So, the girls wore shorts and skirts today. It's December, we should be wrapped up in coats, wearing jeans and boots. Instead the windows are open and it still isn't cool enough in the house. Well, enough of my complaints about our weather. I'm sure those without electricity due to their storms would be happy to be in my situation.
Keith and I went to the Carrie Underwood concert Friday. It was great. The opening band was Little Big Town. We, not being country fans, actually enjoyed them. Then Carrie Underwood came out and she was great. I especially enjoyed All-American Girl. She had this adorable girl from the audience come on stage and sing with her. Later that night I received a call from an employee that she was in the hospital, so I ended up working much of the weekend. So, a few of our other plans didn't quite work out.
Saturday morning I worked, then we shopped. We spent most of the day trying to find a swing set. We knew what we wanted. We had been researching for months. However, it seems the opinion of the retail industry is that swing sets don't sell in Winter. Finally, we found one. $200.00 MORE that we planned to spend. But, anything for our girls. So, we loaded up both boxes, came home, unloaded the boxes, and went to sleep.
Sunday, I went to work. Received a call from dad that the swing set is on sale for $100.00 less that what we paid. So, after I get home we go shopping AGAIN. This time with both girls. We get our $100.00 back. Yay! It was so easy! We turn in our gifts for the angel tree, shop more, and I buy myself clothes! Yay! Then, I decide to be brave and take the girls to the Christmas program at church. Bailey was wonderful. She loves music. Aubrey, however, wasn't so great. We sat in the back row so we could make a quick escape if necessary, but this nice lady came to the rescue with books and items to color. Then, after talking to the lady I realize she has a granddaughter with Down syndrome. So, after the program we spent a little time talking, and she spent time loving on Bailey. It was great, I just love sharing her with others.
Trish
Tuesday, December 16, 2008
Saturday, December 13, 2008
Aubrey and Her Friend
These are a few pictures from last weekend of Aubrey and her friend Colby. I planned to post them with the other pics, but I was waiting for his Mommy to give the okay. Enjoy!
Thursday, December 11, 2008
Appointments and Other Stuff
This term is officially over. I took my final yesterday, so I'm finished. Unfortunately, I think I may have to skip next term for financial reasons. It isn't easy being in that middle category, where you don't qualify for financial aid, yet you can't afford tuition without it. It's unfortunate that they look at income only, and don't take your debt into consideration, especially since the majority are medical expenses. Oh well... Good news, insurance covered a major medical expense for Bailey. It's one I've had an issue with since February. Just remember don't give up!
We have a contract on our house. I don't believe I've mentioned that yet. I received a call from our realtor that we needed to address an issue at the house. Foul odor(death), lit candle, hole in ceiling, broken window, and a possible body/person in the attic. So, I call the sheriff's department so I'll have a bit of protection when I enter the house. While driving to the house I receive another call from the realtor, "the people looking at the house who discovered the break-in just made an offer". Yes, I think they are crazy, but I'm not going to question that. Since the offer was made we have had another break-in. Now, there is some copper wiring missing and possibly the water heater or AC damage. I've yet to determine the issue there.
Bailey is doing very well. She'll be starting school soon. We recently received the application and I'm waiting for her to move up to the top of the list. We visited the school this week for their Christmas celebration, and I was very impressed. I think she'll get the attention and discipline she needs to prepare her for kindergarten. She saw GI and her pediatrician this week, and they are both very please with her weight. We haven't used her feeding tube in several months and if her swallow study goes well and she continues to gain weight over the next few months we'll get to lose the tube! Also, her staph has cleared up. We really worked hard to battle it this time. Multiple antibiotics, special soap for the entire family, scrubbing the house. All that good stuff.
Aubrey is also doing very well. She's a great big sister, and an amazing daughter. She loves to sing and dance, and keeps us laughing all the time. She's so excited about Christmas, and keeps saying this is the best Christmas ever. We've seen Santa 3-4 times already. I can't even keep track! This is the first year she's been excited to see him. Usually she hides and cries.
We as a family have been busy, busy, busy. I'm ready for the holiday season to start slowing down. I always tell myself to relax, but I always find somewhere to take the girls. We love to play, even though at the end of the day we're truly exhausted. Tomorrow night we have Carrie Underwood tickets. I'm so excited. Then Saturday, I think we'll begin our Christmas shopping. We've yet to purchase 1 gift. Then, on Sunday our church we'll be having their Christmas program in the afternoon, so I plan to take the girls to that as well. Well, Keith is coming to bed, so I'll update more later.
Oh, dad is having more testing done tomorrow. We'll get a better idea on how his memory decline is progressing. Please keep him in your prayers. These tests are very stressful and make him absolutely exhausted.
Tricia
We have a contract on our house. I don't believe I've mentioned that yet. I received a call from our realtor that we needed to address an issue at the house. Foul odor(death), lit candle, hole in ceiling, broken window, and a possible body/person in the attic. So, I call the sheriff's department so I'll have a bit of protection when I enter the house. While driving to the house I receive another call from the realtor, "the people looking at the house who discovered the break-in just made an offer". Yes, I think they are crazy, but I'm not going to question that. Since the offer was made we have had another break-in. Now, there is some copper wiring missing and possibly the water heater or AC damage. I've yet to determine the issue there.
Bailey is doing very well. She'll be starting school soon. We recently received the application and I'm waiting for her to move up to the top of the list. We visited the school this week for their Christmas celebration, and I was very impressed. I think she'll get the attention and discipline she needs to prepare her for kindergarten. She saw GI and her pediatrician this week, and they are both very please with her weight. We haven't used her feeding tube in several months and if her swallow study goes well and she continues to gain weight over the next few months we'll get to lose the tube! Also, her staph has cleared up. We really worked hard to battle it this time. Multiple antibiotics, special soap for the entire family, scrubbing the house. All that good stuff.
Aubrey is also doing very well. She's a great big sister, and an amazing daughter. She loves to sing and dance, and keeps us laughing all the time. She's so excited about Christmas, and keeps saying this is the best Christmas ever. We've seen Santa 3-4 times already. I can't even keep track! This is the first year she's been excited to see him. Usually she hides and cries.
We as a family have been busy, busy, busy. I'm ready for the holiday season to start slowing down. I always tell myself to relax, but I always find somewhere to take the girls. We love to play, even though at the end of the day we're truly exhausted. Tomorrow night we have Carrie Underwood tickets. I'm so excited. Then Saturday, I think we'll begin our Christmas shopping. We've yet to purchase 1 gift. Then, on Sunday our church we'll be having their Christmas program in the afternoon, so I plan to take the girls to that as well. Well, Keith is coming to bed, so I'll update more later.
Oh, dad is having more testing done tomorrow. We'll get a better idea on how his memory decline is progressing. Please keep him in your prayers. These tests are very stressful and make him absolutely exhausted.
Tricia
Unconditional Acceptance
I received this in an e-mail today. I thought I'd share.
Breakfast at McDonald's
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.
Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake,
literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.
His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.
He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them.
The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.
He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the
restaurant were set on me, judging
my every action.
I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.
I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.'
We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.
We are not church goers, but we are believers.
That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.
I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.
Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'
I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.
She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son,the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
Breakfast at McDonald's
I am a mother of three (ages 14, 12, 3) and have recently completed my college degree.
The last class I had to take was Sociology.
The teacher was absolutely inspiring with the qualities that I wish every human being had been graced with.
Her last project of the term was called, 'Smile.'
The class was asked to go out and smile at three people and document their reactions.
I am a very friendly person and always smile at everyone and say hello anyway. So, I thought this would be a piece of cake,
literally.
Soon after we were assigned the project, my husband, youngest son, and I went out to McDonald's one crisp March morning.
It was just our way of sharing special playtime with our son.
We were standing in line, waiting to be served, when all of a sudden everyone around us began to back away, and then even my husband did.
I did not move an inch... an overwhelming feeling of panic welled up inside of me as I turned to see why they had moved.
As I turned around I smelled a horrible 'dirty body' smell, and there standing behind me were two poor homeless men.
As I looked down at the short gentleman, close to me, he was 'smiling'.
His beautiful sky blue eyes were full of God's Light as he searched for acceptance.
He said, 'Good day' as he counted the few coins he had been clutching.
The second man fumbled with his hands as he stood behind his friend. I realized the second man was mentally challenged and the blue-eyed gentleman was his salvation.
I held my tears as I stood there with them.
The young lady at the counter asked him what they wanted.
He said, 'Coffee is all Miss' because that was all they could afford. (If they wanted to sit in the restaurant and warm up, they had to buy something. He just wanted to be warm).
Then I really felt it - the compulsion was so great I almost reached out and embraced the little man with the blue eyes.
That is when I noticed all eyes in the
restaurant were set on me, judging
my every action.
I smiled and asked the young lady behind the counter to give me two more breakfast meals on a separate tray.
I then walked around the corner to the table that the men had chosen as a resting spot. I put the tray on the table and laid my hand on the blue-eyed gentleman's cold hand.
He looked up at me, with tears in his eyes, and said, 'Thank you.'
I leaned over, began to pat his hand and said, 'I did not do this for you. God is here working through me to give you hope.'
I started to cry as I walked away to join my husband and son. When I sat down my husband smiled at me and said, 'That is why God gave you to me, Honey, to give me hope.'
We held hands for a moment and at that time, we knew that only because of the Grace that we had been given were we able to give.
We are not church goers, but we are believers.
That day showed me the pure Light of God's sweet love.
I returned to college, on the last evening of class, with this story in hand.
I turned in 'my project' and the instructor read it.
Then she looked up at me and said, 'Can I share this?'
I slowly nodded as she got the attention of the class.
She began to read and that is when I knew that we as human beings and being part of God share this need to heal people and to be healed.
In my own way I had touched the people at McDonald's, my son,the instructor, and every soul that shared the classroom on the last night I spent as a college student.
I graduated with one of the biggest lessons I would ever learn:
UNCONDITIONAL ACCEPTANCE.
Saturday, December 6, 2008
Snow? In Florida?
Ahh... we had snow today! Well... the Parks and Recreation Department had snow. So, of course we had to check it out. We started our day at Family Fundamentals. That's where we saw Santa! Plus we did a few arts and crafts, then headed over to Snowfest! After getting dollared to death, we decided to head over the Backyard Adventures.
Aubrey was a pro!
The girls and Santa
Grandma getting a massage
Aubrey was a pro!
The girls and Santa
Grandma getting a massage
November at the Zoo
Instead of celebrating Black Friday shopping, we celebrated at the zoo! So much fun.
You could hear the bear on the other side of the window breathing!
Aubrey and Aunt Kelli
Aubrey loves riding the horse at the zoo. I think it's her favorite part of our visit.
Aubrey and her Daddy
The look? Well, there was a foul odor at that exhibit. The odor did eventually disappear.
I think Bailey was smelling the same thing. Hmm... I wonder if it was coming from the next picture?
The End.
You could hear the bear on the other side of the window breathing!
Aubrey and Aunt Kelli
Aubrey loves riding the horse at the zoo. I think it's her favorite part of our visit.
Aubrey and her Daddy
The look? Well, there was a foul odor at that exhibit. The odor did eventually disappear.
I think Bailey was smelling the same thing. Hmm... I wonder if it was coming from the next picture?
The End.
Thanksgiving
We had a wonderful Thanksgiving. I'm so thankful for our amazing and supportive family. I'm blessed to have them all a part of my life. We spent the morning and afternoon at Keith's dad and Molly's house. While we were there Keith's mom was at our house preparing another dinner for her family. We joined them later in the afternoon. It was great seeing Keith's uncles again. We haven't seen them in several years. I think it also meant a lot to Pam. She really seemed to be thrilled to have them here.
She's too busy to look at the camera.
Isn't she cute?
Bailey and her Grandma
I don't think Kelli was too happy having her picture taken. Just wait 'til she sees it here. Love you!
Bailey and her Papa
The girls and their Aunt Carolyn
She's too busy to look at the camera.
Isn't she cute?
Bailey and her Grandma
I don't think Kelli was too happy having her picture taken. Just wait 'til she sees it here. Love you!
Bailey and her Papa
The girls and their Aunt Carolyn
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