Julie's Junction

Celebrate Come on and Celebrate!!

2011-02-17T16:47:00.002-06:00

To celebrate Gracie's Adoption Day, we had a pool party in July 2010. My former boss opened their backyard and beautiful pool for us to use. Gracie has grown so much since this picture was taken!!

We had sandwich trays, a chicken tray, veggie tray, and fruit. We had tea, water, and lemonade. Then we had cupcakes for dessert. I didn't get very many pictures of the actual party because I was in the pool with Gracie. She has loved the water! Swimming was a favorite for her during the Summer of 2010. She had a two piece swimsuit. I have told her this was the only time she could wear a two piece! Ha! Modest is hottest!! :)

Gracie with one of her guest relaxin and drinkin' a bottle:

Some pictures of the festivities

Adoption Day

2011-02-04T15:53:00.001-06:00

The Haskins on Adoption Day

June 29, 2010

I remember where Gracie and I were at when we got the call from our attorney for ADOPTION!! We were entering Dillards at the mall, specifically the children's clothing section (I've yet to buy anything there but I do love admiring or could that be coveting!)! And we had just completed taking pictures for Gracie's 1st Father's Day Gift. I took the call on my cell phone and walked to the ladies bathroom while the attorney was on the phone. It is really large and has a seating area. I checked the stalls to make sure no one was in there and then proceeded to give the attorney our personal information. Looking back it seems kind of odd and somewhat yucky that I did adoption business in the ladies bathroom at Dillards. But I had an infant, needed to sit down because I was shaking from pure excitement, and needed some privacy! It was Thursday, June 17th! We met that evening with a county adoption worker to sign some adoption papers for the state child services.

We met with our attorney on Wednesday, June 23rd, and signed the Petition for Adoption. We had a great attorney and if you are in Oklahoma and need an adoption attorney, we highly recommend him.

On Tuesday, June 29, 2010, the adoption was completed in court by 8:50 a.m.!!

Gracie's Adoption Case Worker, Judge Kirby, and Gracie's Foster Care Worker

Gracie's Foster Care Worker was an amazing individual. I kept telling her she was an instrument used by God! I truly believe she was. And, I feel it takes very gifted individuals to work in the Child Services Foster Care Division. Our worker had an amazing heart! She gave us the very first pictures of Gracie at 2 1/2 weeks! I am so grateful for those pictures because we did not meet her until she was about 1 1/2 months old. The adoption worker was sweet too but we only knew her for a few weeks! Hallelujah! Because that shows how quickly the adoption process/paperwork/etc went for us!

Our experience to adopt Gracie through OK DHS Child Services Foster program was one of just a few unique experiences. We had the hand of God all over us and our case. It helped too to have several prayer warriors praying for us and our hearts desire. I know some of you who blogged prayed for us and encouraged me. Very rarely does a family take a baby home from the hospital and then adopts that baby just 6 months into the case. God had this planned before time began! Isn't HE just amazing!! He answered so much of my specific requests when I had those private times with Him. I am blown away just trying to recall it all. God does that though. He has always done that for Bryan and I. We petition Him regarding a job, a move, finances, schooling, a family, and He always provides or answers beyond even what we ask! He will do the same for you! I know He will! I think one must have trust, faith, perseverance, HOPE, and endurance. God works in His time. Doesn't everyone always say that when trying to comfort someone in waiting? They do. And often to that hurting person, they are JUST WORDS. I know. I've been there. But I'm on the other side now. They are not just words. They are experience. Trust him! He is in control!! Allow God to work out your journey! Place God before you in your journey and FOLLOW HIM! Don't get in front of Him!

"No good thing does he withhold from those who walk uprightly." Psalm 84:11

Adoption Day was an amazing day! The excitement reminded me a little of our wedding day. We had such wonderful family and a huge support group of friends stand with us. Several of the ladies who held Gracie while she was in the NICU prior to us meeting her came to the adoption. Our Childrens Director from church as well as the lady who kept Gracie's Baby Class during Sunday School came. Several of my girlfriends and their families came. It touched our hearts to have so many support us and be there to see the end of one journey and the beginning of another journey.

I can remember everyone sitting in the seats, we were sitting at a table closest to the judges bench. When the judge called us and our attorney forward, he also told our entire group to feel free to come stand around him, his chair, and us. And just about everyone did!! He was such a nice judge. We had probably seen him in court I think 2 other times. He even told everyone with cameras to give them to him and he stood on the back bench and took the above picture! A neat addition to our adoption day was the fact my dad use to work in the very same building where our court was held and the judge and my dad knew each other. The judge did not know this until Adoption day!

Gracie with her Pop and GranD on Adoption Day

Gracie with Poppa, Nawna, and one of her Aunts

This was just about on our way out the door. Notice Gracie had already shed the socks and shoes!

Bryan's parents took us to lunch later that day to celebrate. We ate at Cattleman's Steakhouse. The very same place we ate at the first night we met Gracie!! It was also Gracie's first time to try water from a glass!

I think of Gracie's birth mother every week. We never met her or saw her. She did not work a plan and never came to court. The state has been unable to locate her or Gracie's birth father. I do think of them though. I wonder if they think of Gracie. I've wondered if they realized her first birthday came. I hurt for them and I've prayed for them. My prayer is that the Holy Spirit will touch their lives, their very soul and redeem them from their lifestyles. I wish sometimes, not all the time to be honest, that I could have seen what they looked like. I think I would want Gracie to know. Gracie is such a beautiful little girl. I'm sure her mom was so pretty. I wonder if her mom lives with regrets or if she has become numb. It is quite hard to reconcile in a human mind how one person can live so poorly, make such horrible and dangerous choices yet another family becomes blessed beyond words, beyond imagination because of what she has done. One hurts so another is healed. Only GOD can create, can carryout such a thing.

"On You O God was I cast from my birth, and from my mother's womb you have been my God." Psalm 22:10

"Upon you I have leaned from before my birth; you are he who took me from my mother's womb. My praise is continually of you." Psalm 71:6

Oh, how I pray Gracie will see her need for Christ as Saviour. May she always have God as her God! He has sustained her! He protected her in her mother's womb! May Gracie continually praise His name!

Very Nice to Meet You!!

2011-01-08T13:37:00.001-06:00

Saturday, January 8th, marks the 1 year anniversary of when God introduced us to our forever daughter!

January 8, 2010

January 7, 2011

My heart has just raced with joy and excitement all week long as I have thought back on that day. It has been a wonderful year!

We have a picture with Gracie's case worker that was taken just outside the NICU at 2:47 p.m.! It is a little fuzzy but this picture is just priceless to me. We had a wonderful case worker. You can see the time clearly in the original picture.
I remember signing my name for security reasons on Gracie's sign in sheet (her name was different then). I remember seeing her birth mother's name. She visited Gracie the 3 days she was in the hospital after giving birth. I remember taking my jewelry off and leaving it with Bryan's mom. I remember washing my hands and arms in the big steel sink just inside the NICU. I remember thinking "This is it! This is it!" During those moments of meeting Gracie and throughout the entire day, I felt like I was floating above myself watching me go through all these events. It is just so hard to describe. There was much to be done from signing papers, to making doctors appointments, to meeting multiple case workers, to picking up the diaper bag at home, to installing the car seat!

The hall and walk to her room seemed so long! I remember we walked nearly the entire length of the hall and then turned right into her room. She was the second "bed" from the door nearest the window. As we drew closer my heart squeezed tighter and tighter. We just wanted to see her.

Oh! She was precious! I play it over and over in my mind sometimes. I remember being awestruck at the first sight of her. We had no idea what to expect. We just knew she was Caucasian Hispanic and weighed around 5 pounds. She was so tiny! She was swaddled so tightly we could only see her face, hands, & hair! Oh, what hair! I remember thinking "Yes! She has hair." She was just so much more than we could have imagined! Although she was born early, she was perfect in every way.

She never liked having her hands swaddled. Several times during those first moments she would raise her hands. We called her our Hallelujah Baby! I would sing to her..."Your love is amazing, steady and unchanging, your love is a mountain firm beneath my feet. Hallelujah Hallelujah Hallelujah! Your love is amazing!" I was so giddy, I never could remember the other parts of this song while we were in the hospital.

She was so lite! I was not nervous at all to hold her, which surprised me just a little. I would have thought her prematurity (she was born 3 months premature) would have made me too nervous to hold her. But not so! I wanted to hold her right away (and I did), but I just kept feeling she would slip right out of my arms!I had a tingling sensation too and this odd taste in my mouth (I think it was just the excitement)! I did get to hold her right away and I even got to feed her. She did still have a tube just for a back up (she got that removed within 2-3 hours of us getting to the hospital). But praise God, she was able to eat on her own when we met her.

I could not believe I was holding a child that we were 75% certain (at the time) would be ours. I saw God so clearly on this day. HE had made her just for us. HE knew her when she was in her mother's womb! HE protected her for us! HE knew in 2007 and 2008 she was coming for us! I saw the end of one journey and the beginning of another great journey beginning! God is amazing! God is sovereign!
I remember seeing the absolute love, adoration, protectiveness, and possessiveness in Bryan's eyes! He is an amazing father! He was so gentle and spoke so softly to her. He seemed so comfortable with her in his arms. I totally fell in love with Bryan all over again!

I remember thinking "So this is what husbands and wives feel when they have their baby!"

I remember the nurse showing me how to feed her, how to hold the bottle to make sure she keeps breathing! I remember trying to watch her color and watch her nose flex. I remember praying to myself..."Lord please help me! She's dark complicated and I can't see the change in skin tone. Help me!"
I was a smiggin' nervous to feed her but we had monitors for us and they boosted our confidence. I remember the nurses encouragement.

I remember hearing my father-in-law walking down the hall to come into the room to meet his granddaughter for the first time. His tennis shoe was making a noise as he walked into the room. I remember seeing his frame fill the doorway.

Shortly after we met her, held her, and fed her ourselves one time, Gracie was moved to a step down room in another part of the NICU. She would stay there 2 1/2 more days. I think a big reason was for us to get more comfortable with her and to make sure she could continue to eat on her own. She was also monitored for breathing, oxygen levels, and body temperature. She's a strong girl! She was born at 27 weeks gestation and was only on the ventilator 1 1/2 days!

I got to stay in the room with Gracie 24/7. I remember the click of the door when Bryan left. I just walked to Gracie's crib and stared!! It was me and her!! She ate every 3 hours and I was suppose to sleep in between. I had a twin bed but how in the world I ask you could I have slept when I had my baby in that room! It wasn't that she cried. She never was a big crier in the hospital. I couldn't sleep because I had waited a long time for this day! My heart, head, and stomach was racing!!

I remember the phone calls, emails, and text messages from our friends and family on this day and through the day we brought Gracie home. My friend Brooklyn was my personal assistant! She did so much for Bryan, Gracie, and I. She ran around town on January 8th gathering things we had not yet purchased because we were not anticipating a placement so soon. She bought gender specific items. She brought us a car seat cover, blankets, outfits, and bows to the hospital.

I remember having such a surreal feeling when she visited me...she a mother, visiting me now a mother in the hospital. I will always remember the squeal over the phone when I told her we had a placement call. She walked every step with us through this day. We even went over to her house prior to going to the hospital so she could help Bryan install the car seat. And she was expecting at the time!
I remember where I was standing at in the Ada hospital (where my Granny was in the hospital) when I told my friend Kristine we were going to Children's because we had a placement call. I remember her soft sweet voice say "Oh, Julie!" These two friends as well as several others were so committed to Bryan and I. We have felt loved so much. It is an honor to have our friends. They truly are more than just friends. They are our brothers and sisters!

I have spent the past year enjoying this wonderful creation God has entrusted to us. Many times I have thought of blogging but I just can't quite find the right words. At times, I just cry with joy.

There are so many verses I have read in the past year that I have felt communicated my heart. One is 1 Chronicles 16:8-12, 23-25. It is David's Song of Thanks.

"Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!Sing to him; sing praises to him; tell of all his wondrous works! Glory in his holy name; let the hearts of those who seek the Lord rejoice! Seek the Lord and his strength; seek his presence continually! Remember the wondrous works that he has done, his miracles and the judgments he uttered. Sing to the Lord, all the earth! Tell of his salvation from day to day. Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples! For great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and he is to be held in aw above all gods."

Psalm 145:3-7

"Great is the Lord, and greatly to be praised, and his greatness in unsearchable. One generation shall commend your works to another, and shall declare your mighty acts. On the glorious splendor of your majesty, and on your wondrous works, I will meditate. They shall speak of the might of your awesome deeds, and I will declare your greatness. They shall pour forth the fame of your abundant goodness and shall sing aloud of your righteousness."

Carrots...Good for the Eyes

2010-05-26T10:53:00.001-05:00

We had a great weekend. This is what I found on Sunday afternoon...

Gracie had her 6 month check up Monday May 24th and received her shots!!

I was by myself on this round so I didn't even try to get a picture. She was absolutely happy the entire time and then BAM!!! The shots came!!

She now weighs 12 lbs 9.5 oz.

She is 23 inches long.

Her head is 16 1/4 inches.

She is now in the 5th percentile in weight!! Yea!!! That may seem low to you, but we are just glad she finally made it onto the growth chart!! Her height still has not made it onto the chart.

Our doctor suggested we begin Gracie on some baby food...starting with veggies. So on Monday night we put her chair together and Bryan had the honors. I think I was too nervous to try. She was a little fussy beforehand because of her shots. Plus she never liked the cereal we tried in previous weeks. I just wasn't sure if she would take to baby food.

Initially it was touch and go...

But overall, we feel like she did very well her first time.

What's In A Name

2010-05-18T19:54:00.001-05:00

I have spent the past month and a half absolutely enjoying life as a wife and mommy! The time has flown by!! I find myself saying that several times a week. Our little princess has changed so much in just the past 2-3 weeks! We love her more and more each day!! And we are just mesmerized by her more and more each day!!

Some may already know her name from my original post on face book. But I later removed it for security reasons. Today, on her 6 month birthday, I wanted to post her name and why we chose it.

When her adoption is complete her name will be:

Gracie Faith ______ Haskins

She will have two middle names. The last one is the first name her birth mother gave her when she was born in November. Although parent rights have been terminated, we are still waiting to post that detail as well as her actual birth date.

We debated on changing her name. We considered keeping her name but shortening it to something else. We wanted to have a name that was reflective of Bryan & I and one that would display who our Lord is and what He has done in our lives as well as hers! We wanted her name to be a testimony. We do not have salvation from an eternal hell were it not for God's grace and His gift of His son. Her name isn't just about our journey to have a family, her name is about all things in life on our walk with God. God gives us grace, undeserving favor, every day of our lives.

Gracie's name is reflective of our journey to get her into our home. We would not have Gracie were it not for God's grace. There is absolutely nothing Bryan and I could have done in our power to receive such a precious child. God gave us Gracie because He is gracious. We could not have worked out the details and timing like God has. We are undeserving of every gift He gives us. When you face infertility or the loss of a child, it takes a lot of faith to walk through to the other side. It takes faith to walk through the unknown. Ours was not always perfect. At times, our hope and our faith seemed so small.

We want Gracie to know how important faith is. For it is by GRACE through FAITH we are saved!! I'm excited for the time to come when Gracie realizes her name is reflective of God's plan for salvation. I pray everyday for Gracie to grow in faith, love of scripture, and her understanding and realization for repentance and a Saviour.

So each time we say her name, look at her, hear a song about God's Grace...His AMAZING GRACE, I am reminded both of the beautiful daughter we have and the Grace of God throughout every activity and provision in my life.

We are still waiting for our side of the adoption paperwork which we hope to receive within the next few weeks. It is our hope all legalities are done by her 1st birthday!

Gracie is 6 months old this week!

I completely missed posting on her 5 month birthday, but I did get a picture.

She has changed so much since her 4 month birthday. And a lot of that change has come just within the past 2-3 weeks. We think she is on a growth spurt.

At 6 months:

*Gracie began sleeping through the night April 29th. She has only woke up during the night on 3 nights. Last night though, she woke up every hour!!

*Gracie weighed 12 lbs on May 3rd and was 23 3/4 in long.

*Gracie wears a size 1 diaper.

*She has now begun to wear size 3 months clothes.

*Her eating schedule has changed back down to every 3 - 3.5 hours and she takes about a 5 oz bottle at each feeding.

*We have tried rice cereal 4 times now, but she doesn't seem to like it or take it well from the spoon.

*Her first laugh was on Monday, May 3rd.

*Her daddy goes into her room every morning before he gets ready for work and she greets him with a huge smile! She is a happy baby in the mornings.

*Gracie loves to watch people in a crowd. She is very alert. She loves to interact.

*She has begun to bend her legs up and down, like she is jumping, when someone holds her in their lap.

*She loves to have her hands in her mouth. We often hear her smacking!

*This morning she began bringing her hands up to her bottle and she held her bottle briefly by herself for about 4 seconds today.

*Gracie took her first long distance trip to Ft. Worth, Texas in April for Daddy's PE exam.

*She has slowly, very slowly, moved from despising tummy time to tolerating about 5-7 minutes.

*She loves the clown a lady made at Nawna's church and that helps with her tummy time.

*She loves to stretch and kick in her bed. She slams her legs and arms down. We think she loves the thud sound. She still moves all over her bed at night.

*Gracie has rubbed a lot of her hair off on the back of her head and the crown. We think it is from moving so much in her bed. I have found her hair on her bumper pads!!

*Gracie has begun to spend some supervised time in her bouncer. She is learning to hold toys in her hands. She is also realizing items with texture.

*Gracie holds her head up quite well. She has begun to raise her head up when she is sitting in the swing and laying on her play mat.

*She sits in her bumbo chair very well now.

*Gracie squeals and makes the sound of "aaahhh" and "eeeeee." She will "talk" to me when I stare right at her and make an "oooo" sound.

*She loves to have someone help her use her hands to hit the table top.

*Gracie begins to laugh when we use her hands to pat our cheeks.

*On May 10th, Gracie had her first experience of Oklahoma severe weather when a tornado touched down approximately 1 - 1.5 miles from our house. She and I went into the closet...all during a feeding time and very humid weather!

After school, our friends, Ava, Stella, and Boston came by to have cupcakes to celebrate Gracie's 1/2 birthday!

Mother's Day 2010

I had a wonderful first Mother's Day. I had to be pulled out of Sunday School for the first time to go console Gracie! I loved it though. I felt so needed! I just held her close and rocked her! She quit crying almost as soon as I began to hold her and talk to her!! And the fact that she did that on Mother's Day was just fitting. She also spit up all on her new white sweater! :)

She had a little melt down last Sunday as well and I was called out of Sunday School. I'm wondering if this may become a habit. :)

Easter 2010

2010-04-05T14:26:00.011-05:00

Our family has experienced one of the most memorable Resurrection Celebrations weekends! It is in part to having a wonderful blessing from God with our little girl, but the services we attended were just amazing! I wish all of you could have been with me to experience them and worship our Savior and King!

The three of us attended the Good Friday service at our church, FBC Newcastle. The worship leader, choir, and pastor led out in a Tenebrae service and we took the Lord's Supper as a congregation. The songs and drama truly caused a person to think on the cross, the sacrifice, our sinful selves, and God's mercy. It was amazing and really helped to honestly lead me to worship God. I am so thankful for those who worked so hard and gave up so much time so that I could experience it. The Good Friday service left me in anticipation for the services on Sunday.

Before we left for Good Friday Service

Bryan isn't in the picture because he just about got out of his truck and right into the car so we could get to church on time.

We had a nice Saturday at home, enjoying beautiful weather and working in our yard. There was even enough time for me to get all our clothes prepared and laid out for Sunday morning. I had a great Saturday. And thankfully, we were all dressed, picture taken, and on time Sunday morning!!

Here's a shot of my two favorite people while I worked on getting the timer on the camera ready:

I love it!! It was kind of an indication of how the morning was going. Little Bit didn't realize it was Easter Sunday and I needed a little time to get ready myself. Plus, she didn't really want to be in a dress. She prefers her pjs! She was a little fussy! We warned the nursery workers. And you'll never guess....she was perfect for them!! It is fun to watch Little Bit's personality slowly develop.

Our First Easter as a Family of 3!

My mom made this year's Easter dress for Little Bit. It is kind of a wild print but I loved the colors. I'm glad my mom was able to make her dress. Mom has been very giving to us and we loved going over to her house for "fittings."

This picture just makes me smile every time I look at it!

We have borrowed Nathan's Bumbo chair to see how she likes it. We did purchase one on Friday but I got a different color than I had intended for her and need to take it back and exchange it.

I'm looking forward to reading about your Resurrection Celebration Weekend!

What We've Been Doin'

2010-04-01T18:05:00.001-05:00

I love cough medicine!! I have had a head/chest (it keeps bouncing back and forth) cold this week and I'm so grateful for whomever created the medicine to clear up the congestion and soothe my airways!! I've just been focused on taking care of Little Bit and resting when I can so I've not had much computer time!

Here's a catch up:

Last Tuesday was an exciting day in our household. It was the DVD release of one of the best movies ever!!

In honor of the movie, Bryan (although he didn't know it at the time but went on my instructions) picked up Taco Bell for dinner that evening. Little Bit even watched part of the movie with us before she went out for the night.

I love the movie Blindside and think every family should see it. It is a great movie to open one's eyes to the huge need of foster parenting and mentoring. What we give up, could save some child from the potential of a horrible future.

We've gone out and about a few times last week, but we have also tried to stay at home more and establish a morning routine. We love to read!

Excuse the frizzy hair! This was pre-flat iron time! Bryan took this and did not know the rules about non-frizzy hair in pictures.

Little Bit loves the book "God Knows All About Me" and I also read out of this illustrated book of Bible Stories each morning. It is fascinating to us to watch her eyes just light up and open wide once I begin reading the book. It makes me think she is recognizing the pictures...I don't know.

This same day we went to the doctor's office for her 4 month check up and shots. Bryan took off the entire day to be with us and go to the doctor's.

On Friday night, Little Bit went with me to my Bunco group. I play with a great group of ladies who are so supportive and encouraging to Bryan and I. It was nice to have her with me, but I'm pretty certain she will not be going again. I think she was a little distraction.

Miss Sharon

Miss Carla

Bryan's parents came up on Saturday to visit with Little Bit and help us with some projects around the house. Bryan and his dad put in the poles for a clothesline (I love sun dried clothes in the summer) and Bryan's mom re-upholstered my chairs.

Before

After

On Monday we tried cereal for the first time...per the suggestion of our doctor

Please note: These are Bryan's hairy legs, not mine! :)

Cereal did not go so well. So we are definitely taking our time with it. I think she is still a little young.

Have a wonderful Resurrection Weekend Celebration!!!

I Go Out A Walkin'

2010-03-22T16:10:00.001-05:00

We had our first walk in the stroller on Thursday!!

The weather has been in the high 50s to low 60s, but the forecast is predicted to get colder and wetter over the weekend. Blah!!! We wanted to get in some sunshine while we could. Thursday was a perfect day.

We met Nathan and his mom Kristine and walked in Nathan's MiMi's neighborhood. Little Bit slept the entire time! I really enjoyed my visit with Kristine. I remember thinking a year ago, I would not have children during the same time as she and I longed to raise our children together. Wow!! How God can completely change your life!!! In so many ways!!!

I neglected to get a picture of Nathan. It just means we will have to do it again soon!

We finished off our Thursday evening with Book Club! Again, no pictures!

On Friday, we met our personal seamstress, Little Bit's Nawna, to make a quick trip to Hancocks to get some material for another new dress Nawna is making. It is great to have her close by to make dresses. I'm hoping she doesn't begin charging labor! We also have a pattern for Gran D to work on.

Then on Friday night, we met Pop and Gran D in Purcell at Rodney's Pizza Place! YUM!!! Little Bit did so great. She was so well behaved and she was awake the entire time!

Pop gave Little Bit her first fishing pole!

It snowed in our area on Saturday and some on Sunday so Little Bit and I stayed in from church. Then Bryan took time on Sunday evening to study for his P.E. exam he takes in April. Little Bit tried to lend a hand!

Someone in this house is quickly getting spoiled!

(note: Bryan normally doesn't dress like this!! :) He kept his shirt from church on and had on comfy pants. We all lounged around)

4 Months Old!!

2010-03-18T14:15:00.003-05:00

Another month has come and gone and Little Bit is another month older! I just told Bryan she is nearly half a year old! This time is moving so quickly. She seems to change every day!

At 4 months:

She sleeps sideways in her bed no matter how we lay her.

She loves any toy that hangs from her play mat.

She loves bright lights and goes into a deep stare.

She is cooing some.

She loves to kick her legs. It looks like she is running or riding a bike all while laying on her back!

She loves to ride in the car. Getting in the car seat/carrier isn't so great but once she is moving, she's good-to-go!

She has stayed in the church nursery on 2 Wednesday nights. We haven't left her on Sunday mornings yet.

She smiled one time (it was a non-poop/gas smile:-) when I was make silly laughing noises.

She has beautiful big bright eyes.

She is staying a wake more during the day and loves to play.

On the night before her 4 month birthday she went to bed at 10:30, woke at 2 a.m. to eat, and then slept the rest of the time!!!

Little Bit is beginning to coo and make some adorable noises! I tried to catch some of it on video.

I think she may have had some performance anxiety! You'll just have to bare with me and put up with my high pitched, squeaky voice! It's incredibly embarrassing to hear and I can't believe I'm posting it. But it is for the benefit of Little Bit's family who live out of town. And, I put socks on her everyday. She just keeps kicking them off!

We don't do much to celebrate St. Patrick's day at our house but we had some errands to run before church so we dressed in green. I didn't want Little Bit to get pinched by any of little ones she may have encountered!

Little Bit & I on St. Patrick's Day 2010

The Greats

2010-03-17T07:15:00.004-05:00

On Saturday, March 6th, we were finally able to make our first trip with Little Bit down to Ada to visit and meet her Great Grandmas...Our Granny and MeMaw!!! Neither one of them had met Little Bit in person. They had only saw her through pictures. Unfortunately, her Great Grandpas are not with us. But we have a lot of stories we can share and pictures! They were great men!

It was so great to see my Granny!

She has been very sick with shingles and then she fell and broke her hip. It is amazing how God can change your hearts! During a tense and uncertain time...WHAM God gave us Gracie!! I had not seen Granny since the day Bryan and I left her hospital room to go meet Little Bit for the first time on January 8th! Granny is recovering and slowly resuming some of her activities she did before she got sick this past fall.

Bryan's MeMaw had a stroke a few years ago. She still lives in her own home, but her daughter-in-law stays with her. We are glad to have MeMaw. She really loved Gracie!

Bryan's dad..Now known as "Pop", MeMaw, Little Bit, and Bryan---4 Generations

When Bryan was a child he stayed with a wonderful lady named Roberta. She is like a Grandma and mother all in one!! She is very special to us and loves Bryan so much. She was also able to come by Bryan's parents house.

It warms our hearts to see our grandparents love our little girl so much!! Some were hesitant for us to go the foster adoption route, but I think it is safe to say they are very happy now!

A Few Firsts

2010-03-09T09:17:00.001-06:00

Little Bit has had a few first in February that need to be documented!

1st Valentines Day

On Friday before Valentine's we visited Dad at his office and met his co-workers. We took Bryan a cupcake from Sara Sara in OKC. Throughout the week I had worked on moving some photos of Little Bit over onto a digital frame to have at his office and we took that to him as well. He tells me now he looks at it but on some days doesn't turn it on because it makes him miss Little Bit during the day.

This ape came from her Pop...even after he received several warnings from me not to give us so many plush Valentine toys! Her Pop is totally smitten! You can definitely tell he has waited a long time for this little one and loves her tremendously!! So do her Gran D, Nawna, & Poppa!

1st Time to Church

This is the outfit she wore her first time to church. I love the expression on her face!

It is so wonderful to be back at church as a family of 3! I am still learning the balance of feeding, attending Sunday School, and making it through a worship service without getting up.

Thank goodness for a timer on the camera and Bryan's tripod stand he usually takes to the gun range! We wouldn't have had a family picture of our 1st Time to Church without it!

1st Pair of Shoes

Bryan is not a big fan of her shoes. He keeps calling him her clown shoes! They are a little big, but I'm having a hard time finding shoes that go with several outfits that actually fit her. Although she is growing and gaining weight, her little feet still seem small!

She celebrated her 3 month birthday in February!! It is amazing how quickly time truly does fly. It is happening to fast!!

Photo Session

2010-02-24T17:37:00.002-06:00

I am completely amazed how fast time flies when you are at home with an infant! The day just goes by so quickly, at times to quickly! I'm still working on balancing a baby, a home, a husband, my walk with God & quiet time, and myself. Just when I think I may have it down....I see that I don't! I feel like I have a been a horrible blogging friend!

She is growing so fast! We had Miss Amanda come to our house the first week of February to snap some pictures of Little Bit. Amanda did a great job. She took over 200 pictures and edited the cd down to 103. We are having a hard time choosing which ones to print. It has been 3 weeks since these pictures and yesterday at the doctor's office our girl weighed 8 lbs 8.5 oz. She's come a long way from her birth weight!!

We've been able to do a few more things and have some outings, but for now, I'll just try to get some of my more favorite shots of the photo session on here. One funny story....Amanda had Little Bit on a white fluffy thing to take a picture in the buff. Before she could click the camera, Little Bit proceeded to begin to have a bm. I didn't want it to hurt the prop so I placed my hand on her booty and kept the "stuff" from falling on the white fluffy thing. Amanda grabbed the diaper so it didn't do too much grossness to my hand!! I feel like I can do just about anything now!! :)

Bryan loves his little girl so much! I love to see him walk through the door in the evening and his eyes light up! He is an amazing man and father!

Daddy's Hands...

This one above was one of my favorites of her in her Easter dress. But now that everyone has seen her dress early, she may just need to get a different one! :)

When others have seen this next picture they say she is smiling. We didn't count it as her first smile though. We think she may have had some gas!

Our Family Photos

What Not to Wear

2010-02-03T12:02:00.009-06:00

It is getting somewhat complicated to dress Little Bit. She has a several cute newborn outfits, but she is still in the preemie size, especially in pants. Her little newborn pjs are way to long.

Here are two outfits:

The one on the left is newborn and the one on the right is preemie. She wears the preemie set at least once a week. We had this outfit and a few others given to us as gifts and then a friend of ours has loaned us some of her daughter's preemie clothes. We basically rotate the same 7 or so outfits out each week. It is amazing the difference in size. I do not want to rush Little Bit to grow up, but I'm anxious to get her into some of her 0-3 month outfits!

Today we tried on her "potential" Valentine Day outfit. I would say I need to come up with an alternative. She still has some growin' to do!! And, she does a good job "disguising" her identity herself, especially with this hat!

She does have some red pants to go with this outfit that are also newborn, but they were nearly as long as she is! I think she may be a petite little thing!

I'm a little nervous. We have someone coming to our house tomorrow night to take some pictures of Little Bit. I have a few outfits we are going to try. I'm more nervous she will get mad and cry and we will just have to try pictures at a different time. We already reschedule once due to the weather. We should have fun tomorrow!

Two weeks ago, I got to go back to church for the first time since nearly the beginning of the year! I enjoyed it, but it did seem strange going without my man and my girl!

Little Bit and I before I left:

This past Sunday, this was "church" for me:

I listened to our pastor's sermon from 3 weeks ago online while Bryan was at church.

Although I didn't get to leave the house, it felt great to shower and get dressed. And I was in the Word the same time my fellow church members were! Although she was in pajamas, I'm still trying to train Little Bit to wear some headbands and bows. Luckily our friend made some headbands small enough to fit her head.

Shower of Blessings

2010-01-30T17:43:00.001-06:00

When we told our friends we had submitted paperwork and "officially" began the process to do Foster Care/Adoption, one of the first things they did was insist they give us a shower. So even back in November, Brooklyn, Courtney, and Kristine began planning. They wanted us to be prepared at a moment's notice to receive a child in our home. And boy, am I glad they insisted!! We did receive Little Bit in just a moment's notice!! :) These 3 wonderful ladies have been such dear precious friends of ours and supported us for several years on our journey to get our forever family. They have listened to me, prayed for us, and encouraged us numerous times. I am so grateful for their friendship and their love. Brooklyn, Courtney, & Kristine

It is still amazing just how specific God's timing is! Here is part of my personal journal entry from December 29th..."I feel I have to press forward knowing it will work out. But this may very well be the hardest wait yet. We have a baby shower on January 10th & I keep wondering what will people think of us since we do not have a placement yet. I just keep telling myself, God will make it all right. His thoughts, His opinions, pleasing Him should be my focus & it hasn't been the past month." I even received some emails from those invited congratulating us on a child and some folks at church thought we had indeed received a child. But we hadn't. I just felt so odd as the week progressed. Because of the delay in our home study, I never ever thought once we would have a child by the shower.

We met Little Bit on Friday, January 8th and the shower was Sunday, January 10th!! This was absolutely a sweet time for my friends and I. The excitement was wonderful!

Even if our Girl was at home, we would not have taken her to the shower, especially since she had spent the first 2 months of her life in the NICU. But thank goodness for 1 hour photo!! We printed some pictures off and the hostesses placed them on the tables at the shower. Courtney even made a plaque with Little Bit's name on it. I was amazed because she only had 1 day to get that done!

Bryan stayed with our daughter at the hospital. It was a little odd...I showered at home on Saturday, wore "lounge" wear to the hospital to spend the night in, and then dressed and straightened my hair at the hospital. I loved going to the baby shower, but it was strange to leave Bryan and our daughter.

Brooklyn made the cake. I thought is was just adorable. She did a fabulous job! I have to admit, it was special knowing the gender of the baby. It was neat to have a girlie touch to the shower.

We were truly showered with blessings upon blessings. But I felt all day it wasn't just a shower but a huge celebration party! It was so great to celebrate the answer to many prayers with people who are very special to us. There have been many godly ladies and families praying for us. Bryan's childhood babysitter who is in her 70s even drove up from Ada. That was a sweet surprise.It was such a joyful day! I didn't quite make it without any tears. But they were tears of joy! It was great to have tears of joy!!! They are so different than tears of sorrow! We have had joy upon joy over the past 3 weeks! It truly is like the hymn "joy unspeakable and full of glory full of glory oh the half has never yet been told!!"

Brooklyn's daughter, Ava, was also at the shower and was quick to tell me she was a helper and I think I remember her asking me what my job was at the shower because she had a job!! Actually, she had several jobs. She started out with Courtney and I as I opened gifts. She would hold up each gift for everyone to see. She was our little Vanna White!

About half way through, she asked if she could quit this job and go get some cake!!

Ava just melts my heart!! Our friend, Carla, thought she was such a great helper, she gave Ava $2.00!! You can see Ava holding the money, rather tightly, in the picture below!!

God's Word reads "a friend loves at all times." These 3 ladies have. They love me for who I am and they know so much about me! They continue to support us as parents. I am so grateful for their kind, generous, spirits. They have showed the love of Christ to me in so many ways! I have such a special place for them in my heart!

Thank you Vicki for taking the pictures for me!

We have a Girl!!!!!

2010-01-24T21:00:00.003-06:00

Friday, January 8th is the day God changed our lives forever! We received a call on my cell phone, while down in Ada for my Granny's hip surgery, from our case worker. She asked us how soon we felt we could receive a little baby girl!!!

A BABY CHANGES EVERYTHING!

I want so much to show you the many pictures we have took. But we need to protect her identity for a few more months, hopefully just a few. There are so many details of her story getting to us, but I have to keep those to share at a later time as well. But I will tell you, our little girl was born in November at 27 weeks gestation weighing under 3 pounds and has spent the entire time up to January 11th in the NICU. God protected her amazingly while she was in the womb. She was only on a ventilator for a little over a day. The nurses told us she practically took herself off the vent!! She is a fighter!! We are so grateful to God He made her so strong and determined! She remained in the NICU due to her weight and eating. However, she began eating more on her own and the feeding tube was removed the day we met her!!

Although we received the placement call around 7:40 a.m., we did not get to the hospital until approximately 3:00 p.m.!! Although I did not carry a child and go through the pains of labor, I can kind of relate to the anticipation a mother may have. Bryan and I thought the time to finally see her would never come. We had to explain the events to my Granny and tell her goodbye. Then we rushed home to pick up the car seat/carrier (Some of my mom-friends call it car seat. Some call it carrier. I'm still not sure what to call it!) and diaper bag. Then we drove to the Child Welfare office to sign our contract!

We made a mad dash over to Brooklyn's so she could show us and make sure we properly installed the car seat! She has 3 kids and another one on the way. We knew we were dealing with an expert! And finally...............we made it to the hospital!!

Seeing our little girl for the first time!

One of the first feedings we did:Bryan is an expert!! He is very protective of his little girl! Now, two weeks later, he has our precious one on some type of an eating competition. He keeps telling her she is about to break the previous day's record!

Shortly after we met our little one, she was moved into a transition room in the NICU. It was mostly for our benefit, I think. We learned to feed with her, change her diaper, all while she was still on monitors. It gave us a strong peace. The staff also wanted to make sure she adequately had her sucking, breathing, and swallowing coordination down. It was a room where one of us could spend the night. And Boom! In a split second, I began the night shift of feeding a baby! Something I have waited a long time for! I have loved it. I do have to admit, though, the 2 a.m. feeding is the hardest.

Since we met her, we spent 3 nights in the hospital and we brought her to our home on Monday, January 11, 2010!!

Bryan and His Girl before coming home

Our First Family Picture

We have spent the past two weeks bonding and cuddling with our little girl! We have had two eye appointments and two doctor appointments. She has had her two month immunization shots. That event required lots and lots and lots of additional love and holding! It was the most we had ever heard her cry. :(

We have been overwhelmed and extremely grateful for the love, prayers, and support shown by so many! We have had meals brought to us and so many have text us, emailed us, or called us! We have loved every minute. People have made us feel so special. We are so blessed to have such a great group of people around us. We have no words to express how our hearts have felt.

Bryan's mom took this picture I think on the Monday we came home. We spent a lot of time like this. I would text (I love holding baby girl on my chest!! She is a great cuddler!!) and Bryan removed some pictures from face book. Upon a suggestion, we deleted pictures of our girl until further into her process.

Please continue to pray for our family. One parental unit's rights were terminated and we are now waiting on the other's to be terminated. We hope to know a status on adoption in the Spring. I long for when I can tell you just how specifically God has been in so many aspects of this journey...many of which we discovered the first weekend we met our girl.

I wonder if we are a little abnormal....We love changing diapers! We love it that sweet baby has wet and dirty diapers! It tells us she is healthy and "everything" is working fine!! Immediately after Bryan changed his first dirty diaper, he saw the need to put the diaper geannie (sp?)together!!

Not long after being home, I discovered it was very hard to keep my hair out of the way during feedings and cuddling. I had an appointment already made and was able to get a "new mom" cut. Thanks Aunt Lissa!!

One of the delays in making this initial post is just how to come up with the right words, the adequate Praise to God. I want to share just the right scriptures, just the right descriptive words to communicate my thoughts and emotions. It has been very hard to articulate what I am feeling inside. It is indescribable. I feel very unworthy. I'm still in awe. Throughout our time in the NICU just holding and staring at our baby and over the past two weeks, I would just keep thinking of Christ Tomlin's "Indescribable." This part of our journey is so much more, so incredibly more than we ever could have imagined or wished for!

You or someone you know may still be in the waiting. Some are waiting for the baby still to come. Some are waiting for that Godly spouse. Some our waiting on a job and/or financial stability. Some are waiting for healing. Some are waiting for a house to sell. Waiting is hard, tiring, and painful. Sometimes in the midst of the waiting it is hard to see, understand, and believe the greatness that will come on the other side of the waiting journey. Sometimes when you are left in the waiting and others, like my family, are beginning to see the end to waiting, you get discouraged. I know, I've been there. It is a very human feeling. But believe me, GOD SHOWS HIMSELF SO MUCH MORE FAITHFUL THAN WE ARE! It is not just a cliche. Tell yourself over and over, God is real! God is real! He has called me to this journey, called me to this season of waiting. In our waiting, I have learned:

"For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven. He has made everything beautiful in its time."

Ecclesiastes 3:1, 11

Pray with FAITH. I would ask God to protect our child to come if he or she were still in the womb. At times, I prayed though wondering how in the world a child could be protected and free from alcohol/substance abuse while the mother kept making bad decisions after bad decisions. I neglected and forgot the POWER AND PROTECTION OF GOD! We have experienced it first hand in our daughter!!

Have HOPE. Have FAITH.

"Therefore, since we have been justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. Through him we have also obtained access by faith into this grace in which we stand, and we rejoice in hope of the glory of God. More than that, we rejoice in our sufferings, knowing that suffering produces endurance, and endurance produces character, and character produces HOPE, and HOPE does not put us to shame, because God's love has been poured into our hearts through the Holy Spirit who has been given to us." Romans 5:1-5

Stay in HIS WORD.

"This God--his way is perfect; the word of the Lord proves true; he is a shield for all those who take refuge in him." Psalm 18:30

"For whatever was written in former days was written for our instruction, that through endurance and through the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have HOPE."

Romans 15:4

"And I will be a father to you, and you shall be sons and daughter to me, says the Lord Almighty."

2 Corinthians 6:18

If you have repented of your sins and asked Christ to be your Lord and Saviour, You too are adopted into His family and HE WILL TAKE CARE OF YOU!

"How much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!"

Matthew 7:11b

I got to go to church this morning while Bryan stayed home with Little Bit. Our pastor used 2 Chronicles 16:9 in his message. I think it may be applicable to many of us."For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to give strong support to those whose heart is blameless toward him."

Tomorrow Bryan goes back to work. It will be my first official day as a mom all by myself during the day!

God has bestowed His marvelous GRACE on our family!!

Surviving the Blizzard of 2009

2009-12-28T10:36:00.024-06:00

I have pictures/posts about my company Christmas party, Christmas with Eric and His Family, and just Christmas overall but I felt I needed to get our experience of the Great Blizzard down before I forgot or too much time passed! It was an experience etched in our minds for quite sometime!!!

I did have to come into work for about 3 hours on Christmas Eve. It wasn't too bad because my boss brought me biscuits and gravy and we just hung out together. Very relaxed!! Luckily we left the office one hour before our original set time. Bryan and I have always spent Christmas Eve with his family for the past 13 years. Although it was snowing in OKC/Moore, we decided to leave for Ada, hoping to drive out of the storm. That did not happen. Instead, it felt like we were in the eye (if a snow storm has an eye) of the storm the entire drive to Ada!! Just some basic information...from Moore to Norman, the drive is usually 7-10 minutes. From Moore to Ada, the drive is usually 1 hour 10 minutes. On Christmas Eve, it took us 50 minutes to get from Moore to Norman. And it took us 4.5 hours to get from Moore to Ada!!!

These pictures were taken on the interstate about 5 miles from Moore.

We passed this jack-knifed semi-truck along Norman. At this point, the snow, wind, and road conditions made us afraid to turn around and we had already spent 45 minutes in the car. We did not want to get stuck/stranded in it driving back and it was hard to find a place to turn around.

We stopped in another town to use the restroom and Bryan bought "provisions" in case we got stranded in our car. I had asked him to buy some crackers and peanut butter, thinking of a source of protein. I had two bananas from home already in the car. Here are the provisions he bought...

Cheetos and Gatorade!!!

I must remember this when I ask him to get dinner for our future children!! :)

The last 3 hours of our drive were very scary. Our visibility was terrible and we had to stop every 2 miles or so to clean off our wipers. I don't think we ever got over 10-15 mph. At one point, we discovered we had crossed over the entire road and was straddling the edge of the road with a small drop off about 75 ft in front of us!!! Bryan was able to correct and get back onto the road. Needless to say, I was crying at this point and nauseated!!

As I recalled this to Brooklyn, I told her I would never have gotten out in this if we had a child!! Promise!!!! Looking back, we were crazy to have driven to Ada. We should have stayed home! I am so thankful we made it safely.

My father-in-law on Christmas Eve

In the midst of a blizzard he was concerned about the star falling off his tree outside! Ha!!

There is some beauty of a white Christmas...

This was outside my in-laws home on Christmas Day. The bird was just beautiful!

We drove back home on Saturday. The drive back was dramatically different:

Here are some pictures of our house, 3 days after the blizzard when we got home. I couldn't get into my driveway and my poor car had to spend the night outside.

This is standing in our garage, looking out. We brought a few bags in and then took time to dig a small path so we could walk into the garage. Can you tell how deep the snow was up against our garage!

The pictures in the daylight were taken yesterday after some snow melt.Bryan and I had fun shoveling snow. I love Bryan's action shot!!

At sunset yesterday. And now my car is in my garage!!!

Have a great week!

Silver Dollar City -- 2009

2009-12-21T09:25:00.018-06:00

Bryan and I think we are well on our way to establishing some Christmas traditions of our very own. One of them seems to be going to Silver Dollar City in Branson, MO to view the lights, drink some cider, and watch Dickens Christmas Carol. We did this last year, we just went this past weekend for this year, and we bought passes for 2010!! We have tentative plans to go with friends and take family on other trips!

Silver Dollar City is the best place to go for the holidays! I cannot wait until we have a small someone to take with us. However, we would definitely have to watch the weather and temps. It was cold this weekend!! It was so cold, even this little squirrel was burrowing for some food!

Now you see bits of his head (look closely)....

Now you don't....

This year we were able to take Bryan's mom with us. His dad isn't much of a traveler! It was fun to have her with us.

Bryan was our very own personal tour guide in Silver Dollar City. He scanned the official Silver Dollar City paper while we waited in line to see Dickens Christmas Carol (which is a must if you go to Silver Dollar City during the Christmas season).

One of the beauties of Silver Dollar City is the Christmas decorations throughout the park. Buildings and trees are covered in bright lights. I think it would be a child's delight! Here is one of Bryan's "must stops"...the Taffy Shop.

They also have a beautiful ceremony to light the tree (unfortunately my video was too long to upload). The tree, of course, is not lit in the daylight. Bryan and I always take a picture in front of the tree.

Different colors of the same tree:

They also have a light parade in the evenings as well!

We did some shopping Sunday at the Tanger Outlet Mall and then ate at Lambert's Cafe in Ozark, MO...home of the throwed rolls! It was delicious!! We ate way too much!!

Now it is back to work, wrapping gifts, and getting ready for a family gathering!

Have a Merry Christmas!!

Harvest IS Coming !!

2009-12-18T14:09:00.009-06:00

I wasn't going to blog today because I was trying to catch up on some reading in James, but I "accidentally" read James 5:7-11. I was suppose to be reading/taking notes on the last part of Chapter 3. But I just had to share with you what I read in James 5.

The title in my Bible just before these verses reads "Patience in Suffering."

"Be patient, therefore, brothers, until the coming of the Lord. See how the farmer waits for the precious fruit of the earth, being patient about it, until it receives the early and the late rains. You also, be patient. Establish your hearts, for the coming of the Lord is at hand. Do not grumble against one another, brothers, so that you may not be judged; behold, the Judge is standing at the door. As an example of suffering and patience, brothers, take the prophets who spoke in the name of the Lord. Behold, we consider those blessed who remained steadfast. You have heard of the steadfastness of Job, and you have seen the purpose of the Lord, how the Lord is compassionate and merciful." James 5:7-11

Although these verses are tied to the return of the Lord, it made me immediately think of those waiting for children or those waiting for a spouse or those waiting for healing or those wanting a renewed marriage or perhaps a job. Waiting gets long and worrisome. But notice the mention of precious fruit! Isn't that child to be, that husband to come, that healing to come ever so precious! It made me think of the precious child to hopefully come into our home next year. It often seems like the deepest desires are so long in the coming. These scriptures tells us too we must receive the early and late rains. I think of trials, the disappointments, the let down after let down, and the "rain" that falls on our lives, but their is precious fruit as the outcome!! Hallelujah!! I could be taking this scripture in a whole different direction, but I had to share how it initially set with me. Oh, it does mention the farmer waits with patience! Patience....the hardest aspect of farming. It says to establish your hearts...be set, be ready, be sure. Those who remain steadfast will be blessed. The Lord is compassionate and merciful!

I found this picture by artist Gregory Frank and it is titled "A Peaceful Time."I LOVE this picture. I think of it as a mother and daughter, me and my daughter on my Granny's land! We would be at the end of our harvest. The title is so fitting. A peaceful time...Harvest is Coming!!

Christmas Card Carousel 2009

2009-12-17T12:48:00.002-06:00

Faith is having a Christmas Card Carousel over at her blog!! And thanks to her advice, I was finally able to get ours onto my blog!

Isn't Faith absolutely amazing!! She is one of the most talented individuals. She is so creative and artistic! And might I add, just gorgeous!!

Although our Christmas card isn't too fancy, it is very special to me. My cousin Eric helped take our picture on my Granny's property. There are many memories at Granny's house and I find myself longing to be in Ada as much as possible because she is there and it is land my Poppy farmed and kept cattle on. This year, I wanted to be sure I had something I could look back in years to come that showed their land. So we chose the large pond or "tank" that Poppy stocked with catfish when he came home from fishing. If Poppy were here, I think he would be delighted we used his pond for a backdrop!

Although I live in a big city now, I still love going back to the country! Merry Christmas! May you experience love, peace, joy, and hope in Christ this Christmas as well as the upcoming year. May you truly know Him and His greatness. My prayer for you is that you would have a personal salvation relationship with Jesus Christ!

Merry Christmas!!

The Great Bake Off of 2009

2009-12-17T09:27:00.004-06:00

This year Bryan and I decided to give baked goodies to his co-workers. There are 12 individuals he wanted to give to and we thought baking would be a thoughtful and less expensive way to share with 12!!

I started baking on Tuesday with Ande' Creme Mint Cookies...I think they taste like Christmas!

Then I finished up last night making Cowboy Cookies, Bon Bons, Chocolate Covered Pringles, and English Toffee.

I had a wonderful time doing it but my muscles were tired at 11:45 p.m.! Bryan was a huge help while I baked and put the containers together. He folded the laundry which may not seem like much to some but it helped me from getting mentally overwhelmed with tasks to get done. I really appreciate him. Plus, it kept him out of the way!! :)

I do have to admit, when I was packing all the containers, loading the dishwasher, and washing large dish after large dish, the thought did cross my mind...why not do $5.00 sonic cards. That sure would be easier. BUT, it would have been more expensive. Plus I truly enjoyed baking the goodies.

I was most proud of the English Toffee. I had never made it and I think it is rather tasty. I used Paula Deen's recipe. I felt very southern!! I thought about trying to talk like her with a strong accent to see if my candy would turn out better, but by this time, Bryan had already fallen asleep and it was just me and our cat!! No one to entertain! Too bad I didn't look as pretty as she does in the kitchen too. I admit, I was wearing my pjs while I cooked. I had to change again before I went to bed because I had chocolate on them!!

Graduation and Lights

2009-12-16T15:22:00.011-06:00

This past weekend my cousin graduated from East Central University in Ada. My Alma mater!!

You can't tell in this picture, but I did dress in my schools colors! Orange!!! After the graduation, I visited the campus store and bought Bryan and I both alumni shirts! I don't have a picture of mine but I think it is pretty snappy!

Eric and Whitney provided lunch for all of us at our Granny's home. It was great to see my cousins, aunt, uncle, and my family.

Eric, Whitney, Katie, and Jesse

My parents with my sisters and I (can you tell I went with the wild hair look!)

Uncle Doug, Granny, and My Mom

The pictures taken of my aunt and I did not turn out. I'm glad she has posted some on face book though! :)

Once we got back to our home, I met my cousins James, Eric, and Eric's little boy Jesse for dinner. Bryan was out of town and Eric's wife was at a birthday party. I would have loved to have got a picture but I didn't want to embarrass them. It was a great visit and yummy Mexican food!

On Monday, we went with the Gortons and Brooklyn's high school friend, Courtney, to our annual "View the Lights at Chickasha and Eat at Jake's Ribs." Yummy! I love having this tradition with the Gortons. It means so much they include us. I think we have done it for three years now.

It was ridiculously cold though on Monday night. We didn't last long at all outside. We walked over to the the large light tree, took some pictures, and then went to buy hot chocolate and apple cider inside. We opted to do the drive through this year and I'm kind of glad. I think the cold would have been painful and might have made some folks sick.

Please pray for Granny. She has had the shingles and although they are finally clearing, she is still not feeling well. She does not have an appetite and has no energy. Also, please pray she will be encouraged. Her spirits are somewhat down.

Registering 101

2009-12-04T11:13:00.008-06:00

A few weeks ago some of my "Mom" friends went with me to register at Babies R Us.

Brooklyn, Courtney, and Courtney's son, Brody.

He didn't go with us, he just wanted to be in at least one picture. He was changing his mind by the time the retake came:

But isn't he just a handsome little boy. I love his red hair and I love his personality.

It was great to have these two ladies go with me. They had lots of advice and were so very patient. We covered the entire store!! I registered for more items than I thought I would and I later revised it online and eliminated some items because I felt bad asking for some of the items. My first run at it left my registry 18 pages long!!! The clerk said she had seen way longer!The clerk was so sweet and kind. She thought it was hilarious I took her picture.

I removed some items and I actually purchased one item using a coupon I had:

We had debated back and forth on getting a changing table. We weren't sure how much room we would have or how much we would use it. Was it something we absolutely had to have? We found this one while registering that would match the wood fairly close. I went back later and bought it with a 15% coupon.

Do you use a changing table?

We bought a car seat a few months ago in preparing for our home study. We wanted to show we were absolutely ready for an infant.

Here are just a few items I also selected.

It is getting harder and harder to stay gender neutral. There are so many cute and precious blankets, bibs, & clothing! I have been blessed to have such a variety of advice on baby equipment. I sure hope I am selecting the right items!!

I was a smiggin overwhelmed and we covered a lot of material.

Brooklyn & Courtney after registering!

Thank goodness for a nice meal at Chili's afterwards.

Last night was our last class for Resource Family Training!!! YES!!!!!

Afterwards, Bryan and I went to Target and finished registering there. His eyes were bloodshot by the time we were done. I didn't dare attempt to take his picture!!

Thank you to everyone for sending encouraging words our way through blogging and face book. Thank you for your prayers. We would still love them!! As we continue to wait, I grow somewhat anxious to be honest and I yearn more and more to take in a child. I'm trying to be very aware to wait solely for God's timing. I absolutely do not want to run ahead of God. I just sometimes wish he were a faster runner! :-)

Have a blessed weekend!!

Nursery

2009-11-09T09:54:00.008-06:00

This weekend we put the mattress in the crib, washed the sheets and blankets, and are now officially ready to lay someone in there!!

We are really trying to have a neutral nursery and therefore we have a lot of cream. It is my intent to add some color once we know the gender. I'm having a hard time with the bumper pads and the bed skirt on our crib. I can't get them to settle right. I've decided to remove myself from them for a while!!!

I made this wall hanging and I'm afraid it may look a little feminine but I can also change out the background paper easily. I'm so glad Melissa shared this with me. I'm not liking the ribbon and I think I may need to retie or get something different.

These scriptures are on the hanging and have a very special place in my heart and some of the few I want to pray over and for our child.

Proverbs 3:5-7 "Trust in the LORD with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths. Be not wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD, and turn away from evil."

1 Timothy 4:12 "Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity."

Psalm 147:3 "He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds."

Hebrews 4:16 " Let us then with confidence draw near to the throne of grace, that we may receive mercy and find grace to help in time of need."

Psalm 37:3-5 "Trust in the LORD, and do good; dwell in the land and befriend faithfulness. Delight yourself in the LORD, and he will give you the desires of your heart. Commit your way to the LORD; trust in him, and he will act."

James 1:21 "Therefore put away all filthiness and rampant wickedness and receive with meekness the implanted word, which is able to save your souls."

Psalm 25:4-5 "Make me to know your ways, O LORD; teach me your paths. Lead me in your truth and teach me, for you are the God of my salvation; for you I wait all the day long."

Psalm 119:133-135 "Keep steady my steps according to your promise, and let no iniquity get dominion over me. Redeem me from man’s oppression, that I may keep your precepts. Make your face shine upon your servant, and teach me your statutes."

Psalm 91:14-16 "Because he holds fast to me in love, I will deliver him; I will protect him, because he knows my name. When he calls to me, I will answer him; I will be with him in trouble; I will rescue him and honor him. With long life I will satisfy him and show him my salvation."

Psalm 20:1, 5, 7 "May the LORD answer you in the day of trouble! May the name of the God of Jacob protect you! May we shout for joy over your salvation, and in the name of our God set up our banners!May the LORD fulfill all your petitions! Some trust in chariots and some in horses, but we trust in the name of the LORD our God."

Psalm 119:11 "Your testimonies are my heritage forever, for they are the joy of my heart."

Psalm 119:33-38 "Teach me, O LORD, the way of your statutes; and I will keep it to the end. Give me understanding, that I may keep your law and observe it with my whole heart. Lead me in the path of your commandments, for I delight in it. Incline my heart to your testimonies, and not to selfish gain! Turn my eyes from looking at worthless things; and give me life in your ways. Confirm to your servant your promise, that you may be feared."

I did add this little bear Kristine gave me years ago. It is my attempt to add some manliness to the room!!

We were at Lowe's this past weekend and saw this in the Christmas section.

Bryan had to go back and pick up some supplies. We had a coupon and told him he could always pick up the Hope cutout if he needed to reach the amount to spend to get the discount!! I love it. It is just the right color of red (It looks a little fuscia in this picture. It is kind of like a brick red in real life).

I don't really want a themed nursery but HOPE and PRAYER have sustained us over the past 3 years and I want to be surrounded by them in the months ahead.

I had some coupons and took this weekend to buy some "supplies." Although we are hoping for a newborn, I bought larger diapers because I'm almost certain we would use this size anyway. I looked hideous in the diaper aisle trying to determine what age went with what weight. Thanks Brooklyn for bailing me out! I needed the advice.

I thought I would show you a picture of our future children's dad! This was taken in the Cabela's at Ft. Worth, Texas a few weeks back!!

I think he was secretly wanting the hat! Seriously!

I LOVE BRYAN HASKINS!!!

Announcement

2009-11-04T08:28:00.001-06:00

"The righteous cry, and the Lord heareth, and delivereth them out of all their troubles." Psalm 34:17

"The Lord has made everything for its purpose." Proverbs 16:4a

"Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for he who promised is faithful." Hebrews 10:23

"Ah, sovereign Lord! You have made the heavens and the earth by Your great power and outstretched arm. Nothing is too hard for you." Jeremiah 32:17

"One person advocating for one child can make all the difference." Taken from a recent email from Focus on the Family.

"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute." Proverbs 31:8 NIV

On August 19, 2009, Bryan and I made the decision to send in the first paperwork to initiate Foster Care Adoption!!!!

We are now anxiously awaiting the time we are finished with the process and we receive a call to come pick up a child to love and care for!!!!

The scripture on my desk calendar for August 19th (when I mailed in the first packet) was:

"As many as are led by the Spirit of God, they are the sons of God. For ye have not received the spirit of bondage again to fear; but ye have received the spirit of ADOPTION, whereby we cry, Abba Father."

On September 10th, we met our case worker for the first time. She attends the church we use to attend and she knows several of our personal references.

Is God not all over this!!

God is answering each prayer along this path and HE has given us much peace! We have renewed HOPE!!

Soooo, you may ask where have I been the past month? Well, I've been painting the baby's room, filling out paperwork and questionnaires for the case workers, having two home visits (with two more to go), getting fingerprinted (our fingerprints were denied once and we had to redo them), admiring Bryan putting the crib together, and hanging out a lot on line at BabiesRUs. It is been fun trying to prepare for a gender neutral nursery for an unknown age (we are asking for newborn - 12 months)!!

My father-in-love bought this chest for us and he refinished it. It is one of my favorite pieces!

I also worked quite a few hours making a scripture wall hanging for the baby's room as well. Thanks to the great inspiration from my very special friend, Melissa. I think we will call her Aunt Sassy or perhaps Aunt Lissa!! :-) I'll post pictures of it later.

We are not going into this journey blindly. We are trying to prepare our hearts and minds of the possibility we may only have a child for just a brief time. BUT, during this time, it is so very important I bathe this child in prayer and much scripture. I feel I can more easily give a child back knowing it is covered in prayer and God's word. I would have done everything within my power for the child. I have visions of sitting in a rocker, holding a baby, and reading these scriptures to it.

We began Foster Care/Adoption training on Monday, November 2nd. We meet two times a week thru December 3rd. I think this is getting us ready for the little free time we will have once we receive a child!

I'm hoping our paperwork/file will be completed by December 15th or around Christmas time!!! It just seems surreal!!!

I'm sure now I will have many more blog posts. I have more inspiration now!!

I know many of you have prayed for us and we are forever thankful! Please continue to pray for us!! We need increased faith, guidance, and discernment. We want to be equipped to also minister and witness to a mother/father who is less fortunate and who need Christ.

Watching

2009-09-16T12:40:00.016-05:00

Did anyone watch the premiere of Biggest Loser?

I DVR'd it so I could fast forward the commercials. I got so much more done and it is just faster!! I love whomever created the DVR and as my friends told me it would...it has revolutionized the way we watch TV.

But Biggest Loser was very depressing last night. Bryan was in the office studying for his P.E. exam and I went in there crying and telling him I just couldn't watch it anymore. He just shook his head!! I think he thinks I'm a little odd! But he did marry me so what does that say about him!! :-)

My heart hurts for Abby and her loss.

By the way, when I told Bryan Abby's story, he was more sympathetic.

Because we are considering adopting through the foster care system in OK, my heart also went out to Shay who was in foster care until she was 18.

I also liked the kindness Allen showed to Abby by picking her as his partner. I think they will make a great team.

So....I'm just not sure who I am pulling for.

What about you? Who do you want to win this season?

Today I also watched this movie.

I had been wanting to see it for a while but it's not Bryan's "kind of movie." I think it is a cute movie. A great girl movie!! Sadly, she reminded me of myself when I was in management at the mortgage company. I'm so glad I'm out of that!! And I think I have change quite a bit since then!!

Then, this Thursday one of our favorite shows premieres: THE OFFICE !!!!!!!Thank goodness again for the DVR. I have book club and Bryan has agreed to wait to watch it until I get home!!

What are you watching?

Birthdays

2009-09-11T10:35:00.001-05:00

Earlier, in the later part of August (is that grammatically correct? Did I spell grammatically correctly?) I got to tag along with my sister, my niece, and her friends, while they celebrated my niece's 12th Birthday out on the town. We went to the movie:

It had been years since I had watched a movie in 3-D!! Very neat!!

And then we went to dinner at Abuelos's:

My niece Rachel in the middle with her 2 friends. Amazingly all 3 girls were 12!!! The size difference just cracked me up all evening long!

My sister, Jennifer, and I:

We celebrated Jesse's 1st Birthday at his house with his parents this past Saturday. He has really grown!!

I thought they picked out a really cute cake!

Jesse sure seemed to enjoy the cake too!

Bryan and I are going down to Ada this coming weekend and will miss my nephew's 3 Year Old Birthday party so we took Jackson, his mom, and my parents to Chuck E Cheese Tuesday night. I had not been to Chuck E Cheese since I was 5!!! Jackson seemed to really like it. I'm so thankful we got the minimum number of tokens in a package. It took Jackson forever to "spend" the tokens. He was just so engrossed in watching everyone else.

Does anyone else have a birthday I need to attend !!!!

For Such a Time As This

2009-09-09T09:22:00.002-05:00

Near the end of August I attended the Women's Conference at Emmaus with the theme of "For Such A Time as This." As always (it seems like for the past several months), I'm behind on blogging about it.

The decorations on the tables. I thought they were cute and went well with the theme.

One of the ladies made this wood cut out. I thought "she" was darling!!

Some of my friends led the group of ladies in Worship.

Amber Ivy, Amy Hillis, Julie Fletcher, and Betsy Vaughn on the keyboard (you can't see her).

I wanted to get a picture of them leading worship but I was afraid it would be too distracting. Instead I had them pose while they were practicing. Also pictured is Emmaus's Worship Minister, Joe Kellogg. He was one of a few men present at the conference. No wonder he made this pose!! :-)

The ladies did a great job. Sometimes I am so easily distracted with what is going on around me. But on this night, I closed my eyes or focused on the screen. I was able to truly worship and sing to my God. I appreciate them leading. The only thing....I feel bad for the folks in front of me since I am tone death (according to Bryan) and I know I must have sounded awful!! Music can be so soothing to me. I just wished I was talented enough to make a soothing noise!!

In one breakout session, a sweet godly woman whom I love and admire, Earlene Mays, shared this acronym:

P-R-A-I-S-E

P=Pray at all times Colossians 4:2 Jeremiah 33:3

R=Read the Word

A=Adore Him Psalm 37:4

I=Inspect your life. Confess sin

S=Surrender & Serve

E=Endure & Encourage

It amazes me how God can "speak" to each of us in different ways. I attended my friend Erin Anderson's breakout session on motherhood called "Timeout for Moms"; thinking I would use some of her insights at a later time when I am a mother. Erin shared Psalm 46:10 "Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the earth!" Erin shared how some translations read "Cease striving." I'm sure this verse spoke to several women from the mothering perspective. But it spoke to me in such a different way. Bryan and I are in the midst of several important decisions. This verse has shown me that perhaps God is moving me into a position which will cause me to cease striving regardless of what I may want for myself. I think sometimes God will purposefully put us into a situation to bring us to a point of learning and closeness to Him. He removes "stuff" from our lives in order to hear Him and know Him more.

Erin is a great mother of 3 handsome boys and a huge example for me to look up to. She has the sweetest, gentlest countenance and she is so sensitive to the Holy Spirit. I was able to get a quick picture of her in motion before she started.

Erin is my friend who also opens up her home to ladies and mothers one Thursday night a month. She is so giving! In fact we have Ladies Night this very Thursday!! I am looking forward to it.

Count It All Joy

2009-08-28T08:51:00.001-05:00

I mentioned previously 2 of my friends and I are reading the book of James during August. A mutual friend of ours suggested we select one book and read it for a month. This helps get God's word rooted deep into your heart and mind; lets it soak in. At the beginning of the month, I would read the 5 chapters everyday and now as the month has progressed, I've focused on 1 chapter a week. Unfortunately, I'm still stuck on chapter 1. I have to kick it in gear to finish the book by September!!! There's just so much detail!!!

I wanted to share this excerpt from John MacArthur's commentary on James 1:2:

"Consider it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness (worketh patience)." James 1:2-3

"The more we rejoice in our testings, the more we realize that they are not liabilities but privileges, ultimately beneficial and not harmful, no matter how destructive and painful the immediate experience of them might appear. When we face trials with the attitude that James admonishes, we discover that the greatest part of the joy is drawing closer to the Lord-the Source of all joy- by becoming more sensitive to His presence, His goodness, His love, and His grace. Our prayer life increases, as does our interest in and study of the Word, and in each of those ways our joy increases all the more." (page 21-22) (emphasis of mine added in bold)

I had to post this because this describes in many ways how I have felt not having a child. I have said and hope to always say, if it meant going through infertility and not having a biological child of our own, in order to draw me close to God, to experience Him and His Word, than I am grateful. It is a privilege to walk through a trial in order to comfort those who are in the middle. 2 Corinthians 1:3-4..."who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction." God has given me that opportunity this year. At times, Bryan and I are in the midst of a trial. But in other times, we have walked through part of our trial and we can comfort those who are behind us on that road.

Count It All Joy, My Friends!!!

I tried and tried to find a video of "Count It All Joy" with Shannon Wexelberg. But I could not find a decent one. If you know of one, would you comment or send me an email.

If you can, listen to this version of "Count It All Joy" with Charles Billingsley, Scott Krippayne, & Shannon Wexelberg on iTunes.

The B-I-B-L-E

2009-08-21T14:10:00.007-05:00

YES THAT'S THE BOOK FOR ME!!!

I recently purchased a new Bible. I love a new Bible and especially this one. It is WIDE MARGIN which is excellent for note taking and journalling. I love to write notes or date references or explanations next to verses. I had been wanting a wide margin bible for a long time. Over the past few weeks, I've been working in my new Bible and getting some notes in. There is also a section to index additional notes you wish to take down.

Myself and 2 of my girlfriends have committed to reading/studying the book of James the month of August. So my next favorite new purchase is this:

I had no idea I would like to read a commentary as much as John MacArthur's commentary on James. I told Bryan I could read this like I would a fiction book. It is not boring at all. And, it is completely fascinating and enlightening. I would recommend his commentary to anyone. Gaining knowledge into God's wonderful word is so exciting to me. I'm so grateful for this opportunity in my life where I can learn His word and I hope I can make good use of my time in study. Bryan and I hope to have the whole set of commentaries from John MacArthur.

I had debated on buying a MacArthur study bible, but after getting my wide margin and using the commentary, plus listening to sermons from here, I've just about turned my new bible into the MacArthur study bible!!

My last two Bible study tools:

I love to write in blue ink in my Bible and this pen does not bleed through the pages. The highlighter is almost like a crayon and doesn't bleed through either.

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.

Hebrews 4:12

What are some of the things you do in your Bible study?

Share with me some of the times you have experienced God's word come alive in your life.

Summer Time !!!!!

2009-08-20T09:34:00.021-05:00

Here are some words that could describe my last 2 months....

B-U-S-Y

LIFE CHANGING

B-U-S-Y

EMOTIONAL

B-U-S-Y

DIVING DEEPER INTO GOD'S WORD THAN I HAVE IN A LONG TIME

B-U-S-Y

DECISION MAKING

B-U-S-Y

DYING TO THE FLESH

B-U-S-Y

TOTALLY DEPENDING ON GOD

B-U-S-Y
GRATEFUL FOR GOD'S WRITTEN WORD TO GUIDE BRYAN AND I SO CLEARLY

Can I be honest....Events, decisions, and commitments over the past 2 months have outweighed spending time blogging. There are several "things" that should not be blogged about. And there are some things that should not be discussed on the world wide web. And I am there now. So as my boss would say..."In a nutshell" maybe these pictures will help catch you and myself up with what we have done since June. And then, I can get back to shorter posts and eventually catching up with all of my friends in blog land!! I have missed you and I have thought of you. I hope my absence has not caused me to loose some of you. I'm hoping I can pick up where I left off.
But I have to tell you...I'm trying to keep my priorities more in line with the convictions I have experienced the past 3-4 months.

Here goes the catch ups to end all catch ups!!

Fourth of July in Ada

Bryan and I eating fried food from Butler's in Ada!!! We miss the hot bar, but our stomachs, thighs, and other body parts do not!! :-)

Visiting 1 Night at Falls Creek Church Camp

Nathan Isaac Young's 1st Falls Creek Experience

Swimming with the Gortons

Swimming with Jesse & Katie

Cooking Steaks for our Friends

Bryan is a mean grillin machine

Cutting Down the Tree in Our Front Yard

We've decided to stay "planted" where we are at for now. We are not selling the house.

Puttin' Up Corn

I felt countryfide!!!

Our friend Dustin Whitmore (he's single) and Bryan shuckin'

Spending an evening and into the early morning hours with my F.A.M.

Friends and Moms

Carla Young and Freddi Booth

Spending time with this little man and visiting with his parents

Nathan Isaac Young

My Cousin Eric's Homecoming from Kuwait

Eric made it to Oklahoma on Monday and then on Saturday we had a Welcome Home Party at our house and had over 30 people in our little house. I've decided when someone asks what they can bring my response will be "How about a 1ooo more square feet!!"
Sometimes I pretend Jesse & Katie are mine and Bryan's!! Shhhh!! Don't tell the others!! :-)

Bryan and Jesse "resting" after the entertaining!

My Cousin Scott & His Family Visiting from Arkansas

Scott and his wife Becky have 2 children; Sarah Beth & Brandon Scott.

I watched Jesse for a couple of hours while the guys went and hit some golf balls. This is the picture of the cousins. Cutie putooties!!

We ate at Jake's Ribs in Chickasha. Scott had not eaten there in probably 12-15 years!!

We took them on a tour of OU and Owen Field. They are huge Sooner fans and I think they loved it.

Redhawks game with my work

My boss Judy and grandchildren, Ava & Stella. You may recognize them as my sweet little friends.

My niece turned 16!!! What????!!!!

The girl can cut some cake!!

My grandma is visiting from Oregon and we got to see her at my sister's house. Grandma is moving to Austin, Texas! Yippee!!! That is so much closer for us. Sad that it is the Longhorn capital! Boomer Sooner!!
I hope to catch up with you soon!!!

God Moves

2009-06-17T10:26:00.001-05:00

The morning of Sunday, June 7, 2009 I experienced such an amazing act of God!!

I've been contemplating this post since then and I'm certain I will not be able to describe it adequately!!

Are you not just so thankful God moves, shows Himself in a mighty way, and gives us the privilege of praying!

The Young family are dear, precious friends of Bryan and I. We worked with Jeron & Kristine a few years while he was college minister. Now he is the Youth Pastor at our church and does a fabulous job. Kristine is a very close friend of mine. She is such a servant and has such a loving, unselfish heart. Both of our families are so busy and we don't see each other as much but we truly cherish every opportunity we have to see each other. Jeron's parents, Mike & Carla, are like another set of parents to us. And at the same time, they are close friends as well. Mike & Carla have prayed for us and for establishing our family for several years now. I know beyond a shadow of doubt when she says she prays, she is. They are such encouragers!! We love them!!

Jeron & Kristine began trying to conceive approximately 9-12 months before Bryan and I. I think it had been about 5 years give or take a little. They have had quite a struggle. They were our partners in infertility. We shared the same thoughts and concerns. Last October, Kristine told me she was expecting!!!!!! Oh, I remember that evening so vividly. I cried ridiculously on the phone for joy for my friends!!! And on June 7, 2009 at 4:01 am...............

Nathan Isaac Young was born!!!

Kristine's birthing/labor experience was long. She went into the hospital on Friday night. I could not get my friend off my mind. I am so sorry for the long weekend the Youngs had but I'm so grateful for it. God used this weekend to rekindle my heart for Him. I was more in awe of God and His powers. I just cannot describe what it is like to see God perform such a great act...going from being told you have unexplainable infertility to actually giving birth!! I was humbled He gave me the privilege of praying for them. I was ecstatic I could walk along side my friends in prayer. The greatest blessing I think at times I can experience through my friends is having a glimpse of their pregnancy journey and then being a part of their children's lives.

God kept bringing Kristine, little Nathan, and the Youngs to my mind throughout Saturday and into Sunday. It was consuming!!! I woke up early Saturday morning around 3:30 am and just got up. I couldn't sleep. I prayed in the living room and read in Psalms. I had a lot to do on Saturday but I remember praying in the car and before I went to bed. It was such a strange feeling. I remember feeling like my mind was in a state of prayer all day. Then at 1:00 am Sunday morning I got a text message from Mimi and she said Nathan's head was sideways. I sat up in bed and prayed some more for my friends and asking God to protect Nathan. I could not go back to sleep so I got up around 2:30/3:00 and set up a camp out on my couch. I got on my knees, face down and prayed so hard for them, asking God to move this delivery along. Mimi had told me the Dr was going to let Kristine push again. I was hungry and started to make some guacamole (yes at 3:15 in the morning. I was hungry!!!). Then, I got the TEXT!!!!!!!! I was praising God in my kitchen with guacamole at 4:30 in the morning. Can it get any better than that!!!! It was such a great way to begin Sunday morning worship!!!!!

The Youngs...All 6 of them!!! Hayden, Mike, Kristine, Nathan, Jeron, & Carla!!!

I rushed to the hospital last Monday evening to see Nathan. I told his parents it was for my own selfish reasons. I could not get them out of my mind. I had to see them soon so I could move my mind onto other things!!! I was blessed to also see Mimi and Poppy too!!

Doesn't he have the most adorable face!!!! Oh, I love him!!!

This next picture is by far one of my favorites. These grandparents have waited many years for this grand baby and you can see absolute bliss and joy unspeakable on their faces....

God Moves!!!!!

Kristine and I had talked in the past how nice it would be to have children at the same time. I refuse to let the fact I do not have a child bring me down. I will not let it quench the joy and awe I have of God...will not let it. Many of us have shed buckets of tears but it is truly out of joy and admiration of God. God has made Himself so evident the past few weeks!! God's timing is not my timing. I have accepted the journey He has placed us on, however rocky the road may seem at times. He has chosen us to walk this path. Last week, I was able to share a smiggin of my experience and what I learned to another young lady who may have some difficulty conceiving. I'm grateful God gave me the opportunity to minister and encourage. Do I always walk the journey correctly? No! I trip many many times and often find myself walking backwards. God just has to turn me around and get me started again!!!

I've listened to these three songs throughout the past few weeks. They minister in a BIG way!!

We sang the Revelation Song the Sunday Nathan was born. I feel sorry for the people in front of me. I'm sure the sound they heard was scary!!!

Kristine and Carla encourage me with HOPE and I love Hope Now by Addison Road. Everything for Bryan and I rides on HOPE and FATIH.

Then this Sunday evening at church, the Oklahoma Baptist Homes for Children Choir sang "Orphans of God". I hope you take a 4 minutes to watch this video until the end:

I'm telling ya, God has used His written Word and music to soothe my heart and rejuvenate my spirit!!!

Granny's & Little Sweethearts

2009-06-10T09:05:00.001-05:00

We ended our 3 day weekend (5/30 - 6/1) with a trip to Granny's. And Whitney and the children joined us on their way back home from Texas. It was fun sitting back and enjoying the family that I love so much. I loved watching Granny with Jesse.

Granny with Katie and Jesse -- June 1, 2009

I cannot relate to the feelings some of you have as mothers; watching your little babies grow up before your very eyes and how fast so many things happen. I can only understand just a smiggin as a relative of some very adorable children. Jesse is crawling now!! I realized watching him at Granny's that now a part of his "babyhood" is past and will be no more!! I nearly cried! Oh, how do you mother's do it!!!

Watch this small video clip (If you're on FB you may have already watched it). His antics are priceless! Warms my heart I tell you!! The voice in the background is his momma, Whitney!

This next picture reminds of his daddy when Eric gets annoyed after extensive photo taking!! :-)

This coffee table has made it through 1 generation of grandchildren and now many great-grandchildren. Jesse was trying to crawl through it to the other side!!

I am blessed!!!

Awesome Hotel !!!

2009-06-09T13:40:00.001-05:00

During our Texas trip, Bryan and I really wanted to set aside some time for just the 2 of us. We hadn't had a chance to really do much together for the past several months and we wanted to slip away and enjoy the completion of his Master's degree and then the completion of the huge lists of house projects we had finished. He has really been working hard!!! So we decided to get a hotel room for Saturday night. Our goal was to stay somewhere we normally wouldn't stay at. We are not too particular on hotel rooms. We like them clean, comfortable, and affordable. But on this particular night, we were willing to go a little out there. Bryan got online and found absolutely the coolest hotel I have stayed at thus far:

The NYLO in Frisco, Texas.

It was very contemporary with a NY Loft Style. The walls were solid cement!! Bryan was amazed and even analyzed how they could build such a hotel (it was the engineer in him coming out!!). It was as if he and I were the hillbillies coming to Beverly Hills!!! You could definitely tell he and I do not get out much in swanky places!!!

They had the coolest chairs hanging from the ceiling.

When we splurge on a hotel, we try to get a king size bed since we have a queen at home. I have to tell you, the bed was amazing!!! It truly was the most comfortable bed I have EVER slept in, including my own at home!!! It made us start talking about buying a new mattress. I slept so well!!

Bryan has been holding out for a flat screen HD TV so of course, he was pumped to have this in our room too:

Even the pool area seemed contemporary.

We woke up late Sunday morning, got dressed, and then sat down and listened to a message from one of our favorite preachers that Bryan had on his iPod....Michael Statton with FBC, Mustang, OK. He is a wonderful preacher! The message we listened to was taken from the Sermon on the Mount and discussed being the Salt of the earth.

What's another day on a mini vacation with yet even more food!!!

Bryan would go into convulsions every time we passed a Dairy Queen, so we had our lunch Sunday at one and he finally got his ice cream cone!!

We did some shopping at Stonebriar Centre in Frisco and eventually made it over to Allen Premium Outlet Malls.

The icing on the cake Sunday was eating at our favorite seafood restaurant:

Scrumptious!!!!!

Texas Weekend

2009-06-08T23:19:00.003-05:00

I am behind on blogging, yet again!!

I need to recap our Texas Weekend before I forget it. I love having a journal where I can add pictures and then look back later and remember events, thoughts, and happenings. It doesn't matter if I'm the only one who reads it or if just a few read it. I enjoy looking back over the past months of mine and Bryan's lives!

On our way to Alyssa's graduation, we turned way to early to get into Frisco and what should have just been another 25 minute drive turned into at least 45 minutes!! Bryan and I both were maxed out mentally by the time we got to the graduation. Luckily, we just barely made it in time!! We had contemplated stopping before leaving OK and buying a GPS (we had been wanting one for a while) but decided against it because we wanted to get out of town and make progress on the road. After our experience on Friday night and seeing one certain lake at least 3 different times, we went right out Saturday morning and bought:

It is our best friend!!! We both recommend it. At times, it is a huge argument/heated discussion preventor. Every couple should have one!! :-)

My cousin James lives in Lewisville, TX and he hosted us at his apartment on Friday night. He is such a sweet, unselfish man. We are so comfortable around him. All 3 of us slept in Saturday morning and then James made us a huge breakfast. What's a mini-vacation without a ton of food!!?? Soooo, for lunch we ate at one of James favorite place:

You create your own bowl. Do not ask what is in mine (mine is on the left)!! I put a little bit of everything including 3 different sauces and 2 spices. I do know my meat was chicken and shrimp. Surprisingly, I thought my bowl was great!! We were stuffed!!!

The guys were so cooperative and let me stop in at:

Sam Moon Purse and Jewelry and then Sam Moon Home Decor store!! They were so patient. They did have the GPS to play with and then found a place that selled smoothies. Would you believe, I shopped in both stores for a combined total of 1 hr 15 minutes!! I was speedy!!!! I'm thrilled with my purchases from the home store:

I loved this little flag! I think I must have had an "H" theme going while I shopped!

And I finally found one of these:

I had looked at several before shopping on this day but none of them moved me. I liked the shape of this one. Now I just need to think of what to put in it. I was thinking of pears or grapes or maybe some artificial flowers. Any suggestions??

We made a side stop at a Toyota dealer in Lewisville. Bryan has been shopping, and I mean really shopping with extensive research for a new vehicle for us. Consumer Reports ranked the Rav 4 as the top car of the season so he is highly attracted to it. It wasn't even the car he originally set out to look at.

The salesman who talked with us went to high school with former OU wide receiver Mark Clayton and is still in contact with him.

Mark is now playing for Baltimore Ravens and doing pretty good!

It was fun going back and forth with the salesman and he even gave me the Texas Longhorn sign which I in turn did back to him only in reverse as a good Sooner fan would do. He was a great guy and a good sport!!! Of course, I told Bryan since he knows Mark Clayton we should buy a car from him!!!!!! Bryan being the ever so wise guy that he is tells me we will buy from whomever gives us the best deal, regardless of who they went to high school with!! :-)

We ended Saturday night (May 30th) with Katie's 9th Birthday celebration at my uncle and aunt's house in Celina, Texas. Katie turned 9!!!

She is wearing the outfit Bryan and I got her and I just realized it stills has the size tag on it!!

This picture was taken at James's apartment. Katie had just got back from a cruise with her dad and she was trying to show off her bracelet. I love these 3 very much.

Have a great week!!!

Alyssa's Graduation in Texas

2009-06-02T13:31:00.008-05:00

We had a great trip to Texas this past weekend!!

We went down to honor and celebrate my cousin Alyssa's high school graduation. She will be moving to Arkansas and attending Arkansas State University. She is the only girl out of 8 children. Alyssa has such a sweet spirit. She is so caring and respectful. Bryan said whoever marries her will be getting quite a catch!! We are so excited for her future and cannot wait to see the young lady she develops into.

I thought the graduation was one of the best high school graduations I had ever attended. It was all about the students and there wasn't a guest speaker. It was in Stonebriar Community Church in Frisco, TX and I think there were over 110 graduates. I especially enjoyed the ceremony because I got to take care of this little fellow....

He is so precious! My cousins, Whitney and Eric (although he is still in Kuwait) are so good to let me have a very active role in his life. We love he and his sister deeply. Just like I would with my nieces and nephews, I pretend they are mine! I am blessed!! I look kind of funny in some of these pictures because I held Jesse until it was time to put him in his car seat!! Thanks Whitney for sharing him!!

2 of the Sweetest Ladies I know:

Whitney and Alyssa

Bryan and I were blessed to have a great time with family and with each other. I have more to posts but I thought I would split it up into more posts with a shorter narratives!

For Sale by Owner

2009-05-25T10:42:00.001-05:00

Done!!!

We put our For Sale sign out on Friday night!!!

I am so proud of Bryan. For 2 years, off and on, he has been putting vinyl siding on our house. I think he has done a fabulous job!! It did take a long time but he did it all by himself and while he was working full time, completing his Masters, and for a few months preparing Sunday School lessons.

Here is the Before:

Here is the After:

We put 12 flyers in our info tube on Friday night and they were all gone Sunday when we got home from church and lunch! But we don't have our hopes up yet; our neighbors could have taken them out of curiosity!!!

Have a great week!!

If you know of anyone looking for a home in the Moore area, send them our way!!!

I Found Ty

2009-05-21T09:25:00.001-05:00

Here is my very own Ty Pennington.........

(and a picture example of why I've not been posting/reading blogs much)

Bryan wouldn't pose with his shirt off!!! :-) :-)

I didn't dare ask him! I was afraid he would get upset and quit working!!

Bryan took 2 days off work to finish the trim on our house. I've been working/cleaning on the inside and keeping the yards up. We bought an edger this weekend. I have been asking for one for 7 years...the entire time we've lived in this house!!! And now that we are leaving, I get one. Our yard had not been edged in 7 years. We just "tried" to do it with the weed eater. It was hard work edging the first time! Bryan did it all so hopefully the 2nd time around, I can do it and it will be easier! I really hope our new house has a nice driveway and sidewalks so I can use this brand new tool!!

Since I first typed this post, Bryan has finished the trim and he has saved one small piece for he and I to hammer in together. I thought that was a great idea. Except...neither one of us have been home in the evening since Tuesday evening!!

I should have before and after pictures soon!

Graduation !!!

2009-05-20T08:43:00.001-05:00

Bryan and I have experienced some of the best days of our lives this past weekend!!

(long post and lots of pictures. Remember this serves as my journal too!!)

He has completed his Masters in Civil Engineering and graduated!!!!!

Oh, Happy Day!!!!

I am so very proud of Bryan. I'm just in awe when I look at him. He is such a wonderful man. He is handsome, disciplined, and a great leader for me. I admire his perseverence over the past several years!! Yet, he is humble in all his sucess. Did you know my husband was inducted into an engineering honor society, yet he tells no one!! I will!!!!!

We have had a wonderful weekend of celebration! I took the afternoon off on Friday and attended 2 receptions with him and then he and I went to the university wide graduation at OU on Friday night. We had so much fun together, just he and I!!

This is Bryan and I at the OU Graduate College reception.

He also got a "free" t-shirt that says "Master" on it. I thought it was funny since I occassionally call him Master Haskins, even before he got his degree!

We had time to kill after the receptions so we hit up campus corner. I love shopping OU's campus corner. I found this plate for 50% off because it had a small crack. I love it!!! I will probably display it in our new house. I don't want to have it out in our current house in case an OSU fan comes by. It may deter them from buying our house!! :-) You know how those Poke fans can be!! :-)

Bryan also found an OU tie. Not too flashy. He needed a longer red tie anyway. He decided last minute to wear it to the evening graduation. Here he is tying it in the parking garage! It tends to take him a while to tie his ties!!

The ceremony at OU's graduation was spectacular. They even had a great fireworks display at the end. Here's a small video:

I thought it was great they played "Oklahoma" and parts of Boomer Sooner!!

Although we've paid them money to do so :-), OU has been good to us! We LOVE THE University of Oklahoma!!!

Bryan and I after the graduation Friday night. For some reason, I took my hair down. It turned out to be a sticky humid evening. I don't like these pictures all that well.

My face looks as fat and square as the tunnel openning in the background!!! In my defense, my lymphedema leg was swollen huge and had a heat rash. It had been a long day. But worth it!!

Saturday was the College of Engineering Convocation.

I love this picture of Lloyd Noble Center at OU prior to the Convocation. Bryan's Aunt took it! Thank you Aunt Cindy!!

The family who came:

Bryan and His Parents

My Granny and cousin James!!

Bryan's aunt and uncle drove from NW AR. We were thrilled to have them and appreciate the time they gave to us this weekend.

Katie asked to come to the graduation with me. She was so much fun!! She borrowed my OU necklace to wear to the graduation.

I love this next picture of Bryan and Katie!
We love her!!!

With Bryan's parents assistance, we were able to have a nice reception for Bryan afterwards.

Bryan and his cake! Do you recognize the plate?

This is a picture of Bryan and his childhood babysitter, Roberta along with her family. Roberta was a huge influence and encouragement to Bryan. It meant a lot for them to drive up from Ada. Bryan had told me on Friday she was a big reason why he is the person he is today.

Here are some additional snapshots of family and friends during the reception!

Although it is the back of Ava and Stella Gorton, I love this picture of the two of them looking up to the adults. They liked watching Bryan open gifts and cards.

The Gorton Family.....our dear friends and my boss!!

It was a spectacular time of celebration. We are so blessed!!!!

This is a shot of the next upcoming graduate!!! They came by the office last week and she wanted to practice!! I'm telling you....I love that our friends let me love their children!!! They warm my heart and make me happy!!!

I can't believe she is 5 years old!!!! I think her parents may have miscalculated her age!!!

Watch Brooklyn's blog. Ava graduates from pre-school this week!

p.s. Still working on the house: painting, staging, cleaning, and mowing. In the evenings we try to take advantage of the daylight and no rain. I hope to read and comment on your blogs in the next year!! Ha!!

Ready, Set, SALE!!!!!

2009-05-07T14:33:00.006-05:00

Where is Ty Pennington when you need him most!!! :-)

Bryan and I have been so incredibly busy. I don't even know where to start. I will spare you the in between and details and sum it up with...we are putting our house up for sale and looking for a new house!! We are very excited and most of the time, we have had a lot of fun together as we start this endeavor!! But we have also worked harder than I think I personally ever have getting our house ready and staging each room. I am spent physically and mentally. I've made trip upon trip to the storage unit (my attempt to declutter and make our house look bigger. Is that false advertisement?).

We hope to find a larger house on an acre or two. We have 2 so far we are considering but we want our house to sale first. So, we are trying not to get too attached to these in case they sale before ours does.

We are just about finished getting our house ready but Bryan is smacked dab in the middle of finals this week and it has rained 247 days straight in OK!!! small exaggeration. But seriously, you sink when you walk across our yard. Not good weather to put up and paint trim on the outside of our house!!!

Bryan's parents came up one weekend. His mom and I focused on the inside of the house and Bryan and his dad worked on repairing our back door frame as well as a frame in the guest room. With their help in one day, we got a lot accomplished.

Bryan's graduation is in a week and it is our hope we will be able to put out our For Sale sign very shortly thereafter!

I think of you often!!! Hopefully we will get done and I can begin commenting on blogs again real soon!!

Congratulations !!!!

2009-04-21T10:49:00.001-05:00

Thursday was my Grandma's last night in OK before flying back to Oregon. I was glad to have one last goodbye with her before leaving. It has been nice having her here and I look forward to going to visit her, maybe this year.

My Sisters and I with my Grandma

My oldest sister graduated on Friday night from college with her Bachelors in Education. She is going to make a superb teacher! You should see all the posters, prep work, visual aids, and so many other things she has made to use as she worked on projects and did her student teaching. She is very creative and talented and I cannot wait to see what school and grade she teaches.

My new glasses came in Thursday and I wanted to wear them but I didn't even think of the glare they would put in pictures. On Thursday night, I dreamed the lenses fell out!!! In my dream I was stressed that my brand new glasses broke but excited I wouldn't have white lights in pictures! I'm a crazy girl!! :-) What is it about Bryan and I? We cannot find a good balance in picture taking!!

I am so proud of Jennifer! She has accomplished a lot!! She received her Bachelors of Science while being a wife and mother to 3 great kids!!

I was thrilled to sit with my oldest niece and her friend! I felt like I was so cool! It is so fun being with my nieces and nephew. I've said it before...I feel young and old all at the same time.

We had fun! After graduation we went out to eat and I got to sit at the kids table!!! I actually wanted to!

The food was delicious!!! I had chicken fried steak with double gravy (yes, I have issues). Check out the size of these chicken fingers. They were huge!!!

I hope you have a great week!!! Bryan and I are very busy and may have some excitement in the next few weeks I hope to share. If I'm out of touch with you, know it is because we are working hard. Just so you aren't stuck wondering or hoping....it does not have to do with an adoption.

Easter 2009

2009-04-15T08:43:00.005-05:00

Bryan and I attended a Good Friday service at our church. It was the first time we did this, but I'm so glad we did. We had a previous pastor of Emmaus bring the sermon. He preached from John 18 and the last 24 hours of Jesus life before dying on the cross. It was an amazing sermon. The worship time was amazing and I loved singing (although I'm sure I sounded hidious). After the sermon, we observed the Lord's Supper. It was the best way to spend Good Friday. I hope our church does it again next year.

Easter Sunday was cold and rainy. My dress was sleeveless but luckily I was able to find this little half sweater (I'm not sure what the proper fashion word is because it is less than a cardigan. It's shorter than a cardigan.). There is at least one family I know of at church that always tries to coordinate colors at Easter and I decided a few years ago to do that with Bryan and I. Some may think it is dorky, who knows.

After church on Sunday we made a very quick trip to Ada to eat lunch with Bryan's family. It was a great trip. We were able to see Bryan's parents, grandma, aunts/uncles, and cousins. A great way to cover seeing all the family quickly.

I hope everyone has a great week!

Kickin' It

2009-04-06T12:11:00.009-05:00

Last Thursday was my birthday and I was so blessed to have my Grandma stay at my house for a few days. She is in from Oregon and is taking a few days to stay at each family members' house. I was thrilled to have her on my birthday!! On Thursday the 3 of us went to Lakeside Grill to eat some great Oyster nachos and Seafood enchiladas! Yummy!My grandma doesn't even know what a blog was so I think she thought it odd that I wanted a picture at a restaurant! :-)

I took Thursday and Friday off to spend with Grandma.

We had such a great time! On Friday, we visited her sister, ate lunch at the place that is catering Bryan's graduation reception (I had to make sure the food tasted good!), and then did some speed shopping in Norman! I loved shopping with Grandma. I was able to find 2 dresses for myself and I bought her a dress for her birthday/Easter! It was a wonderful memory I will not forget! Plus it was just so rewarding to find dresses for myself. I'm trying to build up my dress inventory and finding cute, decent dresses is often challenging for me!

Friday night we zoomed out to my sisters since my niece was going to the prom. My grandma wanted to see her in her dress. She was 4 years old when we got married. That 4 year old is growing up before our eyes!!

I felt so old in this picture!!

She is a doll! I was her size at one time!!! :-( What happened to my metabolism!!??

Bryan went to a HUGE gun show on Saturday and I was blessed to get to go to our friends' first soccer game! We are so blessed to have our friends "share" their children with us and we love it, love it when they include us and invite us to their functions. Here are 2 of the stars of the game!!
Steven

Jackson

Believe it or not, these two are best buds. Steven was just trying to turn Jackson's head for the picture. After the game, we ate at Chickfila and I was honored to sit at their table! I love to hear these two talk!! They give me high fives and ask all kinds of questions. I love it when they give me hugs!!
Their parents are doing a great job raising these boys!

Healing

2009-04-01T09:11:00.010-05:00

The word "healing" can cover more areas than one would think.

My grandfather (on my dad's side) passed away March 21st and he is in heaven now healed of pneumonia and Alzheimer's.

My grandparents lived in Oregon. My grandfather was flown back to OK and my grandmother flew in for a small memorial service we had in Western OK on Saturday. She has sons on the West coast and then two in OK. It was good to see my uncle and his family.

My Uncle Isaac and I

The "Oklahoma" Crawford Family

My Grandma with her Oklahoma grand kids

My Grandma with her Oklahoma great-grand kids. Bryan and I hope to add to this picture someday!!

My dad and Bryan

I ask for your prayers this week. I am taking off 2 days from work so that I can spend some time with my grandma. I do not have as strong a relationship as I would like and I have really wanted to change that. Please pray we have a sweet time together and we get to know each other over again. Please pray I can overcome obstacles that have been placed in this endeavor.

We were a little anxious getting to Western OK due to the weather. This is what greeted Bryan and I as we got closer to Custer City but a lot of it melted later in the afternoon.

Healing can envelope the process of recovering from hurts by individuals. Have you ever experienced a time when someone hurt you and that person knew, really knew, their actions would hurt yet they did it anyway? It seems I have experienced this numerous times over the past week. God (and Bryan) is working on me to look past myself, be the bigger person, and display the fruit of the spirit. Let the past be in the past. Remember who I represent...Jesus Christ!! Work toward the future. I'm so glad I have Bryan who helps me keep balanced, let's me cry uncontrollably when I need to, and still loves me despite all the jibberish.

And of course, healing covers recovering from a horrible cold and infection. Over the past week, I have been to the doctor twice and finally got some antibiotics and other meds that are working. I think I'm on the road to recovery. I spent all day Sunday in bed sick and missed a day of work last week. Bryan later asked me how many times I died (this is something we do every time I'm sick. Call us dorks, I know!). I told him 772.5 times!! :-) I'm not a great sick person!

Spiritual healing can come from a great study of God's word. This past Monday, we finished our Beth Moore study on Esther. This is the sweet group I led. I will be lost on Mondays for a while without them.

Sherry Parker, Carla Young, Freddi Booth, and myself

Carla's (in the purple shirt) home was the host home. I love her!! She is like a mom and a friend to me. Everyone of these ladies have lifted prayer after prayer up for me, my family, and my family to come. They are so special to me and I am honored they are in my life!

They were crackin me up. They were working to make their faces skinnier before we took a picture of the 4 of us!! I warned them I would post it on the World Wide Web!!

I hope you are all having a great week!

March Madness.....

2009-03-20T13:40:00.011-05:00

It doesn't just have to be in basketball, does it!!!!???

The month of March has flown by for us!!

Earlier in the week, my boss and I filled out our NCAA Tournament brackets.
We are playing for a chicken fried steak dinner from a local cafe in OKC!!! As of Friday AM, he was ahead by 1!!!! Sadly, I didn't pick my own state team to make it very far, only going to the Sweet 16!!! I did pick NC to win the whole tournament! My former boss was an NC grad so I usually choose them, especially when they are a No 1 Seed!!!! I don't really watch too much basketball but filling out a bracket makes it a little more fun.

Bryan presents his thesis on Monday March 23rd...again, more March madness!!! He asked me to proofread his paper Friday, which I did. Next Tuesday will be a GLORIOUS day, no more project work!!! I had marked engineering technical words in his paper just because I couldn't even read them, how was I to know if they were spelled right!!! My man is S-M-A-R-T!!!!!

He has spent every evening of his Spring Break finalizing his power point presentation.

Last weekend, I dropped by Boston's 1st birthday party. He is so adorable! Brooklyn asked me to take pictures with her camera. Looking back I didn't get one picture of Boston opening his gifts or eating his cake on my camera. But I think I did okay for Brooklyn!!

In just a little over a week and a half Brooklyn's girls will be having their party together! I'm excited for their gifts! I've been carrying them in my trunk for a week! Bryan and I had fun shopping! We wish we were kids again...kind of...maybe...not really!!! :-) But they do have all kinds of cool stuff now!

March 30th - April 5th is National Spring Cleaning Week!!! I hope to start mine this weekend!!

We have had a busy week and I'm behind on some down and dirty cleaning!! I also have a few organizational projects to start. Now that Bryan is finishing his school project, maybe I can get some order back into our office!! :-) Isn't it good we have an entire week to get the Spring Cleaning done!!!!

Happy Spring Cleaning !!!!

Hey Good Lookin' What's Ya Got Cookin'

2009-03-16T17:30:00.001-05:00

Disclaimer: I'm not calling myself good looking. Honestly. I was just trying to think of a catchy title.

We have several expenses coming up with Bryan's graduation, and Bryan has been extremely busy, and it has been nasty weather so I am really trying to cook more and stay at home. Why don't we do this more often??!! I love the comforts of home and eating supper in my lounge wear (mostly pjs if the truth were told) !!

I cooked on Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday so far. I was at a Bible study on Monday and Bryan picked himself something up after his class on Wednesday.

Tuesday's Meal

Chicken in "Red Sauce"

My friend, Krista, gave me this Weight Watchers recipe.

I doubled the recipe because we had company. But the normal recipe is 1 cup ketchup, 12 oz diet coke, and 3-4 chicken breasts. Simmer all 3 together for 40-45 minutes. Remove pan from heat and the sauce will thicken. I love the sauce over rice.

I forgot to take an after picture so you'll have to settle for my left overs picture. Bryan loved this recipe and ate it up until he accidentally discovered the ingredients. But he will still eat it now. At first, I thought it would taste really ketchupy, but it doesn't. It is easy. While it simmers for 45 minutes, you can be busy working on something else.

Thursday's Meal

Chicken/Potato Soup

My friend Brooklyn made this soup for me over a year ago and I loved it. You buy this mix from Wal-Mart and add the other ingredients (I used homegrown frozen corn and 2 cans chicken). Just follow the directions on the package.

Upon Brooklyn's suggestion I waited until the last 10 minutes to add the corn and chicken.
Bryan typically likes to have something extra with his soup so I made him a grilled cheese sandwich. I loved having this soup on Thursday because it was so could outside!! Major comfort food!!

Friday's Meal

Steak N' Corn

I got this recipe from a friend in Ada over 8 years ago!!

I really think you can make this with any cut of steak. On Friday I used chuck steak we just recently got from the beef we bought.

Marinate/Season the steak to your liking and then cook it in an iron skillet (I used wortshire sauce, liquid smoke, salt & pepper). While the steak is cooking, cut up a tomato. Once the steak is done, throw the tomato and corn in the skillet and cook until done. I forgot to take a picture when we sat down to eat, but I did get this picture of the corn/tomato cooking.

I was inspired by Kelly's pantry organization. I woke up at 4:00 am on Saturday morning and couldn't go back to sleep. So, I thought with all this cooking, it might be helpful for me to organize my spices and "pantry" cabinet.

Before

After

Then on Saturday I cooked supper to take to my sisters for a family meeting. We had enchiladas.

What's so ironic, I've done all this cooking and due to schedules and commitments this week, I will only be home to cook this coming Friday!!! Thank goodness for left overs!!

Guilty As Charged

2009-03-13T08:40:00.002-05:00

For about 2-3 months now we have had major disciplinary issues with our beagle, Lilly Belle. Due to her over hyperness and destructive tendencies she quickly became an outside dog when she was a puppy. We started having almost daily episodes of her trying to get out and visit the neighbors. Remember, she cut herself when she tried to get out about a month ago and we had to take her to the vet. Bryan would patch the fence and we decided to leave them in the dog run when we are not at home and let them out when we are at home and put them back in at night. Bryan just needed to buy some time until he could set something up to stop her from digging under the fence (enter the electric fence wire. Please don't turn us into the animal society. We love our precious dogs and the voltage is not high!!).

I let them out last Saturday when I got back from visiting my grandmother. They (we have 2 dogs) had been out in the big yard for about 10 minutes and then I said to myself...."Self, you should go check on Lilly." I did and she was gone!!!! This is what I found.......

Luckily and thankfully, she was just in the neighbors backyard and I was able to get her out. She spent some time in doggy jail......

We also loved majorly on our other dog, Layla, in front of Lilly. Lilly Belle was about to go bazurk because she wasn't getting any attention.

Bryan has "wired" the fence now and we have not had any problems!!

Most people give a carpet allowance when they sell a house. We will have to have a fence allowance!! Our fence looks like patchwork now!!!

12 Years

2009-03-09T13:22:00.009-05:00

On Sunday, March 8th, Bryan and I celebrated our 12 Year Wedding Anniversary!

We were married at 20 and we were sophomores in college!

It was a busy weekend for both of us but we did get to go eat out on Sunday after church. We ate at Cheddars, a new restaurant in Norman. It was a sweet time together. Right now, I'm so thankful for the brief moments we have together; just the two of us. We have learned to make the most out of them.

Bryan had been saving his "Mad" money and used it to buy me some Nike Shox!!! They were something I had just wanted and were absolutely not a need as I have other tennis shoes that work just fine. They meant so much to me because I knew he had saved for them!! I bought him new sunglasses to replace the ones he had lost.

You have no idea how much I am blessed to have Bryan as my husband. I am blessed beyond measure!! I wish so much I was a great writer and could put into words what Bryan is to me and how he makes my heart go crazy at times!!

Since we have been married 12 years, I thought it appropriate to list 12 things I like about Bryan or being married to him.

1. He loves me despite who I am. He chose me to be his wife when he deserves so much more than me.

2. He is so patient with me and others.

3. He is friendly.

4. He always looks at the big picture and encourages me to do the same just by his example.

5. He is crazy intelligent.

6. He is a manly man who loves guns & hunting.

7. He loves God and His word.

8. He has served his country.

9. I love his laugh. I love to see him get so tickled he cries! My life is so full of joy living with him.

10. He looks good in camo!

11. He shares in my dreams and hopes. He encourages me about our future. He remains positive when I am negative.

12. He's a handsome dude!!

I love you Bryan Edward Haskins a.ka. "Buddy" !!!!

A little bit of this and A little bit of that...

2009-03-02T13:05:00.024-06:00

Bryan's parents sent this plant to us last Wednesday. It was the 1 year anniversary of my last and final ectopic pregnancy (February 25, 2008). It was nice to be thought of. And since I had two ectopic pregnancies within 2 years, I thought it quite appropriate there were 2 different plants. I have a new journal and I've decided to save my private thoughts on the 25th to start my new journal for the year.

I love the verse on the journal.

"Faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see."

Hebrews 11:1.

I picked this journal because I thought that verse very appropriate for the journey Bryan and I possibly have before us.

I Got Mail

I love getting snail mail. And I especially love getting packages! And I love when all of them come in one day!!!

I'm preparing for summer and since I fell in love with my black reefs last year, I concluded it was a must I have a brown pair this year! Black flip flops and Brown flip flops should be a staple in any wardrobe, in my humble opinion.

My flip flops came last week!!

I had also ordered some books from Amazon and they came on the exact same day.

In case you are wondering I've been doing an ongoing study on the translations of the Bible and both these books had come recommended. Then I ordered this book from Biblio.com and it came on the exact same day as all the above but at a different time!!
It was as if I was having Christmas in February!!!! Side note: It was cold enough in OK last week that it could have been Christmas!!

Rockin' with The Robertsons and The Whitmores

Our friend, Joe Don celebrated his birthday last week. They invited us over to their house for a yummy chicken enchilada dinner and birthday cookie. His son Jackson and Jackson's friend, Steven (who was my new guy :-) ) "played" the drums and trumpet while we sang Happy Birthday! They were so adorable!! They are full of energy, creativeness, and love!!! It was precious!!

This is Joe Don's wife and my friend, Jennifer, with their boys, Jackson and Jake! This is such a sweet family. We love them!! Actually we tag along with them just because their boys are so adorable!! We use them for their children!! :-) Just kidding!!

They pulled out Rock Band (I think that was what is called) and Bryan had his try on the guitar! It was so much fun to watch and hear. Joe Don even played the drums. The guys were quite the band!!!!For your listening pleasure and his embarrassment, here is a video of our friend Luke singing on Rock Band!! I think he should go to American Idol!!!

I have been trying to bring donuts/milk to Sunday School for anyone in our class who had a birthday that week. We had donuts not too long ago so for Joe Don I made little smokies in a blanket. They were yummy!

Smellin' Bleach

I wear a lot of white t-shirts; long sleeve and short sleeve. In the winter I wear a lot of long sleeve under t-shirts and then I use the short sleeve under jackets, sweaters, etc. I need to keep them as long as possible so I bleach them to help them stay as white as possible for as long as possible. I just had to take the above picture. I found it hilarious!! I didn't realize I had so many. When I washed this weekend, I think I used too much bleach this time because as they were washing, my nose started burning and I realized it was the bleach smell!!

Who needs perfume when you can smell like bleach!!! So fresh and clean!! :-) Yeah Right!!!! I will probably scare someone off!!

My New Guy

2009-02-23T10:26:00.007-06:00

Bryan and I did go out on Friday, but my focus was mainly on this guy, Steven! He is so cute!!! We ended up meeting his family at Buffalo Wild Wings in Moore, ate some great boneless wings, and we all went back to our house to visit and play. My "date" and I shared cheesecake with raspberry sauce. :-) The Whitmores are new to our Sunday School class and we are really enjoying getting to know them. Their children are very polite and adorable!!!

Bryan and I had 1 million errands to run on Saturday. We saved our date night for Saturday. We went out yet again (can you say "exceeded the eating out budget for February") and then saw this movie recommended by another friend. It was action packed and made me very anxious. I turned my head on part of it and even cried at the beginning and the end!!!

We had our first Sunday with our Sunday School class meeting at 8:30 and then Worship at 9:45. We were home by 11:30!! It was strange, but nice to be home and have a nap time and extended Sunday afternoon!!!

I hope you had a great weekend!

I Love Take Out

2009-02-20T08:42:00.003-06:00

Thanks to this place......

Bryan and I had.....

for dinner!!

It was $6.99 enchilada night and free queso. Bryan has taken two days off work to work on his project for his Masters. It was nice to have him home in the evening but I also wanted to be quick to eat so he could get back at it.

I spent the evening cleaning the house and doing laundry. I love to have the house cleaned by the end of Thursday night so it is clean for the weekend and I can just veg out. I don't like to spend my weekend cleaning.

Then I read for one more hour at the church. I did it all by myself this time. It was fun! I read Micah 4 - Zechariah 9. Read it sometime! There are some great verses in these books!!!

I've been promised a date tonight!! Yippee!!! I can't wait!!

A Sunday for the History Books

2009-02-17T13:45:00.021-06:00

This past Sunday was a remarkable day for our church, Emmaus Baptist Church.

We opened and dedicated the new Worship Center!

(This picture was taken last night. I missed getting the stained-glass window that is just through the triangle. It is so pretty).

I'm not even sure why I'm trying to blog about it because there are so many things to say and some of it is just indescribable to me.

I was proud of our church and the leadership within our church. On Saturday evening we had a one hour prayer service. The purpose: to cover the church in prayer, to dedicate the building to God, to pray for the services on Sunday, and to make sure we realize God's church is not contained just in this building. We don't want our focus to be a pretty new building. The focus must be on worshiping, serving, and honoring God. We want our foundation for this new building to be GOD and PRAYER and HIS WORD.

This is our pastor (on the far right) and his wife (on the far left) along with the pastor & his wife from a church in Malta.

Bryan and I before service started Sunday.

I promise he isn't mad. He is really trying to keep his eyes open. We had already taken a picture that had to be deleted because his eyes were closed!! :) Bryan had told me my top looked like the top half of a dress from the 1800s!!! But then he told me he himself had no sense of fashion!!!

Bryan with our very good friend, Joe Don.

We love this family! They are such genuine people. Joe Don's little boy Jackson says I'm his girl and Bryan is his guy!

Bryan served on the building committee that worked with the architects, engineers, and general contractor. They spent several hours and several meetings throughout the past year planning and discussing the Worship Center. At the end of the service, the pastor on behalf of the church gave each one of the committee members a plaque. It was very meaningful to me to have Bryan serve in this capacity because my Poppy (who is in heaven now) helped to build the first church he and my Granny served in for many years! Poppy actually poured concrete and laid bricks! Bryan didn't do that!! :)

Can you spot Bryan? He's the handsome man in the suit!!!

This video is somewhat out of focus but I wanted to play it for you. I thought this was such an appropriate song to open the new Worship Center with. The words were so fitting. I hope you can understand them. Plus, it gives you a quick look at our fantastic choir and half of our sanctuary. The choir was singing as people were walking in and talking; thus the background noise.

This was the first Sunday in several years our entire church was together in one preaching service and it was wonderful!!

Our church is also reading the Bible out loud cover to cover. Each person/couple signs up for one hour increments, signs where they stopped, and then the Bible is going into our time capsule to be opened in 50 years! I loved this idea. It demonstrates our foundation is God and His word and it shows the importance and value of God's word in our church and our lives. On Tuesday Bryan and I read the last chapters of Ezra and then all of Nehemiah. I tried so hard to get to Esther since I am doing the study but it just didn't happened. I did think it was great we read Nehemiah since Bryan is an engineer and we read on the rebuilding of the wall. We also read where they had the dedication service and revival. This was so appropriate for our church today!! I'm reading again tonight and cannot wait to see where I read. I hope it is the New Testament!!

I'm so sorry I haven't got to your blogs this week! I am going to really try to catch up over the next few days. Please don't give up on me!!

Valentines Weekend 2009

2009-02-16T09:28:00.014-06:00

Had I not looked on the calendar, watched TV, or had Bryan not made me a Valentines card, I'm not sure I would have even realized it was Valentines Day. We were so busy this weekend and literally had one commitment right after another.

We discovered on Thursday night our beagle, Lilly Belle, had tried to dig under the fence and get out. In the process she had a pretty ugly cut on her side. Originally we didn't think it was that deep and it looked like it was healing. However, when we looked closer on Friday night, it looked worse. We felt awful! We are terrible doggy parents! I promise we won't be this way with our own children. We debated taking her to an emergency clinic on Friday night but decided not to since we didn't know the vets that well. Instead, we got up early Saturday morning and went to our "family" vet.

Disclaimer to my appearance in these pictures: It was EARLY Saturday morning and I didn't want to get all prettied up and get dog all over me.

Lilly Belle & I at the Vet

It seemed to take a long time for the vet to come. Lilly was getting a little tired and anxious...."Is there anyone out there?" She was keeping watch!

The vet was able to put about 5 staples in Lilly's side but could not stitched up the rest due to the age of the cut!!!! We felt about an inch tall!!! She has an open wound now that has to heal on its own. We give her an antibiotic in the am and the pm. She is getting a lot of love! Bryan took some time out to play a game of cards with her!!

On Saturday morning, we also squeezed in attending Katie's last basketball game and visiting with my cousin in Kuwait over the web cam. Whitney invited us over to her house and we got to see and talk with him! Technology is great!!! In this picture you can just barely see Eric on Whitney's computer screen. Then we headed to Pauls Valley to pick up our beef from the meat processor. This was an experience Bryan and I will never forget. We are certified "Backwoods Hicks" now and I think we are proud of it!! Why? We asked for a tour!!! We were both so fascinated to see inside a meat processing place!!!

I have to tell you I did take a picture of the room where they "hang the meat to age" and I wanted so badly to post it on here but I didn't want to gross you out and I want you to still think I'm somewhat sophisticated!

I took this picture and Bryan told me I should call it "The Path of Death."

This is the shoot the bulls and cows walk down to get into the room where they are killed! The man even pulled up this huge knife thing to show us what they use to "bleed" them. I thought to myself..."This man could kill us, put us in the freezer, and no one would know!!!"

There were quite some funny aspects to our experience. The processor was located right next to a cemetery on Bethlehem Road!!! And I thought it odd our beef (at least we hope it is beef) came in boxes marked "shelled pecans."

Bryan and I talked like hicks all the way back to OKC!! We nearly ordered our drinks from Sonic talking with a huge accent, only because that's how the processors were talking!! Hilarious!! This whole experience gave us enough energy to make it through the rest of the day.

On Saturday night, we had a class V-day party at Brooklyn and Jorge's house. Each couple was asked to bring their wedding pictures. It was so fun to see every one's and look at the styles. Several of us had changed! Can you tell which one was ours? :)

We played the Married Game for our entertainment and Amy was the moderator since her husband, Todd, had to work. Isn't her daughter beautiful!!!!
We picked two of the most quiet ladies in our class! It was so much fun and we saw a whole different side of them. I'm a little worried they may try to pay Brooklyn and I back since we made up the questions and insisted they play along.

The Whitmores and The Smiths

They were all such good sports. Hilarious!! Do you remember the Newlywed game? Robert Smith did a great job acting like the contestants did.
It was a family Valentines Day party! Even the kidos had a great time!
There was a lot of love in the place!

Steven, Ava, and Jackson spending some time in the toy box!

I hope every one had a great weekend! And, I hope I do not loose some of you due to my new love of a meat processor place!! :)

Girls Night Out

2009-02-13T08:44:00.006-06:00

This has nothing to do with Ladies' Night out, but I had to post this picture of Bryan and our nephew Jesse (although he is my cousin's son, I'm called Aunt Julie so we just in turn call him our nephew). Jesse, his sister, and his mom came over on Tuesday to eat taco salad and watch American Idol with us. Pryor to them coming over, Bryan had made the statement he hoped they didn't think he was too snobby because he had to spend some time in the office working on his project and wouldn't be out with us. HOWEVER, once Jesse arrived and Bryan had ate, Bryan held him the entire night!! I had to fight off some jealousy!! Bryan doesn't give up his time easily these days, even for me, but this little man is WRAPPED AROUND BRYAN'S FINGERS! Bryan loves this boy and his sister too. It is so neat to see and hear the love Bryan has for them.

Thursday was our first Ladies Night Out since December. We were really missing each other. Erin, once again, opened her home to all of us. It was a great night. We had baked potato soup, chicken soup, some marvelous queso, chocolate covered strawberries, and brownies. I'm sure I'm forgetting something!!
This is Brooklyn, Heather, and Vicki! I love these ladies! We were all in the same Sunday School class. Now, Vicki is attending a church closer to her home. We miss her!!
Our youngest member was sweet, little Avery. She is pictured in the photo above with her mommy Katie. I loved how Katie was caressing Avery's face!

We borrowed Erin's boys dry erase board and played a little pictionary! It was fun and we had a TON of laughs!

Erin drawing "bowling". We called this the aerial view!

Candi drawing "Napoleon Dynamite"
Have a wonderful weekend! Bryan and I have a full one ahead of us!

Happy Valentines Day!!

Saturday & Sunday

2009-02-09T08:41:00.014-06:00

I got to spend the entire day Saturday, every minute of it, with my husband!!!! I was so excited. He has been so busy with school so I do not see much of him and even though he is at home, he is in the "office cave" and I try not to distract him. It was a great day!!!

We woke up and met some friends at the gun range. I shot my 22 and I have to say, I think I did well. I managed to at least stay on the target.

We ended up seeing 3 other men from our church! Then, we ate lunch at Red Robin, got sick over the price for one hamburger, and once again saw another family from our church.

In the afternoon, we went to the YMCA to watch Katie's basketball game.

Katie is a great basketball player for her age. Bryan and I both feel she will be a great defensive player. She did a great job keeping her hands up and staying with her girl.

At the Y we saw 2 men from church; one whom we saw at the gun range. And we also saw several of our youth from church who were there on a scavenger hunt. It just seemed like everywhere we went Saturday we saw people from church.

On Saturday night my parents invited us over for dinner and Bryan installed/connected their ice maker. It was a great meal and we enjoyed spending some quality time with my parents. We got home at a decent hour and laid around.

I was just really blessed to have this kind of Saturday. I was really missing my husband and I'm very thankful for the day I had with him.

Bryan and I had Extended Session (nursery) at Church this Sunday. We only had 5 in our class. At one point, I looked over and Bryan had allowed the girls to climb into the toy box!!We had 4 girls (one set of twins, Thank goodness for name labels!!) and 1 boy. I have to say I was lovin' the little boy. His curly hair just melted my heart and he was just so sweet!! We wore these kidos out! I'm curious how many fell asleep on the way home. I taught them to race; which may not have been the safest activity. But they loved it and were actually counting off.

The weekend is over and now the work week has started! Boo!!

Happenings

2009-02-06T14:35:00.000-06:00

Some of this happened during the brief hiatus but I wanted to share it anyway.

January 2009 Ice Storm

I took this from inside my car. Don't be alarmed. I had stopped and wasn't driving! We had some ice and sleet; mainly sleet. It looks like snow, doesn't it. I really think it was the sleet that complicated the driving conditions because it became so packed down. I was chauffeur for Bryan Monday and Tuesday. I drove him to work and picked him up; all without an accident. My Honda Civic drives a lot better than his pickup. I felt like my car was the "the little black car that could." I'm so proud of her! I went to the office everyday during these conditions. Bryan stayed home only one day, the last day, because he was sick. We are proud we made it into work!

I registered for this event which is coming to Oklahoma City December 4th & 5th. Deeper Still: The Event with Kay Arthur, Priscilla Shirer, and Beth Moore. You should come and stay in OKC. It would make a great opportunity to meet some of you. Can you imagine the depth of teaching we would hear from these 3 women of God!!!! It is general admission (the ticket was $83) which makes me nervous. I don't do well with general admin as some of my friends can attest too. I like to have an assigned seat!! I will probably get to the event center 1.5-2 hours before the doors actually open. I did that a few years ago when Beth was in OKC and I was number 7 in line at 3:30 and the doors didn't open until 5:30 I think!!

Bryan has been working on his project to submit for his Master's Degree in Engineering from OU. On Wednesday (1/28) I peaked into the office to see this:

He had moved our big overstuffed chair we have in our office up to the desk (which was mine from high school) because our ancient office chair hurt his back. He had papers strung on the ottoman and on the metal office chair. His project involves rivers, flood waters, graphs, and crazy formulas that look like a foreign language to me. It is very time consuming for him. Since the weather was bad and he was feeling under the weather himself, he stayed home on Wednesday and worked the entire day on his project. He tells me he is making great progress but feels pretty much he will have no life the entire month of February. I have to keep myself entertained so I do not distract him. It is hard stuff for me!! :)

Our cat, Lucy, was assisting him with the harder stuff!! I didn't mention this to Bryan but I had just cleaned/picked up the office the day before. I'm afraid our office will look like this until May!!

I had my eyebrows waxed and I thought the lady was going to rub skin off my face!! I'm serious. I'm surprised my forehead wasn't red for days!! This isn't me in the picture. I never look this good when I go in. In fact, the lady even had the nerve to ask if I wanted my lip done!!! I wanted to say I know I may have a mustache but you my friend are not touching my lip. I probably wouldn't have been able to talk for weeks if she had!!!!

Bryan's mom came up to go with me to Tulsa and we took her to PF Chang's for her birthday since we neglected her in December!! I have begun calling Bryan the "One Eyed Bandit!!!" URRRRR!!!!Now we just have to catch my dad because we missed his birthday too in January. We are awful children!!!

This past Sunday (this was after the hiatus but I wanted to share anyway) we went to lunch with our Sunday School class. This is sweet Jake!! He is so cute! You can't see it well in this picture but his hair sticks up every which way. I love him!!

Today we celebrated my boss's 65th birthday at the office!!!

I bought John "1776" and a gift certificate to Denny's since he missed the free breakfast earlier this week.

I'm hoping Bryan comes out of the office this weekend for just a tiny bit!

Have a great weekend!

Revelation Song

2009-02-02T13:14:00.006-06:00

Oh, if you so could have been in the church service with me yesterday!!! I know some of you have emailed me and said you were praying for me yesterday. Although it is an anniversary Bryan and I do not like to remember, God was so great to us Sunday in church and again on Sunday evening. I'm telling you, during the song service, I nearly jumped out of my pew! Which is quite unlike this Baptist girl!!!

Our praise team sang this song before the sermon. Take a moment to listen to it. I had not heard it before. It is called "Revelation Song" by Kari Jobe. Or, if I had heard it, unfortunately I had forgotten about it.

Isn't that a great worship song!!! Then, it was followed by our preacher taking his text from Colossians 1:15-22 and the title was "The Fullness of the Godhead."

Colossians 1:15-22 (Holman Christian Standard Bible)
The Centrality of Christ
15 He is the image of the invisible God,
the firstborn over all creation;
16 because by Him everything was created,
in heaven and on earth, the visible and the invisible,
whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities—
all things have been created through Him and for Him.
17 He is before all things, and by Him all things hold together.
18 He is also the head of the body, the church;
He is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead,
so that He might come to have first place in everything.
19 For God was pleased [to have] all His fullness dwell in Him,
20 and through Him to reconcile everything to Himself
by making peace through the blood of His cross —
whether things on earth or things in heaven. 21 And you were once alienated and hostile in mind because of your evil actions. 22 But now He has reconciled you by His physical body through His death, to present you holy, faultless, and blameless before Him

Bro. Mike said quite a few statements that stuck with me:

(1) In the world and even in our own church to some degree there is a virus of practicality. And this virus must be done away with. (I thought that was one of the most powerful statements he made.)

(2) The Supremacy of Jesus.....the focus is Himself not about us. It's His action. The fullness is IN Christ, not around or under Him, but IN Him.

(3) He also gave a great definition of reconcile. It is the restoration of friendship and fellowship after estrangement. And of course, our reconciliation comes to us through Christ's death on the cross.

THEN, we had the Lord's Supper and Bryan served in that. I loved seeing my handsome husband serving in such an important ordinance. My Poppy used to do it too while he was alive.
THEN, our Response hymn was "Have Thine Own Way" which is one of my favorites.
THEN, that evening I watched the Beth Moore video of our Esther Study. I'll wait and post more on that later.
THEN, my Monday night Bible study class is FINALLY meeting tonight to watch Session 1 of Esther because we canceled last week due to weather. Last night, I watched Session 2 so I'm a little ahead of the group I lead. I hope I do not get confused.

I'm telling you....I feel so full with God's presence right now. I'm so grateful He is filling me up!! I need HIM above all else!!

Visiting The Stamps

2009-01-31T21:12:00.025-06:00

What a blessed day I have had! Bryan's mom and I drove up to Tulsa this morning. She visited with her sister and nieces while I went to the St. Francis Children's Hospital and saw The Stamps!!!

With the earth as our backdrop, it looks like we were at an air and space museum but I promise we really were at the hospital!! :)

It was so great to see Kelly and Scott face to face. It was good to hug people you have prayed for and to try to let them know they are such special, kind people to know. I admire them so much! While visiting with them, I just kept thinking how they were displaying God's strength. They are so grateful and appreciative. I didn't get to see Harper, but oh I wanted to so badly. I didn't even ask though if I could. I didn't want to overstimulate Harper and I had come in from outside the hospital so I wasn't even sure if I could visit her in her "regular" room.

When I got off the elevator, I saw Kelly's dad talking on the phone and nearly said "Hi there" but then realized he probably doesn't read my blog and would have no idea who I was and I didn't want to scare the bageebers out of him. So I just turned the corner and tried to act like I knew what I was doing. Then, I saw Kelly's mom talking on the phone too! She knew who I was and even said "Hi Julie" I was thrilled she knew who I was. She is just so sweet!! So sweet!! We hugged and sat and talked for a few minutes. It is an amazing thing to meet someone who blogs because it is just like you are meeting up with a good friend!! I'm so frustrated with myself though because I realized I didn't get one picture of Kelly's parents! I so hope I get to see them again.

I was also able to meet some other bloggers or as we called each other at lunch "followers of Kelly's"!! Hillary and her husband Josh were there visiting as well. Can I just say, I loved them. They are amazing. So friendly and genuine. I loved hearing about the youth ministry Josh is in. And at lunch he was so kind to recommend a book for a situation. I really appreciated his suggestion and it was great to meet this sweet couple.

Hillary, Kelly, and I

And to top it off, a blogger came to meet Kelly for the first time today. It was Kate and she lives in Norman just a few miles from me!! Crazy Blogging World!!!

We were able to take some time to leave the hospital and eat lunch together at Chili's. It was a sweet time with sharing and laughter.Myself, Kate, and Scott

Josh, Hillary, and Kelly

Kate was so kind and generous to buy our lunch!!!! Thank you Kate!!! That was so sweet. I had a great time. Oh, and might I add, I drove all 6 of us in Tulsa in my MIL's van!!! I was so proud of myself!! I only ran one stop sign in the hospital parking lot.

It was very humbling to be at Children's Hospital and watch families walk through those doors leading back to patients' rooms. Even while we were there, the helicopter landed and we saw a small child who's head was bald wheeled in on a stretcher by the air flight team. He looked so small and innocent on the gurney. I just wondered how people can go through having such a sick child without God. I prayed before going into the hospital that parents would come to know Jesus as their personal savior through their journey while at the hospital.

I look forward to the day I can visit the little "missionary in the making" and see her healthy and vibrant. Thank you Father for placing the sweet Stamps family in my life's journey!

Amazed !!

2009-01-30T09:00:00.000-06:00

God amazes me! Truly amazes me! He continues to do immeasurably more than what we ask or expect!! I'm thinking of Harper, Mandi's Baby D, and little Brayden. God has moved in their lives the past 2 weeks and HE HAS MADE HIMSELF KNOWN. Who knew such small precious bundles could be missionaries on their own!! I tell you who knew...God knew. This was all in His sovereign perfect plan. Amazing!!

I have to admit I have wondered "Why?" But later I read how individuals were SAVED, ACCEPTED CHRIST AS THEIR SAVIOUR through the experiences we have all read about over the past 2 weeks. People have rededicated their lives to Christ.

I prayed believing God would heal little Harper and I'm thrilled He acted so quickly! I love this picture!!

I love her rosy cheeks.

This past week I had the privilege of "meeting" Mandi in Florida via the telephone. It was great to put her voice to her blog!! :) She has blessed me so much this past week as I start the month of February (the month of doom for Bryan and I as Bryan labeled it yesterday). God used her to encourage me and give me hope!

I just keep thinking how God has used these families, how God has loved me, how God has provided a great Bible study for me to be in right now. I am AMAZED at the greatness and the EXPANSE of God! He has given me ministry opportunities, even small ones, that I am filling so fulfilled in right now and I'm grateful. I saw those sweet pictures of Scott, Kelly, and Harper and I just couldn't stop thinking "Lord We Life Your Name on High. Lord I Love to Sing Your Praises!!! We sing GLORY, HALLELUJAH!!!"

In trying to find a decent video of that song (I was not sucessful) I found this other song by Lincoln Brewster. "Amazed" It fits what I've been trying to say in this crazy, zig zag post! Beautiful Words!!

I'm amazed God at what YOU'VE done this week and what you are going to do!!

GOD IS GOOD!! ALL THE TIME......GOD IS GOOD!!

A Hiatus for Harper

2009-01-21T08:00:00.000-06:00

I cannot, cannot get this precious girl, her parents, and grandparents off my mind. Nor do I think I am suppose to. I believe it is the Holy Spirit urging us, causing us to sense the need for prayer for this family.

I have been on blogs, mainly Kelly's, her dad, her brother, and Laurie's, numerous times over the weekend and this week. What great praise, honor, and glory goes to our God and King, the ultimate and divine healer! I was nervous as I read updates but encouraged over the small improvements and stability God is giving Harper. Thousands and thousands are truly seeing the hand of God in this little girl and her family.

As I have read updates I have had this sense, this feeling, this conviction that the small things in my life do not really matter at all next to this journey The Stamps are on as well as some of my other friends. I feel my life is so insignificant compared to little Harper's. My life, my everyday life, and uncertainties for the future don't really matter at all to me right now. I just want her healed and at home! I want my friends to have peace of mind and the children they love and desire.

Each time I have clicked for an update it brings Harper to my mind and I say a prayer for her and her family. Bryan prayed for them Friday night as we stopped to pray as a couple and then I prayed again Friday night before I went to bed. I was so scared for Scott and Kelly. I woke up Saturday morning at 2:30 am immediately thinking of them and wondering if she had made it through the night. I prayed for them again in my living room in my pjs!! Aren't you glad we can come to God in prayer wearing anything!! Because I sure was scary looking at 3 AM! I was sick in bed Saturday and kept my laptop on right beside me and prayed throughout Saturday. We shared The Stamps and Jenna with our Sunday School class prayer requests. Prayer is so very important to me right now. I'm so grateful we have this privilege through Jesus Christ! Hallelujah!!

I have no idea how the precious family is feeling right now. I only think of my deepest pain and multiply it. I cannot imagine waiting to have a baby, that baby arrives, and then the survival of that baby was uncertain at times. I cannot imagine finally having your baby so close, yet you cannot hold her!

I feel so privilege to have met Scott and Kelly. I truly am so grateful God gave me that opportunity. Kelly is such a classy, godly, regal lady! I cannot believe she is my friend, because I'm just a plain, ordinary middle class girl from Oklahoma! I admire so much about her! I'm so glad she IS my sister in Christ!! I want so badly to see her, hug her and Scott and their families and pray with them, but my weekly schedule will not allow it. And I'm truly hoping a miracle will occur and Harper will go home before I can get up there. That would be such a great testimony of His power yet again!

Right now the only thing I can do is to PRAY!

I cannot tell you how many times throughout the day I think about blogging or I check your blogs. At times, I feel, no I know, it is too much. I feel sometimes I must be a blogging stalker. I don't have a good balance. I have allowed it to consume to much of my thoughts and time. After last week, I felt a heaviness and somewhat of a conviction over this. I have to confess I have often blogged more than reading God's word, if I even make time for God's word.

I believe the Holy Spirit has placed it upon me to take a hiatus from blogging (at least from posting and commenting everyday) for a week or two. I am very very nervous about this. My flesh tells me I could very well loose the small network and friends I have made through blogging. If I don't comment or post, you may loose interest in me or think "she doesn't comment on my blog, I'm not looking at hers." Or you just may forget me. But I know these are thoughts from satan and a struggle of my flesh and insecurities that I have.

I feel the Holy Spirit is guiding me to use this Hiatus for multiple reasons:

(1) Each time I think about blogging I will pray for Harper Brown Stamps and her family. I'm praying for healing as everyone else is, ease of pain, and rest for her parents and grandparents. I'm going to praise God for making His presence so known in this time.

(2) Each time I think about blogging I will pray for Baby D, my sweet friend Mandi's son whom they hope to adopt very very soon. Mandi is facing some difficult tasks before her. I'm praying for peace of mind for her and her sweet family.

(3) Each time I think about blogging I will pray for Brayden.

This is Jenna's sweet beautiful baby boy who was born about a week ago and had to be flown to ACH. He is slowly recovering as well. I have not "met" her yet through blogging but I don't have to know her to pray for her and her baby. I'm praying for healing and physical strength. I'm praying for encouragement and peace as well. Brayden is slowly making progress. And again, God is making Himself known in a BIG way!

(4) Spend the 30 minutes - 1.5 hour I would use to post or comment on blogs in Bible Study instead. The women in our church just started this study.

I am the facilitator of the Monday Night Group. I must devote a lot of time to this so I can prepare and minister to the group of women I have.

(5) Bryan and I are approaching both anniversaries of my ectopic pregnancies; 2/1/07 and 2/25/08. I know I must be covered with God's word at this time and I want to have sweet fellowship with Him in prayer. I want to take this time to reflect on the journey Bryan and I are on. I need God right now.

(6) Be a wife to Bryan!!! He has his very last semester (Glory!! Hallelujah!) and I want our home to be a place of relaxation for him.

I started my blog just before my 2008 ectopic surgery. Blogging has been so fun, encouraging, and amazing to me. I truly love it. It is so neat to meet such wonderful women on here. You were all so kind to me during that time and you still are. You prayed for me and I'm so blessed because you did! I'm amazed people like me, I truly am. I feel so ordinary and you are all so fascinating!

I plan to come back, I really do. I'm stepping out on this conviction and I hope you understand. I've got to get back into some strong consistent prayer. I will be checking in on you. I still want to know you and I still want to be your blog friend, I really do. I just may not comment as much or post for a few weeks.

I hope you understand! In the words of the Terminator:

Pray for the Stamps

2009-01-17T04:24:00.004-06:00

PRAY HARD TODAY!!! PRAY HARD TODAY!!!

Scott, , Kelly, and Harper Stamps and their families need to be covered in prayer today. My heart is aching for them and my mind is whirling. God is in control. I'm asking for healing, quickly and for safe travel to the hospital. I'm asking God to guide the hands of the doctors and the nurses. I'm asking for comfort and peace. I'm asking for God to cover this family so heavily with His presence in the midst of this trial. I'm praying for mental, physical, and spiritual strength for Scott and Kelly right now. God is in control!!

2 Chronicles 20:15b

"Thus says the Lord unto you, Be not afraid nor dismayed by reason of this great multitude for the battle is not yours, but God's."

Book Club

2009-01-16T09:32:00.007-06:00

Every other month ladies in our church meet in a home to discuss a chosen book we read and of course eat! Our Book Club is called "The Sister Circle Book Club." I love Book Club and I look forward to it each time. One of my favorite things is the fact there is a range of ages in our group. I love visiting with the more "mature" ladies. And I love seeing other women's homes.

The first lady pictured on the left is Thelma and she is 90!!!

Joan and Jinx

Teresa and Dorothy

I love these two. They are so nice to me and I'm glad they let me be their friend!! They make me laugh!!

Carol Proctor

I'm excited too because in March we are reading the book I picked "In Search of Eden." It is about adoption from the birth mother's perspective. I can't wait to see how the discussion goes.

I was blessed last night to ride with my dear friend, Brooklyn. For some reason, I guess schedules, holidays, etc, we haven't gotten to see each other as much. You can't visit a whole lot at church. So it was a treat to be with her last night.

The Word of God

2009-01-15T08:42:00.002-06:00

How can anyone top the greatness of the Word of God?

I will say no more other than this was my reading this morning. God's Word is Great!!!

Psalm 27:1

The Lord is my light and my salvation--whom should I fear? The Lord is the stronghold of my life--of whom should I be afraid?

Psalm 27:13-14

I am certain that I will see the Lord's goodness in the land of the living. Wait for the Lord; be courageous and let your heart be strong. Wait for the Lord.

Psalm 28:6-7

May the Lord be praised, for He has heard the sound of my pleading. The Lord is my strength and my shield; my heart trusts in Him, and I am helped. Therefore my heart rejoices and I praise Him with my song.

I hope someday to have Psalm 28:6-7 in a nursery!!

Tuesday

2009-01-14T09:08:00.004-06:00

Yesterday was a long afternoon for us but not as long as it was I'm sure for the Hardin family and those close close friends to Karri. You see, we knew Tim and Karri but not nearly as much as so many more people in our church. Thank you for your sweet words on my previous posts but please know there are others so much more closer to her that are missing her. She had a breakfast club and a bunco club that miss her so much. The service was beautiful and very moving. It was also convicting to me in ways I have only shared with God and Bryan. The service made me evaluate my life, my outlook, my attitude, and my service to others. As I prayed at the end of the service, I asked God to help me remember this day and to change me from this point forward.

We were at the church from 1:00 - 5:30ish yesterday. We were physically tired and thought for a second about cancelling our American Idol night with sweet Katie, Jesse, and their parents. But we didn't and I'm glad we didn't. I love these sweet people so much. It is amazing how the love, kindness, and innocence of children can warm your heart.

I didn't have much to prepare since they were bringing pizza over to our house. I forgot to mention earlier but I did get a Write Plate from Bryan's parents for Christmas!

I'm still learning how to write creatively on the plate. It looks kind of dorky. And I need to purchase additional ribbon.

What do you think about having 4 judges? I kind of like it. And I thought it was crazy they had bikini girl on there and sent her to Hollywood!!! I thought her head shook way too much when she sang! Plus she needed a little modesty!! She's already marked in my book!!!

So Much Going On, So Little Time!!!!

2009-01-12T09:18:00.010-06:00

If we had the means, sometimes I think Bryan and I would buy a weekend home in Ada!! It seems like we are going down there A LOT during hunting season and for family gatherings. Since Eric is in from Kuwait, our families converged on Granny's house so everyone could see him. It was a fun day. I kind of just sat back and watched and listened to everyone interact.

Eric had bought his younger siblings these scarfs and head wear in Kuwait.

Eric, Whitney, and Jesse at Granny's House

Eric and his family. His two older brothers are not pictured. And Katie went home with my sister earlier.

Alyssa (Eric's sister), Whitney, and Me

I know. I know. I look like a ghost in this picture. I think I still have a medicine hang over from my Friday headache a week ago.

We have a busy week ahead of us. Bryan and I are attending the visitation and viewing for Karri Hardin this evening. Afterwards, I am babysitting Katie and Jesse so Eric and Whitney can have a dinner together. I also have to try to bake 4 dozen cookies while babysitting to take to a reception for Karri's memorial service on Tuesday that we will be attending. I'm a little nervous how I am going to get that done while trying to entertain an 8 year old and an infant!!!! Thank goodness for freezable cookie dough we bought from Katie!!!! And my thoughts are if Kelly can make cookies and pretzels while 9 months pregnant, surely I can work this out!!!! Kelly is amazing!!!

We also have to try to fit in/watch the second half of the 24 Season Premiere.Does anyone watch that show? We watched the first 2 hours last night. Maybe I can try to record tonight's episode. I'd have to hook up our VCR because we are still in the dark ages and have no DVR!!! I've been thinking of a graduation present for Bryan (even though it is not until May). Maybe he needs a DVR!!!

Then on Tuesday Night........................We are having an American Idol Premiere Watch Party with Eric, Whitney, and family at our house . It is one of the last times we will see Eric before he leaves to go back to Kuwait. They are bringing Papa Murphy's pizza over. It should be fun and a positive way to end a rather sad day.

I have something to do every night this week!! And , who exactly is going to do my laundry (I'm wearing my last pair of dress socks today) and clean my house!!

C-R-A-Z-I-N-E-S-S !!!!!

Karri Hardin

2009-01-09T08:39:00.016-06:00

Karri Hardin pictured in the hat

Please pray for the Hardin family: Tim, Miriam, Michaela, and Madilyn. Karri Hardin passed away last night after a battle with cancer and is now in heaven. Her cancer returned around the holidays and was very aggressive.

I believe Karri was in her early 40s and her children are in high school, junior high, and elementary school. I had posted about her here and here. They go to our church and I've played Bunco with her a few times. They are an amazing family. Karri was an outstanding wife and mother. They were a great couple and set such a nice example for Bryan and I to watch.

Karri's battle with cancer has left me with regrets. I regret I really just got to visit with her in the past 2 years. Regret Bryan and I did not take more time as a couple with them. Regret I did not tell Karri more what a wonderful wife, mother, and person she was.

I've been told one of Karri's only worries was for her girls. Please lift these beautiful children up today. I'm asking God to make the next phase of this family's journey as easy as possible.

We were at our friends' house watching the BCS game when Jeron got the call Karri had passed away. It really puts things in perspective when something like this happens and we had all been so concerned about the outcome of the game. I like Sooner Football but I could careless about the football game in the last 2 quarters. I felt bad even getting excited knowing this family was hurting and already missing a loved one.

I do congratulate the Florida Gators and their fans. The Gators played a great game.

Please don't think I'm a sore looser. I just don't feel like posting about football right now.

GAME ON !!!!!

2009-01-08T09:06:00.008-06:00

Tonight is a HUGE game for our Oklahoma Sooners!!

At the beginning of the season we didn't care how OU did, we just wanted them to win a bowl game. It is long over due. I wasn't necessarily asking for the national championship!

I have some gear on for work today.Bryan's mom gave me this bracelet for Christmas. It's a different OU bracelet than I normally wear so I hope I didn't just throw a curse on the game!

We were going to watch the game with Brooklyn and Jorge and then began to worry we might wake up their kiddos if it is necessary to yell at the TV set. We had decided to watch the game by ourselves and then received an invitation to watch it with our great friends Jeron and Kristine at his parent's house whom we also love. We are excited because we haven't seen the Youngs much recently. It should be fun!! I'm excited; which means the work day will probably drag on.

Until tonight I leave you with these wonderful videos I found on YouTube:

Boomer!!! Sooner!!!

Go OU!!!

Dinner with Eric

2009-01-07T08:50:00.003-06:00

My cousin is back on 2 weeks leave from Kuwait!!! Bryan and I are very excited. I of course have missed him and Bryan has really missed him during hunting season!! I can only imagine how his wife and children feel!!! We are trying very hard to not impress upon his time here so that he can spend it with his immediate family. They did ask us to go eat with them last night at:

Cattlemens Steakhouse and Cafe

Bryan had the chicken fried steak and I had the catfish. Eric and Katie each had a steak. Bryan and I butcher a calf from a family friend and that meat is so tender and delicious so we rarely eat steak out. I didn't take pictures of the food because I didn't want to irritate anyone else. But our food was delicious! The company was even better!!

Afterwards, Bryan and I went home, changed into our pjs, crawled under the warm covers. watched the last hour of Biggest Looser, never left our comfy bed, and then felt bad for all the food we ate because people were loosing big on Biggest Looser!!

I missed the first hour of the introductions of the contestants so maybe I can find it online. I have to pick who I'm going to be pulling for. I cannot believe they eliminated 9 people on the first night!!

Thank you for your sweet words and prayers regarding the migraines. I'm hoping your prayers are answered next month! :)

The First Few Days of the Year

2009-01-06T11:00:00.000-06:00

This:

this

Equals

This:Truly freshly squeezed orange juice.

My boss has a client who brings back oranges from south Texas and they make the best fresh orange juice. Nothing tastes as good! John gave me several last week and I used my juice thingy they gave me for Christmas last year to make this delicious juice. I've been feeling a little yucky lately and I've really enjoyed the fresh Vitamin C!!

I spent all day Friday in bed with a severe migraine. Thankfully my mom had some medicine I took Friday evening that brought some relief. I would appreciate it if you prayed for me. I used to get these headaches every month a few years ago. I stopped getting them but now they have come back each month for the past four months. I usually have to go to bed in the dark with no sounds and no smells around. I don't like the set back they bring. I tried to do as little as possible the rest of the weekend because I was so afraid the headache would come back.

On Saturday, I watched Jesse for a few hours while Whitney cleaned her house. I had the best time. I have bought this play mat that I keep at my house and hope to use it some day with our own children. I really think Jesse loves it. Bryan and I love to play with him and hold him but we also like to lay him on the mat and watch him play. We are always afraid we may hold him to much!! :) We may not know any better because we do not have children of our own but we think maybe playing on the mat will help Jesse develop his muscles and maybe roll over and pull up!!

He also had a case of the hiccups and Bryan tried to get him to stop by making hiccup noises himself and jerking his body. It really made Jesse start laughing. It was too cute. I included this video. You'll have to listen closely for his laugh because all the adults are laughing too. I love watching the smile on Bryan's face.

p.s. Sorry for the blurry zooming in and out. I'm just an amateur.

Have a great day and I'll try to catch up on your blog posts today and tomorrow!!

A Day and Night at the Movies

2009-01-01T19:49:00.022-06:00

On Wednesday, I got off work at noon and headed to the mall. I was on a quest for two things (1) search for a replacement for my black flats and (2) watch Marley and Me. I had decided I wanted to see Marley and Me and I kind of figured Bryan did not want to see it so I went by myself. It all worked out perfect; except replacing my black flats. I hit the stores but found absolutely nothing. I need something plain with no bling bling and no wedge heel. It was impossible and I came up empty.

I've only watched one other movie by myself and that was by accident when Kristine and I went to seperate theatres. But I didn't mind being by myself yesterday. It was kind of relaxing. At first, I thought I had made a mistake seeing this movie by myself. I cried two different times and it does feel a little weird sitting by yourself crying when others are sitting behind you! :) This is a great movie though and you need to see it. I think there is more to the movie than just the story of the dog and his owner; you saw their marriage relationship develope and their family develope. But it did make me come home and love on my dogs!! We even let Lilly and Layla in the house and loved on them. They were quite excited and thank the writer of Marley and Me and the producers for making the movie!!!

Bryan got off work at 4:00 yesterday and got home early (remember, he is a city employee!! hee hee! :>) We did not have any invites for New Years Eve so he and I went to eat Mexican and then went to another movie at the wonderful Moore theatre and saw this movie:

I wasn't sure about this movie. But I have to say it was another great movie. I cried AGAIN at the end! I was proud to be an American!! What an emotional movie day!!

All in all I think I must say I'm glad I did this on 12/31/08 since one of my goals was to watch less movies and TV in 2009! :) And I do have to write although it is now officially 2009 I have spent the day in my pjs and laying around A LOT watching the Season 4 DVDs of The Office so obviously I have a lot of work cut out for me to work on that goal list! In my defense though, I have had a headache and taken medicine all day and just can't think. I'm blaming my flub up on the headache. I'm glad there are 364 days left!!

I think the evening may be better than the day (although I've enjoyed my time with Bryan). Bryan is marinating steaks for dinner and we have baked potatoes in the oven!! MMM MMM good!! And Bryan also made delicious sandwiches on sourdough bread for lunch! Am I spoiled or what!! Don't answer!!!! :)