on a charter boat in the bay!  It was the first time Josiah went and he did great!  He caught some great fish.  Captain Tim was amazing with Josiah and very patient. 



Josh and I stayed up WAY too late at night to fish but it was so much fun!!! 





We were lucky enough to see the Blue Angels fly a few days which was pretty cool.  Josiah loved them but Adalyn said they were "too loud!"

I am so sad that we had to come home but we had such a great time!!!  I love the beach and the memories that are made there!!  Till next time Pensacola Beach!!!!

Razorbacks

We were trying to think of something fun an inexpensive to do this weekend.  They have a drive thru safari close by and we were thinking about doing that when someone at Josh's work told him about Kids' Day at the Razorback stadium.  We ran out and got us some razorback attire because we didn't want to stick out in the crowds.  Man, I'm so glad we went!  It was beautiful out and we had so much fun!  Vendors had tents set up handing out free samples of stuff like yogurt, cereal bars, hand sanitizer, etc. and then they had at ton of blow up slides/bouncy houses for the kids!  

I hope everyone had a good weekend!  We are supposed to get really bad weather in a few hours.  Bring it on first severe storm since we moved.....jk please just pass over with some light sprinkling.

Well...it's been forever since I blogged...so long that I'm not even sure where to start...or how to write anymore!

I guess first thing first.  We moved!!!!!  Again!!!

Josh got offered a job (without even looking for one) and we felt God placed it in our path...not quite sure why yet, but we are trusting in Him.  It's hard leaving everyone and everything that we know and moving 700+ miles.  But I truly think this is the right thing to do and I'm excited to see how things work out!!!  Our family and friends promise to visit and you know me...I can't stay away from the beach so I will be back!  Maybe I can talk josh into letting me stay in Florida during  the summers!  Ha!!

Things are crazy right now but I'm hoping to get back into this whole blogging thing again purely for my records!!  I love looking back on old posts and seeing the pictures of my babies!!!!

ER Visit

Wow!  When you think you have seen, heard, smelt, felt, and loved all you can as a mother something happens and you realized you haven't done it all.  Thank God!!!! Today I realized that a job of a mother is probably the hardest thing I have ever done.  There is parts of being a mom that I love...and then there are parts that I dislike.  I haven't found many parts that I dislike but there are a few out there.  You know..when your child is sick it's heart wrenching.  It's awful to see them feel bad.  I thought watching them have a fever or seeing them throw up was bad.  But seeing what I saw today was the worst site I have seen.  I could go the rest of my life without seeing that or feeling that way ever again.  

After Josiah and Adalyn woke up from their nap we went out to play, the same as we do everyday.  Josiah wanted to "ride" his skateboard.  He rode it down or driveway and halfway down our street and he fell.  I thought to myself...man we are going to the ER today.  I talked him into riding his bike to see the thorn bush down the street.  He is obsessed with them.  Once we checked out every thorn bush in the neighborhood we decided to make our way to the park.  

We went over to the swings and I pushe him and Adalyn high up to the ky (sky) as Josiah would say!  Josiah was done so I put Adalyn back in the stroller and Josiah ran off to the half circle thingy that you can climb up to the top...not sure what it is called he climbed up almost all the way..held on and dropped down while hanging!  I said, "be careful baby!"  He said, "mommy go over there..I can do this by myself." So I pushed the stroller maybe 2 ft and while my back was turned it jumped off.  Hit his belly Nd then his head.  He got up screaming louder than I had ever heard him.  I ran over to him and before I knew it he was quiet and falling over.  He had passed out.  Nothing could ever prepare me for what just happened.  I couldn't believe this was happening.  I tried to wake him, he was limp. I screamed as loud as I could...somebody help.  My phone was on the stroller which seemed so far away.  I checked his breathing once, checked it again and finally felt his breath on my cheek.  I thought..oh my gosh he is alive.....as I looked around and screamed for help again.  Finally a man that was driving by stopped and ran over.  Josiah finally was conscious and the man called 911.  Then the neighbors started coming out.  All I could do is hold on to my baby.  Worried sick.  I had the neighbors call Josh.  The next thing I knew my mom, aunt, Josh, and the ambulance were here.  The EMTs checked him out and said he looked ok but they thought he still needed to go to the hospital.  We decided it would be less traumatic for Josiah if we just took him ourselves.  Three hours later we found out that he was ok.  The doctor just told us to check on him every few hours. Ha!  I don't think we will take our eyes off of him to tonight!  I am definitely thanking God that he is ok it could have been really bad.  My little guy has been having way too many accidents lately and is driving his momma crazy!  I think Josiah gave me my first grey hair tonight!  Love that sweet boy more than he will ever know.  Too bad he can't EVER go to the park again!!! :) just kidding he can go when he is 13!  Boys will be boys.  I'm just going to snuggle a little longer and pray a little harder to protect my little daredevil!!  

Now that I releived some stress by writing..this tired and worried momma is going to try and get some sleep!!  Hug your babies a little extra!!

Lucky number Seven

I can't believe seven years have passed since the day I said "I do!"  That day was perfect!  It could not have been any better!  I married my best friend and we were surrounded by our favorite people! Seven years....wow, that's like 49 years in Hollywood!!   HA!  We've lived in 5 or 6 different houses, laughed together, bought three houses, wiped each others tears, adopted two sweet babies, Josh has had a ton of jobs that he was promoted into and our love grows more and more each day!  I'm not sure what is in store for us in the future, but I do know one things...I can't wait to see where God leads us.  Our love is stronger than ever and I can't wait for many more years together!!!  Joshy I love you babe!!!  Our life together is awesome and I love our little family!!!!  Thanks for being there for me and for loving me unconditionally....you are my rock!!!!

 

Mother's Day

I hope everyone had an awesome Mother's Day!!  I sure did!  But that hasn't always been the case!  

Before we adopted Josiah I dreaded that day.  I remember one Mother's Day we headed to church and they were handing out flowers to all the moms.  I wanted a flower....but I turned it down when the man handed me one.  I don't even like flowers...why was I upset???  I was upset because we couldn't have kids and we had just started the adoption process and I had no clue when or if we would ever have a sweet baby to love on!!  So today Mother's Day is a little bittersweet for me!  I am so excited that I am a mommy now but I hurt for all those women that are longing to be one and they haven't yet been able to experience a good Mother's Day!  So I pray for them and want them to know their time will come.  God's timing is always perfect even if it seems as though you will never get what you want.  He always has something better in store for you than what you have planned for yourself!!!  

Burlap Wreath and Monogrammed Wood Letters

 

 

This past weekend I had a business thing to go to called the Small Business Blitz. I wanted to show off these cute letter that I sell at Sweet Pea Co. I had two days to make something and I needed something that was simple.  The craft gene skipped right over me so I was looking for something easy.  I asked my bff Jaime to make one for me and she was all for it, but I thought I would try it first! I decided to look on YouTube and found something that I thought I could actually do.  I ran to Michael's and purchased two burlap rolls and a metal ring.  This cost me about $15.  I watched this video and bam...I had a burlap wreath that I actually did myself!!  I just glued on the letters and I was ready to show it off! 

 

We had so much fun at the Small Business Blitz.  I can't wait to do in again soon! 

Andrea comes to visit!!!

A few weeks ago my friend Andrea from Georgia came to visit us!!!!! We had such a great time! We headed to the beach one day. This was Adalyn's first day actually in the sand. She may have eaten a few handfuls of sand but she had such a fun time playing in it! We were so sad to see Andrea go but can't wait till we see her again!!

9 months and some randomness

 

This little diva is a little over 9 months and I can't believe it!!  I took her to the doctor last week and she is 29 1/2 inches tall and 20 lbs.  She is going to be TALL!!! 

 

We finally got to go see one of our favorite guys!!!  My uncle is having to do chemo off and on so he is in the hospital quite a bit and this little guy has missed him!!!  He likes to take Uncle Ray into the bedroom and play on the bed with just him.  I ran back there and snuck this picture.  Uncle Ray went back into the hospital today for a week for his 3rd round of chemo!  What a strong man he is!!  I know he is just going to kick this cancers butt!!

 

We had Brantley's birthday party to go to this weekend!  We had such a good time.  Here is Adalyn trying to hit on the birthday boy! 

 

Josiah's bff came over and spent some of the day with us on Friday!  They had such a good time together.  It was actually beautiful outside so we played in the backyard most of the day!  I can't wait till we can be outside everyday in the summer.  It is going to be so much fun with the kids this year!!  Beach here we come!! 

St. Patrick's Day Fun

Since St. Patty's Day is coming up I wanted to have a little fun with it over the next week or so.  I tried to find something on Pinterest to do with Josiah but I didn't have all the supplies for the projects I found so I decided to come up with something myself!  Josiah knows his letter really good and most of his number but a few of them he has problems with remembering. 

What you need:
Scrap piece of paper
Marker
Snacks - teddy grahams, goldfish or any snack that is little

I just drew some clovers on a piece of green scrap paper I had laying around.  At the bottom I glued on a Pot of Gold but you wouldn't even have to do that if you didn't want to. 

I put some snacks in a bowl and told him he had to put the number of snacks that were in the clover.  He loved it!!!! 

 

 

When we were done "playing" with our food Josiah said, "Are we going to give Paddy this piece of paper when we are done?"  He doesn't quite get what St. Patty's day is, I thought it was too funny!  I love coming up/finding new ideas that are fun for him to learn!  It's hard keeping this big guy interested in things but when I do he really learns a lot.  We will be using this again in the next few days since he had such fun with it!

 

Business and Babies!!

Wow it has been awhile and I miss blogging so much!!! 

I have been busy starting anew business and it takes a lot more time than I thought.  I had to set up my own web page which was actually a lot of fun for me.  Very time consuming but I enjoyed every minute of it.  I have been working on it for about a month and finally decided to launch it yesterday.  Sweet Pea Co. is the name and if you would like to check it out please click here .  I am selling personalized cell phone covers, iPad covers, koozies, plates, platters, etc.  It is so much fun you can basically design your own products from choices that we have!  I don't have all the products up yet but I am working on it everyday to get more of the items on the website.  I am so excited for this new adventure and can't wait to see how it all works out!!! 

The babies are doing absolutely wonderful!  I can't believe Adalyn is 9 months old now and Josiah is 3 1/2!  Time sure is flying by!

A little about Adalyn

• She has two teeth right now and two new ones coming in.  All on the bottom!
• She is crawling all over the place and if she has something in her hands she will stand all by herself.
• She gets into everything and puts everything into her mouth!  haha!
• She loves big people food and has NEVER liked baby food!
• She gets so excited when its bath time!
• She is the sweeeeetest thing EVER!!!

A little about Josiah

• He still LOVES to dress up.  Right now he is into super heroes.  He doesn't know it but we are planning a surprise birthday trip to Disney!!!!
• He is so smart it is sometimes scary.
• I love when he says, "Guess what?" and I will say, "What?" and he says "I love you!!" Melts my heart every time.
• He is still pretty picky about food but LOVES his fruits. 
• We signed him up for Pre-k and I think I might cry my eyes out.  I can't believe he will start school everyday in 5 months.....*tear

My babies and this business are keeping me busy and I am loving every minute of it!  It is so amazing to see Josiah and Adalyn play so well with each other!  I can't wait to continue to watch their love for each other grow.  Maybe one day we will add a third??  Maybe...We will just have to see what God has in store for our little family!!!! 

Live Strong for V.Ray

 

 

Long story short.  My favorite Uncle was diagnosed with Melanoma in July.  It's been a rough road for him but I have faith that God will heal him.  I have been torn up about this.  He is Josiah's all time favorite person.  I can't explain the bond these two have.  When they are together my heart just melts.  Josiah just adores him and talks about him constantly. 

 

I don't even have words to explain how I feel about this.  I am angry and sad.  Only time will tell, but I am hoping and praying he heals quickly!  My little family needs him and I know his family and friends do too!!! 

 

 

"Trust in the Lord with all your heart"

It's been a while..

Ugh...I have been slacking so much on blogging.  I really miss it, but I have had way too many things going on in our lives.  I have started a few posts but just can't seem to get out what I want to say.   I'm hoping to have some exciting news soon...(not concerning babies!!! ha!)  I hope everyone is doing great and I hope to find some time to start blogging again but with a busy schedule, two little ones that keep me on my toes, classes at Troy, and a hard working hubby that seems to live at his office it may be a little while!

Believing

This is more for me but I want to remember this forever....

Josiah is spending the night with my parents. My mom called me a little while ago and said....

Mom: Josiah is just too smart.
Me: what did he do this time?!
Mom: Josiah said will Uncle Bobby be able to walk when he gets older? Mom said, "no, he will have to use his walker." Josiah said, "well, when he is with God he will be able to run and play again!"

Me: I was speechless. Tears were in my eyes.

At that moment I felt like we were doing something right. He is absolutely right and I want him to always think that way. As we get older something in us changes and sometimes it harder to believe. I believe and I hope he never loses that that belief. God is good! We may have our problems and be in pain here on Earth but one day we will be healed. If it doesn't happen here on Earth it will happen in Heaven!!! What a smart little guy he is!!! Thanks for the reminder little man!!!!

Connecticut

I'm sitting here rocking Adalyn to sleep and I can't seem to put her down! My heart aches. There is 20 sets of parents that don't have the opportunity to kiss their babies good night. I can't imagine.

They kissed their babies off to school this morning thinking it was a normal Friday. Then some idiot turns this normal Friday into their worst nightmare. I can't imagine getting that phone call. I can't imagine hearing that my child's school had a shooting at it.

Elementary school students and faculty. Some only five years old. That is only two years older than Josiah. They were just babies. Why why why??? Who would want to hurt innocent little ones? Ahhh...it makes me so sad and angry. I just cry thinking about it.

I pray for all the families and friends of the victims. I pray for everyone everywhere. This will effect every person that has a heart. I don't know a single person that was involved in this horrible tragedy but I am devastated.

I am already worried when I leave my babies but this makes it even harder. We don't seem to be safe anywhere anymore. So sad.