Hapy Birthday Autumn!

Today is Autumn's 9th Birthday! It's hard to believe it was 9 years ago that she was born! She is growing up so fast. She had a good day :) She opened her presents, had breakfast, went to church, we went to Logan's and ate and rode skooters. I think her favorite gift was a password journal! She and Breanna did some painting with some paint pens that Breanna gave her. Last Monday we had a party at Jacy's - it was a party for Mykenzie and for Autumn since their Birthdays are a week apart. They had a blast swimming, playing with water baloons, playing in the bouncer and eating ice cream sundaes! Here are some pictures:)

I remember

One year ago today was one of the most surreal days I've ever known. I was headed to Ellen's to take her some boxes for their upcoming move, and Chandra called. Someone had called to say that Jenna probably wouldn't answer if we called, she was groggy from meds. We talked about possibly watching the kids so Janna could go check on her. And wondering if we could go later to see her. I dropped off the boxes with Ellen, and then Chandra called while I was still in the parking lot and said that things were not good, and could I meet her over at Jenna's to watch the kids while she drove Janna to the hospital. I remember just feeling fear, and dread. I just remember telling Ellen to pray for Jenna, and I headed to Jenna's.

I remember the look on Janna's face when we got there and asking her "What do you know" I was afraid she'd gotten a call that Jenna was already gone, but she hadn't. Just that the family needed to get there.

I remember that waiting was hard, trying to keep my emotions from the kids. They were all just happy to play together. I talked to a friend who suggested I get the kids together to pray for Jenna. I didn't think I could handle that emotionally but she said "they will always remember, no matter how things turn out that they prayed for their Mom with their friends", so we did.

I remember the phone ringing and the caller ID saying Vanderbuilt. I remember Janna saying "She's gone". I remember saying "Oh Jesus" and just thinking "it can't be" but it was true.

I remember trying to stay sane in front of the kids and trying to not let them know anything was wrong. I called my Mom and she kept me going until Chandra pulled up. She was on the phone and I waited for a few minutes, had Autumn keep an eye on the kids and I went out to try to get a feel for who Chandra was talking to. It was Jacy. I asked if she had heard from Janna since she left (trying to figure out if she knew or not) and she said no. All I could come out with was the same thing that Janna had said "She's gone" We just all cried together, A group hug - two friends together and one on the phone.

I remember wondering how we would hold it together for the kids. I remember looking into their eyes, knowing what I knew and not crying.

I remember the look in Janna's eyes when she and Mark came in. I remember the disappointment from the kids not getting to share Happpy Meals with their friends, and knowing that the disappointment of their life was about to be revealed to them.

I remember driving home and fielding questions from Autumn who knew something was up.

I remember tears and questions and weak attempts at answers.

I remember not believing that Jenna was gone.

Here we are a year later. It seems like yesterday and it seems like years ago.

Tonight we will meet at one of Jenna's favorite restaurants La Siesta to celebrate her life and remember her death and I'm sure, talk about her influence on all of our lives.

We Love and miss you Jenna!

Blog Slacker

I wanted to do a small update of events since March was the last time I posted anything prior to this week. The kids had a great school year and were sad the school year was over. Well, all except for Rand, he was perfectly happy that it was over! So 4th grade is next for Autumn, 2nd for Breanna and 4yr pre-school for Rand!

Rand is now 4 years old as of June 1st!! What a big man and where has the time gone?

My Dad has been gone 3 years now and that's hard to believe too. We miss you Daddy!

I had already posted that Breanna turned 7 onJanuary 13th but never actually posted a picture, so at the bottom of this post I will add some pictures from the last few months or so.

Another family graduation, my neice Sarah graduated from High School, congratulations Sarah!

And now that the cat is officially out of the bag on her blog, my friend Chandra is pregnant!! Congratulations Harrison Family!!

Vacation Bible School is starting Monday and the girls are excited about it. Rand didn't want to go and I didn't force it.

Dan and I recently celebrated his Birthday and our 19th Wedding Anniversary! Speaking of time going by!!!

This picture of me and Dan wasn't actually taken on May 25th, it was taken in April at a friend's wedding reception but I thought it was fitting to post as an Anniversary picture!:



Rand poses by his school stuff on his last day of 3 year old pre-school:





Autumn, Breanna and Autumn's friend Courtney on the last day of school!:



Breanna's 7th Birthday in January:



Rand turns 4!:

Happy Birthday Jenna!

Happy Birthday Jenna! We are missing you. Today Chandra and Jacy and I and our kiddos went to lunch at Toots in your honor. Chandra ordered some fried pickles especially for you. I don't like them but I ate some for you! I just wanted you to know that you are in our hearts and minds and we'll always think of you.

I don't have a Birthday picture of you from last year so I will post one from 2006. Miss and love you!

Precious Prayers

Ashlee and Kaitlin spent the day with us today. We had a good day of fun with Chandra, Ryan and Makenna. We went to McDonald's for lunch where it was entirely too chaotic!

It's funny how your impressions change with the growth of your children. When mine were very young, anyone bigger than them was just too big to be in the play tubes. Now than mine are bigger, I'm sure other parents think mine are too big but I look at the ones that are a foot taller than mine and think "they are too big to be in there"!!! Meanwhile, mine are a foot taller than some in there. Oh well. It will be a sad day when they are too old for it!

We went to the Library park and they played their hearts out and then we came back to our house and they played even more.

Tonight, they watched a movie after dinner and got ready for bed.

We have a nightly routine of songs and prayers and a poem and when Ashlee and Kaitlin are here, they jump right in and take part. Tonight Ashlee's message to God was "I Love You, Please take good care of my Mommy". Kaitlin's message was "I Love You, Please take good care of my Mommy and help her not to die again". I told Kaity that you can't die in heaven and that her Mommy wouldn't die again".

Nothing can rip your heart out quite like a precious prayer of a child for the Mommy that they miss who is in Heaven. This got Ashlee and Kaitlin remembering things about the day Jenna died and about the funeral. They amaze me in that they were fine when talking and I was fighting back the tears.

Then Autumn and Breanna started missing Paw Paw (my Dad) and we talked about him for a while and how he used to play with them. I must not have been paying much attention to Rand because he touched my face and pointed to his face and he had a big sad face. I asked if he was sad too and he nodded.

I'm counting my blessings tonight. My brother in law Maurice just recently found out he had some issues with his heart and had a procedure done today for a blockage in an artery. I'm grateful that he did well and is doing well. I think about Jenna and how I miss her and all who knew and loved her miss her, I think about my kids and my husband and my family and I read Jacy's blog before posting tonight and she had a beautiful post about John 3:16 which got me thinking and so I'll finish my post by saying:

Thank you God for all of the many blessings you have given me. Family, friends, and for your One and only Son who you freely gave to live on earth and die on the cross for and becuase of my sins.

My big man!

Rand has been really anti going to any classroom whatsoever since Christmas break was over. He doesn't want to go to Sunday School, Pre-School or the playroom at the Y. He screamed his brains out the first time I tried to get him to go the the one at the Y so I didn't push it. Later, he went in but only if Breanna went.

Two months went by and he started wanting to go in there but it was at times where we either didn't have time or the playroom was closed. Finally, yesterday we went there to swim and he wanted to play and it was opened so he went straight in, didn't look back, no tears, no fussing, awesome!!!!!!! The girls went to their play area so I got to walk!!!!!!! I loved it!!!!!!

Then this morning, he actually said "I want to go to school"!!!!!!!!! He however changed his mind once we got there but didn't put up too big a fuss.

He's been to Sunday School a couple of times in the last month too! He did put up a big stinking fuss the first time but was having a blast when I came back to pick him up, and then this past Sunday, we were walking up to the church and he said "I want to go to Miss Cori and Miss Margie's room (pre-school room). I think the "I DON'T WANT TO GO TO SCHOOL" days are soon to be behind us!

Midnight Concert!?!

This morning around 12:50am to be exact, I slowly awakened to the not so faint sounds of music! My first thought was that Dan had left the video game/tv on downstairs but then realized it was quiet when I went to sleep.

My second thought was that it was later than it actually was and that the girls were up before me and decided to turn on the tv. I sat up and looked at the clock and realized that couldn't be the case!

My next thought was that the people who live right behind us were having a wild party and then I realized we don't have anyone living right behind us! lol

I finally recognized one of the songs as either from my i-pod or the radio so I went downstairs to find out what was going on before it woke everyone else up!

I get to the kitchen to find my radio on at level 20!!!!!!!! Somehow the alarm function had been turned on and set to 12:20 am and it took about 30 minutes to wake me up!!!

Now I'm not one to place blame, but the girls denied it, Rand can't reach it and Dan wouldn't do it because when I called to tell him about it, he said the same thing happened to him the night before and he'd had a similar thought process as to what it was. "He went downstairs to tell the neighbors to turn the music down and found the radio blaring"!! lol Why he failed to mention it to me yesterday I don't know!

Ok so here comes the blame. I know it sounds crazy, but Jenna swore to me that if she died before me, if there was any way possible, she would find a way to "come back and haunt my a**!

I've had at least one other issue with an electronic device that was a little spooky and at least one issue that didn't involve electronics and so I would like to say, "Jenna, if it is you, GOOD JOB!!!!!"

It's Snowing!

Not very much but enough to be pretty!!!! The kids are so excited - well truthfully I am too!! Autumn said "If it keeps up like this, in about 30 minutes we'll have 2 or 3 feet!! lol

I need to go get my camera so I can document it!

?????????

I've been absent from the blog world and a lot has been going on. I think I will only post the highlights and leave out the lowlights!

We had a great Christmas, just spent the day at home and the kids had a blast opening presents and we adults had a pretty good time opening presents too! The kids and I went down to Alabama the day after, and Dan went to Florida on business. We had a great visit with our family.

Breanna turned 7 years old January 13th! It's hard to believe she's 7 already! She is so grown in so many ways and still such a little girl too. I still remember the day she was born. I was so proud to have her in my arms! She was so big too, I was shocked! She was 9lbs. 11oz and 23-1/2 inches long! She is taller than Autumn now much to Autumn's dismay, but whenever she mentions it, Autumn comes back with "Well I'm older"

I love my kids, I love my husband, I love my family and I love my friends and I'm so grateful to be so blessed. I'm making resolutions to focus on the positive, not the negative, to get in shape (We joined the YMCA)!!! And to have "Quiet Time" with God daily. I want to be in an ongoing small group/devotional with other ladies, and basically trust that God is in control and say goodbye to anxiety.

Thanks to you guys who keep coming back to see if I have posted and my apologies for waiting so long to do so! I debated long and hard weather or not to post the negatives that have been going on and finally decided not to.

And once again, I plan to update more often...................................

A Great Night!

Thanks again to those who sponsored me in the Light The Night Walk. It was really a night to remember. So many people gathered together to support one cause remembering and celebrating so many people - people who have gone on and people who are still here fighting the fight, or who are in remission.

I had a few small reservations that it might be too sad at times. It was really emotional for me at a few points but the fun and celebration outweighed any sadness.

It was especially awesome to have Jenna's Mom Janna there to celebrate and walk with us. The spirit of Jenna was definitely with her Mom that night. It was good to belly laugh and dance a little and to feel Jenna's presence.

It was also wonderful to be with so many friends. New friends, old friends, friends I hadn't seen in a while. It was really a feeling of community.

I look forward to walking again next year!!!

Thanks again to the following for sponsoring me in the walk!!!

Chandra and Wayne Harrison, Jacy and Travis Bolin, The Bourque Family, Tamra Thorne, Kay Richardson

Light The Night For Jenna!

October 18th is Nashville's Light the Night walk to support the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Last year we had thought about walking but decided our focus would be better spent directly on Jenna and her family.

This year we had planned to walk together, with Jenna. Since Jenna has been called home, we will be walking with her in spirit only. I know she will be proud and pleased to look down on the lights carried by her friends, and I'm sure we'll feel her presence there.

I have put up a link on the top right (Just above the Light the Night symbol) that you can click on that will take you to the site where you can sponsor me in this walk!!

Now don't pass out!

Ok y'all, I've suddenly gone into posting madness. I've actually posted 4 things now in just a couple of days!

Does this make up for the huge lack of posting?

Let's hope so!!

Dreams of Jenna

I've now had 4 dreams about Jenna that I can recall.

The first three were shortly after she passed away and the 4th was just last night.

The first dream was that Jenna and I were at a playgroup and the husband of one of the other Moms had died. Jenna was crying and saying "It just isn't fair, how can it be? I can't believe it! He was so young!"

I know that was a strange dream, but I guess in some ways my brain was trying to process what had happened to Jenna through the way I thought she would handle it if someone died. I'm just grasping at straws here, It was strange.

The second dream was that I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt that Jenna was going to die, and we were together just having a normal conversation and in the back of my mind I was trying to decide whether I should tell her that she was not going to be here much longer. I woke up before I made the decision.

The third dream was one of the most intense. I was in the hospital and had had some sort of transplant from Jenna. I was brushing my hair and glanced down and noticed that the lower portion of my hair looked like diseased blood veins, that's the only way I can think of to describe it, but it was definitely gross and really disturbing. I remember thinking, "It didn't work, she will be devastated. How will I tell her?

So right about then, the door to the room opens and she and Mark and the kids come in. Ashlee and Kaitlin jump up on the bed and Jenna sits down about the middle of the bed and Mark sits on her. She looked at him like "I don't think so" and they laughed and he scooted over. She leaned in close to me and said "Sometime in the next few minutes we really need to talk". and I said "ok" I was thinking I could tell her then that it didn't work.

About that time I woke up, and it hit me that in the dream, I was dying, not Jenna and that was what she wanted to tell me.

Last night I dreamed that Jenna and I were at the grocery store picking up a few things, and again, I had the knowledge that she was about to die, but in this dream, she also had that knowledge.

When we were checking out, I started crying almost uncontrollably. In the dream, I was thinking of how I had lost a dear friend "DeWayne". We had known each other since about 12 years of age and were inseparable for about 5 years, and then visited each other often until the age of 30 when he passed away. I just couldn't imagine what it would be like to lose Jenna, and just couldn't hold back the tears. For some reason, we had to leave the line and go get a grocery buggy (or cart) as Jenna called it, to put the groceries in, and we sat down and I was still crying and right before I woke up, I could hear that she was crying too.

All of these dreams are strange to me, but I think they are all versions of my mind trying to process what has happened.

Oh no she didn't!

This evening around 5:30 I decided that the 1st dentist I took Rand to yesterday morning was probably not going to call to check on him. The second dentist that I tok him to yesterday called to check on him about the same time yesterday.

I called the office of the first dentist and cancelled my upcoming appointment for a cleaning and said that I didn't want to re-schedule and wouldn't be back. I was going to leave it at that as I don't enjoy confrontation and thought that would be that.

Tonight around 8:20 I got a call from this dentist saying that she had received my message and wanted to know if there was a problem. I said "Yes, when we left your office yesterday I felt sick and really just don't want to go back". I know I could have said a lot more than that but didn't want to get into it.

Well she must not have remembered me because she asked when we were there or some question that let me know she didn't know. I told her I had brought my 3 year old in there and that we had left with a hole in his tooth, I had taken him to a Pediatric Dentist who said that the nerve was exposed and there was still decay inside the tooth.

She then asked who this Dentist was and I told her and she said "Oh that's stanard procedure for him. She then asked if I was telling her that "They did a root canal on that baby". I said they did a nerve procedure and capped his tooth.

Then she said "Well you need to check the boards on him. I'm sorry it happened and I'm sorry you went to him". Thanked me for calling and said "Just check the boards" and goodbye basically.

I'm still stunned. Where does she even find the gaul? So of course now I'm wondering which one is telling the truth? I really don't "know" either one of them and how do you "check the boards" on someone? I think that when I call whoever the heck you call to make a complaint, I will hopefully find out who is right.

Not your average ordinary cavity!!

I've known for a while (hiding head in shame) that Rand has a cavity. I could see it in one of his molars. I just couldn't bring myself to bring him to the dentist until last week.

He didn't want any part of it until I told him we'd go see Kaylee afterwards and he happily went back and had his teeth cleaned with that promise!

Today we went back for the filling and he happily went back once again with the promise of seeing Kaylee afterwards!

They started and he was looking nervous and I started telling him what they were doing (trying to get him relaxed) and he was doing well but when they got done with the drilling and put the bonding agent on and stuck the light in there, he started crying and didn't want any part of it anymore.

I picked him up and asked him if I held his hand would he let them finish. They had just said they were almost done right before he started crying. They then told me they would not continue since he had gotten upset.

I had to walk out of there with him having a hole in his tooth. I asked "What do I do if nobody can see him today"? They said get him in as soon as you can. I walked out in disbelief.

They had told me last week that they would try it but if he got upset they would send him to a Pediatric Dentist. I had pictured that if he were to get upset, it would be at the start, not after the drilling and was just in shock that they would let us leave after the drilling.

I came home and checked to see what doctors were on our insurance and a name caught my eye that a candle customer of mine had told me about just this morning and told of how great he is with her kids.

Dan had also done some contract labor on a kiddie ride for him and had said he seemed really nice and that his office looked like a lot of fun.

I called and they got us right in. They wanted to sedate him which was nerve wracking for me but the weighed him and took his blood pressure, measured his blood/oxygen level and assured me they would give him a low dose and especially since he has some congestion.

He didn't want to drink it so they took him back to a different area while I waited and he drank it and got a toy much to his delight.

It took it about 30 minutes to kick in and they let him play in the waiting room that is actually a kids dream come true! Pinball machine, video games, mechanical rides, big screen tv's one on Disney channel, one on Nick Jr.! Legos, all sorts of things! The only thing I didn't notice were books! hmmmmmm

In about 30 minutes they came and took him back without me much to my dismay but they promised that most kids do better without Mom around. They had a tv in the ceiling so that while they were working on him, he could watch Nick Jr.!!

They came to me with an update that they were not going to be able to fill it, it was too deep and that would cap it. It turns out it was a good thing the other Dentist didn't fill it because there was still decay in there! And the nerve was exposed!Also if she had tried to fill it, it wouldn't have lasted long. So they capped it.

I have to say too, Thank you God for not letting the first Dentist touch that nerve that was exposed. And for helping me to not let him have anything to eat or drink!

I was really excited and relieved when the door opened a few minutes later and she came back in to me carrying Rand. He looked like a happy camper and I was a happy camper.

They instructed me to go get an antibiotic Rx filled to try to keep any infection away and to get him some ice cream and gave him a certificate for a free one at Chick Fil A but not to let him eat anything but the ice cream in the next two hours because he might chew the inside of his mouth since it was numb.

We went and got the ice cream and I thought he would be too busy eating the ice cream to notice that I had fries but anyone who really knows Rand knows he misses no fries. What was I thinking? He just started snatching them so I broke them into little pieces he could suck on and quickly packed up and left after getting him a drink, I had forgotten they said he could drink stuff right away!

He fell asleep on the way home and woke up when I carried him into the Pharmacy to get his meds.

He was really excited to show off his new SILVER tooth. Thank goodness it's in the back!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I'm awfully proud of my big man!!!!!!

Now That Winter's Here..........

Ok so obviously winter isn't REALLY here, it was 100 degrees or higher for about two weeks or more, and is still in the upper 90's!!! but year before last (I believe) Jenna was getting in the spirit of the holidays a little early. School had just started back, and she was wanting to put out some fall decorations, and she probably meant to say Fall but said "Now that Winter's here" by accident, and it was a mistake I'm sure she regretted. We wouldn't let her forget it for a LONG time. Anyway, I thought of it the other day and it gave me a good belly laugh, and I thought it would be a good way to start a post.

By the way, I'm well aware of the fact that I promised more frequent posts and that hasn't happened!!! I'm a Blog slacker, what can I say!!??!!!

The days are getting easier, the nights are when I think of Jenna the most, after the kids are in bed and things are quiet. God is good though, and things are often not as raw as they first were. It's still unbelieveable and still painful, but life is going on. I'm trying to treasure the people and things that I treasure, and just grateful to be alive and able to do so.

Autumn and Breanna are back in school and having a good time being there for the most part! Rand has started pre-school and he totally loves going and wants to go on the days he doesn't have school as well!!

I know that a lot has happened in four months that I don't even think I've made mention of, so I will put some pictures up to hit the high-lights - my oldest sister Patricia "Tricia" got married to one of the best guys around "Hal" One of my nephews "Tyler" graduated high school and is about to begin college. Breanna graduated Kindergarten!!

I went away for the first time since having kids "by myself" to Phoenix AZ for a convention for Gold Canyon - the candle company I sell for. That was by the way awesome fun and a much needed break.


Ok so I need to hook up the camera to the computer and get these pictures uploaded so that I can post them here TODAY before another month goes by!

My Friend Jenna

For almost 4 months, once a week or so I would hear from Jenna "You might want to update your blog" or "I was looking at blogs last night and yours is still the same". I would always laugh and say "yeah, I need to do that" but never did. I wish I had just done it. I really enjoyed reading Jenna's blog and will try now more than ever to give updates often.

I miss Jenna and it's hard to believe that she's gone. She was always a phone call or an e-mail away. When we weren't together that is. Everywhere that I've been since moving to Tennessee, I've been with Jenna and it will be hard to re-visit each place without her.

Before moving here, I had pretty much become a home body and when I met Jenna, that changed. She didn't sit still for long and if you were going to hang with her, you'd better get used to moving.

I remember not long after we met, she would tell me of the friends she had already talked to on a particular day and one she had talked to several times, I was surprised and wondered what in the world you could talk to someone about so many times a day.

Before long I called Jenna on the way to or from taking the kids to school, at lunch time, on the way to or from picking up the kids, while trying to figure out what to fix for dinner, and any time anything funny or of interest came to mind and she did the same. She would call me to tell me that the video I'd been wanting to see was now on CMT or to tell me something funny the kids had done or just to share her day.

We were shopping together when I got the call from my sister that my Dad was probably not going to make it through the night. I had driven us there in my van and she just immediately took care of me, she drove us to get the kids something to eat and back to my house and tried to comfort me and listened to me cry.

Well I'm crying again and this time the tears are for Jenna. She has left for a better place with her sweet baby Will and I'm wondering what I'll do without her. I know that I'm hugging my kids tighter and all who are close to me. You really never do know when the day will be your last and I'm trying to do like she did and live life to the fullest.

Prayers to all of us who knew and loved her.

Thank you Jenna for the time we shared. It was almost 5 years but it was a lifetime.

I love you girl!

Barbara

Happenings

I don't remember if I posted here or somewhere else about my sister (the middle one) Debra but a while back she had a mystery illness that was scaring us all to death. She couldn't eat, had no energy, and was hurting all the time. The doctors did test after test and finally decided that her gal bladder needed to come out. She had it out before Thanksgiving and was feeling better and then Thanksgiving Day had to go to the E.R. with some pain in her stomach and red puffiness in the area they had taken her gal bladder out and fixed a hernia.

They sent her home with antibiotics and she got better. Thank the Lord!

My Oldest sister (Patricia) and my Aunt LaLa have had lots of breathing issues which is always scary. The winter is a really hard time for them and I'm hoping and praying that they will get some relief and that we'll actually have some mild weather (spring) and that they will do well with it.

My Mom seems to be doing well. She has joined a gym and does water aerobics and walks five or so times a week and really enjoys it. My Aunt and Uncle have joined too and are going some too!

I've started walking again. I've been slacking this week but I took Rand for a couple of strolls last week and walked alone one evening after Dan came in.

Gosh, I've posted so little on this blog! So many things have happened just in the last little while. Jenna is home from the hospital after 2 rounds of chemo and is Cancer free (Praise The Lord)! She's actually been home for a couple of months but I'm just slow!!!

She's also pregnant which is a miracle in itself since she just had two rounds of chemo!!

Rand has gotten his first Big Boy haircut and looks so much older! Makes me sad but proud.

Autumn is learning so much in school as is Breanna. I'm so proud of them both. They are such good sisters too. Rand looks to them almost as much as he does to me for comfort. I'm sure he thinks they are big like us because they are so much bigger than him.

The weather was really pretty today and we went to the park before church. They had a great time!!

Last Wednesday night Dan was working late so I took the kids to church and was resigned to the fact that I'd be pushing Rand in the stroller with Breanna by my side because she hasn't wanted to go into her Wednesday night class unless her friend Olivia was there which was only once.

Well she told me she wanted to try it, and she did and I was so proud! And Rand went into a class, he wanted to, and I was so proud!!!!! So I got to go into my class and I was so excited!!!!!

Tonight we got to see a picture of our Pastor and his wife Amy's new daughter that they have been in the process of adopting from China for 2 years! They should get her soon!!!! They have named her Jadyn Grace and she is 11-1/2 months old and is beautiful. I can't wait to see her in person and hold her.

Ok I guess that's enough for now. I'll go ahead and post this and add pictures! Oh yeah, we got some snow this year!!

Chandra Had Her Baby!!

I think a lot of you have heard me talk about my friend Chandra. She truly is one of the best Moms I know and she now holds her precious new baby in her arms! I won't go into a lot of detail but I'll quote from her blog (I hope you don't mind Chandra!!)"Two years ago at this time, we were contemplating our first IVF. Last year at this time, I was newly pregnant from my second IVF. This year, after our third IVF, I get to have a baby! Modern Science and Miracles all rolled into one precious bundle of sweet baby girl."

I just have to say "Praise the Lord"!!

Her name is Makenna Brette and she weighed 6 pounds 13 ounces and was 20 inches long! She was born at 7:28am on January 3rd!

Ok so I'm almost a month late with the news. Better late than never!! Congratulations Chandra!!!

Happy Birthday Breanna!

Today Breanna turns 6 years old! It doesn't seem like 6 years ago that I was awakened with the pains of labor!!!

We had a great day, Breanna opened presents at home and we went to Chuck E. Cheese's for a party! We had a great time and Breanna got a lot of the things she's been asking for!!

She had a lot of friends there from school and friends from our playgroup but nobody from our family. That is the one stinky thing about moving away. She did get some fun e-cards though from my Mom and my Aunt. She enjoyed playing them and printing them out.

She also got a card and a check to buy something she wants (or put in savings) from my Mom and she got a game and hat and gloves from my Step Mom in Law.

All in all it was a great fun day.

So six years huh? I hope the next six don't go by as quickly, yikes 12 years old!