Big things from Jan...

Garris is pushing up!
Chayse is peeing in the potty!!!

2010

Thinking back over the last 10 years, life has changed so much for me. I was in college and living the college life to the fullest when the year 2000 rang in. I remember the party that I was at for New Years, when the clock struck midnight, they turned off the power to scare everyone. If you remember, there was "rumors" that technology wouldn't be able to deal with the changing of the century numbers. Funny huh.

Over the last 10 years, my life seen so much. I have had some of the most emotional highs and have also been at my very lowest. The events were big for me... I had two breast tumors removed that were not cancerous, only to have my mother diagnosed with breast cancer 3 months later... I graduated college and then went on to grad school... I started my career in a 9-1-1 center... I got engaged and eventually married... My father was diagnosed with metastatic lung cancer and passed away 11 months after his diagnosis... I had miscarriage... my first born child, Hope, was diagnosed with fatal health issues and passed away an hour after her birth... I fell into a deep depression that looking back on, I am surprised I survived as well as I did... I had another miscarriage... I got pregnant and gave birth to my second born, Chayse, which was one of the scariest and most joyous journeys I have ever been on... I quit my job to stay home with my baby girl... I got pregnant again and gave birth to our son, Garris... I reconnected with some of my friends from high school and rebuilt friendships from childhood... I lost many family members to cancer... I help to restart the ladies auxiliary at our fire house... I taught Sunday School at church... I stumbled in my faith... I have loved and I have lost.

Simply put, this was a very emotional decade for me and for my family as a whole. I failed miserably at some things but am proud to have overcome others. I will always have some things that I wonder what if about and I think that this decade will be one that I try to face head on and always stay positive... not live worried about the what if's. I miss my Daddy terribly and I wonder every day about Hope but no matter what I do, I cannot bring them back and I cannot change the fact that they are gone. I reflect on them with love and appreciate all that I learned from them. Everything that I have been through has been a lesson... some that I did not want to learn and other lessons that lead me in my footsteps everyday. The coming decade should be so much fun as this journey of parenthood continues. I look forward to every day with my greatest treasures in life... my husband, my children, my family, and my friends. God bless you all!

Happy New Year!

Stats on a growing little boy!

We went for Garris's 4 month check up and he is doing great! He is still a little on the colicky side but Dr. P says that usually goes away between 4-6 months so hopefully we are on the last few weeks of the screaming episodes!

At birth: 8 lbs, 21 inches
At 2 months: 10 lbs 13 oz (25%), 22.5 inches (30%)
At 4 months: 14 lbs 11 oz (45%), 24.5 inches (30%)

From our family to yours...

MERRY CHRISTMAS!

The Ginger Bread House

So, this ginger bread house thing, it is really much harder than I thought that it would be! Well, if I had know that there was a box in the box that you can use for the cottage, it would have been much easier to make! But, alas, I did not find that till we were done with the house. I had to bust out a can of icing to use as "glue" to hold this thing together! I will have to remember to use the cottage template next year! All things considered, Chayse had a wonderful time working on her ginger bread house and it will be something we do every year!

Stats on a growing little gal...

We went for Chayse's 18 month check up but in reality, it is her 19 month check up as she turned 19 months on the first...

At birth: 7 lbs 14 oz, 20.5 inches
At 2 months: 11 lbs 10 oz (60%), 22.5 inches (45%)
At 4 months: 14 lbs 3 oz (50%), 24.75 inches (60%)
At 6 months: 15 lbs 7 oz (30%), 26.25 inches (60%)
At 9 months: 18 lbs 2 oz (30%), 27.5 inches (35%)
At 12.5 months: 19 lbs 7 oz (20%), 29.75 inches (65%)
At 16 months: 22 lbs 1 oz (32%), 32 inches (85%)
At 19 months: 24 lbs 8 oz (50%), 33.75 inches (93%)

It's Thanksgiving!

Well, almost! Tomorrow it will be and what a wonderful time of year to really say thanks for all that we have! I cannot believe how blessed we have been with our children. We really are so grateful for them... all three of them! We learned so much about love, life, and letting go with Hope... she is missed dearly everyday and not a day goes by that she is not thought of. Nathan and I were sitting in the den the other night and Chayse was dancing and laughing, Garris was cooing, and Nathan and I were just taking it all in. Nathan looked at me and said can you even imagine how it would be with a 3 year old, an 18 month old, and a 2 month old? We both laughed and my heart smiled knowing that in moments like that when everything in our home is perfect, she is still remembered. For that, I am thankful...

Chayse had her 18 month check up and she is growing away! It is official... she is a TALL child! She is almost off the charts with her height as she is in the 95%, which is tall for a girl! She is growing and learning everyday. She is amazing to watch as she soaks up everyday life. She is talking and is just amazing to be around. She has such a sweet personality, even if she is a bit stubborn! What a wonderful spirit that little girl has.

For that, I am thankful...

Garris is almost 3 months old now! Can you believe it!?! He is smiling and cooing and laughing these days! He is also holding his head up and trying to push up a little. Before we know it, he will be sitting up and then running and walking! Agh! The pages of time are turning so quickly is this book of life we live! He is sleeping through the night now for the most part. He is nursing wonderfully. He is sweet sweet baby and we could not love him more. He is our sweet boy and is such a wonderful addition to our family! For that, I am thankful...

I often wonder if I am truly worthy of all that I have... my husband, my children, my family, and my friends... thank you God for blessing my life with more than I could ever imagine.

For that, I am thankful.