It's Been Awhile

So, the holidays are here, and I haven't posted in awhile, b/c we have been so busy. This past week was a hard one. Rob found out that he didn't get into the MECEP program (or the officer program for all you non-marines out there! ) So, we are trying to decide waht to do. He can re-apply next year but we don't know if we want to go that route or get out and move closer to home. This week was also the year anniversary that Bubba passed away. I didn't feel like doing anything all week, but things are looking up! The weekend after thanksgiving, my dad and step-mom came to visit. We had so much when they were here, and it was great to see them! We are getting ready to travel to Texas in 11 days. I am so ready to go home, and we will be there for 2 weeks. It will be great! I am not looking forward to riding in the car with Parker for that long, but hopefully he will do ok. I hope everyone has a merry Christmas and a happy new year!!!

When Duty Calls...

Rob has duty tonight....ugh! I hate it when he has duty. Luckily, Parker is already asleep and Bella is ready for bed and it is only 8:40!! This is an accomplishment when Rob is not here to help me! I am getting ready to watch One Tree Hill and then off to bed! Goodnight all!!!!!

Blessed Sunday

We had a busy weekend. Bella and I went to Disney on Ice on Friday night and had so much fun together. I think that it is important that she still gets some alone time with me. She was the only child for 5 years, and I know that it is probably hard for her to share me. It was a great time though. Saturday, Rob, the kids, and I went shopping at the outlets. It was fun! I love to shop. Today, we went to church, and the sermon was so revealing to things that have been happening in my life recently - things we can not control. I know that I need to let God control everything in my life, and I am trying more and more everyday to let go of the need to try and control everything. I just feel so blessed to have 2 healthy kids and a wonderful husband and my health and great family and friends!!!!!! I love days where you can actually sit back and enjoy the people and the things that God has blessed you with! God is good!

Election

It has been awhile since I posted, but last nights election has been on my mind, so I felt the need to blog about it. I saw a lady on the news last night who was wearing a USMC shirt and said that her son is currently serving in Iraq. She said that the reason she voted for Obama is because he is going to bring the troops home. My husband is a marine, and he has said several times that he does not agree with the original reason that the troops went into Iraq, but he thinks that we now need to finish what we started over there. There have been many men and women who have fought over there and lost their lives for this cause, and to see a woman say that she voted for Obama because he wants to bring them all home before the job is done - angers me. I think that he received many votes for the wrong reason. There have been many people on the news this am that have stated the reason that they voted for him was so that he could be the first black president. Is that really why you would pick the person who is going to run our country? I think that it should be based on their beliefs and their goals for our country. When I watched McCain's speech this am - it made me cry. I pray for our country. I will back Obama b/c he is our country's leader and as Americans - that is what we are suppose to do, but I pray that the "changes" he promises are for the benefit of the american people.

God is Good!!!

Well, most of you already know about this, but Friday night was one of the worst nights of my life. Rob and I had been at a church gathering at some friends' house, and our kids were at the church office with our preacher's daughter. We went to pick them up around 10:45 p.m. Rob picked up Parker - who had been sleeping and went to put him in his car seat. I was still inside chatting when Rob came running thru the door with Parker who was limp and blue and not breathing. I could see the horror in Rob's face as I asked him what was wrong? He put him down to check his pulse and began to give him rescue breaths. I was hysterical. I don't even know what I was saying, but I couldn't control my fear and completly lost it. Our preacher called 911 and was on the phone with them while Rob was breathing for Parker. He finally made a gurgling noise and rob turned him to his side and did a finger sweep. Then, he sat him up - Parker was just sitting there like he didn't know where he was or who anyone was. There was a little color coming back into his face and then the paramedics showed up. I have never been so glad to see someone in my whole life. I then came to find out that when Rob was putting Parker in his carseat, his eyes dialated really big and his arms stiffened up and he was shaking a little. We were then told that he probably had a seizure due to a sudden spike in his tempature. We arrived at the hospital around 11:00 p.m., and they took alot of blood from him, got a urine sample, took a chest x-ray, and gave him two shots of anti-biotics. Around 4:30 a.m., they told us that they were going to go ahead and admit us into the hospital. We saw the peditrician on call around 11:30 am the next day, and she said that it not very common for them to quit breathing with these seizures, so that is why she wanted to watch him. We finally go to go home on Sunday around lunch time. We met with his peditrician this am, and she basically confirmed everything that we had been told. She did tell me that a child who has one of these is more susceptible to having another one. That scares me to death. I have to remember to put everything into God's hands. We were so blessed that night that God stepped in and took over. He made sure that we were there just in time for this to happen, and He made sure that Rob was there and he knew what to do. I realized that night that I am NOT in control -He is!!!! No matter how much I love my kids and how much I try to protect them, I can't control the outcome of everything. God is the only one who can do that. I have thanked him so many times since that night for being there and for having Rob there. The two of them saved my baby's life - I truly believe that. Rob told me later on that he didn't even know that I was in the room. He couldn't hear anything - he was that focused on Parker. I was screaming too, so it is a miracle that he was able to remain that calm and focused on saving Parker. He also told me later that he was scared too. I continue to pray that I can move past this. I keep seeing Parker lying there completly blue, and that image is haunting me. I need lots of prayer sto help get thru this. I need to focus on the idea that Parker is ok, and God made sure of that. I can't keep thinking about the what-ifs. So, thank you for those who have been praying!!!

Still Raining....

Yes - that's right - it is STILL raining here! UGH! Since it is raining, we haven't done much of anything this weekend. We went to church this am, and today's service was lead by the youth group. They did a great job, and it was awesome to see teenagers up there in front of others praising God. The preacher's daughter sang a solo, and she did a great job. You could tell by the look on his face that he was so proud of her. It made me want to cry! I hope that in the future, my kids are just as strong in their faith and that they will get up in front of others and praise our God! My grandmother has been in my prayers for the last week. She finally got to go home from the hospital yesterday. They have a lady that is going to come in during the morning hours and help her get dressed and fix her breakfast and whatever else she may need. Then other family members will help out in the evenings. I hate that I am so far away and am unable to do anything. I just continue to pray that God will make her strong again and that she will still be in good health when we come home for Christmas.

Rob is off tomorrow and Bella is out of school, so hopefully the weather will clear up and we can spend some time outdoors! :)

Rainy Days

Sooo....I haven't posted in a few days. Things have been really busy around here. My grandmother has been really sick and is in the hospital. They are pretty sure that she has lung cancer, but she won't let them do a biopsy, so there is no definite diagnosis as of yet. They are going to watch the tumors and see what they need to do. She has refused chemo as well, so the main thing now is just to make sure that she is comfortable and not in any pain. We should know more by the end of the week. On a happier note, I got to go with my friend, Alitta, and see the sonogram of her baby. She found out that she is going to have a girl!!! I was so honored to get to be a part of that special moment with her! Parker got his first real haircut yesterday. I just wanted it trimmed up, but they cut the front too short, and I think that it looks funny. It will grow though, so it's ok! He's still pretty darn cute!!! :) Bella hasn't had soccer all week, b/c it has been raining. We were wanting to go to the pumpkin patch today, but it looks like rain again. The kids are tired of being cooped up in the house, so we will have to figure out something to do! Rob is off until Tuesday, so we have a long weekend ahead of us! YAY! I'll keep you posted on our weekend activities!

I'm 30!!!

So, I am no longer in my 20's, and I am trying to embace it with grace! HA! No, honestly, I am so glad to be living that it doesn't matter how old I am!!! :) I had a great day! My husband and my kiddos got me flowers, a yummy ice cream cake, the perfume I have been wanting, and a cappucinio machine (not sure on that spelling!) My friend, Alitta, got me a gift card to get my nails done - yay - now we have a reason to go and get our nails done together. My other friend, Heather, got me an awesome cross. My sister sent me some beautiful gerber daisies - my favorite flower!! I also got some money, and my mom said that I still have 2 surprises on the way!!! So, all in all - turning 30 is not that bad!!

I have been watching the debate tonight. See- my voters registeration card is somewhere in Texas, and I have been putting off getting something done about it. However, tomorrow, I am heading out to get registered or whatever it is that I have to do to vote!!! It is SO important that we, the people, vote and make sure our voices are heard!!! So get out and VOTE!!! :)

Where do the weekends go?

The weekends always fly by sooooo....fast! This weekend was a great one though. Friday, I found out that Bella has been recommended for the gifted and talented program at her school. We had to fill out some paperwork , and then they are going to evaluate her and do some testing with her. I am SO proud of her! Saturday, I went to a tea with my friend Alitta. It was put on by military ministries. The guest speaker was a lady named, Ellen, and her testimony was so touching that it has stuck with me the entire weekend. I am trying to post a pic. of us in our tea hats, but it is not working for some reason! The tea house is such a neat little place. Then, afterwards, Rob, the kids, and I went shopping at the outlets. I love to shop, and it was so nice outside. On the way home from shopping, we were tlaking with Bella about who has a birthday coming up. Now keep this in mind - it was pitch dark outside, and there was not a star in the sky. Rob asked her if she knew who had a birthday in December? She said no. Rob told her that Jesus has a birthday, and her Ya-Ya, and her aunt Eka. She said that she was going to have to buy 3 presents. I asked her what she was going to buy Jesus, and she said I'm not quite sure. Then, after about a minute, she said that she was going to buy him some candles. I asked her, Why candles?" She responded with, "It gets awfully dark up there, and he needs them to make light in his room." I thought that was so cute and so genuine and so real!

Today was national communion day. I just love taking communion. It is such a powerful reminder of the love that God has for all of us! May all of you have a blessed Sunday!!

Nicholas Sparks

Ok - it is late at night and everyone is already sleeping, so this one is going to be short, b/c I am tired too! Let's see - what happened today? My sister found out that her dad is now cancer free!! Thank you God!! You are truly awesome!!! I have prayed about this for several months, and He answered our prayers! YAY!!!! Oh - also, my friend, Susie, who lives in NC went to a Nicholas Sparks book signing today. I am always telling her how lucky she is b/c she has met him several times (he ives up there when she lives.) Wellllll....she had him sign me a copy of his newest book for my 30th birthday, and then he called me!!! Butttt.......I didn't hear the phone and missed his call! What a bummer! I was going to get birthday wishes from Nicholas Sparks, but I didn't hear my phone. :( Oh well! I am totally stoked about my book that she had signed for me. She had him write Jessica Happy 30th birthday!! How cool is that? I am kind of bummed about turning 30, but what can you do?? :) Bella is excited about it and has been working hard on the invitations for the pretend party that we are having! I love her!!! Parker is a doll too, but quite the handfull! By the way - weaning him off of the bottle is still not going very well! Well, my bed is calling my name. Until tomorrow......

Dreams

The most recent pic. I have of my dad, Bella, and me!

Ok- I have been having some really wierd dreams lately. As most of you know, my dad, Bubba, passed away last December. It was probably one the saddest things that I have ever had to go thru in my 29 years on this earth. The last few months, I have had these reoccurring dreams about him, but he is alive in every one of them. In the dreams, I know that he is about to die and I try to spend as much time as I can with him before it happens. I wake up sweating and crying. These dreams are so disturbing to me, and I think about them all day after I have had them. Is it guilt for not spending more time with him before he was gone? I don't know. I think that maybe that is what it is about. Last night's dream had my grandfather in it too - who has passed away. Why am I dreaming about these two special people and why are they alive in the dreams? I love the idea of seeing them alive, but the dreams are always sad, b/c I know that they are going to pass away before I wake up. I am totally rambling on and on about this, but I have pondered it alot today, and here is my conclusion: spend as much time with your loved ones as you can, call them EVERY time that they cross your mind - don't wait to and say - oh - I'll call them later. Call them NOW! Take lots of pics - they hold special memories when your loved ones are gone, and NEVER EVER take one moment with your loved ones for granted!

On a lighter note, my friend Susie, is going to meet Nicholas Sparks tomorrow. She is so lucky and has gotten to meet him several times. Anyways, she is going to get a book autographed for me for my birthday!!!! YAY!!!! I am SOOOOOO.....super excited about it!!! Thanks, Susie!! :)

What was she thinking?

Soooo....today I was workng in the nursery at church, so Bella was with her daddy. When church was about to begin, he went to get her, and she took off running from him and ran thru one of the doors into church and caused some heads to turn, b/c she was "running" from Rob and if I were guessing - prob. screaming too. He was not very happy - to say the least. Then, she was sitting next to these two boys, and during the service she just turned around and hit one of them for no reason! What on earth was she thinking? I don't even know what to do in situations like this. She is not allowed on the computer for 3 days, but she didn't even act like that bothered her. Rob and I are really at a loss as how to punish her when she does things like this, so if you have any suggestions - that would be GREAT!!!! :)

After church, we went to a Pampered Chef party. It was fun! They have alot of neat stuff, but it is kind of pricey. It was fun to be around the girls though and have some laughs. Oh - while we were there, Bella started wrestling with one of the boys, and another child got hurt in the process. Soemtimes she can be such the girly girl and other times she is soooooo...tom boy! :)

Parker hasn't done anything new and exciting yet. We are TRYING to wean him off of the bottle at night. The peditrician told us to gradually reduce his milk at night until he is sleeping thru the night (yes - he is a year old and still not sleeping thru the night. UGH! ) So, we tried giving him 3 ounces at night this week instead of four, but now he is waking up about 4 times a night instead of two. I don't know what to do. I can't wait to be able to go to bed at night and not wake up until my alarm goes off in the am! Then, after we get him off of the bottle and sleeping thru the night, we have the task of getting him to sleep in his OWN bed and not ours. Maybe we should be doing this all at one time. Hummm?!?!

Today Was A Good Day

Soooo....yesterday was kind of a crummy day, but today was much better. Last night we had some friends over and sat at by the fire pit talking, making smores, laughing, and having a great time. So great of a time that none of us went to bed until about 2:00 this morning. I have not been up that late in forever, and I was so tired this am when the kids were up at 8:00. My sweet husband took care of the kids and let me sleep in. So, I got up around 10:30. It was great! Then, two of my girlfriends and I went to see the movie "Nights in Rodanthe." It is based on the book by Nicholas Sparks. If any of you have ever read his books, you can guess that it was a tear jerker. It was very good, but there were a lot of sniffles and tears in the theatre.

Bella has been busy today making designs and invitations for my birthday party. I didn't know that I was having a birthday party, but I guess she is planning one for me! What a sweetheart! Tonight will be an early night as tomorrow we have church, and I am working I the nursery. That always wears me out! :)

One of those days

Have you ever had one of those days where you would like to just climb into bed and enjoy some silence and alone time for a little while? I had one of those days today. Parker had his shots on Monday, and he has been cranky since then. Today was really bad. He cried non-stop, or so it seemed!! He wants you to carry him around ALL day, and I actually had things that needed to be done today. I thought that I was going to pull my hair out. Rob finally came home from work, and I had a few minutes to myslef. Rob told me that I should find a friend to go with me to see the new Nicholas Sparks movie tomorrow, so I can get out of the house for a little while. I think that I will take him up on his offer! :) I am glad that I have an understanding husband, b/c he def. gets the brunt of all of my frustration.

The weather here is still chilly and cloudy, so we are going to make a fire in the fire pit tonight, have some friends over, and enjoy some grown up time with good friends!

Hopefully, tomorrow will be a little better!

My first attempt at blogging

I decided today that I was going to start a blog for those of you who want to read it and see what is going on in our lives here in SC. All of my family is so far away, and there is never enought time in a day to talk to all of you and fill you in on the day's events, so I thought that this would be a great way to keep you all informed on the exciting events going on here. So here we go.....

The last three days have been really hard for me. My mom and my sister left to go back to Texas, and I have found myself crying everyday. It is so hard to be this far away from my loved ones. I question everyday whether or not Rob should stay in the marine corp or not. He and I have discussed it, and he is willing to do whatever makes me happy, but we both know that the military is job security and that is hard to come by with the economy like it is today. So, I will continue to pray about it, and see where God leads us.

Parker turned one on Friday. It is so hard to believe that he is already a year old. Time flies by so fast. We had both of the kids baptized while our families were here, and it was awesome! They are truly a gift from God!

Bella is in first grade and playing soccer. She scored her first goal of this season while our families were here, and she was so excited! What a perfect time to score a goal!

Well, I will try to post on here everyday, and I hope that you all will enjoy reading it. Some days may be more interesting than others, but I would just like to keep you all updated and informed! Love you all, and until tomorrow.......