The magic of ordinary days

You are for me.....

2011-01-19T05:15:00.000-08:00

Photo courtesy of photobucket.com

I have always loved Psalm 139. It truly encompasses all aspects of our relationship with God, how he sees us from day one in our mother's womb and continues to have his eye on us as we grow and whatever we go through in life.

Psalm 139, I guess you could say, I have always thought to be my life verse. If I were to write something down expressing how I feel towards God, mine would be very similar. Even as a teenager I remember this verse was highlighted in my bible, the whole thing. I couldn't pick my favorite part about it because the whole chapter was my favorite.

We all go through the hard times in life. Times where we really question whether God is for us or not. Times where life has knocked the wind right out of us. These times can either move us away from God, or set us running towards him.

The song "You Are for Me" speaks so deeply to my heart right now. I'm not going through some major time of questioning God, or even going through any major time in my life right now, but I know life is hard. Without God I'm not sure how anyone makes it through even the easy days of life. The easy days are the days when no one in your family is sick, when the job is going great, when all your friends and family are happy with you, when life can't seem to get much better.

Then, we have all experienced the times where trials stop you dead in your tracks. Those times where you feel like you have been hit without warning, knocked down and unable to get up.

Those Job times in life.

No, they're not fun. They hurt. You wish that you could fast forward through it to see how it'll end up later on. These are the times when you question whether God is really for you, really there in the midst of it all. He is..... He's there in the background, holding our hands and taking us through the trial and not removing us from it. We wish he would just totally remove us from them, but where would the depth in our relationship with him come from? Going through that trial no matter how long it is makes us rely soely on him and not our own abilities to get past it.

I love the part in the song that says "I know that you have come now even if to write upon my heart, to remind me of who you are". We all need those times to stop and remember that he is for us and not against us. To truly understand that nothing we have, are currently, or will face has come to us without going through God first. Those times of revelation where we at one moment come to the realization he gets it, completely and fully.

If I can give any encouragement to you if you are going through any sort of trial, big or small, cling to God. Instead of pushing him away and trying to figure it out all on your own or letting it make you bitter, give him all the broken peices and watch him make something beautiful of it. We so oftentimes choose to try to carry around our broken peices. The load is just too large so we keep picking up peices that we have dropped, trying to carry them through life.

I dare you.

Give them all to him. I can't guarantee it will be easy, but I can guarantee that his hands are big enough to carry it all. He is for us. He is able to take the ugliest parts of our lives and turn them into something more beautiful than we could have ever imagined.

Merry Christmas

2010-12-17T06:14:00.000-08:00

We hope you have a wonderful Christmas as we celebrate our Savior's birth!
Love,
The Tibbs Family

Thought on a Wednesday

2010-09-29T08:42:00.001-07:00

How sad it must be for those who hold on to grudges. They live their whole lives thinking someone owes them something, they always have a chip on their shoulder.Someone who is so full of bitterness and unforgiveness that they cannot see that the person or person they think are the problem are really not at all- they are. Make sure you are living your life not holding on to any grudges, ask for forgiveness when you are wrong and forgive others. Life is too short. We need to live our lives in view of eternity. If this was to be your last day on earth, what would you do differently?

20 months old!

2010-09-13T05:41:00.001-07:00

It's hard to believe that 20 months ago Garrett came into this world. I told his Daddy yesterday there were two things that I noticed right away when he was placed into my arms: he had teeny tiny bright red lips, and had my nose! We have seen him grow from a 5 lb 2 0z premie into a 27lb 20 month old! I am constantly amazed when I look at him and think how fast those 20 months went. Their first year really does fly by, and I'm sure it seems like it goes much quicker as they get older. I joke with Dave sometimes and say, "Before you know it he'll be going off to college!". He has changed so much, here are some of the things he does:

1) He LOVES to climb on the furniture, he uses his chair to boost himself up onto the couch.

2) He is starting to FINALLY (sigh) like fruits! Vegetables have never been a problem, but he has not liked fruits. If you can figure that one out, let me know. ;)

3) He recently has had all the rest of his baby teeth pop through at once. Before that, he only had eight....let's just say he's been the tiniest bit crabby...okay, VERY crabby. He has taken it like a champ though, that's a lot of teeth at once. ;(

4) He loves to go to Shelby Farms ( a park near our house) and pet the horses. He is NOT AT ALL afraid of them. They absolutely love him too...they stick their heads through the gate to take a look at this tiny person trying to pet them..and sometimes trying to get in their corral
Maybe we'll get him a horse someday when we have some land..

5) He also loves puppies and kittens. He loves saying their sounds and loves petting them. His fav. movie right now is Milo and Otis. He goes wild when we put it on for him.

6) He is in size 4 diaper and 18 month clothes. He is still in the 50th for weight and 30th for height. Because of this, I was able to buy ahead for all of his winter clothes. I love that he's a shortstack.

7)He is so loving, always giving us hugs and kisses. I'm betting that he will shower this baby with hugs and kisses..which I will watch slowly to make sure the hugs and kisses aren't overwhelming for the new baby!

8) He loves puzzles. We got him some 2+ ones and he loves putting the pieces where they belong. He also loves reading with Mommy and Daddy and also coloring pages of his coloring book (and eating the crayons...ha) He has recently discovered playdoh.

9) Lastly, he is a total ham! He loves for people to take notice of him in the store. He loves being the center of attention...

We can't believe he is 20 months already! His second birthday is right around the corner! We love you so much big boy!

How we get ready for bed...;)

2010-09-09T04:36:00.000-07:00

So incredibly blessed...

2010-09-01T12:02:00.000-07:00

My sweet boy managed to get a cold sometime last weekend and it's more congestion today..poor baby. It is amazing that even though my sweet boy feels so incredibly crummy he still manages to smile and laugh and run around like a wild banshee.

Mine happens to be allergies, but I have it so bad today it's worse to me than if I had a cold. I get these days every once in awhile where I sneeze about a million times...uggh...

I have also felt a little discouraged about having to stay at home this first trimester because of the difficult pregnancies I had in the past. I love to get out and do things, and feel bad that Garrett hasn't been able to get out as much as I want him to. It's been hard not being able to go anywhere except when Dave can go with me and lift Garrett in and our of the car,etc. I had a Subchorionic Hematoma with Garrett because of doing too much, and I am playing it really safe with this first trimester because of it. It won't be forever though, and it's well worth having to stay at home, right?

You know what I thought about though? I have no reason to be discouraged....

I am so blessed.....

Other than a little cold our little guy is healthy.

I am pregnant with a healthy little baby.

In May we moved into a brand new three bedroom two bath in a safe subdivision!

I have a wonderful husband who is studying to be a teacher and working full time to provide for us.

Because my husband is a Navy veteran (hence being in college at 28) the VA (veterans association) is paying for all of his schooling, plus they are giving us BAH (housing allowance each month) What a blessing!

Dave's job provides full medical, dental and vision coverage.

We have a God who loves us and cares about the little things as well as the big. He doesn't condemn us for our mistakes and shortcomings. Definitely something to be thankful for!

We have a great church that we love even though at this time we aren't able to be as involved as we want to be.

I live in a country where I can worship God without fear that I will be imprisoned or killed..(come on now! Definitely something so be thankful for!) ;)

The list goes on and on....

It's so incredibly easy to start thinking about the things you are frustrated about and forget all the incredible blessings in your life. I am so very guilty of doing this myself, but it really does something to your soul to remind yourself of all the blessings God has given you.

When you start feeling down about how your life isn't going exactly how you wanted it to (which we all do..so I'm not harping) Make a list about all the things you have to be thankful for...I can almost guarantee it'll change around your mood..it did for me. ;)

Here's a video of our sweet boy. Sorry for the poor quality and sideways shot (I forgot to flip it around!) It's too cute not to post, though.. Garrett had his groove on! ;) Excuse the mess too..we're all in the computer room and Garrett loves taking all the books off the shelves!

I know, I know!

2010-08-23T04:50:00.000-07:00

I have been bad at blogging, but I have a confession to make. Not that I am blogging for comments, but when you blog and hardly see them, you wonder what's the point, right? Yes, that's partly why.

We have been super busy this summer also, so that's another reason. Dave started summer school and Garrett and I have been busy weekly grocery shopping, going to the park, going to Target (ha) and still maintaining his home routine. He is the sweetest 19 month old boy. So many times out of the blue he'll come up to me and say "Mama!" and give me a kiss. Every month that passes by we see more and more of his little personality!

Also, in July I found out I am pregnant again! I am almost 9 weeks. For those of you who know me, this is a big deal because you know all the trouble I had during Garrett's pregnancy and heartache I had losing my first pregnancy in '07. I found out at around 3 weeks..so early I know, and I never thought you could find out that early, but apparently you can. I was sitting at the table with Garrett while he was having a snack and I had a fleeting thought to take a pregnancy test because I had thought I was last month and wasn't. I thought, "Okay, here we go, I'm not pregnant!" and then I saw a faint line come up. If I were you (any of you reading) I would not go to the Doctor this early, it's just a big stress. Their EDD (expected due date) was almost a week off for me and I knew it, because I am never a 28 day cycle. So, first Hcg number: 400, which they told me for 5 weeks was low. I was beside myself with worry, thinking it was a tubal pregnancy or chemical pregnancy and they didn't help.."Well, that number's pretty low.." Uh yeah, thanks... So, fast forward to the second hcG test 4 days later, the number turned out to be 3,170. Ok, we're going in the right direction! I went in for an ultrasound and I measured 5 weeks and 2 days (no baby at this stage, but everything looked good) Then at 6 weeks I had 3 days of spotting (so stressful) I went to my Doctor the day I started spotting and he said everything looked fine, and it was implantation spotting. I kept praying and asking God to take it away, and he did! Fast forward to Thursday (19th) I went in for another ultrasound and saw a baby with a heartbeat of 175. So happy and relieved! Please keep praying for God's peace. I have a hard time trusting God when it comes to pregnancies because of what I've experienced.

A friend of mine gave me Hebrews 11 "Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see" So true. As with anything, you have to trust. Otherwise, you're trying to do it all on your own (which I am guilty of trying to take the wheel, or at least try to put one hand on it!) This can apply to all of our lives in every situation we find ourselves in. Trust God even when you have no control over the outcome. Throw up your hands and run into the arms of one who holds it all! Not only will you have more peace, but the striving goes away when we realize we don't need to stress or try to figure it out, because God is the one who is leading!

O, Lord, may I believe in the darkness
When all hope has vanished
When waves beat with fury
And no star lights my sky.
May I believe without
Feeling or knowing or proving
Till one shining moment when
You shatter the darkness
And all I believed for
Is suddenly mine.- Ruth Harms Calkin

All settled...crazy few weeks!

2010-05-15T10:52:00.000-07:00

Garrett at the baby dedication with our good friends Eric and Cathy and their sweet boy Sam (who happens to be Garrett's best friend!)

Exhausted after getting a haircut

The new house furnished!!

Not quite done yet with the living room.

Dave made me promise not to put my kitchen island in the center! Oh well, there's much more space this way...

I'm buying curtains soon for this window in an ice blue color.
Not sure if you can see them, but I found these extra long runners (by the door) in a pretty black and tan scroll pattern at Kohls for $15 each! They are normally $80 a runner! Wow

Wow, what a crazy few weeks! We're all and and unpacked. We are really enjoying the extra space and Garrett loves his new room. You might have heard of the massive downpour/tornadoes we had down here on May 1st..yep, you guessed it, that was our moving date! We managed to get everything in without too much damage or scaped up stuff, although I'm still irritated that my 4 year old washer got a little scratched up...grr.

We have had a busy few days as well. Garrett got his first in salon haircut so Mommy could see how they cut it and then do it myself the next. He, of course, cried..lots of fun. The hairstylist wasn't too friendly, maybe she was hating life that she was the one available for a baby haircut..ha.Garrett has cut two more teeth on the bottom this week and has been such a cranky boy, for good reason. We have decided that since Garrett is almost 18 months old (already!?) and the fact that he hates his crib that it might be time for a toddler bed. We bought one yesterday and he loves it, although we will have to curb the jumping...oh dear.;) Garrett was dedicated at church along with some other babies, one of which was his best friend Sam. It was so cute to see a slideshow with all the babies.

We were going to go to Nashville for our 4 year anniversary, but since most of Nashville is under reconstruction due to the flooding after the big storms, we decided it would be more fun to spend our mini vacation around here and go do and see fun things around here. We're planning on taking Garrett to build a bear, out to eat, the Zoo,etc I'm looking forward to it!

It's hot here, 94 or higher all this week...would anyone like to trade temperatures??

T-minus 9 days!

2010-04-22T08:02:00.000-07:00

We are moving in 9 days..wow, this month has flown by! We are getting everything together and trying our best to pac k. It's hard to pack when you are only moving 5 minutes away!!

My sweet boy has a runny nose, I'm not sure if it's allergies or a cold, but I have HORRIBLE allergies, so he may be experiencing what I am. Either way, we have had some rough nights with him waking up at odd hours because his nose is stuffy (poor baby!)

I have such a kind and caring husband! He watched the baby for me while I got my hair 'did and grocery shopped,etc during that time which took 2 hours (yikes, but it looks great!) Too bad you gals don't live down here, partial highlights look fabulous and only cost $45!!! Wow. I'll post a pic soon.

I am so amazed when I see how awesome God is in providing for every need, big or small. It says that he knows even how many hairs we have on our head- every detail of our lives. I see his hand in directing us to move down here, and saw how he provided when we found out we were pregnant with Garrett and had no insurance. Recently, I am so thankful that he provided a nice house for us to live in, in a nice community and brand new! God really does care about the small, seemingly insignificant things, too, like being able to get my hair done for a good price (which is hard when funds are limited and you have a young family). My favorite verse (actually chapter, I guess you could say) is Psalm 139, how God searches us and knows us inside and out. We forget that at times, don't we? We can't fool the one who knows us better than we know ourselves. We also forget that he loves to give us good things, that he's not out to smash us or make us feel dumb or bad about how we are feeling or even (gasp) when we are acting like total brats. I thought of that the other day, how I LOVE to buy things for Garrett and feel good when I see how much he loves a toy we bought him or how cute he looks in an outfit I picked out for him. I got to thinking how God loves to shower us with good gifts too, how just like a parent loves to see us happy with something he blesses us with. He takes delight in it. Wow! I think oftentimes we forget how good he is and how much we have to be thankful for, I know I do.

Just a thought for the day...;)

Where the heart is........the new house!

2010-04-09T14:22:00.000-07:00

Front of the house (I erased the numbers..smart,eh?)

My boys in the living room

The floors are a swirled stained concrete to look like marble..so pretty! The only thing is, we purchased carpet, so you won't see most of it. I bought the prettiest cranberry shag rigs for the livingroom! So nice! Above the stove area is going to be a built in microwave..it gets mine off the counters and in storage!!

In the kitchen, to the right is the dining room area (near windows) I loved the recessed lighting.
I am putting these ice blue colored curtains (think more teal, I guess) with a patchwork rug that has blue, brown and tan in it..I love those colors right now!

From dining room area looking to kitchen. The hanging lights are going to be brought down, they have them chained so high.

So, as you can see, we did not move in yet, we do, however have permission to go whenever we want and check it out. It's going to look different once the appliances have been added,etc but this is what they have done so far. Three weeks until this place is ours! Now if I could just get packing....;) I didn't include pictures of the rooms yet because all you'd see is white wall..ha.More to come with moving mayhem!!!

Long overdue

2010-03-24T18:51:00.000-07:00

It has been a crazy few weeks. Things have finally started to get back to normal here...no sicknesses, no throwing up, no fevers or coughs, thank goodness! We are in the process of looking for a house to rent, and will be packing to move in a month or so..eek! No, not moving far, staying in Memphis, but moving to a house instead of an apartment home or another apartment. Like I said before, it's been frustrating sharing a wall that connects someone else's kitchen with your bedroom..especially when they like to cook up random concotions at 12 in the morning or later. We looked at a BRAND NEW ( I'm not gloating, I couldn't believe it either!) house that was just built. It was really pretty, one floor and it had granite countertops in the kitchen and was in a nice subdivision. The builder was asking a certain price but we told him we could give him two years rent, and we have been in talks..we'll see!

The weather is feeling more like spring. I actually wore a shortsleeved shirt today, imagine that. The weather was a balmy 70 degrees and gorgeous. Teeny tot enjoyed some sun with me. We sat outside for awhile and he played with sticks and ate some clovers (oops) I figured that instead of me grabbing them away I'd let him realize he didn't like them, it only took one or two! ;)

Tomorrow is our day for grocery shopping. Garrett loves to try to get people to talk to him at the store, he's such a ham. I'm making my friend Anna's recipe for Maple glazed Salmon with peppercorn tomorrow night b/c Dave has the night off..yay!

More later...Happy Spring everyone!!

Sickness Switcheroo

2010-03-09T19:58:00.001-08:00

As of late our family has done some sickness swapping. Garrett started vomiting at 2am on Friday and then continued vomiting throughout the entire day, nice. And then if that wasn't bad enough, he had other problems. Yeeah, that kind. So, we knew it had to be the F-L-U.

After an exhausting Friday, Saturday came, and baby was doing better- thank goodness! He was eating better, taking a bottle, eating food,etc. Then, it all started again! Uggh...

So, by this time, his schedule is completely off, way off. Dave had to work, so here I am with a sick baby watching Little People like it's going out of style and feeding him popsicles (pop-pops to him). So, my bright idea was that he wasn't eating it fast enough, so I helped him along without even thinking...yes, not smart, I know. It was one of those "I- forgot-he-was-sick-because- I'm-exausted" mistakes.

Fast forward to Sunday morning:

I woke up to give Garrett a bottle, Dave and I were talking about if I should go to church with the baby sick because of my class I didn't want to miss and just then, Garrett vomited up his whole bottle on Dave, me, the couch, and the rug. It was one of those surreal moments where you just sit there for a minute and think, did that really just happen to us?? It took me back to his acid reflux days- an entirely different story in itself, but I'm pretty sure my carpet still has faint spots where pools of formula sat...Umm..so back to the story. So I decided to not go and just to stay home, and started to feel queasy. Fast forward two hours and I have to lay flat or else I'll lose my lunch. I threw up so many times I can't even tell you. Uggh... Thankfully mine was 24 hrs. Garrett's was a continuing saga. I didn't know that kiddies can throw up one day, be fine the next, and then throw up the next day. You didn't either? Well, now you know. ;)

So, the last few days we have had him on a braty diet (bananas rice applesauce toast and yogurt) the yogurt we gave him was Yobaby, seriously the best yogurt with active cultures to cure the tummy troubles. He liked pedialyte for about a day, then started refusing it, so I had to get ingenious. This was seriously what I had to do: Turn on his beloved little people so he would have something to stare at, and then give him a lick of a popsicle and then a swig of pedialyte. Hey, it worked! And that's all that mattered to me... When he started getting smarter than that, we started telling him he could sip out of a big boy cup with (gasp) no lid!

And Dave, my poor, poor husband. THUS far has managed not to get it. Despite being puked on by Garrett and playing Mr. Mom to a sick boy on Sunday when I couldn't even stand up straight without losing the contents of my stomach. So, here's to hoping for a great SECOND half of the week. Hope yours is flu-free!! ;)

Popsicles and Pedialyte....and Cell Phones and Ciggies!!

2010-03-05T07:16:00.000-08:00

My sweet boy woke up three times this morning throwing up! I woke up to him crying at 2 am and he threw up the bottle he had drank before bed...cleaning up vomit at 2 am is what we Moms do through! Those of you who are pregnant or wanting to be this year, get ready! It comes with the territory...

Anyway, so Garrett has been acting otherwise normal, running around and getting into my cabinets, playing with toys,etc It takes a lot to bring a baby down. When we adults get a little cold, the whole world is going to end. To a baby though, their whole world ends if they don't get to play, who cares about being sick! So, for now, it's pedialyte, popsicles, and oyster crackers...what a lovely combination!

Hmm..what else is new? I found a christian hair dresser who is great at hair! Such a relief. I was going to someone who rushed when she did my highlights, and I always ended up feeling frustrated. God cares about even the smallest details of life! I am still working on waiting and trusting too. There have been some cute places that have popped up on this great property management's website, but we can't start looking until end of March, early April...uggh!

I just feel like if we don't, then we will get stuck here. I'm working on having a good attitude about our neighbors and their Grandson. They STILL cook and bang around in their kitchen late at night, and I'm pretty sure their Grandson is living with them now. He doesn't work, and he goes outside and smokes ciggies all day and talks on his cell phone. Who pays the cell phone bill and for his smoking habit?? Oh, I know, I know, none of my business! It's just that whenever I go out to the car to go anywhere with Garrett or Dave and I go somewhere he'll come out and want to talk.....no thank you, that's kinda weird if you see a young Mom with her baby and you want to chat it up. I just politely smile and get in my car......sigh....Be nice, Rachel, be nice!!!

It's been crazy...to say the least!

2010-02-27T18:37:00.000-08:00

So many things happening, where to start?

First, we are moving after out lease is up in June to another place around here. This is something we have been contemplating for awhile. Our utility bill is absolutely ridiculous for being 1100 sq feet, our neighbor's grandson sticks around their apartment talking on his cell phone and smoking ciggies all day, and (God love her) but our neighbor likes to cook in her kitchen at 12 or 1 in the morning...slightly annoying, especially if your bedroom is up against her kitchen...yeeah...I know!

Soooo, we now have the daunting task of finding a place, and have to give 60 days notice...uggh! It makes me so nervous giving a notice before we find a place, but if we don't, it'll be August before we move...no me gusta!

You know what I've discovered is something I struggle with? Trusting God. Now, I know I am the only one that struggles with this, so just listen to my story. (haha) In all seriousness, I know we all to some degree struggle with this. I guess I am the type to say "God, I trust you. Now let me figure this out..." when all I need to do is trust and let God do all the work. It's not that I think he is incapable of it, or that I can do a better job. I think I get to much ahead in the process of waiting and jump the gun and try to have everything all worked out in my mind, when all I need to do is let go! Yikes..that's a scary thought, isn't it? The unknown is so..unknown. Profound thought, I know! ;) I am so happy God takes me where I am at and helps me along, holding my hand and lovingly helping me to realize that I can trust when I cannot see what's ahead. My sweet, sweet husband is a constant reminder of this as well.

My sweet boy is growing and changing so fast! He can say "ball" which comes out more like "bowl". haha He loves puppies and lions, he can tell you what a lion says (rooar!) He know what a star is and will say it, and he lets you know when he's done eating "done!" although Mama thinks that teaching him that is backfiring, because he says it halfway through the meal. ;) Whenever he wakes up from his nap or sleeping we find him jumping in his bed.ha He also loves baths and loves to fall backwards while sitting up in the bath...so scary b/c I always think he's going to bump his head! yikes. He loves giving "huggies" and squeals in delight at the sight of "Dada" coming through the door from work or school. I'll catch him on video someday and post it, it's hilarious!

My friend Anna was talking the other day about friends and such on her blog, and I thought I'd add to the subject. IS it just me, or at times does it feel like no one really knows the real you? Ok, let me explain this... I am the new person at a church's women's group, and I can't seem to break out of this persona of being shy even though I am not at all! It's kinda frustrating, it feels like no one really takes the time to get to know you, the real you. I think at times we tend to stay in our own little groups and not venture out to new people...has anyone else ever felt this way?? I'm sure I'm not the only one.

Just some thoughts, this is pretty long,and I need to do a sinkful of dishes...sigh

Good night blog world...

All in the name of CUPCAKES!

2010-02-23T13:02:00.000-08:00

Guess what little beauty of a place I found?

This little beauty of a place! A gem, a diamond in the rough!!! Ya'll should be so jealous! It's simply heavenly...It's all made from organic milk and free range chicken eggs and so so cheap! And NO, I don't care if it's not the best for me, because I'm gonna live my life and eat a cupcake or two in the process!! ;)
http://www.muddysbakeshop.com/

Happy Valentine's Day!

2010-02-14T07:20:00.000-08:00

http://www.buildabear.com/ "Brown Sugar Puppy"

Happy Valentine's Day!!

My boys and I are going to enjoy a quiet V-day in. Garrett is teething again..sheesh! He is quite cranky...oh the joys of parenthood. ;)

We took him to Build a Bear yesterday and he picked out a puppy named "Sugar". He loves his sugar puppy and hugs and kisses on him...;) Sugar puppy is wearing one of his premie outfits and it fits! I can't believe my boy was THAT tiny!

Dave gave me miniature red tulips and some chocolate candies, and we're having a picnic Valentine's dinner tonight and watching a girly movie...yay!

XOXO

Before I was a Mom...

2010-02-11T20:03:00.000-08:00

Before I was a Mom,

I never tripped over toys

or forgot words to a lullaby.

I didn't worry whether or not

my plants were poisonous.
I never thought about immunizations.

Before I was a Mom

I had never been puked on

Pooped on.

Chewed on.

Peed on.

I had complete control of my mind

and my thoughts.

I slept all night.

Before I was a Mom

I never held down a screaming child

so doctors could do tests.

Or give shots.

I never looked into teary eyes and cried.

I never got gloriously happy over a simple grin.

I never sat up late hours at night

watching a baby sleep.

Before I was a Mom

I never held a sleeping baby just because

I didn't want to put him down.

I never felt my heart break into a million pieces

when I couldn't stop the hurt.

I never knew something so small

could affect my life so much.

I never knew I could love someone so much.

Before I was a Mom

I didn't know the feeling of

having my heart outside my body.

I didn't know how special it could feel

to feed a hungry baby.

I didn't know that bond

between a mother and her child.

I didn't know that something so small

could make me feel so important and happy.

Before I was a Mom,

I had never gotten up in the middle of the night

every 10 minutes to make sure all was okay.

I had never known the warmth,

the joy,

the ache,

the heartache,

the wonderment

or satisfaction of being a Mom.

I didn't know I was capable of feeling so much,

Before I was a Mom...

-Author unknown

SNOW DAY AGAIN!!!

2010-02-06T19:36:00.001-08:00

"Ma, what is this stuff?"

Mama and her baby boy *Notice the camera case in the snow, oops!

Getting his first taste of snow, not liking it too much!

Isn't this man such a hottie? ;)

Ok, ok, here's a confession..I am terrible in keeping up with this blog. Um yeah, not too hard to realize that when you see the large gaps in between posts. I do have, however an excuse for my absence.I had bronchitis with a fever for 3 days straight, then the days that followed consisted of more coughing like a smoker..THEN a week later..my sweet husband Dave got sick! Craziness. I was so afraid I was going to give Garrett bronchitis, which, thankfully, I didn't, and then Dave started feeling feverish and nauseous. We had a few days of reprieve from me being sick before he got a bug. I went into germiphobe mode and wouldn't let him near the baby for fear he'd pass something off on him. Thankfully, it seemed to be only a 24 hr bug, and after some cleaning door knobs and bathroom with alcohol..I felt better. (umm yeah, can you tell I googled how to keep a flu bug from spreading?)

We had an ice storm here last Sunday, which thankfully didn't knock out power, but sure made all of us Southerners (I can say that now that I've been here for 2 years! ha) run to the store for fear that a blizzard was a'comin, er...maybe not even an inch on the ground and some black ice, but you would've thought it was a blizzard!! Our church didn't have a service, which I was bummed about since I had missed last week as well. Our women's class is doing a Beth Moore study..really good. I am also in a mid-week bible study called "Me, Myself, and Lies" by Jennifer Rothschild, which is so good and so eye-opening! It's all about the lies we tell ourselves and how our thinking has to change in order for us to stop believing these lies the enemy put in our heads. Wow. Enlightening, really.

I am so ready for winter to be over, and here it starts getting warm in April, so not much longer. I'm already thinking of summer sandals I want and getting out my summer clothes. SIGH

We have more snow on the ground as of this morning...Garrett woke me up at 7 sharp (sigh) and I went to go change his diaper and get him some milk, and Dave was still home! Dave is usually gone on Mondays for the whole day, so I was pleasantly surprised to see him. I asked him why he was still home, and he told me to look out the window...white snow was coming down and had already covered the ground. You would've thought it was 10 inches with how the news was acting like this was quite a big development..hahaha. Well, here's to another snow day, we're taking the baby out to play in the snow after his morning nap! Here's a video of my boy dancing to Little People. He LOVES to dance, and loves this one song they sing about saying thank you. I caught him one time because it was so cute, and he does this all the time to this particular song. You'll hear my laughing in the background, it's just too cute! * Remember to pause the music player at the bottom of the blog!

My sweetie

2010-01-31T10:13:00.000-08:00

Here's my boy a year ago! I can't believe how much he's grown up since then! What a cutie. Where does the time go??

Where did this last year go?

2010-01-15T08:37:00.001-08:00

I know some of you have discovered this too...

One day you have a sweet, helpless little baby, and you turn around to discover your baby is a toddler and is walking, sitting in his chair watching his Little People dvd's, and looking more and more like a boy. Bittersweet.

I don't think I'm ready for this....

He has five teeth now, F-I-V-E. Yikes.

No more bottles, his pediatrician says to get rid of the passies (fat chance! ha)

He looks too big with a sippy!

He doesn't want me to feed him anymore!

I still see glimpses of that little baby I brought home from the hospital, but this little man is emerging...

SIGH

Andrea on the biggest loser

2010-01-13T07:34:00.001-08:00

Here it is! Andrea went to a small christian college with me and was in my class. She's on the biggest loser with her Dad. Way to go Drea!!!

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One year ago today...

2010-01-09T12:20:00.001-08:00

My precious boy,

It's hard to believe one year ago today you came into our lives, weighing barely over 5 pounds. You came early, four weeks early to be exact. You came with out the need for NICU, you were healthy and strong.

We first of all didn't know if we'd see your first birthday. When I was 6 weeks pregnant with you, I was bleeding. We went to the Doctor and was told the sac was tearing away from the uterus. I was put on bed rest. Our faith in God was put to the test as Mommy waited, cried, and prayed for you. You were our little fighter even from the beginning.

You were born at 36 weeks 1 day. Your little hands were so tiny, little features so small. When they put you in my arms you didn't cry, you just stared at me as I talked to you. Your lips were teeny and red...so was your hair! Red as can be and you had lots of it. You looked like a tiny doll, so delicate, but Mommy knew you were strong, she felt your strong kicks when you were in her tummy! We felt like we were dressing a doll when we had to buy all premie clothes. We didn't have any premie clothes at the hospital, so your newborn clothes swallowed you up!

It was hard feeding you, you'd have a knack for falling asleep at the eact time you had to eat, so we knew full well the tricks of waking up a premie to eat! Daddy had to feed you with an eyedropper the first few nights home, and you'd suck the end of his pinkie. Oh my, how tiny you were! You were so tiny your pack n' play was too big for you, so you spent the first few months sleeping on us on the couch.

You grew quickly into a chubby boy. We loved your "chicky" legs and your triple chin. You loved to eat, but in true premie fashion had acid reflux, so some meals didn't stay down. You hated tummy time for awhile. You'd cry until we picked you up. You loved to smile, the first time you smiled at me was at your two month appt at the Doctor.

You love to laugh, the first time you laughed at us was when Daddy and I were talking and Daddy was talking and tossing something in the air, you thought that was the most hilarious thing! You are quite the ham, you smile at any and everyone you see, although you are getting kind of shy with people you don't know. You smile from a distance, I guess. ;

You are feisty! Daddy and I are just beginning to get a peak at your little personality. We know you are a go-getter, and with love and discipline are going to turn that around into someone who is passionate for God and will go after him with all that you have. We love the little man you are and who you are becoming. Each day is priceless and precious. We love seeing you do new things, each day we wake up wondering what you'll do next. We are so grateful to God for letting you live and giving us such a precious boy. We love you so much, Happy 1st Birthday Teenie!

Love,

Daddy and Mama

3 days until he's 1!

2010-01-06T11:55:00.000-08:00

I can't believe my sweet boy will turn 1 soon! This time last year I was thinking I still had a month, but for some odd reason I accomplished a lot in the week before he was born. God only knew! I actually packed my bag, got rid of my dog (the smartest thing we did) and bought a Medela system (so worth the money,by the way!)

About this time last year I started noticing I had what I thought to be Braxton Hicks contractions...ha! I was in actual labor and didn't realize! Dave started getting nervous when I told him I wasn't sure what I was feeling, and packed the bags and had them ready to go. I called my Doctor, and he told me "No, you're not in labor"...ahem, guess who was right? ;) We watched "Walk the Line" and I was feeling weird pains throughout the entire movie. Little did I know a sweet boy was about to make his entrance...

Birthday post to Garrett coming soon!

6 days and counting...

2009-12-19T08:12:00.000-08:00

It's hard to believe Christmas is this close! I have all my shopping done, I just need to wrap some more gifts and make some Christmas cookies. yum!

It'll be another Tennessee Christmas, since Connecticut is just too far to travel and with Garrett's birthday being just two weeks after Christmas, Grammy and Poppy (my parents) will be coming up for that. Garrett is rolling in the prsents, I mean, ROLLING in them! I had to think of hard of what he didn't have so I could buy him his birthday gifts...he has everything a little boy could ask for and then some. He is so spoiled by his Grandparents and Great Grandparents on both sides!

I am planning my Christmas dinner menu and breakfast menu. I am makin' an old southern classic for breakfast, sausage biscuits..yum! I am still not sure what I will do for the actual Christmas meal...I need ideas! I am browsing my cookbooks and Good Housekeeping mags.

It's so hard to know what to get an almost one year old in their stocking...I googled (yes I do that quite often!) what people have gotten their oner year olds, and I bought paci's, sippy cups, woody and buzz lightyear tee shirt, some little people toys (so cute!),baby fork and spoon set, a bowl,etc...real cute and inexpensive.

Daddy and Garrett are shopping right now, so I am enjoying some free time and sipping coffee...

Have a great weekend!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...everywhere you go

2009-12-13T06:51:00.000-08:00

Wow, we're getting down to the wire! I have a confession to make...

I haven't mailed off my packages yet.

I know, I know! It's bad. I still have to wrap the gifts today and then run them over to the post office tomorrow. It's just been hectic with a baby even going out to get Christmas gifts. It may seem simple, but if you are trying to go inbetween nap times and feedings, it can be difficult! Can anyone else attest to that? It's rough!

I surprised myself at my ability to get out my Christmas cards on time. I got them out before the Christmas rush..I didn't even think about the fact that there was a mail delay leading up to Christmas, I just googled Christmas card ettiquette for sending them out. (Yes, I google just about everything..but that's a different story!)

I still need to get cracking on christmas cookies. I held off because it's always so tempting to eat a million cookies when you start baking, and that's where I got into trouble last year. Now, mind you, I am 125 currently, and normally. The thing is, this time last year I was pregnant with Garrett. I made cookies and pies and cakes (nesting instincts, I suppose) but I gained 7 or 8 pounds in one month (You are only supposed to gain 4 in a month..supposedly). My OB Doctor, being a man and choosing his words very tactfully said "You better watch it!". Gee, thanks Doc..I already felt like an inflated balloon!

What else did I need to do???

Oh yeah, actually put up the Christmas tree..which is something I have to remind Dave of. I think we are delaying not only because of his work schedule, but because we have a teeny boy who will probably just rip ornaments off the tree. Maybe a tabletop tree would be best next year, we'll see.

We gave Garrett one of his gifts early. It's a little push and ride racer, so incredibly cute and so needed for his stage og almost walking. He loves it. We probably should've waited to give it to him until Christmas, but we couldn't! We are the type of people who always have told each other what we got for the other before Christmas even came. Bad, I know...

Here comes the Christmas busyness..this week is pretty full and then, of course, so is next week!

I'm dreaming of a white Christmas...

2009-12-04T07:46:00.000-08:00

Wow, I can't believe that we're almost into the second week in December! It's been chilly here..45 degrees! (I know some of you are saying, "That's nothing!") Yes, I realize that, but to me, that's cold!

No, we haven't trimmed our tree yet, we're usually late at putting that up because of work schedules and what not, but I am faithfully writing out my Christmas cards and have even played a Christmas CD or two. Now, some of you may enjoy sending out Christmas cards and writing them, but I do NOT. haha. To me, I don't want to just say "Merry Christmas", so it takes me a looong time because I personalize every one! sigh... It's just not in my nature to be surface-y with my Christmas cards. I applaud those of you who can!

This will be Garrett's first Christmas! I know it'll be fun keeping him from pulling all the ornaments off the tree and unwrapping all the presents....the joys of an 11 month old! We are so blessed by this sweet little man though. He is getting so big! he has exactly three teeth, and I know this not just from seeing them, but feeling them on my arm, or hand, or shoulder...he bites!! Garrett will be one almost two weeks to the day after Christmas!

Oh how this year went flying by, and what a joy he has brought to our lives. It is the hardest job and one that brings so much happiness. I cherish every day with this sweet boy. He is such a gift from God.