Celebrating Miracles!

Happy 2nd Birthday Piper!

2012-01-08T06:34:00.002-06:00

Birthday girl, trying to wake up!

Pink tricycle was a huge hit! Thanks Heather, Jay and Marlon!

2 year old close up! L.O.V.E this sweet face!

Jay, Heather and Marlon with Piper the princess!

it's a new baby doll!

yellow has always been Piper's favorite color!

yummy cake from ? ill fill that in later today!

John, Jay, Heather, Marlon and Piper!

Piper loves her Uncle Ralph and this train!

Piper and granny (age 86)playing music together!

Piper is the tallest girl in her "class" at school!

Happy, Happy Birthday Piper! You are the best thing that's ever happened to me! I really don't know how I lived before I met you! Life is full and busy with you at 2! You love to be into everything and seem to be in constant motion! Your teachers at school LOVE you to pieces!, even the director, Kerry, that had to walk you up and down the halls for two months cause you cried everyday! Now you march right in and wave bye to me as your walking toward the toys and your little friends! You are giving lots of hugs and blowing kisses too! The funniest thing you say right now is a long drawn out WEEEEELLLLLLL! You say it at just the right time and we have no clue where you learned this?! You will try about any food we put in front of you, but, would prefer chicken for every meal!

My purposeful word for 2012?

2012-01-03T07:13:00.004-06:00

I have thought and prayed about this concept for a few weeks now. I wondered if it would really mean anything to me? Would the daily thinking on this WORD help me to be more patient with everything and everyone that it was important to be patient with? We shall see, but I'll admit that I have very high hopes! Last year, I attempted to read the Bible in a year. I failed. My goal was to get up a little early every day and do my reading at the dinning table where there was good light and I'd be on the opposite end of the house from the bedrooms so I wouldn't wake John and Piper. Well......some days I overslept, some days I had been up and down with Piper, some days I was just plain old lazy. I can be pretty tough on myself. This is a new year and I'm working on forgiving myself and moving on! I'll come back here and add some new links for reading that are much more manageable!

I need to also admit that the April 2011 tornado has changed me. I've always been pretty brave I guess. Not anymore. If the wind is blowing much or it looks like it could storm, I want to be at home in my "safe place". The Lord spared our live on that April day and I am so grateful!, but, I also wonder why He did? I want to be open, to what He needs from me. I'm a planner/list maker, and sometimes it's tough to let that go and really focus and listen to what it is He is saying!

Happy New Year!!!

2012-01-01T07:23:00.007-06:00

WOW! It's seems impossible that 2011 has come to a close and that today we all get to start fresh! Also mind boggling that in 9 short days we will celebrate the 2nd anniversary of our meeting Piper! A Mickey Mouse party is in the works, at Heather's new house, in south Huntsville! There should be pleanty of red and yellow for sure since Mickey is Piper's current obsession! After the craziness of 2011, we are hopeful for a healthy & low key 2012! Hope to {at least} do monthly posts here so you all can watch Piper grow!

This little sheep handprint is the first ornament that Piper made for us at Sunday school! I nearly cried when we went to pick her up. The teacher handed it to me and told me they learned about the sheep that were at the manger with the baby Jesus. Piper says hand every time she spots it on the tree!

This is the ornament I bought Piper this year. We sing You are my Sunshine
almost daily so it's perfect for us!

This is Piper before church on December 18th! I've taken so many pictures of her, when I ask her to smile for meemaw she giggles and makes silly faces at me! Well, I guess that's it for now! Happy New Year and I'll look forward to hearing from you all in the comments!

Christmas 2011

2011-12-03T20:58:00.006-06:00

Wow! I wonder if anyone but me is reading this blog? Life has sure been busy this year! We put our tree up today and will decorate it tomorrow with Heather and Jay. More pics to come, I promise. Piper was so excited when we plugged it in! Can't wait to share pics from Christmas morning!

ps. Piper was dancing and "singing" around the tree!

Forever Family Day!

2011-06-23T00:05:00.003-05:00

This is the day I've waited for all my life! Friday at 9am, this tiny miracle will become Miss Piper Raine Conley! I guess I'm still in shock. Sort of feels like I'm watching a movie in slow motion. She is everything I've always dreamed of in a daughter...Pure JOY!!! It's been a long 18 months and every moment has been so worth the wait!

Lookin' at some Positives...

2011-05-28T07:12:00.009-05:00

We are alive! Praise God for that with every breath I take! John's daughter, Heather, called to warn us about 3 minutes before we got hit by the f4 tornado. Our power had been flickering on and off for several hours and when she called it had been off for about 10 straight minutes.

Thankful that the tiny hallway where we were standing stood strong and shielded us from flying debris and glass!

Thankful that my mamaws old Singer sewing machine was placed in a little bumped out spot by the master bedroom door and it was not hurt at all!

Thankful my mamaws very old platter that she used to serve my papa his breakfast on was not hurt!

Thankful that I've never really been attached to material stuff because the windows in our master closet blew in - so we lost all of our cloths, shoes, belts, purses, etc. because of the blowing glass and miscellaneous debris. I had a pair of flip flops in the back of my SUV and don't even remember putting them there...that's the only pair of shoes I had left. Only cloths we had left was what I had in the washer and dryer when we were hit by the tornado.

So thankful for my sweet hubby, John and our beloved little toot and tiny pooch, Abby! Glad we were all together when this happened to us!

I may add to this list as the days go by. Right now we are all overwhelmed with "tornado business"! Seems like this event has consumed our lives since April 27th. Constant phone calls, meeting the contractor, roofers, drywallers, painters. It's really odd not knowing where our stuff is. ServPro came and packed up what was left and moved it to a warehouse. They will sort and clean everything and then bring it back to us when we are ready to move back in. We had talked about painting the dinning room a darker color and now it's done! Can't wait to share pics with everyone! I had told John on Tuesday night that I would love to have a new fence cause the one we had was ugly...that will be replaced now also!

Tornado - April 27, 2011

2011-05-13T17:56:00.003-05:00

We're hit. This is all I could say when my mom answered her phone at about 3:30, on the afternoon of the 27th. I was so scared that I could barely form words. For folks that know me in real life, you know that I shot out of the birth canal jibber jabbering! I'm never at a loss for words...EVER. So much loss and devastation {when we left our safe little hallway} it's almost more than you can comprehend. Our big privacy fence was gone [posts and cement], most of the roof was blown off, water was pouring in from the ceiling and most of it had fallen in, all of the front windows had blown out, there was random debrise in every direction. Both of our suv's were parked outside and were badly damaged.

So many details about our day, orchestrated by the Lord! John was off on Wednesdays! We had been working on the house all morning. We had only lived in the house 11 days when the tornado hit our home. I was down to the last box and John had brought it into the livingroom that morning. John had been patching holes in the walls of Little Toot's room and was getting ready to paint it the perfect shade of pink!

We are so thankful that our lives were spared and so grateful for everyone that has asked what we need. Truely, we don't have a clue what we need. Our insurance company put us up in a hotel for several days, and then moved us to an apartment about 6 miles from the house. They also had the apartment furnished like you would for a corporate apartment. It is very strange looking around and not seeing any of your stuff. We found out yesterday that we've lost everything fabric because of the glass. All of the baby's toys that were in the livingroom, all of our cloths and shoes {except what was in the washer and dryer and on our backs} also because of glass. All of our pillows and sheets and blankets were lost for the same reason. Our house smells like insulation and drywall dust and stale water.

Funny thing is, we still LOVE our house and look forward to getting to move back in! Contractor says it could be 3-4 months! We would appreciate your prayers!

So Very Thankful...part 3

2011-04-27T07:05:00.005-05:00

Now where was I?

So we waited in the office and they bring Little Toot in a bassinet {is that what that clear, rolling thing is called?} I will never forget that first vision of her tiny little body. She was wearing a tiny little pink hat and was wrapped up so tightly {like a burrito} in a hospital receiving blanket. Oh my goodness! The overwhelming rush of emotions is something I'll never forget! The nurse, Gail, looked at me and said "do you have a camera, mom?" I remember thinking who is she talking to?, cause I felt numb and still in disbelief that this was all real and John and I were really going to take this gorgeous baby girl home! I ALWAYS have my camera in my purse, so yes I was ready! The sweet nurse picked Little Toot up and tried to hand her to me. I looked at John and said, "you first"! Nurse Gail started snapping pictures and we were both just amazed at this tiny, precious gift! I promise to add that first picture here as soon as the adoption is complete! We could not believe how much hair she has and how thick and dark it was! To this day, I am totally amazed that she is with us and that God trusted us to care for her! What an awesome gift she is to both of us! We stayed there with her till about 11pm. I could hardly take my eyes off of her. I went home and still felt like I was walking on a cloud! We didn't have anything small enough to fit her so I got up extra early (January 10, 2010) and went to the Algood Walmart and went crazy! I think I bought one of everything that would fit her!

please check back for the next part!

Happy Monday folks!

2011-03-28T06:22:00.004-05:00

Life has gotten crazy busy here at Team Conley, but that is not a good reason to be a blog slacker....

Lots of this stuff no one would care about, but I want to remember all that is happening and this is the best place to record it all! We are MOVING!!! We actually sold the house, in Cookeville, November 10th and have waited for the new owners to get their money from Rural Finance. Money came through on Wednesday (3.23.11) and life has been crazy busy since then! We are moving back to Alabama and we are soooo excited. Alabama is where I've always felt the most at home if you know what I mean. Coming back to Tennessee has been good in some ways. We became foster parents to Little Toot! For sure, the very best thing that's ever happened to me! Through FaceBook, I've reconnected with lots of old friends. Fostering and FB are two things I wanted nothing to do with for years, and just look at what JOY they have both brought me! We had to go to court, with the help of Sara {pictured above} and DCS, to get permission from the judge to move with Little Toot. We'll have to take her to the doctor and Health Dept in Pulaski, TN because of her insurance. That will give us a new place to visit and shop! John is working in Alabama already and we have hated being away from him all week. So many friends from Alabama have gotten in touch to offer help and lunch dates! That makes me feel even better! I will post pictures of our new house as soon as we close! Praying that we close the Tennessee house by Wednesday (3.30.11) and the Alabama house on 3.31.11! More on that later....

So Very Thankful...part2

2011-03-17T22:19:00.003-05:00

Ok. Shocked. Amazed. Scared. Excited! Did I mention scared????

So back down the hall I go! John has gone back to eating his Subway, cause he assumed, as I did, that there would be to many for us to handle. I sat down with my food and told him that after we finished eating we had to go to the hospital to meet a newborn baby girl! Talk about a RUSH of emotions! I have never felt so much all at once and felt numb all at the same time. Honestly the strangest feeling I've ever had. We had nothing at our house for a baby that small. Oh well, off we go to the hospital. Neither of us had ever been to this hospital so we didn't know where we were going. Tough to read and follow signs when the butterfly's are doing flips in your stomach and your knee's are shaking! I am thanking the Lord for this child as we are trying to find our way to the nursery. So anyone that knows me in real life, knows that I am a happy gal {through and through} so you can imagine my excitement at this point!!!! John and I make it to where the DCS worker is and see all of these nurses and police hanging out, eating and chatting away. I thought, you know this is a small town and all of these folks must know each other so they are eating together and sharing the latest gossip. How nieve of me. The nurse in the blue from part 1 looks at me and says we'll go and get the baby. Dumb me, thinking she was in the little area behind the glass where the curtains were pulled. Several people leave the room and we realize that the police were there to go with the nurses when they went in to take the baby from her mother and father. My HUGE JOY turns to weak knees and sadness for the birth family. My concern was totally for the baby, but my heart hurt for the family. My greatest moment of JOY was such a sad time for them.

check back for part 3

Happy 14 Months!

2011-03-08T20:40:00.005-06:00

It's almost impossible for me to believe Toot is 14 months old! We grow more in love with her every day! I need to stop being a blog slacker...the memories will mean a lot to all of us when Toot is older! Love this picture. John was packing to leave for his job in Huntsville and Toot wanted him to take her turtle with him.

You are wearing a size 4 diaper
You have finally decided that you'll drink from a sippy, but NOT your soy milk
You can still wear lots of 12 month cloths - you are tall and thin!
You hair is sooo pretty {you can see it in this pic}
You still love mango's, peaches, pears and especially granny smith applesauce
You love to open and close the cabinet doors (several pinched finger's, so far)
One of your favorite pastimes is playing with the dvd's and opening all of the doors and drawers on the TV cabinet
You pull out any bows I try to make you wear
You LOVE your daddy
You have started hugging us and will pat our backs when your tiny arms are wrapped around our necks...melts us both like a stick of butter
Just this morning, you dropped my retainer into the toilet - then you clapped for yourself
You have 2 teeth on the bottom and only 1 on top
You can sign "more" and do it constantly
Your eyes seem to change color depending on what you are wearing
You love cheese puffs and feed our Abby a bite of whatever you are eating
I ask you, at about 8pm, if your ready to go nite nite and you'll shake your head yes
You nap at 10am and 3:30pm
You tasted chicken from Chick-fil-a yesterday and LOVED it!
You like to stand on top of the floor vents when the heat kicks on so that it blows your hair
You have now had 2 ear infections in the right ear and are just getting over a double ear infection (you take your meds like a champ too)
You don't grumble when your sick or pull at your ears, so it's hard to tell your sick
When I ask you if you want a bite you'll shake your head NO
You really are loving your "babies" and you try to burp them!

I guess that's a pretty good list for now. I hate that I missed posting last month, maybe this long list will cover it!

So Very Thankful...part 1

2011-03-06T21:58:00.011-06:00

Sorry it's been so long between posts. Honestly, so many things have happened that some days I don't know which end is up.

Thanks be to God that Little Toot is still with us and it looks as if her adoption could be coming as soon as June! She will be 14 months old on Wednesday and John and I grow more in love with her every day. I am afraid I don't posses the vocabulary to properly express how thankful we are for her! December 2009 marked the 12 year point that I had been praying for a daughter. When I decided to pray for the "desires of my heart", the Lord already knew the plan!

It's funny how certain events in your life are imprinted on your brain.

I remember our trip to Standing Stone State Park the day we got the call to meet Little Toot, at the hospital. It had snowed here, in Tennessee, and it was really pretty outside. John drove and I took lots of great pictures!

I remember how the cold air stung my face when we got out to photograph a frozen waterfall.

I remember the crispness of the air.

I remember the quite {we were the only nuts in the park that day}.

I remember sitting down to eat our Subway. The phone rang in the back bedroom. We looked at each other cause only DCS and Discover Card have that number...John took the call. He came back to the table and told me that it was DCS, he said "go talk to them". We had gotten so many calls for placement needs. Always calls for to many kiddo's. We agreed when we started the fostering journey, that we would only take one or two at a time so that they could have their own bedroom, pleanty on closet space, a dresser. We wanted to make the children feel welcome in our home and make sure they had space to themselves.

I remember walking down the hall to take the call. I thought, well, John threw me under the bus. He didn't want to tell the caller NO, so he sent me to do it. I listened to the lady tell me about the baby girl and I waited to hear about her many siblings.....she said only ONE BABY GIRL! She was at the hospital and we needed to come there to meet the placement worker and sign some paperwork.

These are the nurses that were the first to meet Little Toot! Check back in a few days for part 2...

A Puzzle

2011-01-26T10:15:00.005-06:00

I had a friend tell me once that life was like trying to work a puzzle without the benefit of the picture on the lid. We have random pieces that we do our best to fit together, but it would be so much easier with the lid. To me, that's where we sit right now, and where I've been sitting for a year: learning how to rest in the fact that the One who holds the lid to the puzzle box lives in us. He can see how it all plays out, why some people get the miracle (more lives affected for the kingdom if they continue life on earth?) and others don't (more lives affected for the kingdom if they pass to eternity?). It boils down to a matter of choice for us: We can trust that, because He knows how it all fits together, and He loves us enough to have made a way to spend eternity with us, we don't have to understand, just trust.

Routine

2011-01-15T15:06:00.004-06:00

I've been thinking of doing a post about our daily routine for a while now. So here goes....

6 or 6:30am Little Toot is awake and talking/babbling to herself in her crib (no crying)

A diaper change and then she takes a 4oz bottle of SOY milk cause she has a milk allergy

We play in the floor and in her toy box till about 8am. She eats a jar of fruit and we play some more! I start a load of laundry and unload the dishwasher now

9am Toot takes another 4oz bottle and we snuggle in the recliner till about 9:30, then she goes down for her morning nap. I change over the laundry and head to the shower cause it's the easiest time to freshen up!

Between 11:30 and 12:00, she wakes up calling mama mama mama! Now she eats a Gerber Graduates meal and giggles and smiles!

We play and practice walking till 2:30 or so. I give Toot another jar of "whatever" the princess points at! By 3pm she is down for her afternoon nap. Time to fold and put away that laundry!

She is usually up by 5pm and ready for another 4oz bottle and another jar of fruit or veggie

We eat dinner around 6pm. Toot sits in her high chair and eats puffs and "talks" to us

More playing till bedtime bottle at 8:30 and then into bed by 9pm. She nearly never cries. She has one paci in her mouth and one in her hand. Her bunny is in her arm and she is covered in a blanket that a friends mother made for us during one of our China swaps. My final chore of the day is adding soap to the dishwasher and setting it to run while we sleep.

Randomly throughout the day I check my email and FaceBook! Also, Abby is taken out to potty several times a day and has started to appreciate Toot dropping some puffs for her! It's a busy day but so filled with laughter and joy!

War Eagle!

2011-01-11T16:29:00.003-06:00

2011 National Champs

Jessica and Heather celebrating their graduation from Auburn, in May 2010!

Happy 1st Birthday Little Toot!

2011-01-08T09:17:00.000-06:00

A year ago, I was a woman with a huge hole in her heart. It's been a full, busy, tiring, JOY filled year that I wouldn't take anything for!

I will come back and add the story of how we met Little Toot after her adoption is complete!

Tonight, we took Toot back to the hospital where she was born. We made a donation of newborn going home outfits, in honor of her birthday. As we entered the hall where the birthing rooms are, Toot's delivery nurse, Gail, came right out to greet us! She was thrilled to see us again!

Happy 41st!

2010-12-30T22:14:00.004-06:00

Yes folks...today was my 41st! We had a great day and John got me the most awesome camcorder! It's exactly what I wanted and I never even told him! He is teriffic! With the addition of Little Toot to our family, my 40th year has been the best year of my life! She is everything I've ever wanted and so much more! She took a few steps again last night and she was so proud of herself!

Merry Christmas 2010!

2010-12-24T10:28:00.006-06:00

I feel so blessed today! My dad Jim and his girlfriend, Lu, came down from Michigan. My brothers and I haven't had Christmas with dad in 15 years. Of course, Little Toot, is the best part of the entire holiday season - and everyday that I live for that matter! She is doing just great! I'll come back and add some bullet updates tomorrow night after everyone and everything winds down a bit!

John's kids, Heather and Jay, are coming tomorrow morning! UPDATE The kids didn't make it here for Christmas, because of the snow both here and in Alabama.

Little Toot didn't have a clue what was happening with the gifts so I'm glad we didn't go overboard on that! She got her first "baby" from her grandpa and Lu and she kisses and hugs it! It's soooo cute! She also loves the walk toy that Tim (my brother) and Nida got her! She has walked down the hall and back several times today. I'll try to get video of that tomorrow and also some video of her crawling down the hall before she starts walking on her own!

Little Toot ate green beans today without spitting them back at me!
She has taken a few steps from me to John
She ate creamed potatoes at my brother's on Christmas Eve and loved them. We had tried several times and she didn't care for them
She is babbling like crazy and we LOVE it!
She "talks" to both of her grannies on the phone and loves to hear their voices
Her 1st Birthday party is planned and we are so excited about it!

Expectations

2010-12-20T12:49:00.009-06:00

Wow! That's a big word that packs a big punch! FYI...this picture has nothing to do with this post, I just LOVE polar bears and if they had the chance, they would love me back!

Honesty hurts sometimes. And so do expectations. I'll be the first to admit, I expect alot of people. Like treating each other with kindness and respect. Helping another person out when it's clear that you are able to do so.

Expectations.

When we lived in Rockford, Illinois, we made the decision to take a buyout from my job with Chrysler, and move back to Tennessee where my family lives. I left home in 1987, when I was 17. I thought life would be full of fun family get togethers and fun holiday's with everyone together. Weeeeelllllll...NO. When I lived at home, we would all gather at Mother's house eating and playing cards or board games at the family dinner table. My 3 brother's were in high school then and we all got along so good. Now we are all married, working and have kiddo's. It's just tough to organize everyone and find a big enough spot for everyone to eat together.

Expectations.

I can honestly say that becoming a foster mom has met and exceeded my every expectation. I had no idea how much joy this baby girl would bring to our home! She lights up the room with her big, bright smile! I've always heard that every mother has the cutest, smartest baby in the world - I'm fairly certain that we have the cutest, smarted baby that has ever lived! I'm trying to have realistic expectations and just trying to be in the moment with little toot, so I can enjoy it and not miss anything!

A Holiday Giveaway!

2010-12-09T22:37:00.001-06:00

Head on over to Robin's blog for an exciting giveaway! I'm sooo excited!

November

2010-12-05T09:21:00.003-06:00

I hate that I didn't post something in November {yet}! All of you with little ones knows how quickly things change and how fun it is! We celebrated Thanksgiving in Arab/Huntsville, Alabama with John's family! Great food for sure! Got to spend some time with Heather and Jay and they loved on Little Toot! My brother, Chris, watched our Abby and she was a naughty little dog. I know she was out of her element and missed her family, but she was warm and loved on so she should have behaved better!ha! Hope you all are doing well and gearing up for "Santa"! I'm so excited to get our tree up and wrap the "Santa" stuff! We let little Toot pick her own gifts at Wal^art...she doesn't know what's happening anyway and that way we know she'll like the few things we bought. Speaking of gifts, we've decided to get her only 3 gifts from "Santa". This is because the 3 Wise Men brought gifts to the baby Jesus and we don't want little Toot to be raised to be a materialistic brat. We do things for others all year long and we feel that is very important to teach her those lessons early.

Happy Halloween!

2010-10-30T18:12:00.005-05:00

The costume arrived just in time! We are Trunk or Treating tomorrow night in Crossville. Little Toot will get to join all of her cousins for the first time, and YES, I could cry I'm so excited! Travis' 4th Birthday party is at Mother's house at 1pm, then dress up!!! I'll post pics of the back side of her costume cause we still aren't allowed to show pictures of her here.

brought to you by the letter P

2010-09-08T10:49:00.003-05:00

Happy 8 month Birthday little Toot! photo will be added during her afternoon nap, gotta make the most of the time I have here! Brought to you by the letter P because she seems to love things that start with P!

She still loves prunes and pears! Peaches are a complete NO! You'd think she was training for an Olympic event called "spitting for distance" when you try to put the peaches in her mouth!
She loves peas, potatoes, carrots, and squash! Her very favorite food at the moment is Chicken & Rice!
She loves the puppy (Abby) and puppy is tolerating her...
She is pulling up and gets so tickled with herself when she realizes we are watching her!
She has started giving herself "kisses" when she sees herself in the mirror!
She loves to talk to her meemaw and granny on the phone! They talk and she tries to lick the phone while she giggles!
She will eat applesauce but doesn't love it
She weighs now!

She is AWESOME!!! A total blessing to us everyday! She makes us laugh a lot and we are just in awe of her

A Giveway!

2010-08-28T18:10:00.000-05:00

Christie over at Bushel and a Peck is giving away a blog makeover! As you can see, I've tried to do it myself and it's a mess! Head over and get in the running!!! She is also have a sale and giving 30% to a great cause!

7 Months

2010-08-08T22:07:00.000-05:00

Happy 7 months little toot! This is little toot's Halloween costume! It comes with an embellished onsie that I don't have a picture of, and she'll wear white leggings and white baby keds! I ordered it from Etsy! Found the leggings at Old Navy today! She is the happiest baby I've ever met! We are totally smitten with her and I think she digs us too! She is saying da-da and mamamamama about a thousand times a day! She cries when I leave the room and I LOVE it! I, honestly, nearly cried myself the first time I heard her. She and Abby sort of played together in the floor this afternoon. She runs in her walker now. We think she'll crawl any day. She is the perfect fit for our family! Her personality sparkles and people tell us how beautiful she is everywhere we go. Toot smiles constantly! She sat up by herself last week and drank from a straw yesterday. She loves Sonic (she gets that from me!) and loves to shop!

Toot News!

2010-08-01T21:02:00.000-05:00

Hi folks! About time for an update, wouldn't you say? Get ready...here come some bullets!

Little Toot is even more awesome today than the last time I updated! I know you had no doubt about that!!!

She still doesn't care for fruit. I retried peaches this morning. She is strong willed and knows that she does not like peaches!ha! That goes double for applesauce, bannana's, and most especially green beans! She does love veggies, pears and prunes!

We are settled into a good routine. She has gotten to big for her swing so her naps have moved to her crib. The first day of that was rough but has been fine since then.

She is a great sleeper and eater!

She loves gingersnaps

Tomorrow she gets her 3rd set of shots and I dread it already

She moves quick in her walker and after her morning bottle, she turns her whole body to see it! Like she's telling me she's ready for a stroll!

I guess that's all for tonight. I'll add more tomorrow if I think of anything good!

Redecorating?

2010-07-02T22:53:00.000-05:00

Looks like I'll be under construction for the next little while till I figure it all out!

A crafty giveaway!!!

2010-06-22T06:30:00.000-05:00

Head on over to Southern Hospitality and check out what Rhoda is giving away! I'm not very crafty myself, but with this maybe I could be! It's easy to enter the giveaway and Rhoda has some great stuff on her blog too! Good Luck!

Happy Father's Day

2010-06-20T08:45:00.001-05:00

Wishing my sweet hubby, John, a Happy 1st Father's Day with little toot! It brings me so much joy to watch the two of you together!

5 Months

2010-06-08T08:26:00.000-05:00

Happy 5 month Birthday to little toot!!! She is more awesome by the day if you can believe that!!! She woke up with a little cold this morning but is still smiling and slobbering! Get ready...her come some bullets!

We started rice cereal in her bedtime bottle about 2 weeks ago. Since them she's slept through almost every night! WooHoo!

She still wakes up with a big happy smile every morning and at naptime too!

My training is going well...she throws the toys and I jump up and give them back to her! God knows I need the exercize!

She rolls over and over, but only to the left

So far we've tried applesauce, prunes, sweet peas and sweetpotatoes. Prunes are her fav so far!

She has a favorite blankie that my cousin, Teckla, got her at a thrift store. I've looked everywhere for an "extra" one and can't find it. Hope we never loose it

She has the cutest laugh

She weighs 15.1 lbs

She loves Abby

She loves her toys and puts all of them into her mouth

There is a recall on the Hummer, so we're taking it to Knoxville today and getting in some shopping at the mall! Ended up not going to West Town Mall and stopped at Burlington Coat Factory instead! They have the cutest baby cloths and since it was toot's 5 month birthday some gifts were in order!

Little Toot update

2010-05-29T07:46:00.000-05:00

WOW! It's been a while between posts! We are doing good and enjoying every minute with our little toot! She is awesome!!!

She is rolling over now, with ease! Getting back over onto her back is coming slowly, but she's working on it everyday!
She is teething too! Slobbers are endless and she puts everything into her mouth!
She is wearing 9 month sleepers (and not yet 5 months old) cause her legs are so long!
We talk to her a lot and sometime she just babbles away and looks at us like we should know what she's saying! ha!
She LOVES Abby! She watches her and babbles to her!
She is eating cereal now
She slept 10.5 hours last night! yeah!
We go through lots of bibs
Her favorite activity is the jumperoo!
She fusses if we lay her in her crib during the day...she loves to watch TV with us! But at night she smiles up at us when we lay her down
She wakes up happy ALWAYS!!!
She's moving up to fast flow nipples today and will taste her first fruit!
She has the cutest feet in the world...Don't you agree?
She got her 1st pagent dress last week! We believe she'll be crowned the prettiest baby in our county the first week of August! I'll post pics of that too!

Thanks for checking on us! Blessings to all of you!

Class of 2010

2010-05-15T15:43:00.000-05:00

Congratulations!

We made a trip to Auburn, Alabama to watch Heather and her friend, Jessica, graduate from Auburn University, on Friday the 14th! We had a great time with them and are still in shock that the girls will be starting a new phase of their lives! We love you both and are very proud of you!

what?

2010-04-30T20:48:00.000-05:00

Hi world! Yes we are still here!!!! I have a love of people and anyone that knows me well knows that ~ BUT, we've run across some real doozies this past week and thought it was funny enough to share!

John and I eat out a lot. Having little toot in our home has not changed that. She is a champ both at home and out in public! She eats good, sleeps good and wakes up happy both in the morning and from naps...she fits our family perfectly!!! So we go out to eat at Cr*cker B*rrel last week. A cute young lady asks how many in our party - nothing strange there. I say 2 and a half. She looks at little toot and with a straight face asks if we'll need an extra set of silverware for her? I gave her the blank stare and was thinking she's 3 months old so you're kidding me right? OK so then the waitress comes over. We are proud to be foster parents but sometimes we just don't want to talk about it. She continues to tell us how pretty little toot is and asks if we have any Cherokee Indian in our family. So we share our story with her and that part of little toots heritage is Hawaiian. With a straight face she says "did you get her here in the United States?" Oh my golly! Last time I checked those lovely islands are a part of the United States!

Inspiration

2010-04-18T10:45:00.000-05:00

I just read a post written by Angie over at Bring the Rain. If you get a minute today and want to get some inspiration head on over and meet Angie!

Momisms

2010-03-26T19:23:00.000-05:00

Sorry I've been neglecting my blog. As you might imagine, our lives have become very busy! A bullet post will be the easiest way to give my adoring fans a needed update!

I used to make fun of moms in Wal*art that had HUGE diaper bags. Well let me tell you ~ not anymore! ha! One "explosion" and I totally get it now!
I also used to wonder how mom's could let their kiddo's have snotty noses in public...well HELLO! Our little toot got a cold on Sunday and we now have an endless supply of boogers! Yeah!
Abby has been hit right in the nose by little toot several times when she's trying to love on her baby. Bless her heart she doesn't quit trying though!
Never change a diaper as soon as you start to smell it...the big event may not be over. Nuff said there trust me!
I used to be a fan of mascara and lipstick ~ not so much anymore. I'm lucky if I get my shower before 3pm some days and I don't even care!
Had I understood how much joy a baby could bring to our home we'd have become foster parents a long time ago!
A lady I know told me that some pediatricians call spitting babies "Happy Spitters". Who ever came up with that should be poked in the eye with a sharp stick ~ I'm just saying

I guess that is all for now. We can't post pictures or give her name. Just know that she is the prettiest baby girl you will ever lay your eyes on. I promise!

JOY!

2010-02-15T15:08:00.000-06:00

I slept & dreamed that life was JOY.

I awoke & saw that life was SERVICE.

I acted & behold, SERVICE was JOY!

John and I are officially foster parents! On January 10th we brought the most beautiful baby girl home from the hospital! She is a good baby! We are not allowed to give any details about her or post any pictures, but trust me when I say she is breathtaking! She eats and sleeps great and only gets fussy when her tiny bottom is dirty or her tummy is empty! Her burping skills are improving everyday! I am enjoying every moment in her presence and I think she is liking us too! Abby is totally smitten with her and wants to sit on my lap when I feed her!

New Years Resolutions!

2010-01-08T07:00:00.000-06:00

fyi...you'll notice that many of my post titles end with an exclamation point. My 3rd grade teacher taught us that an exclamation point meant happiness and excitement. And for the record, I am that kind of gal!

I have decided to join Kelly's Korner, for Show us Your Life Friday's! I peeked in on several last year and really enjoyed that and thought it might be more fun to play along this year!

Let go of stuff! I, like most gals, have lots of stuff that I either don't use, can't wear, or plain don't need. I started sorting my "treasures" on January 1st, throwing some stuff away and donating some stuff, and so far it feels awesome!

Live GREENER! You could call me a tree hugger I suppose. We recycle everything that we can. We'll be replacing burned out light bulbs with more energy efficient ones!

Live healthier! We are not calling it a DIET cause that is an ugly word. We are making better choices and drinking more water and exercising some. More fresh fruits and veggies and fewer sweets and soft drinks. Honestly, the soft drinks hurts me cause it's always been my belief that I came out of the womb with a can of Coke in my little hand...I'm just sayin

To have realistic expectations. This is a personal one for me. I expect alot out of people. If you are an adult, you know that you have certain responsibilities. That means keeping a full time job, paying your bills on time, doing for your kids, ect. I am a "fixer" by nature. If you are struggling, I'll jump in and do anything I can to help you out. This is not always the best thing for those I think I'm helping. So I'm promising myself to "stay out of it"! I'll keep you posted on my progress! ha!

Happy New Year

2010-01-01T18:38:00.001-06:00

We are looking forward to seeing what 2010 brings to our lives! 2009 was a tough year in several ways, but we both learned alot and were stretched outside our comfort zone for sure!!

Happy Birthday to Me!

2009-12-30T09:02:00.000-06:00

Yes my peeps, today is my 40th birthday!!! Not a clue what we will be doing to celebrate but whatever it is I'm sure it'll be tons of fun! In honor of this major milestone in my life today's post is

40 Random Things!

1. My favorite color has always been blue

2. I love COACH purses!

3. I have at least a touch of OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder)! I detest clutter and am happiest when everything is in it's place

4. I love dogs...big ones, little ones, every shape size and color

5. I do not eat "ugly" food! Chicken wings and brussle sprouts are a total NO!

6. One of my favorite things is buying gifts for people. It doesn't even have to be a holiday. If I am out and about and see something that reminds me of someone, I'll get it and mail it to them with a card

7. Not a dancer - trust me on that!

8. My camera is always in my purse cause I love to take pictures

9. When driving, my cell is always in my pocket. Some freaky fear about running out of the road and not being able to reach it

10. I am a list maker

11. I make an effort to remember birthdays of friends and family with cards. A birthday is the only day of the year that is all about you and it should be celebrated!

12. I believe my "gift" is being an encourager! I am your personal cheerleader, thumbs up girl, you can do it yes you can! Alway think positive and give thanks!

13. I hate the SyFy channel

14. I am a huge Marilyn Monroe fan! She is the reason I wear red lipstick (Merle Norman's REDHOT is my favorite)

15. I sing, when I'm alone in the car, like I am a rock star! It's not pretty I promise but it is a super stress reliever!

16. Abby sleeps in the middle of our king sized bed, and John loves her as much as I do

17. I love black cows, but only black

18. Autumn is my favorite season

19. My high school was in a 2 red light southern town and it was awesome

20. I rarely ever wear a necklace

21. I hate turtlenecks too!

22. I love NCIS

23. I am a Criminal Minds addict

24. My three favorite hobbies are reading, cross-stitching, and gardening

25. I had the good fortune to meet, work with, and become friends with two witches

26. I've had 11 new cars since I left home

27. I left home at 17

28. I've had 26 addresses in 6 states since I was born in Detroit, Michigan

29. Houses that lack color inside are strange to me

30. I wore braces as an adult

31. I'm not a big sports fan

32. I collect blown glass Christmas ornaments

33. I love buying books off Amazon

34. Call me tree hugger...I recycle everything

35. My love of houseplants and gardening came from my granny Stephens

36. I'm the only girl in my family and have 3 younger brothers

37. I LOVE pasta! shout out for Tsipiora's spaghetti sauce...I will never forget it

38. When I wake up in the middle of the night and have someone on my mind, I pray for them and whatever their need might be and go back to sleep

39. I have had every hair color at least once! heehee even Snow Whites black, but not on purpose

40. Birthday cake is my very favorite food group!

Merry Christmas

2009-12-24T08:35:00.000-06:00

From our family to yours, we hope this is a joy filled season!

December is Busy

2009-12-11T20:39:00.000-06:00

4th...Greg and Amy brought Olivia to spend the weekend to dog sit for us! Boy was Abby excited! She loves Olivia

5th...We drove to Pigeon Forge, TN to go to the Dixie Stampede with Mom and Rodney. If you get a chance to do this you really should! The show was good and the food was awesome!

6th...We enjoyed a great breakfast at a buffet on the strip and drove home!

12th...a Christmas party of finger foods, fellowship & dirty Santa! So much fun!

13th...Mom & Rodney came over for pizza and to help us put up our Christmas tree! After not having a tree since 2004 it is about time to get our holiday spirit back!

15th...is Olivia's 1st grade Christmas play! I can hardly wait to see it! This will be the first time I've been close enough to go to anything of hers!

18th...John and I are taking Olivia to see the new Disney movie A Princess and A Frog! Our movie outing has been postponed due to my holiday head cold! yuck!

24th...Christmas Eve lunch at my Uncle Mitch's house with all of my cousins. We drove to mom's for a Manwich dinner with her, Rodney and Greg. HoHoHo, now both John and I are sick! But not till after our family gathering.

25th...Christmas lunch with my brother Tim's family, brother Greg's family, Mom & Rodney. Heather and Jay drove up from Huntsville for a visit. So far, they have managed to not catch our "Christmas cootie"! ha! We went to a Chinese buffet for dinner and have mostly stayed in watching movies in our pj's (trying to contain the cootie)

30th...is my 40th birthday!

31st...a New Year's Eve party! WooHoo! If our hanging on for dear life "Christmas cootie" is still with us, we won't be going to any parties!

HP Touchsmart Giveaway!

2009-12-09T17:35:00.000-06:00

It's a McKgiveaway! Head on over to enter! Read the whole post to hear about the exciting details of this awesome HP Touchsmart giveaway! WooHoo!

Puppies!

2009-12-03T21:48:00.001-06:00

This little precious is a 10 week old Malti Tzu! Ooh lala! She is too pretty!

Is this the cutest little dreamboat you've ever seen or what? She is an 8 week old Yorkie/Shih Tzu mix and I am in love with her!

No, we are not adding to our dog family. But if we were heading in that direction, one of these pretties would be sharing our big bed!

War Eagle!

2009-11-27T13:49:00.000-06:00

Yes folks, today is Alabama @ Auburn! It's the IRON BOWL and Heather's last football game of her college career. Alabama is undefeated this season and our entire family is hoping that Auburn gives them a good ol' southern butt whoopin! Our Thanksgiving trip went well. I'll post about that in a few days! *Update* Auburn lost.

Happy Thanksgiving!

2009-11-26T08:38:00.000-06:00

Wow! It's hard to believe it's that time of year again! While I am not a fan of turkey, I am a fan of all the other yummy dishes that go with it! We are leaving Tuesday around lunch to visit John's family near Huntsville, for a few days. I'll be having lunch on Wednesday with a dear friend, Tom, while John is off golfing in the Alabama sun!

I guess I should have said that I am actually writing this on Sunday night! ha!

I have just finished my Christmas cards tonight and hope to mail them on Tuesday (if the address labels I ordered show up before we leave).

It's amazing to think that in about one month I'll be 40! Is it true that life starts at 40?

I hope each of you has a Blessed holiday!

A Giveaway!

2009-11-15T14:17:00.000-06:00

Head on over to Pieces of Me for a great giveaway! The giveaway ends Nov 25th, so don't delay!

Santa???

2009-11-15T08:38:00.000-06:00

Santa are you there? Saaaannnnttttaaaa? We don't have a chimney, but just call my cell and I'll let you in - k?

Road Trip to Chattanooga!

2009-11-14T22:07:00.001-06:00

Curvy Roads

Deer beside the road

You guessed it...TJ Maxx for a treasure hunt!

A great lunch after some intense shopping!!!

This is what Abby does while I'm blogging! haha

Just Say NO!

2009-11-09T21:09:00.000-06:00

I am so over Donny and Kym! Oh my goodness...tonight was just dreadful and I hope they go home next week. I couldn't find a picture of tonights god awful outfits and trust me you aren't missing a thing! Yuck!

Halloween and such...

2009-10-31T22:22:00.000-05:00

Erica, Olivia and Catie dressed to the nines!

Cutest costumes of the night goes to triplets dressed as the "three little pigs"

Mother dressed for a blizzard!haha

The best trunk of the night!

To Mother's credit, it did get a little nippy out and I did put a coat on. This is the first time I've gotten to go out with my nieces and it was a fun time for us all!

It's a HOME RUN for Stellan

2009-10-28T07:20:00.001-05:00

Update!!!! Precious Stellan is doing great at Boston's Children's Hospital after his heart procedure today! Click the link below to leave his family some words of encouragement!

This little cutie pie has been taken back to Children's Hospital with another bout of SVT (heart troubles). Please keep him and his Mcfamily in your prayers.

Heart Attacks

2009-10-22T11:49:00.000-05:00

Something that we can do to help ourselves. Nice to know. Bayer is making crystal aspirin to dissolve under the tongue. They work much faster than the tablets.

Why keep aspirin by your bedside?

About Heart AttacksThere are other symptoms of an heart attack besides the pain on the left arm. One must also be aware of an intense pain on the chin, as well as nausea and lots of sweating, however these symptoms may also occur less frequently.

Note: There may be NO pain in the chest during a heart attack.The majority of people (about 60%) who had a heart attack during their sleep, did not wake up. However, if it occurs, the chest pain may wake you up from your deep sleep.

If that happens, immediately dissolve two aspirins in your mouth (under your tongue) and swallow them with a bit of water. Afterwards: - phone a neighbor or a family member who lives very close by - say "heart attack!" - say that you have taken 2 aspirins. - take a seat on a chair or sofa near the front door, and wait for their arrival and... ~ do NOT lie down ~

A Cardiologist has stated that, if each person, after receiving this e-mail, sends it to 10 people, probably one life can be saved!

I have already shared the information- - What about you?

Remember...

2009-10-14T12:49:00.000-05:00

Never get too busy making a living, that you forget to make a life!

Friggin' Frogs

2009-09-26T09:37:00.000-05:00

This T-Tiny frog (I know what your thinkin') sits in my Boganvilla. I water every morning and for some reason "Mr. T-Tiny" thinks it's funny to sit there and watch. Now John has to water this one cause I'm afraid he might jump on me and I would surely fall out on the porch! In all honesty, he is maybe the size of a quarter!

OLIVIA

2009-09-19T09:16:00.000-05:00

Happy 6th Birthday Olivia! We are looking forward to your party today! We love you booboo!

Thought for the day

2009-08-28T20:56:00.000-05:00

A Big Happy Birthday to my nephew, Jordan, who is 12 today! I hope you have a good one bubba!

Four things you can't recover:

The stone.........after the throw.

The word........after it's said.

The occasion........after it's missed.

The time..........after it's gone.

HUMIDITY

2009-08-17T07:30:00.001-05:00

Nothing very exciting going on here. Summer started out rainy, and we grumbled every morning about when in the world the sun might decide to show itself! Well....careful what you wish for as the saying goes. HOLY HOLY HOLY the sun is out early now and with a vengeance! HOTTTTTTTT does not really explain it. My naturally curly hair has taken on a hole new attitude. It's finally grown out enough (from the really short cut that I'd not dare allow any of you to see) to allow me to use my beloved flat iron again! So, I'm in the bathroom a few days ago flattening and loving the results when I make the sad mistake of looking at the back of my head with a hand held mirror (not in the same bathroom that we shower in cause of the moisture) and guess what I saw???? Little curls on the side that was suppose to be flat already...ugggg.

Stellan in route to Boston

2009-07-27T11:57:00.001-05:00

Little Stellan is in grave danger this morning. Please take a moment and say a prayer for him, his parents and his doctors. He is being taken from the Minneapolis Children's Hospital, by air ambulance, to Boston's Children's Hospital. Please leave his family any words of encouragement that you have for them.

Sooo Cute

2009-07-26T10:20:00.000-05:00

Isn't he a cutie!!! You know, some days I just feel fat, the hair doesn't lay right, my eyeliner smudges at the corner of my eyes, my toenail polish is chipped (and I can no longer bend over to fix it), my teeth could be a touch whiter, the crazy a$$ nerve in my leg is tingly or numb, BUT, by the Grace of God, I can walk! I feel a little better every day and drum roll please...Abby is still doing all of her BUSINESS outside! Now that deserves a woohoo for sure!!!

Red, White and Blues

2009-07-20T21:02:00.000-05:00

I borrowed this neat recipe from Elena over at Manwaring Moments Before you say it, yes it's way late for a 4th of July cookie...so what ENJOY!

Today we're going to make "Red, White, and Blues". A tasty treat, just in time for your Fourth of July bash!

Start with your melted (or mostly melted if you're impatient like me) butter, and sugars. Cream them together then add the eggs.

Let it mix for a few minutes. It gets all fluffy and pretty. Add the flour, soda, and salt.

And now for the "red, white, & blue". Dried cranberries, white chocolate chips, and dried blueberries. Sounds like and interesting combo, but trust me, it works. Pour 'em right in.

And you certainly don't have to plate them all gorgeous-like before hand. But it does look like a little flag falling into your cookies if you do. (Cheap thrills, I know.)

Mmmmm....see all the patriotic bits of goodness in there? Delish I tell ya, delish!

Red, White, & Blues

1 1/2 c melted butter (real, salted butter)
2 c. brown sugar
1 c. white sugar
Cream together then add:
2 eggs
2 egg yolks
1 tsp. vanilla
Mix until light and fluffy.
Add:
4 c. flour (this is a fairly soft dough, but if it seems really wet, add a little more.)
1 tsp. baking soda
1 tsp. salt
Mix together then add:
1 package white chocolate chips
1/2 package dried blueberries (add more berries if you like)
1/2 package dried cranberries

Bake at 325 degrees for 12-14 minutes, let cool on pan before removing. (Helps keep them soft.)

Neat Links

2009-07-20T19:33:00.002-05:00

Books for Baby
Motherbridge of Love by

Shaoey & Dot by Steven Curtis Chapman

Being Adopted by David Brodzinsky

Raising Adopted Children by Louis Ruskai Melina

Talking with Young Children About Adoption by Watkins & Fisher

20 Things Adopted Kids Wish...by Sherrie Eddridge

Llama, Llama Red Pajama by

Girly Stuff
Red Thread Stitches
A great site to buy unique gifts for you little princess!

Suzanne Myers : Jewelry
She features The Name Charm Necklace that I'd love to have someday!

Sweet Daisy Bowtique
These are some of the nicest bows for little girls I have found!

Dani Bags Boutique
Some awesome purses and tote bags!

Sophia Jane Boutique
Really pretty bows and the proceeds will help bring Sophia home!

Lisa Leonard Designs
Some really unique handmade jewelry

Miscellanous
A 4ever Family
Great information for adopting families

Blog Books
This site can turn you personal blog into a book...really neat!

How Many of Me?
You can go here to find out how many people share your name

Pass it on, Baby!
This site allows you to share you "outgrown" baby cloths with moms and babies in need and will also help you if you are in need! Great idea to share the LOVE!

This and That Gifts
Here you can find those cut little Trumpet socks for both boys and girls!

My Precious Kid
Lots of safety items for you kiddos

Original Quilts
You'll find great, unique quilt designs

Scootababy Carriers
These carriers are worn on the side...easing tension on your back

design BOHTIEQUE
These are my favorite address labels! Make great gifts!

BriarClaire
Super cute handmade baby gifts

Penelope In My Pocket
Great original artwork!

Seat Guru
This site will let you see the seat plans of planes from all the different airlines

Flowers...yeah!

2009-07-12T10:58:00.000-05:00

These beautiful flowers were from Dad and Lu! I got them the morning we left for Huntsville to have the 4th set of stitches removed! They lifted my spirits and smelled soooo good! There is something grand about the scent of carnations, don't you think? See those little silk butterfly's on the basket handle, and I loved the hot pink gerber daisey's! Thanks so much Dad and Lu!!!

Happy 4th of July

2009-07-04T07:33:00.001-05:00

We are going to my brother, Tim's, today! Almost all of the family will be there and we'll be enjoying some hamburgers and hot dogs and my favorite, oreo cookie pudding!!! After lunch, we are heading to a local park to wait for the fireworks show and let all the kiddo's play and get thier faces painted!

Photo Tag

2009-06-26T21:49:00.001-05:00

I was tagged by Katie to play photo tag! What a fun and different blog game! To play the game, you go to your 1st photo folder, then to the 10th picture and do a blog post about the picture! Easy enough! You then pick 3 people to tag and don't forget to mention the person who tagged you!!!

This is a pair of Nike flip flops that I bought at Martin's, in Decatur, Alabama on the day that my stitches came out following the 3rd SI (surgical intervention)! They were a steal at $14.99! They are cute and comfy too!

I am tagging Gwen @ Oatsvall Team
Mel @ Over the Rainbow.. At Last
Wendy @ The Bend in the Road

Pray for Sydney

2009-06-23T16:36:00.000-05:00

Update!!! Sydney is doing better than expected! Please pop over to the family blog and leave some words of encouragement!
Little Sydney is having surgery in the morning and needs all the prayers she can get. She is a beauty!!!

Jewelry!!!

2009-06-18T20:57:00.000-05:00

lisa leonard designs is one of the most awesome sites I've ever seen for personalized jewelry! Please run on over and check her out!

About Us!

2009-06-10T08:11:00.005-05:00

We met on a blind date February 16, 2001...married, in Gatlinburg, Tennessee, one year later! We relocated to Tennessee on January 20, 2009!!! We are both just loving life and looking forward to an exciting year! Stay tuned!!!

Heather is 23!!! She loves all things beach related and graduated from Auburn University, in Alabama, on May 14, 2010! We are so proud of her!

Jay is 16 now! He is a sophomore at Grissom High School, in Huntsville! He plays soccer and enjoys his friends. He is excited to be a big brother!

Little Abby is our 5.6lb Yorkie mix. She joined our family in July 2004, weighing in at a mere 1.1lbs on the day we met her! She loves all raw fruits and veggies, and loves to give "sugar"!

2009-06-07T08:44:00.000-05:00

I know, I know, we don't yet have a baby girl. But friends, I am a lover of girly bows! If you have a little princess to buy for, please check out this site. The money goes to help this mama bring their baby girl home from China!

Click on the picture above and Happy Shopping!

45 Life Lessons

2009-06-05T17:02:00.000-05:00

I wish someone had shared this list with me way back in my 20's...some great stuff

Written By Regina Brett, 90 years old, of The Plain Dealer,
Cleveland, Ohio

"To celebrate growing older, I once wrote the 45 lessons life taught me. It is the most-requested column I've ever written. My odometer rolled over to 90 in August, so here is the column once more:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch.
5. Pay off whatever you can every month
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else
20. When it comes to going after what you love in
life, don't take no for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy
lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words
'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone, for everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because
of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw
everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come...
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
44. Yield.
45. "Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

Pass it on, BABY

2009-06-05T15:15:00.000-05:00

Check out this site if you love to give to others and have cloths your kiddo's have outgrown! They are doing some awesome work and passing on the blessings!!!

BCBS EOB's

2009-05-28T21:26:00.000-05:00

No...M&M's have NOTHING to do with this post but the picture is pretty and I love them! The title is Blue Cross Blue Shield Explantion of Benifits, and boy have we seen several of those over the past few months. While I appreciate the insurance company keeping in touch and all, why can't they just wait a little longer and send it on one page and in one envelope? You know save a tree!!!

Well this post is really a PRAISE for those many sheets of paper that seem to keep on coming! The doctor told us that to have my 3rd SI (surgical intervention)done at The Surgery Center, Huntsville, would be less out of pocket for us than if we choose to do it at Huntsville Main. Considering our "out of work" status that was music to our ears! Well the 3rd SI ended up only costing us $178!!! WooHoo Well, now that the 4th SI is behind us we got the first EOB today. The MRI place agreed to take the allowed amount as payment in full!!! Life if pretty good tonight! My stitches come out tomorrow so we'll be on the road for about 3 hours in the morning and will drive back home Saturday after breakfast with John's mom.

A Little Support?

2009-05-25T10:56:00.000-05:00

Here is a funny recovery story for my faithful followers! While I am doing very well after the 4th (God willing the last L4-L5) surgical intervention, I still have some mild pain and numbness in my right calve and foot. Sort of like they are asleep but without the pins and needles. I have talked to the DOC about this and was assured that this sensation is normal after all I've been through.

OK...so we got into bed last night and yes I was complaining about this strange feeling in my foot. I can't lay on my back yet and can't turn over so I am starting to get frustrated with it. John was teasing me and pretending to whine. So I whined back for him to stop teasing and give me a little support. Abby climbed up and over my backside to stand on my shoulder and licked me in the face! What a dog! She jumped right in to offer me the support I needed!

A Makeover!!!

2009-05-24T12:14:00.000-05:00

A big Thanks to Kim for giving my beloved blog a much needed makeover! I just love it! Anyone that knows me, knows that cupcakes have a very special place in my heart!!!

Another Surgery

2009-05-23T15:38:00.000-05:00

John and I had to make an emergency trip back to Huntsville. I re-injured my back in the same location and had to have another surgery (my 4th) on May 21st. My right leg and foot still have some numbness, but I am able to walk and am pain free! I thank God for that! While in my hospital bed, it came to me that this blog name was just wrong. Yes, we have been waiting for what seems like an eternity for a miracle baby, but that is not the single only thing that defines our life. We are so very blessed and have so much to celebrate!

RECYCLE....PLEASE

2009-05-08T19:11:00.000-05:00

I found this neat site for buying some cool reusable shopping bags! They are cool looking and easy to keep up with! Happy Shopping!!!!

A GiveAway!!!

2009-05-05T08:12:00.000-05:00

It a blog makeover give away from beloved !!! From what I can tell, she does LOVELY work and who doesn't love a freebie!!!!! Woo Hoo hope I win cause it's time for a new look 'round here!

TMI...ya think?

2009-04-28T07:58:00.001-05:00

This is day number 5 of our precious Abby doing her business outside!!! Thank goodness the neighbors are not up as early as we are cause my A.M. hair is less than desirable for sure! Abby was so tiny when we got her in 2004, and I was working 12 hours/7days that pad training was just easier for our family. Now that we are in Tennessee with no snow and way less winds than in "the windy city" we are really working on getting her potty issues straightened out....I'll keep you posted on her progress!

For the record...NO this is not Abby in the act! This was taken in our perfect, carpet like grassy yard in Stillman Valley, Illinois last summer!

Neat Finds

2009-04-13T08:01:00.000-05:00

Since I have to rotate my time between sitting, standing/walking up and down our long hall, or laying on the couch...I've had some time to look up some neat stuff for you all to look at online!

Etsy:: design BOHTIEQUE This is a great site for personalized address labels! I have ordered from them and love everything she sent!

Lauren Nicole Gifts I love so many things on this site that I would hardly know what to choose!

Weight Watcher Recipes If you, like us, need to watch what you eat, then you'll enjoy this site!

Cary Hairbows Great selection of unique hairbows for your little girl or great as gifts too!

Livi Lu Originals This site has some really cute handmade cloths for little girls...love it!

Surgery...

2009-04-02T08:43:00.000-05:00

Update: I'm still here!!! Yeah! Lots of pain for now but the doctors expect a full recovery within just a few months. The procedure is called a Lumbar Laminectomy (my 3rd). My pain is caused by the sciatic nerve in my right leg. To remove the "chunk" of disk that had broken off at L4-L5, Dr. Ghavam had to move that nerve over and then put it back where it belonged. This "disruption of the nerve" is the cause of the pain. For now, I have to take pain pills to sleep, as this is when the pain is the most intense. Thanks so much for thinking of us and praying!

Just wanted to give you all on my surgery schedule. My blood work will be done at the Medical Mall in Huntsville, Friday at 2:15. Back surgery at The Surgery Center, Huntsville, early on Monday morning. This will be the third surgery on the same location so I guess you could say I have a messed up back. At this point, the pain is just almost unbearable so I am more than ready for this to be done and overwith! On a happy note...I'm getting my hair cut today and picking up updated wills from our attorneys office cause you just never know?! Nothing exciting to report on the adoption front ~ still just waiting, waiting and waiting.

Pray for Stellan

2009-03-24T16:12:00.000-05:00

Asking all of you out there in blogland to take a moment to pray for this precious baby boy. His smile just melts my heart. I know that McKMama and her family will appreciate it.

Bald is Beautiful!

2009-03-21T19:42:00.001-05:00

Mom and Rodney came for dinner tonight and Rodney is sporting a new hair cut! For some reason, he agreed to let John use the clippers on him...he didn't realize at first that there wouldn't be any hair left!

A Photo Update...finally

2009-03-13T21:23:00.000-05:00

The road to Mothers house! It's amazing how much I've missed these views. Nothing compares to home!

The view on the way to Mothers house! Did I ever tell you I love black cows? This farm has tons of them!

Olivia is terrified. See how tightly she is gripping John's sleeve

Thrilled Olivia!

John is a man with priorities!

Snow in Tennessee. WHAT???

My first Tennessee plant! It's doubled in size already!!!

Receipe for a happy marriage...laughter!

Our 7th Anniversary on February 16th!!! Humidity is bad for naturally curly hair as you can see from the looks of my part!

What a difference a day makes!

2009-02-08T09:33:00.000-06:00

Fair warning...this could get very long and could ramble a bit also! If your willing to stick with me, you should grab a Coke before we go any further.

One day, about 2 years ago, John and I were living in Stillman Valley, Illinois. A tiny town in the middle of the corn. It had been snowing for days on end. Yes it's beautiful, but I was really over it! We had just gotten up and I had what I lovingly call a "girl moment". I cried and cried. I finally told him that I want to go HOME and never see snow out our window again. I left home at 17, married a soldier and traveled the country. Sounds glamourous, I know, but trust me it was anything but. After 12 years of marriage, we divorced, and he died from brain cancer a few years later.

I met my sweet John on a blind date, after transfering to Alabama with Chrysler. It was love at first site and we were married a year later on the same date in Gaitlinburg, Tennessee!!! When the job in Alabama ended we were sent to the Belvidere Illinois Assembly Plant (Rockford, IL). As you all know when the economy slowed down so did the auto industry. Chrysler started offering buyouts. We had to turn down the first one in January 2008 because our house in Stillman Valley hadn't sold. We both cried then. We changed real estate agents and kept up with the showings and open houses, and prayed that another buyout would be offered. As the weather warmed up, we worked in our yard, planted flower beds and filled pots with colorful blooms. Finally a nice couple was transfering to our town from Minnesota and they loved our house! They made an offer the third week of October 2008, we countered and they accepted. We got the call while eating at Subway!!!! They only gave us 2 weeks to get out so at this point the rush was on! We found an apartment right away and started hearing rumors that another buyout would be offered soon. We were offered a package on the day we moved into the apartment and were thrilled beyond words!!! Now another rush was on to find a house in Tennessee and get all of our "ducks in a row".

When we saw this house we both knew it was the one! It's new construction, only hardwood and tile (John's asthma/allergies), has awesome paint, stainless steel appliances and it just feels like us! Needs more garage space but I'll save that for another post.

So, after 21 years 7 months and 7 days away from my family...PRAISE GOD for moving mountains to get us back to Tennessee. I am so thankful to John for being the supportive husband that he is and for not totally freaking out that day when I told him I wanted to go HOME!

We still have some stuff to unpack and lots of general organizing to do BUT we are both happy and that is more important than anything!

I'll post pictures of the house as soon as some of the packing stuff is gone!!! More to come ~ I promise!

Believe

2009-01-27T22:59:00.000-06:00

I found this picture, thanks to Wendy, and thought it was perfect for how I'm feeling today!

More to come, I PROMISE!!!

Merry Christmas!!!

2008-12-16T18:56:00.000-06:00

I am wishing everyone in the blogosphere a very Merry Christmas! John and I will be traveling to Alabama on the 20th (with Abby), then on to Tennessee on the 26th! I am looking so forward to seeing our families again! This tree (in case you didn't know) is in New York's Rockefeller Center! I am not materalistic at all...don't want for much and certainly have everything I could possibly need. Seeing the tree lighting in Rockefeller Center has been a dream of mine since I was in kindergarden. My teacher brought pictures back from her trip there and that wish has never left me.

I am also looking forward to the New Year! I feel like good things are coming our way! Hopefully we'll meet our baby girl in 2009!

Laid Off.....

2008-12-06T09:54:00.000-06:00

John and I were laid off yesterday. Yes we expected it, but that doesn't make it feel any better. We both work in the auto industry. These are scary times in our country for sure. We are trying to stay optimistic and are hopeful that a change of power in Washington will cause an economic turnaround.

On a lighter note, the temps in northern Illinois are in the single digits and the snow is steadily falling! It is so pretty!!! I will get out this afternoon and take some pretty pictures!

*Update...I miss my friends at work. It's Monday and we should all be at break together, eating and laughing. HOHOHO!

VOTE!!!

2008-11-04T18:56:00.000-06:00

We are very busy around here, but are looking forward to a new President!!!

Officially Out of Review!

2008-10-15T20:11:00.000-05:00

Dear March 2007 LID Families,

Congratulations! We received word from our Beijing office that the CCAA has finished the review of dossiers registered in March, 2007!

Yeah March 2007 is out of review!!!!!! Congratulations to all of you!

This information will also be reflected in this afternoon’s Places Everyone email!

Happy Wednesday!

I cannot begin to express how much this email meant to me today! This adoption journey has been filled with so many ups and downs.

Happy 60th Mom!

2008-10-05T11:10:00.000-05:00

orange roses
pretty cake!
Mom with Erica and Olivia
Me
Mom is stunned!
Mom and Me!

September 28, 2008
It took 1 bus to O'Hare, 2 different planes (with running purely for sport in between) and 1 rental car, from Nashville, to make it to Mom's house in time for birthday cake! This is the first time I've ever been able to totally surprise my mom!

We talked on the phone on the evening of September 21st. Mom said that if I couldn't be home for her birthday, then all she wanted was a chocolate cake with white frosting from Food City. Well those of you who know me well know that I can cry at the drop of a hat...this was nearly a washout. I hung up sobbing and told John what she'd said. His response was "just go!". What a husband I have! I called my middle brother, Greg, who became by co conspirator - sworn to complete secrecy! He and Amy were in charge of the cake and getting everyone together at the preset time on the 28th! I went to work on Monday morning and asked for the next week off and after some pleading and begging they said yes!!! WooHoo!!! I had to get up at 4am on the 28th to get to the bus on time. Change planes in Detroit. And just for the record, I have traveled a bit and find Detroit Metro to be my least favorite airport. Thank God for frequent flier miles and the kind woman at Northwest that went above and beyond the call of duty to find me flights that would get me home in time!

I sent her roses, as I always do, so she wouldn't suspect a thing!

This could be a mastercard commercial:
Flight(s) to Nashville....FREE
Rental car....more than I'd care to share
The look on her face......PRICELESS!!!!!

The Big Surprise

2008-09-27T17:34:00.000-05:00

MORE ON THE SURPRISE NEXT WEEK!!!

update: Abby was not going for the car seat test drive - even with a cute pink sweater on and a bribe offering of an extra bacon treat

Remembering...9/11

2008-09-11T19:03:00.000-05:00

I am so thankful to be living in the greatest nation in the world!!!

18 Months of WAITING!!!

2008-09-08T21:19:00.000-05:00

This is my very favorite shade of BLUE and since I really have nothing positive to report on the "adoption rollercoaster" this was the best I could do! Who knows what tomorrow will bring...you never know!?

Happy Birthday John!!!

2008-08-07T18:23:00.001-05:00

A very Happy Birthday to my sweetie, John! We met on a blind date and still have such a great time together! Love you bunches honey!

The Car Seat!!!

2008-07-28T20:55:00.001-05:00

WooHoo! I got the car seat tonight on ebay!!! I love a bargin and waiting till the last moment to make the winning bid was awesome! I'll post pictures of Abby test driving it after it arrives! I am so excited!

How Much Longer?

2008-07-20T13:22:00.000-05:00

We have finally made it into the REVIEW ROOM!!! This is a big step toward traveling to bring Raegan home! We are both overjoyed and so ready to see pictures of our sweet baby girl! Abby's favorite new pastime is barking her big dog bark at the little peeps that turn their bikes around in our driveway...I don't think she likes uninvited little guests!

Birds...yuck!

2008-07-14T20:51:00.000-05:00

I am not a bird fan. Yesterday John, Abby and I were out in the garage foolin around with the motorcycle. I heard something outside so I stepped out to take a look. Much to my dismay, a little birdie landed on my....bottom!!!!!!! Oh my! Not my best moment. During this awkward event, I heard John laughing and that didn't help my fear. Little birdie was then helped off of me by my, still laughing hubby. Funny hubby that he is! I guess little birdie really enjoyed his perch and came back in for a landing!!! OH MY GOODNESS...get off my butt birdie! And for the record, the little birdie did not look like the fellow shown above. That picture was taken by my yahoo buddy, Fliss!

Bakersfield, California

2008-07-10T18:34:00.000-05:00

This is now the screensaver on my laptop! It was taken in Bakersfield, California by a dear friend of mine! I think this is the prettiest image I've seen in a while! Thank goodness it's almost Friday!!! WooHoo!

Fingerprint Update?

2008-06-24T16:22:00.000-05:00

Today was our appointment (8am) for updating our fingerprints. Does this step make good sense to anyone? It doesn't to us. Well I wasn't sure about the traffic from here to Naperville, soooooo we ended up being an hour early. At 7am there isn't much to do for entertainment. McDonald's for breakfast was about it!

Hats off to the ladies working at the USCIS field office in Naperville!!! The office was full at 8am when they opened and everyone we spoke with was extremely nice and helpful! Two of my fingers didn't want to have their picture taken so it took some extra work. Thankfully the government is giving us one free extension - yeah! Here's hoping that we have Raegan home before we need to do them again!

Dreading Work Tomorrow...

2008-06-22T20:58:00.000-05:00

After a week of vacation, the thought of working all day is killing me for sure!!!

Time....

2008-06-22T20:47:00.000-05:00

We are having a great time with Jay! He will be with us for one more week and I promise to do a post with tons of pictures and funny stories about what we've been up to!