Jesus is the Rock

Patiently waiting for the show to begin

"See how clear my eye is? I'll open them really wide so you can see!"

Straight out of the 50's

Three amazing blessings have come out of our 10 year marriage!

Today's been about the family. But this weekend will be about us! Happy Anniversary Steven!

Miracle and Musings

Reese is walking. He was 11 months old yesterday.

He is also NOT having surgery Friday. We have ourselves a miracle. God healed his eye! For eight days, there has not been a single solitary thing in his eye. Clear as clear can be. I cannot begin to explain to you what a miracle this is. I am not exaggerating when I say that I cannot remember a day since he's been here, that I haven't wiped goop out of his eyes. I have been so excited all week every time I thought about it... which was a lot.

I just wanted to put this in the records books, and let those of you who might have been praying, start praising.

It's been a busy month.

I haven't taken a single picture of anybody or anything.

I have participated in two yard sales, one at my house, the other at a friend's.

I had the carpet cleaned.

We've painted a few closets.

I've read several books that have encouraged me greatly.

Elle and Grady had their first sleep over. A friend's husband had surgery and needed some help with her kids. I had five kids 5 and under. It was awesome.

Elle's last day of school is this week. Followed by her end of the year musical. Which happens to be on mine and Steven's 10 year anniversary.

We always said we'd go to Hawaii on our 5th. Elle was born 10 days after our 5th anniversary.

Then we said we'd go on our 10th.

We have 12 days until we leave for a week at Disney World. Close to Hawaii, don't you think?

Maybe it will happen on our 15th.

We've told Grady Mickey won't let him in if he continues to pick his nose.

Elle made a paper chain to count down the days.

I ordered some swimsuits 14 days ago and after talking with several people on the phone, I'm convinced they are lost. The question is, will I get a refund or will the company send me more suits?

I already sent some back that I ordered from Land's End. They fit terribly. But let's face it, after having three kids and nursing all three, swimsuits just aren't what they used to be... or maybe it's my body in them:).

I've seen a lot of dead snakes in the neighborhood lately. At least they are dead.

There's only one more episode of Lost and then the finale. Sad times for me. Possibly my all time favorite TV show. At least, it's the only one I currently watch.

That's all for now. Maybe I'll have some pictures next and not as many words.

Happy Nurses Day

I never knew what I wanted to be when I grew up. I used to envy those kids who were passionate about a profession and confident they would become an airline pilot and then they actually did. {my friend Courtney comes to mind!}

I entertained multiple job fantasies throughout childhood. There were dreams of becoming a landscape architect, a pilot, a doctor, an Olympic gymnast, a teacher, even a florist. When I started at Troy my freshman year, it was no surprise that I did not declare a major. Only four quarters later, when I ran out of general classes, and the counselor told me I could not come back to them anymore, did I chose a major. The Biology Program. I still had no clue, but knew I really liked science, especially biology. The possibility of medical school loomed in the back of my mind. Two and a half years later, I graduated. Eight days later, I got married. My first job after graduating was as a Pharmacy Technician at a brand new Target in Daphne, Alabama. Circumstances brought us back to Troy within a few months. Steven got his scholarship back and was going to finish his degree. I got my old job back, one I'd had part time during college, working as a teller at Southtrust Bank.

Then I got the bright idea to go back to school. I've often told Steven that if a university would pay me to go to school, I would be a professional student. I've always loved school, learning, reading, even studying. But since I couldn't find that university, I took out loans and entered nursing school. It would take me only two and a half years.

I reasoned that I loved science, biology, medicine even. I liked the idea of helping people and caring for them. I also knew the flexibility of the field, mainly that I could get a job anywhere we were. I tried not to dwell on the time and money that would have been spared had I "reasoned" this stuff sooner and chosen nursing as my major instead of biology. And we were going to be in Troy for another couple of years anyway.

And here I am, seven years later. I have been employed a total of 10 months as a nurse. I have made less as a nurse than it cost me to legally become one. If fact, I'm still paying for it:). But my license is still current. And after I'm mostly done raising these precious babies of ours, I plan to work as a nurse again. I'm grateful to be here, at home with my kids, for this time. But I do look forward to caring for patients again. Patients that aren't my own flesh and blood:). Happy Nurses Day to all you wonderful nurses out there! I'm proud to be counted among you!

"Whatever you are, be a good one." - Abraham Lincoln

Another surgery

We have another surgery scheduled. Reese will get both tear ducts probed on May 21st. We are both very ready for this. His eye is crusty, goopy and red ALL THE TIME. He cries as soon as I start running water for the wash cloth because he knows what is coming. Sometimes he can't even open his eye after a nap because it's crusted together.

Three surgeries in two years. One per child. All different. But all very minor procedures. For that, I am extremely thankful. Grady was first back in August 2008. Elle came next in September 2009. Now, our caboose in May 2010.

The Lord was gracious even in providing the doctor. Back at the first of the year, we visited a developing church plant a few times. I met a guy there who is an opthamologist and we were talking about Reese possibly having to have surgery. A couple weeks ago, I called the pediatrician's office to get the referral for the opthamologist. She gave me two names at a practice where they refer their patients. I looked on the website and one of the doctors was the guy I met! Even though I don't really know him, it somehow feels better to at least have met him outside of the office, and know he has a heart for the Lord.

Pray for Reese, if you think about us. For safety with the anesthesia. For a speedy recovery. And for success--no more crust, goop, redness or unnecessary tears!