blog under re-construction
i'm trying!

Long time, no blog!

I knew I hadn't blogged in quite some time.
I guess I didn't realize it had been almost 4 months!
At this point, I don't even know where to start.
So, I'll begin with the here and now. We are currently on vacation in Sanibel Island, FL. Wow, is it beautiful! July is hot and muggy, as it is in most of Florida. Fortunately we don't have to wear much more than our swimsuits.
Tropical storm Bonnie gave us some rain and wind today so we didn't hit the beach. Instead, we were able to enjoy other activities and for me to spend some time on the computer. I'll post more as time permits - but it won't be so long this time!

So many seashells by the seashore!

Carissa is 6 months old this week. Time sure flies!

Daddy and his girls...

The girls...

We're not done having fun, so we'll be back!!

22/52: A Decade of Happiness

At the beginning of March we celebrated our tenth wedding anniversary. Early on we thought we would be spending our tenth anniversary on one of our favorite beaches in Mexico.
Little did we know we would have just welcomed baby girl number 4 to our family and gladly stay close to home!

My Mom was visiting so she kept the big girls and we went and stayed at Disney's Contemporary Resort. (If you've been to Disney World, it's the one the monorail goes through)

We had dinner at their restaurant that overlooks Disney World and the Magic Kingdom.

The view was spectacular over Cinderella's Castle.

It was a great place to watch the sunset.

They piped in the music from the parks during the fireworks show.

We had Carissa with us, but wouldn't have known since she did this the whole time.

In many ways the past ten years have been a blur. Never would we have imagined some of the roads we have walked. It hasn't been all fun and games - but it has been an exciting adventure. God knew the perfect match for me and blessed me with him. I am looking forward to the next ten years with the most amazing husband ever!

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog

Wordless Wednesday - Mwahaha...I'm Going to Get You!!

The God of Second Chances

I love Spring.
And I love Summer.
And I love Fall.
Wish I could say the same for winter!

For many people, Spring is often about new life and a fresh start. Which interestingly enough, isn't the New Year, a few short months ago, about new beginnings?
I guess we can't be given enough opportunities to start anew.

I think we can all appreciate a "do-over"

do-over noun
1. a chance to redo an action
2. alluding to going back in time

This Spring, I am thankful that God allows "do-overs".
No matter how many times I fail, He is faithful to pick up the pieces and give me another try. And on top of that, He is willing to step in and do it for me if I would just let Him!

"You see the depths of my heart and You love me the same"
(Indescribable by Chris Tomlin)

I need that kind of love...unconditional.
We all do.

Let's remember this week what Easter is all about. God's love for us expressed through His sacrifice and the life He has offered us through His resurrection.
(Check out Alicia's post here.)

Whether it be a new beginning,
a fresh start,
a do-over,
a mulligan...
the God of second chances is desiring to pour out His love on us no matter how many times we have let both Him and those around us down.

Doesn't that just put a smile on your face?

The Cavalry has come and gone.....

Once again, it has been so long since I have blogged...
I sat down to look at my pictures from the past two months to see what I would like to post and there are so many. A lot can happen in such a short amount of time.

First of all, Happy St. Patrick's Day!
Each holiday I look forward to learning about that holiday's origin and traditions, etc.
Unfortunately, since I often function on little sleep, I quickly forget what I've learned.
So each March I read up on the origin and traditions of St. Patrick's Day.
I couldn't tell you what I learned last March, or the March before that, or the March before that..... Sad, huh?
I do like green though.

Secondly, I love this blog background.
I wish I could say I found it myself.
Well, I could say that.
I found it myself on my sister-in-law's blog and shamelessly blog-lifted it.
I'm sure she won't mind.

Third, I can't believe Carissa will be two months old on Friday!
The Cavalry has come and gone.....a few times.
Some of our family graciously changed their plans when the baby came 5 weeks early.
Others kept their original travel plans and we had visitors (visitors=help!) until just a few days ago.
God sure knew what He was doing with that arrangement.
In other words, He knew I needed long term help!
My parents were our final visitors and my Mom just left on Saturday.
It's back to real life now.

I will get around to posting pictures of what we've been up to.
I just don't know where to start.

Last month, our kids were passing around a cold - along with everyone else in the school district. Carissa got the sniffles and then a cough. I wasn't too concerned because her one month well-check was scheduled.
Her well-check became a sick appointment and she ended up in the hospital for two days with RSV. It was not a fun time, but we are so thankful she has recovered fully. We had about a week of breathing treatments and returning to the doctor for regular oxygen checks, but we know it could have been SO much worse and God really protected her! Thank you to our friends and family for your prayers!

Carissa's first breathing treatments did not increase her oxygen level, so we were sent to the hospital to have her checked.

Hanging out in the E.R. waiting for a room upstairs.

BIG Stretch!!!

In our room...sleeping peacefully

The hospital provides 'visitors'. We allowed them even though they were Buccaneers :)

The only comfort from home I need is Daddy's lap to get a good night's sleep!

All better now and so happy my sisters can play with me again!

Love

I've not done well at posting baby pictures (sorry family!)
I've not done well at finding any free time!
I would like to wait until I have something clever to write about - but that may not happen for quite some time in my sleep-deprived state.

This weekend is all about love.
I am in love with my husband.
I love our girls with all my heart.
My heart feels like it could burst with love for our new baby girl (even when she wakes me up at 3am!)
And most of all, I love the Lord who has blessed me with all of the above!

21/52: The past two weeks are a blur!

Wow. The days have been flying by! Two weeks ago I was still in the hospital after the birth of our baby girl. It seems like ages ago! Carissa Joy was born almost 5 weeks early....and isn't she cute?

We have spent the past two weeks caring for a newborn and our other three girls and continuing to unpack boxes while I recover from my c-section. We've been tired, but loving it! Fortunately, my in-laws adjusted their dates and came to Florida for a week to help out and then my brother and sister-in-law were able to come for a few days this week. Having additional hands has been a Godsend, especially this week when my husband had to get back to work.

I neglected to post pictures of the "birth day", so before I get into the "fun" pictures, here they are!

4am: Just waiting for my doctor....getting tired since we had been at the hospital since 1:30!

6am: On our way to surgery

Welcome Baby Carissa!

With each baby we have, it seems difficult to imagine how we could possibly love another child as much as we love the others.
How could our hearts be capable of even more love?
Yet, once again we are hopelessly in love with our sweet baby girl and are blessed beyond belief with how amazing she is!

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog

Welcome Carissa Joy!

"The best laid plans of mice and men often go awry...."

We had a plan...
We were plugging away getting ready for our baby girl, due on February 19th...
God and Carissa Joy had other plans....
And we couldn't be happier!

This past Monday night my water broke. It took me a while to figure out what was going on since most of my experience has been with scheduled c-sections. I wish I had video of mine and my husband's discussion about whether or not it was the real thing or I was just peeing my pants!

My doctor had discussed what to do if I went into labor early - but to be honest, I didn't pay much attention. (sorry, Dr. P!) I figured I never needed the information before, why would I now?
Besides, I really needed as much of that last month of pregnancy as possible to get ready....
We still had boxes to unpack after our move, laundry piles were growing, baby supplies needed to be bought, and there was a suitcase to pack. The baby was due February 19th, we had a c-section scheduled for February 12th, and I needed every last bit of those 24 days to get everything in order!

Carissa Joy arrived early Tuesday morning this week. Exactly one month to the day from her due date. Everything went well and we have a beautifully healthy baby girl! The hospital is treating her as a premature baby delivered at 35 weeks, but her tests all along the way have been fine!

We stayed in the hospital until Friday afternoon and we are being released in a couple of hours. This morning the baby's bilirubin levels were slightly high and we will be treating her with a special light blanket at home for a couple of days (which is common). With all of the things that could be a concern with an early baby, we are blessed that there has been only one small issue. Thank you God!

So, as far as those 'best laid plans' are concerned....
Yes, I wish I had finished unpacking boxes and that we were completely settled in our new home.
I would like to have a couch to sit on and a dining room table to eat at.
I am wishing I had washed the baby clothes last week.
And why didn't I buy a nursing bra when I was at the store weeks ago?

Those things all pale in comparison to the "joy" that has been added to our lives this week!

Carissa Joy
Born Tuesday, January 19th, 2010
6:38am
6lbs 3oz
19 inches

My husband brought me my computer last night, but I forgot about the cords for uploading the photos!
This is the only picture I have on my computer at the moment. I'll be posting more from home very soon.
We had to take our kids to the hospital with us at 1am on Monday night and then get a friend to sit with them while we were finally in surgery at 6am...This is the exhausted family after sleeping for just a couple hours over the course of two days!!

20/52: Old Fort Jackson, Savannah, GA

I know the point of this challenge is to get a WEEKLY picture, and I did (really!), but have no way to upload right now.
We are in the process of moving and I packed my cords.

Moving when you are 8 months pregnant is not my idea of fun. But, for the past 8 months we have been in temporary corporate housing and getting out of the townhouse we have been calling home makes the stress of a move well worth it!

We picked up the keys to our house today and the craziness has already begun! The movers come tomorrow to move our things from storage - it will be great to be reunited with all of our own furniture and belongings!!

Since I can't get to this week's pictures - here our some more from our Thanksgiving trip to Savannah. We visited Old Fort Jackson about 5 years ago, so we decided to return now that the kids are a little bit older....they loved it!

Here we are 5 years ago. It was August and it was SO hot and humid...


And now-much cooler in November....and my how we have changed!

Kylie at 2 years old.....

Kylie now....7 years old.....


Our little confederate soldiers....


Off to get some sleep before the "moving fun" begins again tomorrow!

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52 Weeks is a year long challenge for YOU to be in a picture once a week for 52 weeks. Moms are typically the ones behind the camera, this is OUR chance to get out in front and be in the pictures with our family.

So, get yourself in the picture every week for 52 Weeks. Be in a picture with one or more or your children and post your "family photo" on your blog every Thursday - don't forget to list your post on MckLinky on Carin's blog