Our day at the Park

I was home yesterday because my car was in the shop. Jordan was at school and Terrance was at work - so it was just me and Myles. We HAD to go to the park - it is right across the street from our house - so we could walk. He had so much fun...it doesn't get much better than that.

Friday Felicities ~ August 15, 2008

Things that make me happy:

~ Roadside assistance from AT&T (lol).
They sent me a tow when my car broke down yesterday...and got there the same time Terrance did so Myles could watch (which he thought was the coolest thing EVER).



~ A day home with just Myles - those are rare.



~ A wonderful God that works things out...like making sure we had a ride home from dance for Jordan after school and the fact that my boss is totally ok with my car being in the shop.



~ A beautiful day that is not nearly as hot as it should be for the middle of August.



~ The idea of a weekend away soon with just me and my hubby.



~ The Olympics on tv (still) - I am loving it!!!


Link up over at Becky’s and tell us what makes YOU happy today!!

Shaded Gray Daybook - August 12

Outside my Window … Another office building and some trees - not a very interesting view.

I am thinking … that God was very gracious yesterday when Jordan got hurt at school. It could have easily been much worse.

I am thankful for … My dear husband - rushing to help me take Jordan to the doctor's office.

From the kitchen … I think spagetti is on the menu for tonight. We haven't had it in a while and it's something that we will all eat!!

I am creating … nothing at the moment - but I did make a flower arrangement for our daughter's grave on Saturday - and if you know how non-artsy I am - that is saying a lot.

I am going … to lunch with my mom, sister and nieces today. I believe we are going to Wendy's.

I am wearing … a light brown/dark brown dress and some cute sandals that match perfectly - but will probably be hurting by the end of the day.

I am reading … I heart Bloomberg by Melody Carlson. Steph loaned it to me and I am loving it.

I am hoping … to get my checkbook balanced today. I am over-flowing with receipts at the moment. Makes me nervous...

I am hearing … Not much at the moment - it is almost lunch time here at the office and it is pretty quiet.

Around the house … I need to refill the fish tank this evening - a tedious chore - but one that I need to do.

One of my favorite things …I - like Steph - am loving the fact that the Olympics are on!! I watch as much as I can and have been taping the rest. I didn't get to bed last night until almost midnight because I was watching the men's gymnastics.

A Few Plans For The Rest Of The Week … hopefully I will get to Wal-mart tonight and pick up a few things. We are completely out of bread and Terrance doesn't have any soap - which forces him to use mine and smell girly all day.

Here is a picture thought I am sharing with you… Terrance, Travis (my brother-in-law) and my dad recently went on a fishing trip to Lake Texoma....a trip away that Terrance desperately was in need of. He had a great time.

First Day Of School

Well, today was the first day of 5th grade for Jordan - and what an exciting day it was. I dropped her off - just like normal - and went to work. I thought that she was going to have this "great" day - nice, new teacher - friends in her class - the whole nine yard.

At about 9:30 - the school called. They said that she had had an accident at recess. Apparently, she had somehow cut her eyebrow and was bleeding pretty bad. The nurse thought she might need stitches.

"ACK!!", I thought. I told them I was on my way and raced to the school.

I called the doctor's office as I left work to find out if I needed to take her there or to the emergency room - they said to bring her to the office. Terrance got to the school at about the same time I did and we picked her up. She was holding up pretty good. She said she hadn't even cried.


We got to the doctor's office and had to wait a little while. Jordan was joking about having to get some stitches and wondering what it would be like. We thought it was funny that she had just asked me this morning about the stitches I had to get in my eye when I was a little younger than her. She had asked me if I still had a scar. We finally got back to a room and the doctor came in and decided that she did need some stiches. Well, at that point Jordan decided that she didn't want stiches after all. I think she was getting a little nervous.


The doctor came in - and a med student - and 2 nurses - and the receptionist (plus the fact that Terrance, Jordan and I were already in there) - and it was a full room. (((The receptionist was in there because Jordan really likes her and they wanted to distract her from what was going on.))) They cleaned her eye - which probably hurt, and then got ready to stitch it up.


They decided not to numb the area because they would have had to give her 4 shots to numb it (2 on both sides of her eyebrow) and the numbing medicine stings quite a bit. The doctor said that for just 2 stitches - it would hurt more to numb it than just stitch it.....I think Jordan might disagree.


Well, the doctor started the first stitch and Jordan really started wailing then. I felt sooo bad for her. I started to tear up myself. I mean - who wants to see their child in pain! They got the first stitch in and all knotted and were trying to do the other one and she started hyperventilating a little. It didn't help that she had the paper over her face that the doctor was using.

Well, they finally finished and got her bandaged up. We had to wait a bit before we could leave because Jordan was still hyperventilating and they were worried that she would pass out....poor thing. Got her home and she laid out on the couch and took a little nap. Her teacher, aunt, both grandparents and her cousins all called to check on her and her papa came by to see how she was doing.


I think she's going to live.



I also thought I'd add a pic of our Abby - no reason - she's just really cute since she got her hair cut.

Gone 13 Years

Well, it's that time of year again...Dasya's birthday is tomorrow and I am sad. She would have been 13 years old. I can't believe she would have been a teenager.

I know she is in a better place...I know this...I know this...I know this - but it is still hard for me to even think about her being gone without being sad. As much as I know that she is being taken care of by her Creator - I still want her here with me.

Every year that goes by, I think that this year will be easier - but it never is. It's been 13 years but I think of her virtually every day. Especially since Jordan looked exactly like Dasya did when she was born - I wonder if they would look the same now - I wonder what she would be like - who she would take after...me or Terrance. I feel like there's just so much I lost out on.

I miss her so bad...

Tomorrow we are going to the cemetary to put some flowers on her grave. I was going to just buy her some tomorrow before we went - but decided not to since they would just dry up and die within a few hours because of the heat. I decided to take Myles and go to Michael's and make her an arrangement that we could just plant - that would last. Here it is (please note that I am NOT artistic at all - but I thought it turned out pretty good):

I was explaining to Myles (who is only 3 1/2) where we were going - and why we were making the flower arrangement - for his sister, and that she lives in heaven with Jesus now - I don't think he "got it" at all - but it's a start and we can just tell him more as he gets a little older. That is something that makes me really sad too - the fact that, even though she died at birth, Terrance and I got to feel her move in me and see her ultra sounds and at her birth - but Jordan and Myles will never get to know her at all...in this life at least. To them - she's just something that makes mommy sad to talk about.

I feel blessed to know her the time that I did...

Psalm 77:10

Then I said, "It is my grief, that the right hand of the Most High has changed."

Day & Night Off

My dear hubby, Terrance, has gotten me a hotel room for the night. I am loving it - it is sooooo quiet here!!! I thought I might get a little bored here by myself but I called a friend of mine and we are going to a movie. We are going to see "Stomp the Yard" (I think that's the name). It looks good in the previews.


I am enjoying myself here but the whole time I've been here, I've been wondering what the kids are doing at home - whether they miss me - if they are needing me. Hopefully, once my friend gets here, I will able to enjoy myself a little and wind down.

2006 Wrap-up

What did you do in 2006 that you've never done before? I pretty much swore off Coke (one of my favorite drinks) and switched to water - not exciting but I needed to do it.

Did you keep your New Years' resolutions and will you make more for next year? I don't think I made a resolution last year - but my one for this year is to read through the Bible.

Did anyone close to you give birth? Yes - My sister had Natalie - the hugest baby ever!!

Did anyone close to you die? No

What countries did you visit? None

What would you like to have in 2007 that you lacked in 2006? More time with my DH - we both seemed kindof distracted this year

What date from 2006 will remain etched in your memory and why? Probably February 17 because that is the day we closed on our house.

What was your biggest achievement of the year? I finally started my diet that I needed to start for a long time. I'm not done but at least I've started.

What was your biggest failure? I don't know that I "completed" anything.

Did you suffer illness or injury? No - just the usual aches and pains

What was the best thing you bought? Our house

Where did most of your money go? Our house

What did you get really, really, really excited about? Our house (I see a trend here)

Compared to this time last year are you:

a. Happier or sadder? not really either - but since the house was taking longer than expected, I guess happier

b. thinner or fatter? thinner, I am glad to say

c. richer or poorer? about the same

What do you wish you'd done more of? I wish I had made more of an effort to work on my patience (something that I seem to be lacking often)

What do you wish you'd done less of? Watch TV

How will you spend Christmas? It already happened, but we spent it here in Tennessee with my family and with DH's family

Did you fall in love in 2006? Didn't "fall" in love - but am still in love.

What was your favorite TV show? American Idol, CSI, Survivor, Heroes, Lost - there are soooo many

What was the best book you read? I can never remember authors names but I know it was a book my sister loaned me.

What was your greatest musical discovery of 2006? The i-pod - the coolest thing ever!!!

What did you want and get? Our house

What did you want and not get? Still haven't found my red shoes....

What was your favorite film this year? Did I even go to the theater any??? I don't remember...we are all about net-flix around our house but I did rent "End Game" and thought it was really good. We hadn't heard of it (it stars Cuba Gooding Jr.) but really liked it.

What did you do on your birthday? I don't remember - isn't that sad. DH probably took me to dinner

What one thing would have made your year immeasurably more satisfying? To have a little more money between paychecks would have been nice

How would you describe your personal fashion concept in 2006? I am trying lose weight so I haven't bought too much, so basically, I wear anything in my closet that still fits and isn't falling off of me.

What kept you sane? My family

Which celebrity/public figure did you admire the most? I really like President Bush - he seems like a "real" person that makes mistakes but really sticks by what he believes in and I admire that.

What political issue stirred you the most? The attempt to legalize gay marriage - I hope it never happens - it's just not right

Who did you miss? I miss my grandad and grandma - they both died in 2005
Who was the best new person you met? I don't think I met anyone new last year that I just flipped over, although I met some nice people - including all of my W@H buddies

Tell us a valuable life lesson you learned in 2006. Worrying doesn't solve any problems - it just gives you a big fat headache

Just For Fun

1. All I want for Christmas is: to be with my family - or a pair of fabulous red shoes!!

2. If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to: Africa on a safari

3. People often underestimate the power of: the love a mother has for her children - even before they are born

4. Christmas makes me feel: happy

5. In a perfect world there would be: no bills

6. If I could meet one blogger it would be: I have no idea on this one - I don't read that many

7. The stupidest yet funniest movie ever made was: Tommy Boy

8. My first New Years Resolution will be: to keep on my diet and lose more weight - doing good so far

9. _______ really skeeves me out: congestion - just nasty gross

10. I did this Meme because: It looked like fun.

A B C's of ME

A - Available/Single: Not available, married for 12 1/2 years.
B - Best Friend: my DH Terrance.
C - Cake or Pie: Pie - Pumpkin - yum.
D - Drink of Choice: Unsweet iced tea - no lemon.
E - Essential item you use everyday: Diaper wipes.
F - Favorite color: I've been into an olive green kick lately.
G - Gummy bears or Worms: Bears - definately NOT the sour ones.
H - Hometown: Born in Oklahoma City - but now I consider Tennessee home.
I - Indulgence: Shoes!!!
J - January or February: February - cause we are going to HAWAII.
K - Kids: 3 - Dasya (who is with the Lord), Jordan - 9 and Myles - 2
L - Life is incomplete without: Family that loves you.
M - Marriage Date: August 19, 1994
N - Number of siblings: 1 older sister - that looks much older than me.
O - Oranges or Apples: Apples - Oranges are too high maintenance for every day.
P - Phobias/Fear: Snakes - I loathe snakes.
Q - Favorite Quote: Something that I read that Oprah said a long time ago has always stuck with me: "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."
R - Reason to Smile: My kids - I am so proud of them.
S - Season: Used to be summer - but now I am more of a spring/fall type of gal.
T - Tag: What is this??
U - Unknown fact about myself: Although some might know I have a tattoo - most people don't know that I actually have 6.
V - Vegetable you don't like: most of them - but beets just gross me out.
W - Worst habit: I am a compulsive worrier.
X - X-ray: Left ankle, right knee, back, right wrist - is that all of them?
Y - Your favorite food: At the moment - I love General Tso's chicken and Lo Mein noodles.
Z - Zodiac: Cancer - the crab - but I don't know much more than that.

Thanksgiving 2006

The family went to the Smoky Mountains this year for Thanksgiving. My family (Mom, Dad, DH Terrance, sister Stephanie, her husband Travis and all the kids) try to get away to somewhere every other Thanksgiving. On the off year, we spend Thanskgiving with the in-laws. That is fun too, but I really look forward to our Thanksgivings away.


This year we rented a cabin outside Gatilinburg. It was fabulous!! It had 4 bedrooms (each with a king size bed and separate bathroom), 2 living areas (one on the main floor and one downstairs), a pool table, a air hockey table and a hot tub on the deck. This is a view from our balcony...
We had a great time. We went to the Gatlinburg aquarium on Friday morning. While everyone else was out shopping - we were looking at fish. The kids LOVED it!! Myles ran from exhibit to exhibit saying "FISH FISH FISH" until he came to the exhibit with the Dory (Finding Nemo)-looking fish in it - then he switched to "DORY DORY DORY". He also liked the Jellyfish - which he called "Boings" (also from Finding Nemo - Dory bounces and says "Boing boing") Here are some aquarium pics...


We (myself, Terrance, Travis and Jordan) went for a 2-hour trail on Saturday. We had great weather for it. It wasn't too hot or too cold. Perfect. Dad set the whole thing up for Jordan. She had been dying to ride a horse (other than the ponies at the fair) for forever. She had no idea and was so surprised!! Terrance's "horse" was actually a mule (or as Jordan called the horse-donkey hybrid - a "honkey"). That was just too funny!!

Little Natalie decided she was big enough to sit on the horse too...


All in all - it was a great weekend - we couldn't have had better weather and the Myles and Noelle had a great time together - playing and playing! They only fought over this strange purple octopus type thing that Steph and Travis bought at the aquarium - but I hid it and fixed that problem.
Can't wait until the next trip.....

Myles 2 Year Pic

Birthday Boy

Yes it is hard to believe that my baby boy is 2 years old. He is getting so big. I thought I would share with you some pics and show you what a difference a couple of years makes.....

Six weeks old

One year

And now the big 0 - 2

What was your favorite book when you were growing up?

I'd have to say that I had 2 favorite books :
This was definitely one of my absolute favorite books. I just loved everything about it. After Jordan was born, we got her a copy of the book too and she loves it. I would read that book over and over and over and look at all of the details in the pictures.

My other favorite is:

I first read this book in 4th or 5th grade with my class. I thought this was the most exciting book I had ever read. I don't have a copy if it now but it is definitely on my "get" list.

Five's

Stolen from Steph's

If I had five minutes to myself, I'd

#1 Read one of my books in peace (I have several started)

#2 Finish just one project without having to get a cookie or fill up a sippie-cup or stop in any way

#3 Take a nap (I know, I know - I only have 5 minutes - but maybe they'd forget for a few more minutes. :)

#4 Shave my legs

#5 Sit on my porch and relax without someone knocking on the door asking me what I am doing

If I had $5 to spend, I'd

#1 Go to the dollar store so I could get 5 goodies with my $5

#2 Go to Coffee Beanery and get a cafe caramel (my one coffee drink I like)

#3 Go to the half price book store and get a new book

#4 Buy some dum-dum suckers for the kids

#5 Probably none of the above - I'd probably just put it in my wallet and wait for someone (DH or J) to ask me if I have any money and then hand it over.....sigh....

Five Items I'd love to get rid of:

#1 The stack of boxes in our garage that I never seem to go through and clean out

#2 All the "fat" clothes in my closet

#3 All the bills that just keep coming and coming and coming - month after month after month....

#4 The constant back pain

#5 My glasses

Five Items I wouldn't part with:

#1 My family and how I love that they are all so close by

#2 My cell phone

#3 My soft green blanket that I watch TV under

#4 My kids baby-sitter - she is a life-saver and such a blessing!! A wonderful woman.

#5 My quirks - they make me - ME!!

Five Words or Phrases I'd love to hear:

#1 "We have lots of money - go shopping and buy whatever you want!!" (Course, I wouldn't because I would feel too guilty)

#2 "Let's get a baby-sitter for the evening and go out - just the two of us. And I don't want to go to anywhere that is showing a game on TV - I just want to sit and talk and enjoy ourselves.".....ha ha ha - that one made me laugh just writing it.

#3 "I feel like you should have this HUGE raise. You've earned it."

#4 "You can diet if you want to, but you really don't need to lose weight."

#5 "Mommy, I can pee in the potty!!"

List 10 of life's simple pleasures:

~ An amazing Lord that forgives and forgives and forgives...and is helping me to be the woman I want to be.
~ A wonderful husband that understands me and my quirks.
~ A daughter that is excited about going to school each day.
~ A baby boy that is excited to see me every time I leave and come back.
~ Pants that are too loose! (Go Victory Chicks!!!)
~ Finally getting my wedding ring fixed.
~ A clean house (for the moment anyway)
~ Painted toenails
~ Unsweet iced tea
~ A good book to read

Courtesy of Women at Home

5 Things

Found at Steph's

5 Things in my Refrigerator:
1. Grapes - lots of grapes
2. Baby carrots
3. Coke (actually Sam's Choice brand)
4. Bread
5. Leftover lasagne from Wednesday night - yum!!

5 Things in My Closet:
1. All of my wonderful SHOES!!!
2. Clothes
3. Foam bath toy letters that Myles threw in there
4. DH's clothes
5. Leftover wrapping paper

5 Things in My Purse:
1. Wallet
2. Address book/planner
3. Tampons - don't leave home without them
4. Lipstick case
5. Keys

5 Things in My Car:
1. Baby gift for shower this afternoon
2. Assorted Jordan junk
3. Cell phone ear piece (for hand-free talking ~ safety first!!)
4. 1 car seat
5. Keys to my sister's house

SOUL PATROL!!!!!!!

GO TAYLOR!!!!

We are huge American Idol fans at our house and were so excited to see Taylor win last night. It was a great finale (with a few wierd performances - hello?? - Meat Loaf??) but the best one so far. I have been watching AI since the first season and have not been so excited about a performer since Kelly Clarkson (love her!!).


Can't wait for the CD to come out.


Proud member of the SOUL PATROL!!!

I've Been Tagged

Thanks, Steph!!


Accent: Mostly Southern - I love my "y'all" and I constantly get teased about the way I say "oil"


Bible Book that I like: I really like the gospels - all 4


Chore that I don’t care for: Cleaning the toilet - I won't get graphic - but it's nasty


Dog or Cat: Dog - an adorable cocker/terrier mix named Abby.


Essential Electronics: DVD player - how else would Myles get to watch his "Nemo"


Favorite Cologne: If I am feeling springy, I like "Happy" by Clinique, if I am feeling more romantic, I like "Safari" by Ralph Lauren


Gold or Silver: My wedding rings are gold but my watch is silver - so both I guess


Handbag I Carry most often: A $13 purse I got at Wal-mart - I kindof like it.


Insomnia: Yes, though not as much since Myles was born. I used to be up until at least midnight every night. Cannot stand just lying in bed - so, I don't go to bed until I have nodded off at least once on the couch.


Job Title: Wife, mother and Accounts Payable Coordinator for a restaurant franchise


Kids: 3, Dasya (who would have been 11 this August- she died at birth), Jordan (8 1/2) and Myles (19 months)
Living Arrangements: Just bought our first house!!! It is a three bedroom, two bathroom house with a bonus room above the garage. I love it.


Most Admirable Trait: This is a tough one - I guess my friendlyness. My friend at work asks me if I take my "happy pill" in the morning because I am so friendly with the vendors and managers that call.


Naughtiest childhood behavior: I climbed the fence behind our house when we lived in Dallas, TX - there was a daycare behind our house and my friends from school would be there. I was told not to by my dad. I fell off and cut my upper arm pretty bad and my dad (after he bandaged me up) asked me how I cut it. I lied and said I must have cut it on something in the alley - I got in double trouble - for lying and climbing the fence.


Overnight hospital stay: 3 c-sections


Phobias: Snakes - I HATE snakes.


Quote: I read this quote from Oprah once and thought it was great: "Lots of people want to ride with you in the limo, but what you want is someone who will take the bus with you when the limo breaks down."


I also liked this quote I read somewhere: "Marriage resembles a pair of shears, so joined that they cannot be separated, often moving in opposite directions, yet always punishing anyone who comes between them." by Sydney Smith


Religion: Born again Christian!


Siblings: One older sister


Time I wake up: Usually around 5:30 or 6:00


Unusual Talent or skill: I don't think I have any


Vegetable I refuse to eat: Most of them - I don't like veggies


Worst habit: I drive too fast!! I have been trying to slow down.


X-rays: Dental, ankle (from rolling it off my mother-in-law's sidewalk), back (bicycle accident), wrist (hurdles at track practice in junior high)


Yummy stuff I cook: I make a yummy cobbler - my food usually looks better than it tastes - not that it tasts bad, I just arrange it nicely.


Zoo animal I like most: Monkeys and tigers.

Munchkins

My poor little M was sick all weekend. He woke up Saturday with a temperature of about 102. I gave him some Tylenol and it dropped briefly. By about 2:30 or so Saturday afternoon, it was back up and wouldn't go down this time. By 10:00 Saturday night, he woke up with a temp of 104.1 and his nose bleeding. I was pretty nervous by this time. J hardly ever gets sick and has NEVER had a fever that high.


I called the Vanderbilt Nurse's Hot Line and spoke with one nurse who asked if I had any Motrin. I told her I had just bought some and she figured out his dose from his age and weight and told me to give him 1 1/2 teaspoons. So I did..... As I was washing out the dropper, I was reading the back of the Motrin box and it said to give him 1.875 ml and that 5 ml were in a teaspoon. I was thinking OH MY GOSH - I have totally over-medicated him. Needless to say, I called the nurses' line back and spoke with another nurse. She said that that was the correct dosage and asked if I gave him children's Motrin. I told her, "no", that I had given him infants Motrin. She said, in that case, yes, I gave him way too much.


I started to panic a little at that point. It didn't help any that T was holding M on the couch and kindof giving me the evil-eye. I told him that I had just done what the nurse had told me. I have never bought him childrens cold medicine for fever's so it never occured to me that the dosage was not for infants.


Anyway, the nurse three-way called the poison control and they said that he should be fine. I guess Motrin is a lot more forgiving if you give them too much. They said if I had done that with Tylenol, I would have had to take him to the ER. He slept really well that night and didn't have any fever Sunday morning but by mid-morning it was back. Poor little guy, he wasn't hardly eating at all and running a fever too....


By Monday morning, he was still running a fever and they (the Vanderbilt nurses) said that if his fever wasn't gone by Monday to take him to the doctors. So I did. He has a virus that the Dr. said would just have to work out of his system.


By Monday afternoon, his fever was down and has been down since. Thank God!!! He took care of my little M!! - and kept me from freaking out!!

Miscellaneous

Found at Heather’s…




current book: Rereading Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince - read if fast the first time just to get through it - now I need to go back through it slower


current playlist: Downloaded some of my favorite "Hair Metal" songs like Slaughter's "Fly to the Angels" and GnR's "Paradise City" - also have been listening to my fav AI song's that I down loaded from another site


current shame-inducing guilty pleasure: Love American Idol - GO TAYLOR!!! Also, am still a Survivor fan


current color: I am really into that mint green lately - and pink. I am trying to colorize my wardrobe, tired of only having black shirts


current fetish: Aldi's Oatmeal Raisin Cookies - they are soft and yummy


current drink: Unsweet Iced Tea - no lemon, or regular coke


current food: We are really into long grain and wild rice, J has decided that she likes it so we have it with about every meal.


current favorite favorite: Days where I don't have to do a thing - haven't had one of those in a long time.


current wish-list: A fence for our back yard so I can quit walking the dog. :) Some shelves for my living room and pantry.


current needs: To finally lose this post-baby weight


current triumph: Awana is almost over for the year!! I have my Wednesday's back.


current bane(s) of my existence: Sick little one, no fence (again)


current celebrity crush: TV - Bradley Cooper from Alias, Movies - Brad Pitt (even though he left his wife - he is sooo pretty) :)


current indulgence: Don't really have one that I can think of.


current #1 blessings: Husband, children, our new house


current slang or saying: I don't really have one, but J always says "Snap!"


current outfit: Olive green cargo/type pants and a black shirt


current excitement: Hubby and I have been doing search-a-words like crazy - are we that nerdy!?!?


current mood: Busy - why am I doing this instead of working??


current link: W@H


current pictures: Bubby at the park (my sis took this pic for me)

Very First Post

Testing Testing - Trying this out.