Back-logged But Blessed

Yes, I realize that it has been quite a while since my last post I will play a little catch-up here. f I have been so busy with so many blessings lately that I have only had time to do quick little snippets on Facebook.

First off, I have been so busy this weekend with Josiah's and my birthday marathon! Josiah turned 29 on Friday and we all went to Beef's to celebrate after his soccer game (which they won!). Yesterday evening, Josiah's students planned a surprise party for him at our house, so I was busy secretly cleaning all day for that. Lastly, today is my 30th birthday and my extremely, awesome in-laws planned a party for me after church. It was a great weekend!

Lydia and I are flying to Michigan first thing tomorrow morning to visit my family. We will be gone for a week and then my grandmother will be flying back with us the following Monday. I feel a huge weight of guilt leaving my husband home to fend for himself and the girls. It has been a huge job just trying to line up babysitters, prepping lunches, soccer and cheer outfits...so that everything is ready for the entire week I am gone.

My last huge bit of news is that Josiah and I officially in the process of adopting a baby boy! We passed our home study with flying colors and are waiting for a match. We are praying for the Lord to bring along the right birth mother!

That's all our big news!

My New Office!

So I was surfing Craigslist the other night and stumbled upon some gorgeous office furniture. My old stuff was a hand-me-down from my parents which was purchased from a garage sale and in terrible costmetic condition. I was able to talk my wonderfully, awesome hubby into buying this beautiful stuff! The poor guy had to drive all the way out to Dale Mabry in the rain to carry it all downstairs. We got it all carried inside, towel dried, and assembled last night around 11pm. I am so amazed at how God provides for not only our needs, but also our wants. I think we got a great deal!!

I have to change the pink ribbon on the curtain to a green one to match my cute bins and lamp I found at Target. Mr. Matt, notice I hung the "Parlor" sign for you already! :) The guys have their room back...however, I think us ladies use the office way more these days.


Most of the shelves are pretty empty. I still haven't gone through all the nitty-gritty stuff to organize...dreading it too!

What We Did on our Summer Vacation

Here are some pictures of our cruise a few weeks ago. I have no idea why this font has decided to underline itself...oh, well!

Below is the girls closing their eyes the first time we walked into our room. It was their idea to be "surprised".

Dinner the first night.

Riding the water slides on the ship

Our date night, after pawning the kids off to the kids club

The girls projects they made in the kids area

Holding a turtle at the Turtle Farm in Grand Cayman

The shark tank

Unfortunately, we didn't notice that the camera was foggy from the temperature change

Our carriage ride through Cozumel

One Brave Kid

We were in Tallahassee a few weekends ago for a Winter family reunion at the Tallahassee State Museum. There was a really neat animal show where the kids were able to see owls, snakes, and even a baby alligator. Esther is much braver than her mommy...that's for sure. If you know me at all, then you know I am deathly afraid of snakes. The last picture was actually taken from the other side of the room. Thanks goodness for good zooms on cameras because I wasn't getting anywhere near that huge snake!!!

Pounding the Pavement

Well, I have made the final decision to run another half marathon. Who's with me? The race is the DisneyWorld Wine & Dine on Saturday, October 1st at 10pm. I looked today and we have 115 days to the BIG day and the race is 70% full, so if you are planning to run with me (and I know there are a few of you out there considering it), please let me know.

This morning I decided that I needed to start running again, and it was the first official time running since my last 13.1 miler. Whew!!! I forgot how much it hurts to really have to push yourself. I only ran 3.75 miles and it took me forever! Gunna have to do that a few times a week to get back in the groove! Hope some of you will join me!!

Picture of Lydia

Mrs. Morales, the lady who took care of Lydia while we were gone on our cruise, took a gazillion pictures of her. Here is one of my favorites.

Hannah Update

I am so excited to share with those of you who have been on your knees with us, that Hannah's bald spot is continuing to grow new hairs! Everyday the hairs are growing longer. I did some research on Alopecia Areata, and I read that can be caused by a stressful situation. About a week before I first noticed the spot, she had a really rough time with getting her blood drawn for allergy testing. I am really hoping that that is what caused this and that she has no other reoccurances in the future. I cannot express to you all how much I appreciate all your prayers about this and the other matters that are going on in my life lately! I am so blessed to have your friendships! Please continue for my family, as things seem to continue to get worse.

Adventure Island Fun

Josiah, the kids, and I joined the Winter family on an annual trip to Adventure Island yesterday. We had a great time!

Esther jumping off the cliffs

Lydia & Daddy

Hannah is doing awesome with her swimming and can now swim without the use of any floatation devices!




Hannah & Auntie Joy

Isaiah, Caleb, & Josiah

Lydia

Esther at Splash Attack...doesn't she look like a swimsuit model?

Lydia wearing out Grandpa Ken on the water slides.

After wearing out Grandpa, she proceded to wear out Aunt Grace too!

Grandma Sheila about to collapse after climbing all the steps up the water slide

After the water park closed, we went to a hole-in-wall (there are literally holes in walls) BBQ restraunt, where they actually serve bat. These are the boys bibs they brought out. Notice they are paper toilet seat covers.

All in all, it was a perfect day! I think everyone had a ton of fun and got a little sun burnt.

More Prayer Needed

Well, we are in need of prayer again, so I am sharing this to ask for you to be praying with us. Earlier this week, I noticed a small bald spot on the top of Hannah's head. I thought that maybe she had pulled her ponytail holder out and ripped out the hair, but it was very smooth so I wasn't really sure. I tried to cover it up for several days, hoping no one would ask me why she has a bald spot, since I really had no explanation. I am so blessed to have so many friends in the medical field and was able to ask Kyle, who is PA in a Dermatology office. She recognized it right away as Alopecia Areata. She said that it can spread and lead to full baldness if left untreated. The treatment would be a few injections in the affected area. I am really upset about this, especially since Hannah had such a hard time with passing out and vomitting after having her blood drawn last week. She is such a sweetie and I hate to have to put through that pain.

My plan for now is to wait a few weeks, and pray earnestly that the Lord would heal her without have to get the injections. Even this morning, just hours after I learned her diagnosis, I noticed a few new hairs growing in the bald spot. Please pray with us that the Lord will work a miracle and she will be healed. I truly believe He has the power! Thanks All!

Birthdays and Bowling!

Esther, Hannah, and I were able to join my in-laws for Caleb's 15th birthday this evening. We went to Beef O'Brady's for dinner and then bowling. It was Esther and Hannah's first time bowling and they had a blast. Esther got 3 spares by the end of the second game! Hannah was hilarious. One of the pins actually stopped her ball without falling down. It was so cute!

Hannah's "bunny in a heart" balloon
Esther's monkey in a tree balloon

Caleb & Isaiah and their wing dinner (that's all they had--wings)

Kenny (my nephew) playing the drums in the

back of his truck in the bowling alley parking lot

Caleb (birthday boy...a.k.a. Spearmint Billy)

Isaiah and his lovely bowling socks

Kenny bowling

Hannah's Swimming Lessons

Hannah has only had three swimming lessons and is coming along just "swimmingly" :) She loves being in the water and has no fear. We have the best instructor, Miss Marcia. She makes everything a game and makes Hannah love to be under the water!

Mother's Day Mayhem!

I feel like I look at everyone else's pictures and their kids are all smiling and looking at the camera. This is just a few pictures we tried to take after dinner on Mother's Day. I had a great day, though. I had to stay home from church with Lydia since she had a goopy nose, and then we went out to eat with my in-laws to Sonny's BBQ (which is one of my favorite places). After, it was home for Sunday afternoon naps!

Prom 2011

I believe that this year makes my hubby's and my 7th prom together. I believe that he has worn the same suit every time. I've really got to get him to spurge for a new suit! (He still looks amazingly hot, though!) We enjoyed a lovely evening with the Juniors and Seniors from his school. Special thanks to Auntie Joy for babysitting!

Who caught us kissing again?
My brother-in-law, Isaiah and his girlfriend, Peyton.

I voted us the best-looking old couple at the prom!

A Little Prayer Couldn't Hurt

Hello to all my friends and family,

As some you already know, my family has been experiencing some tumultuous times. Yesterday, I was informed that things have taken a turn for the worse. I would like to ask all you to please be praying for us as we travel the rough roads ahead. I am so thankful that I have the Lord's comfort during this difficult time, as it seems to be the only thing gives me hope and comfort right now. My new favorite song should be playing for you right now, so I hope that it will encourage you as well.

My New Favorite Movies

Well, I ended up laying around the house the entire day today, trying to recoup from my late night last night. My niece, Sammy, is on spring break this week and came over to hang out with me last night. Since she is 13, I was trying to find something for us to do that she would really enjoy, so we loaded up on the junk food and borrowed the three current Twilight movies. We didn't end up finishing until about 4am! I am normally in bed asleep by 11:00, so this really threw me for a loop. We had a really good time, though...and I have to apologize to my good friend Sarah for always teasing her about the movies with our husbands. They were awesome and we totally have a girl's night out at the movies, the night the 4th movie is released. I draw the line at Harry Potter, though, Sarah! :)

Easter Egg Fun

Happy Resurrection Day!

Sit up straight, look at mommy, don't touch your sister, smile pretty, keep your knees together...just way too many things for the girls to focus on when your taking a picture! These were the best we could do this morning on the way to church. When we walked into church, the greeter asked where we got all these pretty girls from. I answered, "At the pretty girl factory...me". Hope you all have had a wonderful Easter celebrating the Resurrection of our Lord!