no words

Colton and I had another one of our nights last night. He woke up at around 1 and just seemed like he was awake. Not cranky, fussy, whining...just awake. I tried a few things, gave him some milk and tried to let him cry it out for a bit (I'm not very good at that...). While he did that, I had this overwhelming urge to come check a blog. I saw this story about this sweet girl named Tuesday last week on the Steece blog. She has stage 4 neuroblastoma and the size has doubled in the past week, making it too strong for chemo treatments. They sent her sweet family home, to be together, for what was sure to be her last days. She is a twin and just over 3 months older than my Colton. I checked her mom's blog and saw that she had passed away sometime that day. Oh, my heart aches for this sweet family. I really, really thought I knew how capable my heart was of loving when I met James 11 years ago. He is my soul mate and understands me on so many levels. But when we were blessed...twice...with two beautiful, healthy babies...now, that's a love that you just cannot describe. So, I went in and scooped up my precious baby boy and just held him. I sang, cried, prayed...just held him. I just cannot help but think of these helpless mothers who would give their own lives, just to take the pain away from their own children. I am so very blessed and I thank God every single day for the blessings in my life.
Another dear friend of mine has been battling cancer for 3 years now. She has had many ups and downs. She went last week for a monthly scan, to make sure she was still clear. The cancer moved...it's now in 3 more places, including her lungs. This family is so dear to us. They have incredible faith...faith that could move mountains. She has been healed before and will no doubt be healed again. Please pray for my precious friends during this trying time.
Sorry to unload on you all in this post. This has all been so heavy on my heart...and this is my journal...where I can express myself. Please tell your loved ones how much they mean to you. Hold your babies tight and thank those around you.
Philippians 4:6
Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.

Kitchen reveal!

Well, now that we've been in this house for 3 years, I'd finally had enough of looking at these plain colored walls in my kitchen. (Ignore the pre-painting clutter and the hungry munchkins!)

So, we loaded up and went to Lowe's to pick out a color. No, I didn't know exactly what I was looking for and no, my husband isn't any help in that department! So, I took my curtains that I knew I wanted to use again and tried to find something that would compliment them. James swore after painting my office brick red a few months ago that he was D-O-N-E painting in this house. So, I was on my own! It's only 3 walls...how hard can this be, right? Well, it's now the next day and I'm walking like an 80 year old woman. Turns out that balancing on your countertops on one foot, trying to paint over the top of your cabinets... is really hard on your body! But, it's all done now and I'm thrilled with it! Here's a few pictures of the final product!

My busy, busy boy!

I was downloading my recent pictures today, and realized that I had several of this silly little almost 2 year old boy! So, he's getting his own post today! =)
Earlier in the week, I was unloading groceries and he was "helping." Well, I looked over and he had taken two bottles of juice, put them in his power wheels car and was trying to fit in too! He was cracking us up! Kennedie said "he thinks he's going to the store!" (And, ignore his outfit! It was a super cold day, so he was still in his jammies. And I bought him some new shoes and wanted to make sure they fit, and then he didn't want to take them off...so that's why he looks so great...yikes)

Here's Colton with his "boap" or boat that he made in Sunday School. It's one of the first little crafts that he's made and brought home and he was just so proud of it! He carried it out of his class and showed anyone that would look at it! It was so sweet!

And finally, I was putting a new box of diapers in his room, and he hopped right into the box. I was surprised because the box was pretty small...but he fit right in it! He just looked so cute...I had to share it with you all!

Happy Day!

Well, I just got online and saw pictures of baby Harper...and she's doing great! Her parents got to hold her for the 1st time today! And feed her a bottle! She didn't end up needing her PICC line...another blessing! They're even talking about letting her go home early next week. Amazing!
And, my friend Carrie went in for her surgery to have her cancerous tumor removed today. They got it ALL!!! She has been so amazing since finding out a month and a half ago. She has such faith and hope and is such a fighter. I was so relieved when I heard the news from her husband this afternoon. What a blessing!
I've been busy painting the kitchen all day...what a beating. I did take some before pictures, so once I get things back in place, I'll post some after pics for you to see. I'm beat...off to bed now.

Wonderful Harper Update

I truly feel as though I know this precious family. I just saw that Kelly posted an update...and Harper opened her eyes today and got to see her parents for the first time! What an amazing feeling that must have been for Kelly and Scott. They have been so faithful through all of this and little Harper is such a little miracle baby. I can't help but be so touched by their amazing story!

Precious Harper update

Kelly's been so good about updating on Harper. Here's a recent picture.

Please continue to pray for this precious baby and her parents, Scott and Kelly.

Colossians 1:15-16

She is steadily improving. They've moved her to her tummy, and back to her back, to break up her pneumonia. Her vitals have improved since doing this, signaling to Kelly that she must really like being on her tummy! =)

The Tooth Fairy is Coming!!!

Well, even without Daddy home, we managed to lose a tooth without him here! Yes, I'm still a little nauseated from the whole ordeal...no, I don't do loose teeth! I didn't even deal with my own that well...LOL! So, here's a cute before and after picture (and of course I had to picnik them) of our new smile!

Outside Cuties

Here's a few from the near 80 degree weather we had a few days ago...

And now, it's near 40 again...sigh.

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this Picnik program! Can you tell?! It's so fun to edit pictures and it's super user friendly! I've told so many people about it!

Silly Boys!

We went to our friend Kylee and Cade's house to play and the little boys ended up in the big girls power wheels...funny boys!!!

My Littlest Party Planner

Anytime there is a party to be planned, Kennedie is right on top of it! My girl LOVES a party! So when it was time for Daddy's birthday last week, she was ready to work! She asked him what kind of decorations he wanted...and was a little bummed when he explained to her that grown ups don't really have Handy Manny plates and napkins...what a downer! She was also a little bummed when he said he didn't want a pinata...he's such a party pooper! So, we made his favorite cake and she made him a card. She even got to wrap his presents by herself! He was super excited to get the Def Leppard Greatest Hits! Here's a few pics of her decorations and the party...it was great!

Holding my babies tighter

If you read my last post, you know about sweet baby Harper. She's continuing to make baby steps toward recovery and the most recent tests show that her heart is healthy as can be! She still has a long road ahead of her and will likely be in the NICU for a few more weeks. Please keep this sweet family in your prayers.

I check Kelly's blog several times a day, looking for recent updates. I just recently found her through the blog world, and she is such a beautiful person inside and out. I really feel like I know her, and I cannot get her, her husband and that sweet baby Harper out of my mind.

With that said, things like this make me really take a step back and look at my own life. I am so truly blessed. I have these two beautiful, healthy children and an adoring husband that I am so very thankful for. I find myself holding them all tighter and cherishing our moments together. (Last night, for example, C decided he was just awake. Not really fussing, just awake and wanted to be held. I couldn't help but think of Kelly and how she longed to hold her sweet baby. I held C for as long as it took...and then some;) just thinking, and praying.)

So I looked back through my pictures and here's my 2 babies...from one year ago! Look at these two!

Please PRAY for Harper

Since Friday evening, I've not been able to think about anything but this beautiful newborn baby girl, Harper, and her sweet family. Kelly at Kelly's Korner blog and her husband have been waiting for this sweet miracle for 5 years. They went in for a normal induction on Friday, and their beautiful newborn had to be sent via helicopter to a children's hospital in Tulsa. They are enduring a battle for baby Harper’s life and my heart is burdened for them. I am in constant prayer on Harper’s behalf. Kelly posted a couple of pictures of their gorgeous baby girl this morning. All 9 pounds 12 oz. of her!!

I will be joining Angie Smith at Bring the Rain in praying this Scripture verse daily for Harper until she is home with her parents. Won’t you join us? PLEASE continue to pray for this precious baby.

Colossians 1:15-16

15He is the image of the invisible God, the firstborn over all creation. 16For by him all things were created: things in heaven and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or powers or rulers or authorities; all things were created by him and for him.

FREE make up anyone???

I heard about this on the radio last week...and here's the article to back it up! I think I know where I'll be next Tuesday! =)
Macy’s, Dillard’s and Saks Fifth Avenue, , all of which have stores in Middle Tennessee, will be giving away free cosmetics, skin care and perfumes on Jan. 20, as part of a 5-year-old settlement involving price fixing on beauty products.
The giveaway stems from a February 2004 class-action settlement filed on behalf of consumers who purchased cosmetics between May 1994 and July 2003, according to the settlement’s Web site (www.cosmeticssettlement.com). Nordstrom, Nieman Marcus and Target also were named on the suit. The retailers have claimed no wrongdoing.
As part of the settlement, $175 million in cosmetics will be given away, one per person in a first-come, first-serve basis. Consumers will be able to choose one item per person until supplies last. Brands include Estée Lauder, Clinique, Lancome, Clarins, Guerlain, Givenchy, Chanel, Boucheron, Cody, Calvin Klein, L’Oréal and Christian Dior.
The products include mascara, skin care, moisturizers and fragrances, says Macy’s spokeswoman Sharon Bateman.
“None of the product comes from the store’s regular inventory,” she says. “I think these products were created specifically for this giveaway.”
The offer will last until all of the products in a particular store are distributed.
Consumers are not required to show proof of purchase at Macy’s stores, though its customers will have to sign a certification sheet acknowledging they received the products.

FAVORITE new site!!!

I stumbled upon a GREAT new site! Y'all have got to check it out!!! It's http://www.picnik.com/

It's a photo editing site that lets you do practically ANYTHING to your pictures and it's so stinking easy! I just updated our pictures over there--------------> in a matter of minutes. Here's a peek at what they looked like before, just to give you an idea of what I did to them...

Map to Heaven

Well today was one of those days that Kennedie has had me laughing non-stop! And I really don't think she means to, she's just growing up so fast and the things she says are so darn cute! I had to come in here and write them down before I forgot about them. Here's a few from our morning...enjoy!
Before James got deployed, his unit had a meeting for the families and they handed out these little camoflauge Bibles. (side note: she told James 2 nights ago that camo was her new favorite color...he says it's his too...oh my!) Anyways, she came out of Sunday school this week and was telling me about the Bible verse that they had learned and how she wanted to practice it. So since then, she's been carrying this camo Bible and her princess pink Bible all around the house, pretending to look up Colossians! She is such a hoot! Well, this morning she informs me that she's "had this camo Bible for years now...you know, since I was in the Marine Corps!" I really thought I was going to fall over! It's so hard not to laugh because I really don't want to discourage her from talking openly, or embarass her!

**Later as she was flipping through it again, she shows me this map and says, "you know what this is Mommy? It's the map to Heaven!"

Oh, sweet girl, you just melt my heart!

**And one last story...we were driving her to school (yes, all of these stories happened between waking up and getting to school...it was a full morning!) and she says, "don't you think it would be cool to be a snake?"

"Mmm, I guess so," I said.

"Then you could feel all the textures on your tummy! Like slimy, gooey...and wood chips in the jungle!"

Wow...the things my 5 year old thinks about...all before 9am!!! And, I just loved her use of the word textures! She never stops surprising me.

Time for Tea

Last week, we had one day that was just beautiful! {Notice K's shorts!} We were all in the backyard and I decided to go in and get K's tea set for them to play with. I filled it with ice water (it's the kind that the cups turn color when filled with cold water), and let them have at it. They had a ball! Here's a few pics...

Night Night, Manny

Colton's newest favorite character is Handy Manny on Disney. Miss Ashley gave him this cute Manny for Christmas and he now sleeps with Colton every night and every day at naptime. We've developed a little routine that is just so cute that I had to document it!
We lay Manny down, cover him up and say, "Night night, Manny." Then Colton lays down, takes his drink and blanket, turns on his little aquarium (aka- bubbles), pats Manny, and says "night night baby." {note: baby=Colton!} This happens in this exact same order...every time we lay him down! He's so fun right now...I could just eat him up!

January 7th

January 7th 2008 was one of the hardest days I've experienced as an adult. I can thankfully say that I haven't had to deal with much death in my life, and what little I have, not much of it has been very close to me. Yes, I have lost grandparents, each special in their own way. But last January 7th I lost one of my best friends, Angela. She was one of the most beautiful people that I've ever known. She brought laughter and light into every room and always knew just what to say. She was one of those friends that would send you a card in the mail, just because. She really had quite an amazing story. She received a liver transplant almost 5 years ago (she actually called me the morning she got the call and asked James and I to drive her to the hospital!) and did great with it. It gave her several more years with her two beautiful daughters and husband, that without, she would not have had. She had a few more bumps in the road healthwise, but she never dwelled on that. Instead, she wanted to know about your day, your life, what was going on with you. She was a constant source of happiness and joy. I am so very thankful that I was able to call her one of my very best friends for the past 13 years. I miss her infectious laugh and beautiful smile, but I know that she is healthy and no longer hurting. I know that she misses each of us, but she knows what is waiting for us, and it is greater than we know.
Another good friend of mine was scheduled to deliver her sweet baby girl M last Monday, but after taking a look at her lungs and the results of her amnio, the doctor decided that it would be best to wait until today, January 7th. So, baby M came into the world at 8:09 am on January 7th, 2009...what a beautiful day it turned out to be! God is so great!

Willow Memories

Several years ago, I started collecting Willow Tree figures. They are so classic and timeless and I just think they are so beautiful! I was explaining to my friend Candice the other day how James had just put them all back on the mantle after Christmas and I needed to reorganize and put them in the right order...she thought I was a nut! My Willows tell a story. I took pictures to help explain...

The 1st thing on my mantle (not pictured here...) is a small Church. This shows my love for my Church, then the angel holding the flag close to her heart, love of country. My sister gave me this one right after James left for Iraq and it is one of my most cherished ones. The next one shows man and wife.




The next one shows a pregnant mommy, showing my pregnancy with Kennedie Lane. Then an angel holding a small child...K.















Then there's a Mommy looking down at her daughter, followed by another pregnancy...Colton! I have 2 of the exact same figures symbolizing my 2 pregnancies.

And finally, an angel helping a little toddler learn to walk.

I've been wanting to document these and what they each mean to me for a long time now! I need to do the same thing for my charm bracelet one day...

Prima Ballerina

After seeing these tulle tutus everywhere for the past year or so (and not wanting to pay a ton for one), I decided to try to make one for Miss K. Here's the final product! I love the way it turned out and she loved it so much, she wore it to her dance class yesterday!

The 2nd picture is her with her American Girl doll that she got for her birthday from Granny and Poppa. She has renamed her Kate. Kate got several new outfits for Christmas...and one was a dance outfit, seen here. She even has leg warmers and ballet slippers! So fun!

Indoor Range!

Here's a picture of Daddy and K "down range" with the new M60 Nerf Machine Gun...they have so much fun with it! They even set up targets...cups, empty water bottles, zoo animal figurines...you name it. The one thing they are absolutely NOT allowed to shoot...Barbies or Babies!

Watch out Brother!!!