Moments with the Price Family

My Little Ladybug!

2011-04-12T17:11:00.000-05:00

Lots of parents have a mascot or theme for their baby. My inquisitive brother asked me the other day what Emma's "animal" would be. I hadn't really thought about it yet, so I told him I would get back to him on it. I have friends that have used butterflies, giraffes, cows, puppies, frogs, and even certain Disney characters, but none of those worked for me. A monkey came to mind at first, but since we affectionately call our puppies "monkey", it wouldn't be right to call our sweet Emma that too!

But while I was outside the other day, it hit me literally, a lady bug landed on me and I realized.... her little mascot should be a lady bug. Not quite an "animal" but close enough. I was so excited to ask Brandon if he agreed, and he did. I don't think I even explained to him the significance, or why I was so happy about it! As most of our friends and family know, we have had a rough few years. We lost Momma 3 1/2 years ago, and as we've alluded to on here, for the past two we have been pretty discouraged that we would be able to conceive a child and had been on the infertility rollercoaster. Many tears have been shed wishing my mom was here to listen and encourage me as we went through all of this. Once, for her birthday, the last one she would have, I made her a special cake. She and Dad were going to be spending the weekend with dear friends, and I wanted her to have a pretty cake to enjoy. I made her a red velvet cake and made cute chocolate lady bugs to go around it. It was more than I normally did, but I am so glad that I spent the extra time that year, even if they did melt a little on the car ride there! After we lost Momma, I started noticing lady bugs when I would miss her the most. Keeping it my little secret, I don't even think I told Brandon, I knew that Momma was close by whenever I would see one. Once, when leaving a disappointing doctor's visit there was one sitting on my car door. Countless times I have had them land on me, and a sweet feeling of Momma's presence would pass over me. But they have been out in droves since we found out we were finally pregnant! As we worried about her in the beginning, I would see them outside, even though it was only January or February! Just today I saw 10 while taking the pups outside. There was one sitting on my bedroom floor yesterday. It makes my heart so happy to see them so it only seems right that we call Emma our little lady bug! It does help that red and black will match her room perfectly (I will post my decor for her room soon) and that often they are seen with polka dots.

So Brady, I hope that sets your mind at ease, she has an "animal".

Take that Gestational Diabetes!

2011-03-10T11:30:00.001-06:00

I just got of the phone with my Endocrinologist and I got some great news. I have lowered my A1c number (the number by which they determine if you have or are at risk for diabetes) almost completely out of the range for even "at risk" for diabetes. I do believe that she called me a rock star! I am still only having to take one shot a day at night, my diet is controlling the day numbers adequately. Hallelujah! What good news as we get closer and closer to this little one being at viability (+/- 25 weeks). The larger the baby grows, the harder my body will have to work, so it is very encouraging that my numbers are getting better now while the baby is growing larger.

On another note, we are two weeks away from knowing if this cute little Tator Tot is a girl or a boy. I have dreamed both, so I am no help! I will be happy either way, I just want a healthy happy little one! That doesn't mean I am having an easy time waiting to find out! I want to be able to call this little one by name! And I admit, I really want to get started on the nursery. It is so hard waiting to buy anything!

Hello 2nd Trimester!

2011-03-01T12:25:00.002-06:00

Woo Hoo! We made it to the second trimester! I am 16 weeks along, and this little one is starting to show a little. It is so fun! I still have trouble believing that it is real. We have waited so long for this miracle, it is surreal that it has actually happened. We went to the doctor(s) last week and everything is looking good. It was much easier to find "Tator Tot" at this visit. We may or may not have nicknamed the baby Tator Tot due to my intense craving for tator tots and ketchup for almost a month, and I don't normally like ketchup! That craving is gone, so I am waiting to see what is next.

We will have our big 20 week sonogram on the 25th, our 5 year anniversary! What a special gift for us to celebrate! We can't wait.

Big News!

2011-02-09T16:17:00.004-06:00

We hope that your new year has started off great! We have been wanting to share some news for awhile, and now we feel the timing is right! Brandon and I received the best Christmas present ever this year, a little baby Price is on his/her way! On December 22nd, I was able to see the little heartbeat of our little one, what a special gift. We are due early August. Looks like I am getting a baby for my birthday this year!

We have struggled with infertility for over 2 years, and had been deep in conversations and prayer regarding how we would grow our family. We had decided this fall to try a few fertility methods after the new year and if those failed we would pursue adoption. Adopting was a choice we were both so comfortable with, we were really ready to just get that ball rolling, I think we had both decided that was going to be our plan. Everything we have done in our house was thinking that we would have a home study done. We had started baby proofing and everything! Thanksgiving weekend I cooked for our family and just seemed really tired. After our all night Black Friday shopping tradition, I was worn out. We talked about how funny it would be if I was pregnant, but I don’t think either of us thought too seriously about it. Well wouldn’t you know, we were right! We are so surprised that we were able to get pregnant with so little medical help. Clearly the Lord had decided it was to be in His timing, not ours!

We have been quietly enjoying our little secret now for a couple of months. Our immediate families have been so supportive and loving towards us. Clearly the first trimester has been a little scary for us since this wasn’t our first time to be pregnant, but all in all it has been great! We are just about at 14 weeks, and baby sounds/looks good and is growing strong. According the OB as she struggled to find the little one on the doppler, he/she is a feisty one! I love that!

Please join us in praying for our sweet little miracle. Both the baby and I are doing great, but the pregnancy has not been without a few hiccups. I have already been diagnosed with gestational diabetes, a complication stemming from the same reasons we struggled to get pregnant. It was caught as soon as the pregnancy was confirmed, so I have been treated for it from the very beginning. I do have to test for blood sugars several times a day, ouch!, and give myself insulin shots. Brandon is getting really good giving me shots, so I prefer it when he can! I have been labeled "high risk" because of the diabetes, but I am choosing to look at it positively, since it means more sonograms throughout my second and third trimester, at least one 4D sonogram at the hospital, and more attention from my team of doctors. So far, I am very impressed with my doctors and their attention to my health and the health of our little one. One of my doctors routinely calls on the weekend or after hours to give test results and check in with me. I am very fortunate.

Here is Baby Price from December, a teeny tiny little blessing. Yes, I think the sonogram tech was as excited as I was to see that little heart beating so she added the "YAY!".

2009-10-27T12:31:00.003-05:00

Two years ago today I lost my Momma. It hurt, physically, the first few months. It was a dull ache in my chest that could take my breath away. I remember asking Brandon if it was normal, because I had never experienced grief in that way. Everything had happened so quickly, she was only in the hospital a couple of weeks, so I think shock protected me from a lot those first few months. Every day it seemed to get a little better, the tears came less frequently; I no longer needed to carry that hanky that had been given to me by a sweet friend at the funeral. I was healing. The anniversary last year was sad, but we got through it. I knew that the grief was still strong, so I went to a grief class at church, and talked through my grief.
I breathed a sigh of relief. I had survived losing Momma. I could do this.
Then Momma’s birthday rolled around, and it was harder than I thought. I think the worst part was that everyone else was moving on. My little world had stopped and yet everyone else’s was still going. These past few days have been really hard. I have tried to keep going, keep doing what I am supposed to be doing, but it seems like swimming upstream. I know that it will get better, and I also know that it is ok to feel grief. I guess I just didn’t expect it to be so hard still. I didn’t expect to still “forget” that she is gone and go to call her still two years later. I didn’t expect that I would still think that I need to tell her when things were exciting or sad. I also didn’t realize all the times that I would need her and she wouldn’t be here. How hard birthdays are without her to make a big deal of it. How all of a sudden I had no other woman in my immediate family to talk to about girl things. How much I would miss her silly cards on St. Patrick’s day with a $5 dollar bill to give us some “green”, or an Easter basket even though we are 20 years too old for baskets. Or how much I would miss the way she loved Brandon as her own, how hard she tried to treat him exactly the same as she treated us. She could have written a book on how to treat your children’s’ spouses. (I will interject that Dad is excellent at this as well, I am so very grateful.) She no longer had two children, she had three. Or how much I would miss her advice, even if I didn’t want to hear it. I never thought about how much I would miss seeing an email from her pop up, and how much trouble she would have tried to get into on Facebook. She would have had a million friends.
I just didn’t know. And now I do. I am so sad of all the things she won’t be around for in the future. She should be there when we find out we are pregnant someday. She should be there for my children. She, of all people, should have gotten to experience being a grandma. She should be deciding what to do for the holidays, and what we will have. She was a lot of our link to our extended family, and I miss seeing them.
I know that I will survive this crazy rollercoaster of not having a Mom. I know that it will get easier, that people will help fill the gaps. I have an amazing husband, who in our second year of marriage dealt with my loss with such love and grace. My dad has done everything he can to be both parents to us. Brady has been there to listen, and most importantly, to help me laugh. I have a wonderful and wise Grandma that has held my hand and loved on me, even when her grief was still fresh from losing Grandpa. I have wonderful friends that have been patient and understanding, and have been here for me at a moment’s notice. I love Momma’s friends, and several still check in with me, just sometimes to tell me that they miss her too.
I am blessed. More than I deserve. So I will move forward. I will focus on my blessings, that is what Momma would tell me to do. But man, I will miss her telling me to!!!!

2009-07-20T11:12:00.002-05:00

Ok, so it has been forever, and I am terribly behind! Brandon and I have had so much going on, I hardly know where to begin to get caught up! We just moved into a cute little townhome in Wylie! And we LOVE it! It is so roomy for us, we have three bedrooms, we hardly know what to do with all the room. We are going through all of our stuff, and we are finding things we haven't seen for two years (we were never able to completely unpack in Friona because our places were so tiny there, and we have been back in Dallas almost a year and our stuff has been in storage the entire time).

It is great to see all of our things, and the memories that go with them. Of course, memories are sometimes bittersweet, and I have missed Momma a lot. She was so generous during all the showers for our wedding, and so I have loved getting to see all of her gifts again.

My favorite is my tea pot. I have many memories of mom and I having tea whether is was to warm up on a chilly day, to soothe a sore throat, or to soothe a worn out spirit, a cup of hot tea was her answer. I miss those cups of hot tea, most of which were not even touched because of all the talking and giggling that accompanied them. I hope to make many memories with my tea pot. Hopefully with my friends and family like you guys. So, if you need to unwind, gab, or soothe your spirit, I know a good tea that will work wonders, come on over to my house!

Giving Back - A Charity Event for our Buddy Nate

2009-04-22T12:04:00.000-05:00

"Giving Back" is a charity event honoring the supportive community that has helped the Oxford Family, through prayers and support, deal with their battle of childhood cancer. This special event will take place on May 2nd from 11-4 at Pullen Elementary in Rockwall, Texas (Horizon Rd & FM 549). This is a family event for all ages. Everyone is welcome!

We will be having pony rides, bounce houses, fishing demo, vintage car show, chili cook-off, circus clowns, golf training for kids, games, and a blood drive, just to name a few. Most of the activities/games are free. (There will be a nominal fee for some food items.) We will also be having a silent auction, a live "celebrity auction," and a really unique raffle called "Golf Balls from Heaven."

The raffle tickets for "Golf Balls from Heaven" will be numbered and will match up with numbered golf balls. Those golf balls will be dropped from a helicopter at the event (into an unoccupied field, of course) where there will be golf holes. Numbered balls in the hole or closest to the hole will win the prize. Prizes will include: $1000 television, His/Hers watches, $500 gas card, $300 Wal-Mart gift card, and a round of golf for 4 at Buffalo Creek Golf Course. Raffle tickets are $10 each.

All of the money and donations raised that day from the raffle, auctions, donations, etc. will be used to cover the Oxford family's expenses during this trying time and also a donation will be made to Nates' doctor for research of childhood cancer. Dr Bowers, Nate's Doctor, is on the cutting edge in the world with this research. The event will help to raise funds to further his research.

Please mark your calendar and plan on attending this wonderful event for the whole family!

If you would like to get involved, please contact the following people:
Blood Drive registration: Rhonda Mishler -- rhondambi@sbcglobal.net
Volunteers: Justin Hall -- jkhall@hallcriminaldefense.com
Silent Auction donations: Wendy Rathje -- omahawendy@yahoo.com
(We are collecting baskets of merchandise, crafts, gift cards, etc. If you own a business or would like to put together something, we would love to have it. ABF's, groups, etc can get together and put together baskets from the whole group too.)
Sponsorship & Monetary Donations, Event Coordinator: Lana Carlisle -- carlislelana@yahoo.com

Points of contact for purchase of raffle tickets for the "Golf Balls from Heaven" drop:
Lana Carlisle: East of Royse City -- carlislelana@yahoo.com
Stephanie Cox: East of Royse City -- stef4chase@yahoo.com
Rhonda Mishler: Rockwall -- rhondambi@sbcglobal.net
Wendy Rathje: Woodcreek -- omahawendy@yahoo.com
Kristi Helton: Caddo Mills -- khelton@caddomillsisd.org
Renee Clover: Pullen -- rclover@rockwallisd.org

Picture Post

2009-04-21T21:29:00.008-05:00

As promised here are a few pictures from the last few months. These are all from our trip to Louisiana for Easter to see Brandon's family. It was a great trip, his family was so friendly! We had a great time!

My new haircut!

Me, Brandon, Stephanie, and Chris on Easter.

The hotel lobby that we stayed at in Louisiana.

The pig that we ate on Easter! It was the best pork I think I have ever had! Yummy!

"Uncle Bubba", Stephanie, and Jesse boy riding a golf cart.

2009-04-20T11:51:00.003-05:00

Hello out there, if anyone still checks in here, that is! I am so sorry that it has been so long since I last posted. I have a picture post coming soon, we have been so very busy!

One of the ways that I have been busy is a brand new adventure I decided to try. I will give you a hint with this clip from "The Simspons", and no, I am not going into ministry!

2009-04-06T15:26:00.002-05:00

It's been too long since I posted. I guess I needed a break. I will return, don't lose faith in me! Until I do, let this little video make your day! This is the best prank, and you know you would have enjoyed being there!

Proverbs 31 - An Overview

2009-02-04T10:52:00.000-06:00

Ok, so I am really learning so much studying Proverbs 31. I am really excited about diving into the different aspects covered in this jewel. I have been reading others blogs, joining email devotionals and really trying to spend time everyday studying what God wants from me as a Godly woman. Here are the different areas that I will be focusing on that I have found in Proverbs 31:
1. Loving and respecting your husband
2. Homemaking
3. How to treat others
4. Teaching others
5. Parenting skills
6. Personal Character Traits

I should have made homemaking number one, about half of the passage is about it. I am excited about this. I think that our urges to do creative things, scrapbooking, sewing, cooking, etc are God given and even possibly admirable. Michaels here I come! J/K kind of!

Alright ladies, let’s get into this. What intrigues you the most? What are you most interested in learning about?

Just for fun!

2009-02-03T14:08:00.000-06:00

more lol celebs!

Proverbs 31

2009-02-02T09:23:00.002-06:00

I want to study Proverbs 31, I want to study about what it means to be a Godly woman, especially in a world that is not very conducive. I am going to be do a little blog series about what I have found, and I invite you to join in and study with me, and let me know things that you have found. I am hoping to grow in areas that I need improvement, and further nurture other areas that I would love to develop. For now, I will leave you with the Message's version of Proverbs 31:10-31:

Hymn to a Good Wife
10-31 A good woman is hard to find,
and worth far more than diamonds.
Her husband trusts her without reserve,
and never has reason to regret it.
Never spiteful, she treats him generously
all her life long.
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons,
and enjoys knitting and sewing.
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places
and brings back exotic surprises.
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast
for her family and organizing her day.
She looks over a field and buys it,
then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work,
rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
She senses the worth of her work,
is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth,
diligent in homemaking.
She's quick to assist anyone in need,
reaches out to help the poor.
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows;
their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
She makes her own clothing,
and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
Her husband is greatly respected
when he deliberates with the city fathers.
She designs gowns and sells them,
brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
Her clothes are well-made and elegant,
and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say,
and she always says it kindly.
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household,
and keeps them all busy and productive.
Her children respect and bless her;
her husband joins in with words of praise:
"Many women have done wonderful things,
but you've outclassed them all!"
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades.
The woman to be admired and praised
is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
Give her everything she deserves!
Festoon her life with praises!

Pray for Nate

2009-01-16T09:30:00.002-06:00

Please join me in prayer today as Nate started his Chemo in the night. We are asking that this Chemo session goes well and that he is able to clear this within 24 hrs. Little Nate has had to go through so much and emotionally and physically he is exhausted. He needs God's strength & healing now. Please pray for Wes & Jackie that God would comfort them and give them the grace and strength for these days ahead. Please pray for Jake and Luke, two big brothers who love their little brother. Please join me in prayer tonight.

Urgent Prayer Request

2009-01-12T09:47:00.003-06:00

I guess I should say Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all those that have checked back in after the holidays! I have been a poor blogger for myself lately, but that is because I have been working on another blog. A precious family that we went to church with for years has been going through a major crisis. Their two year old son, Nate, was diagnosed the week before Christmas with a rare and aggressive form of cancer that has caused tumors on his brain and his spine. After a surgery to remove one tumor that resulted in several set backs, we were so excited that he was going to start chemo and hopefully slow the growth of his tumors. Nate recieved his first round of chemo this weekend, only to have to be rushed to the ICU because his body would not process the chemo correctly. Please join me in praying, fasting, and crying out to God for this little child of His. His parents have amazing faith, and I know that God is at work in this situation. I have created a blog with updates about this family and I urge you to read it, pray about it, and pass it on to other believers so that they can be praying for him as well. I want to get as many people prying for this guy as possible. Thank you for spending a little bit of time making a big difference in the life of this family.

Click here to visit his blog!

Brandon and I are doing well! We just went on a weekend get-away to San Antonio just for fun. We had a good time, and when I can I have pictures to post from Christmas until now! I hope that everyone is starting off the New Year well.

Very Very Grateful

2008-11-28T19:52:00.006-06:00

Thanksgiving this year was very good. It had a few rocky moments with family tension at the in-laws, but other than that, it was a great day. I did a lot of cooking and baking. I really enjoy cooking for people. There is still a hole were Momma would have been, especially when I made her famous frozen cranberry salad. My sweet in-laws invited Brady and Dad to come over so I did not have to choose where to be for the day. That made it a lot easier. It would still be really hard not to spend the day with my family, but luckily Brandon's family is kind enough to include everyone. Here are a few pictures from our day...

Brandon and Me

There is nothing cuter than two people still in love after being together 50 years.

The entire Juneau Fam! (my in laws) Getting this picture was a little stressful since some members of the family were fussy (not the two year old unbelievably) but I think that it came out great. We wanted to do this for Gama and Papa for Christmas.

My sweet boys. It is hard to call this a family photo without Momma in it. This was probably the hardest moment of the day to take a picture together. I am glad we did though, I am very grateful for all of the wonderful men in my life.

Gama and Papa and their Grandkids, Brandon's sister Stephanie and her husband, Chris, and Brandon and I

A quote I thought you all might enjoy!

2008-11-12T09:59:00.008-06:00

President Bush talked about Obama in an interview on November 11th. Here is a tidbit from that article that was posted on CNN.com:

Bush described the atmosphere in his Oval Office meeting with Obama as relaxed and said he offered the future president advice on the transition process. Bush also said Obama was specifically interested in how his two young daughters would adjust to life in the White House.
"It was interesting to watch him go upstairs," Bush said. "He wanted to see where his little girls were going to sleep. Clearly, this guy is going to bring a sense of family to the White House, and I hope Laura and I did the same thing. But I believe he will, and I know his girls are on his mind and he wants to make sure that first and foremost, he is a good dad. And I think that's going to be an important part of his presidency."

I cannot tell you how excited I am to have a president that is a loving and involved father. I know I preached a long sermon the other day on here, so I won't get back on that soap box, but I just wanted to share this tidbit with you guys, especially those that are upset with Obama. Maybe this will shed a little light for you onto our president-elect's family values. Maybe because it is coming from Bush it will hold a little more value than coming from others. Maybe all this Obama talk will stop you from reading my blog (I sure hope not). But maybe, just maybe, it will help you see that Obama is a person, just like the rest of us, that has his family as a top priority, and that maybe he should be treated like one.

Link to full article by Alexander Mooney on CNN.com

A couple of pictures I found that I thought fit the quote!

Tagged again... look at all the posts lately!!!!

2008-11-10T09:52:00.001-06:00

TYPE ONLY ONE WORD FOR EACH ANSWER. IT'S HARDER THAN YOU THINK!!!
1. Where is your cell phone? desk
2. Your significant other? working
3. Your hair? frizzy
4. Your mother? missed
5. Your father? Hard-working
6. Your favorite thing? family
7. Your dream last night? strange
8. Your favorite drink? Diet rite
9. Your dream/goal? baby
10. The room you're in? office
11. Your fear? loss
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? House
13. Where were you last night? home
14. What you're not? awake
15. Muffins/donuts? donuts
16. One of your wish list items? clothes
17. Where you grew up? Rowlett
18. The last thing you did? emails
19. What are you wearing? clothes
20. Your TV? At home
21. Your pet? loving
22. Your computer? work
23. Your life? hopeful
24. Your mood? interested
25. Missing someone? yes
26. Favorite pastime? reading
27. Something you're not wearing? watch
28. Favorite Store? Target
29. Your summer? Summer?
30. Your favorite color? pink
31. When is the last time you laughed? today
32. Last time you cried? recently
33. Who will/would re-post this? Dunno (look at me using bad grammar to get one word answers)
34. Four places I go over and over? Wal-Mart, Target, Work, home
35. Four people who e-mail me? Brandon, Davita, Vicki, Dad
36. Four of my favorite foods? mac n cheese, chicken, pizza, pasta
37. Four places I would like to be right nw? on a cruise, with my husband, with friends, did I mention a cruise
38. Four people I tag? I will let this one go without tagging… I have tagged people recently, but feel free to do it, it was a fun one!

A new face in the White House

2008-11-07T15:44:00.002-06:00

We have a new president elect. Whether you voted for him or not, Obama won over this country decidedly. He won over people of all backgrounds, nationalities, religions, and races. He won them over with talks of change, and a forthright attitude. I am proud that there will be more diversity in our government. I have never felt such an overwhelming emotion as I did watching Obama on Tuesday night as he graciously accepted McCain’s concession. I was touched by the crowd shots. Older people, young people, every race was represented. There were men and women in suits and kids in t shirts. It was a great example of the make-up of our country. I loved how he interacted with his wife and children. He was loving towards his mother-in-law and exteded family. It was a touching scene.

Over the past few weeks we have all had an emotional rollercoaster while watching the election. I doubt that anyone escaped politics at one point in time or another. I tend to lean to the left when it comes to politics, and I will proudly admit that I voted for Obama. I realize that this is different and maybe even offensive to my “church going” “ACU attending” or “Texas living” friends. I am not a democrat. I do not align myself with a certain party, but most of the time, I prefer the policies of the Democratic party rather than the Republican’s. This election was no different. Why are my political beliefs so different from the majority of my peers? My political views shifted dramatically when I worked for the state. When I figured out that who was put into office would benefit or challenge my job of protecting children (I was a CPS investigator), I started paying a lot closer attention. So when this year’s debates started I read policy and knew how I would vote. I never mentioned it on here or anywhere because it did not really matter. Especially here in Texas, and especially amongst my peers.

Recently, though, I have been reading others blogs, and I have felt like I needed to stand up for what I believe. I realize that this may make others uncomfortable, and it may even make some angry but I feel like it is important. Now I am not going to debate politics, even though it would be fun. I am not going to get into policy, although I think some people need to better educate themselves instead of just going along with the crowd. I will offer that I do not agree with all that Obama stands for, although I do agree with the majority of it. What I want to talk about, and what I have been so caught off guard by is the way that many have reacted to Obama being elected. There have been many people that have been downright ugly about Obama. His faith and relationship with the Lord have been questioned and attacked. He has been called the anti-Christ, and one blog I read devoted a whole section to comparing him to what the Bible says about the anti-Christ. I blogged recently about the book, The Shack, and that it moved me to be a better person. It convicted me to not judge other people. Not at all, not even a little. I cannot imagine the thought process that thinks that you can call someone who says that they are a believer the anti-Christ. Obama and his family attend church. He refers to his faith often. He is a loving husband and father. Yet some people think that they are in a position to judge that. My sweet and incredibly wise husband told me that he does not know why people who are believers think that our God is not strong enough to use Obama, with his flaws, to govern our nation. Why are Christians saying that they are fearful? We all have flaws. We all hold beliefs that do not align perfectly with the Lord’s ways because none of us are perfect. I am sure that I have never heard Obama claim to be perfect. He has admitted that he is not. He alone will have to stand up to the Lord and be judged for what he did. We aren’t into a position to judge him.

My answer to all of this is that we need to understand that Obama is going to be our next president. We need to pray for him. We need to pray for the decisions that he makes, and the people that he chooses to bring into the White House with him. Let’s pray for his wife and his family. For their protection. For their relationships. Let’s not sit around and wonder if we are a better Christian than Obama. Let’s not sit around and treat him like he is anything less than we are: a flawed imperfect person trying to do the best that we can with what the Lord has given us. Let’s learn from this. Let’s learn that God can work through all of us, any of us, and that includes Obama.

2008-11-06T10:38:00.002-06:00

RULES:*Link to the person that tagged you and post the rules on your blog
*Share seven random and/or weird facts about yourself
*Tag seven other people at the end of your post and link to their blogs
*Let each person know they've been tagged by leaving a comment on their blog

I was tagged by Brooke.

1. I have started collecting lamb things (not the breathing kind) and snowmen. They remind me of my mother for multiple reasons.

2. I went to three different high schools. It was a trip. I spent my freshman year at Dallas Christian, I spent my sophomore year at Garland High School, and my junior and senior years at Rowlett High School. No, I was not kicked out of any of them. It just happened that way, and I enjoyed each one. I kind of forget about my year at Garland High School though, I made a few friends there that I wish I would have kept up better with.

3. I have a tattoo. Lots of people wouldn’t believe that about me. I really like it. It is hidden most of the time. It is an icthus (Christian fish). I figure that if a tattoo is a sin, at least I went with good intentions.

4. My husband and I have lived in 5 houses in the two and a half years we have been married. We are currently temporarily living with my dad and all of my stuff is in a barn. It is a very nice barn, but it is a barn.

5. I have visited about 90% of the continental United States, mostly by car. I love
traveling. Especially in a car. I know, it is sick, but I love a car trip. I really good long one! With my cute hubby. He is the best driver ever.

6. I am adopted. I was placed with my parents at birth through a private adoption placement. I have had email correspondence with my birthmother. I imagine that one day I will meet her. I love to talk about adoption. Watch out, it can be a hot button topic for me though!

7. I later worked for the same agency that I was placed through. I enjoyed my job and I learned so much about everyone involved in an adoption. Especially birthmothers. I have such a respect for the decision that they are making.

I don’t necessarily have 7 people to tag, but I will tag Davita, Melody, Brandon (who I kept wanting to use things about him for mine, so I know that he has plenty of interesting things), Lauren, and Kylie. Y'all don't have too, but I had fun!

I've read something that changed me...

2008-10-24T09:46:00.004-05:00

Now, I do not often, actually I have never, endorsed a book on my blog. I read a lot of books. I have probably read at least 100 this year. Most of the books I read are fiction, from authors like James Patterson (love the Cross series!), and are nothing more than for entertainment. I rarely read books that are religious in nature, I just have trouble getting into books like that. About 3 months ago I started hearing about a book. People talked about here and there and I started to get curious. Dad started reading it, and really liked it, and offered to let me read it after him. What book? you ask. The Shack by William P Young. I read it in a just a few days. It is an amazing book. I loved it. I mean I LOVED it. It starts off slow, so if you have picked it up and haven't gotten really into it yet, give it a few more pages. I bet you will be glad you did. Now, I recognize that not all of us will like this book. But for those that do like it, it can be life changing. It changed my view on God, and my relationship with him. Brandon and I had recently had a discussion about how God can never be understood. That He is bigger than our minds can grasp. This book tied in perfectly with this idea, and I look forward to hearing what Brandon thinks about it. We are planning on reading it together, I will happily read it again with him. I love it that much!

Have you read it? What did you think about it? I would love to hear others thought on it, but I do not neccesarily want to spoil the book for others, so email me to talk about the book more in depth (if you don;t have my email message me and I will get it to you). It is just such a mind altering story. If you haven't read it, try it out. If you can't get the book yourself, let me know and I will see what I can do. It is that good of a book.

Happy Birthday Brandon!

2008-10-13T12:42:00.005-05:00

I want to wish my husband a Happy Birthday! Brandon, you are a great husband and you are for sure the best friend I've ever had. You are so intelligent, you know so much about anything and everything. You are my go to for any problem, and you are patient to answer all my silly questions about life. You patiently fix all of our computers, install anything electric, plus maintain and fix all our cars. I have been so proud of you as we have battled through the last few years, you have remained a man of integrity, even when I know it was difficult. I enjoy our drives, and there is no place in this world I would rather be than with you in a car discussing anything under the sun! There has never been another person that I have been able to drive for so long with without the radio ever being turned on! You have made my life so much sweeter, and I cannot imagine my life without you in it! I look forward to all the fun times that we have ahead of us. I can't even imagine where the road will lead us! May this year be your best year yet! I love you!

Just Checking In

2008-09-30T12:25:00.002-05:00

OK, so I know that I have been the world's worst blogger, but we have had a lot going on. I am working on a blog to post on here soon, so please keep checking in on us!

I got to visit Grandma last weekend, and she is looking great! I know that she is still tired and worn out from her surgery, but she seems like she is doing so good. I am so grateful for all of the prayers that were sent out for her. I know that she felt them, and we felt them too!

This moving stuff is getting old. Brandon and I are so ready to get settled in our own place, but it looks like we are going to be spending a couple of months with my dad. He is doing well overall, but he hasn't been eating well. Brandon and I have decided that we want to stay there and help get him eating better and get through the anniversary of losing Momma (Oct 27th) all together as a family. Can you believe that it has almost been a year? We sure can't. We will surely take any prayers and encouragement through the next few weeks. I am feeling that this may be the hardest time we have had. I know that moving back (and soon moving in to their house)has made me face that she is really gone, and I am sure that the holidays will be a little harder this year since the shock has worn off and the rawness of her loss has set in.

Over all, we are doing great though, and I am still very very glad that we were able to move to Dallas, and we have been blessed richly lately.

Prayer Request

2008-08-05T14:10:00.002-05:00

My Grandma (my dad's mother), is in the hospital in Temple, Texas. She was admitted due to severe abdominal pain this weekend. They found that she had an obstruction that they were able to partially clear out today. They also found that she has a mass that appears to be cancerous. Prayers are already being answered, though, because it appears that the mass is not connected to any organ, which means that it most likely has not had the chance to spread. My grandma is such an amazing woman of faith, her trust in the Lord is so encouraging to see. We are praying that Grandma's wounds heal rapidly, that the doctors are able to remove all the tumor, and that there is no cancer anywhere else in her body. I am praying that the tumor is biopsied and there is no cancer. My God can do that!!! Thank you all for lifting my family up in prayer today and throughout this next week. I know of the power and comfort that comes from a body of believers praying for you!

Thanks again for all your prayers. My dad has had a long year, and I know that this is concerning him. May God bless each of your lives this week!

Movin' on Up!!!

2008-08-01T09:52:00.003-05:00

It's official... Brandon handed in his resignation today. We are moving back to Dallas! We have been toying with the idea to move back for several months, but knew that we needed to find jobs to be able to move and thought that it would take several months to do that. Well, we did it in a little under two weeks! Fooled us big time!

I have a job working for my dad at his company. I am pumped about it. I will help him find candidates for positions he needs to fill (he is an executive recruiter). I will make a salary, plus bonuses, and the best part is benefits! Yeah health insurance! I have enjoyed being a stay at home babysitter, but I have missed being out and about. Even if I wanted to here, there was really no where to go within 40 miles or so. I was beginning to feel the walls closing in, even with my precious husband taking me out to eat or to walk around Walmart almost every night. We have been spending buckets of money on gas driving all over just for a little change of scenery! But no more, Super Target here I come!

Brandon got a job as an engineer at a networking company in Dallas, a big step up. He is so very talented, and now he will get the opportunity to use his talents and grow. He also will only be working Monday through Friday 8 to 5, with on call at a minimum. I cannot tell you the last night that Brandon did not get a call here during dinner or even later. He will also have benefits, so we can now go to the doctor if we get sick. Yeah!!!

We are so very sad about leaving our precious friends and their daughter whom I love dearly. Little Josie has brightened even the darkest of days here in this small town, and I loved every minute with her. We are trying to convince them to get a webcam so we can talk to her and see her long distance.

This last year has been the hardest year I have ever had. I cannot believe all that Brandon and I have been through. We have lost a parent and moved across Texas where we were hours away from our family and friends back home. We know that God moved us out here for a reason, and I can even see why He did, but we are so very blessed to be moving back "home." God swung wide open the doors for a move back, and we are thanking Him every minute.

We will be moving to Dallas the weekend of the 15th. At this point we do not have an apartment/house yet, so we may be staying with Brandon's mom for a few weeks to get us situated. We covet your prayers for safety as we move across Texas, and for our new jobs and experiences. God is so VERY VERY good to us!!!!

Memories and Fun Times!

2008-07-22T12:30:00.000-05:00

Here is a game I copied from Lori:

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot-- or just from blogland-- anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you.

Palo Duro Fun

2008-07-21T09:33:00.006-05:00

Brandon and I wanted to go see the Palo Duro Canyon while we were living out here, and so we just up and decided to drive out there this weekend. We had a great time exploring, God's creation is amazing! I am glad that we finally got out to see it, even if is was 100 degrees down in the canyon (so please pardon the sweaty looks).

My Cutie!

Our Classic Self Portrait, we keep getting better at these!

Brandon's awesome shot from in a cave he climbed up into...

My view of the cave, I decided I would let him have that fun of the climb, so I sat back and watched him (and prayed that he didn't get hurt!). If you click on it you can see Brandon standing in the mouth of the cave!

A picture taken by these women for us. They were CRAZY, and we kept running into them at all the spots along the canyon. We should have gotten a picture of them!

July 4th Fun

2008-07-06T23:09:00.006-05:00

We got to spend July 4th with our friends and their precious six month old daughter. We enjoyed Bahama Bucks and then went to the park to watch fireworks. It was wonderful weather... not hot at all! Josie loved being outside, and watched the fireworks in awe. It was special to share the day with them and watch Josie have new experiences.

Bub & Me

The Hardin Family

"Did someone say fireworks? Yeah!"

Yumm! Bahama Bucks!

Fireworks and Brandon... life doesn't get much better!

Bub & I without trying to hold the camera ourselves!

Josie loved her wand... great purchase Mom!

Too much time on my hands....

2008-05-29T22:26:00.002-05:00

I need a hobby. I do not have one, and I find myself with hours to do something, but I have nothing to do. Brandon has picked up golf and loves it, so I need something that I can do at the house or around here (hello... gas is expensive) that will keep me busy. Yes, I could pick up the house, do laundry, etc. but I want something fun to do. I have always been "crafty" and so I am thinking that I need to expand my horizons a bit. Anyone have a hobby that keeps you occupied without too much startup cost? I have a sewing machine, but I can't think of anything to sew. I have scrapbooking stuff, but for this month at least (like that fun innuendo?) we do not have the sapce for me to work on it, so I end up sitting on the floor and hurt like an old lady when I get up. Please help me out... give me some ideas...

We got her!

2008-05-07T22:44:00.002-05:00

She is a precious puppy. She is 7 weeks old and is tiny! She is curled up with me while I blog, and Charlie is on the other side. What fun for me!

We may be adopting....

2008-05-07T12:58:00.002-05:00

A PUPPY tonight! I am so very excited. We were expectant puppy parents last December (we were the in-laws, Charlie and his sweet girlfriend Chula were better friends than we knew) and it ended terribly. All puppies and the sweet momma were lost, and we think that it was because of the pet food she ate. It tore up Brandon's sister, Chula's mommy, and all of us too. Charlie looked for his girlfriend for a long time, and still responds if you say her name. Since then we have gotten close to adopting a few times, we really have wanted a friend for Charlie, but it has always fallen through. That's why I am not getting too excited (yeah right as I blog about it) until the little one is home with us. Brandon's coworker has a 7 week old female chihuahua (Chula was a chihuahua) that they are looking for a home for. Brandon and I will go and pick her up tonight. I will of course put on pictures if it really happens. I know that it is silly, but we have been wanting a puppy for so long, that it is really neat that it may be finally happening.

One week down, about fifty more to go!

2008-05-01T16:21:00.002-05:00

So, I made it through my first week of "dieting." I lost FIVE WHOLE pounds! Yeah me!!!! I am thoroughly excited about this journey, even if I was hungry all the time last week. I am trying to find snacks and meal ideas that are more filling. Anyone have any good ideas? Brandon did great this week too, so we are pumped that this may work. I know that every week won't be this rewarding, but I am glad the first one was. Life is such a journey (I have a blog coming about that) and when you have no idea where you are going, it is nice to find good stops along the way.

I know that I haven't talked about the comments from my last blog. I am realizing I put too much emphasis on the comments of a stranger. I just want to be in a forward motion (another reference to the "journey" idea... I must be really pondering this!!!). Thanks for being patient with me, and letting me vent and voice my opinions on here. It is a good release, and much needed sometimes.

Let's clear the air a little, shall we?

2008-04-25T22:53:00.006-05:00

To my friends, thank you for reading and commenting on my blog. I meant my last blog to about the srtuggle of dealing with grief while dieting, not neccesarily focus on the one off handed comment. I rather wanted to give a glimpse of the crazy and hurtful things that people have said to me or about me during this period in my life, and ask how others have dealt with this, as I know many of you have. Thanks for knowing me and my heart. I look forward to reading the book two of y'all recommended me. I am always looking for ways to grow.

To Sarah P. who commented,

"I happen to come across your blog through friends of some friends. I am with you on the weight loss stuff!
About the grief, I just hope your friend doesn't read your blog. I don't know if you are just trying to get a reaction out of people to tell you how great you are or just venting.
Just from past experience, I would check your resources before jumping to conclusions about he said/she said."

Thanks for reading my blog. I believe you misread my venting (and yes, I was venting as many people do on their blogs). I did not call this person a friend, I rather quite certainly did not, all I said was that this was a person that I know that I have not talked to in about two months. Only the person that said this knows who he/she is. I am not ashamed for them to read my blog. If you say something about someone in public, especially false hurtful comments, you should be ok with others knowing about it. I will not apologize or make excuses for other's actions. To be honest, I feel that a major problem our society faces is that we are not responsible for our actions. People say and do whatever they want whenever they want and rarely have to face consequences. My source was reliable, and I took out a lot of the chatter. Again, I was not trying to make this a blog about that one comment, but rather the tole that comments like that take on a person. I will openly admit that I am an emotional eater, and as I am in an emotional state right now, I am admitting that I need encouragement and help. This was an attempt to be vulnerable and honest, and I am sad that you took it for something more sinister and manipulative.
As to whether or not I meant to solicit responses, I made that very clear, but I did not ask for a pat on the back but rather advice on how to respond. I am not writing an online diary, but hope to gather responses and dialog from my entries. Correct me if I am wrong, but I thought that that was the point of blogs.

I invite you all to continue reading and commenting. Since some of you do not know me, I invite you to read a little further back, and see who I am a little deeper than this post. The other comments on here are from people I have know 10 to 20 or more years. So they may have thought that I needed a pat on the back, since that is what friends are for. I have taken off the anonymous comment option, I love comments, but I also like people to be held accountable, you know who I am, so I would like to know who you are. Thanks!

New Adventure

2008-04-23T16:58:00.002-05:00

Well, I have debated about whether to tell all my five readers about this, but I decided that I will. I have decided to start a weight loss journey. I would rather call it a "lifestyle change", but until I have lost about 50 pounds I need to focus on the weight loss. My sweet husband has decided to join me, and we have already seen a little progress in just a few days. We are doing a home version of Weight Watchers since there is not a meeting close enough to justify driving. I just want to get healthy. Brandon and I would like to start a family in the next couple of years, and I need to get my body in better shape before we start that. I have learned while taking care of a little one all day, that I need to be a lot healthier to deal with chasing a baby around 24/7. I know that others out there have struggled and overcome with their own weight loss journeys, so any advice and ideas is welcome.

On another completely unrelated note, a certain person called me a "depressed" "shut-in" that needs to "get over" the loss of Momma (paraphrased, but those were the exact phrases used). At first I was livid. How dare someone say this about me, they said this to a friend in town, not even to my face. She hasn't talked to me in about two months, so obviously she has no idea what I have been up to or feeling recently. But after I have thought about it for awhile, I feel sorry for this person. How sad to judge me and my life, especially blindly. I am no where near shut in. I get out daily, going to shop, going over to friends houses, etc. I just haven't hung out with her. Also, how terrible that she thinks you need to get over grief. It is impossible to get over grief. I will never apologize for grieving right now. My sweet hubby has felt the brunt of this attack, reassuring me that there is no certain period of time that I should be over this, and that he knows it will never go away.

How have you out there that have dealt with grief dealt with people like this? How do you handle those that judge you for being sad, and are critical of your ways of grieving? Grief is such a private and personal thing, but yet, so many feel that they need to tell you exactly what to do and what to feel. I know that I have used food to silence painful thoughts, and that is why I am the weight that I am. I would be foolish to think that I could change my eating habits without being honest about my feelings. It is going to be a struggle to not eat my way through hard times, but I want to learn how.

Take a second....

2008-04-02T16:03:00.003-05:00

I don't know if you have heard of this family or not, but I have been sucked is by their blog. Nathan, the author, is the husband of a woman who is courageously and graciously battling cystic fibrosis. They had a beautiful daughter 12 weeks ago that was born very premature, and is growing and developing with God's grace. They found out today that there is a possible donor for a lung transplant. They have had a false alarm before, so I can only imagine the pins and needles they are waiting on. Tricia (mom) needs the transplant to be able to fully enjoy her daughter and husband without being attached to a ventilator and in the hospital. Please pray that these are the lungs for her, and if they are, that the surgery goes well. I only watched my Momma suffer with a lung disease for a few days, but I have a tender spot for those that suffer with any lung disease.

Take time and catch up with their family when you have a chance, and remember them if your prayers. We have an awesome God and I believe that His plan is perfect.

Their blog in case my links don't work: cfhusband.blogspot.com

Happy Anniversary Baby!

2008-03-25T09:59:00.004-05:00

Today is Brandon and my second anniversary. We talked last night about how we had been through a lot these past two years, but that we are so glad to have each other. I would not trade a day for what I have with Brandon. He is the best husband and friend. He has blessed my life so much, and I do not think that I could have made it this year with out him.

Happy anniversary baby, I love you!

Happy Easter

2008-03-23T23:17:00.002-05:00

I hope that everyone had a wonderful Easter. We had a wonderful with our friends. We spent the day with our friends that have a precious 3 month old and his parents and sister. It was so nice to be with them all day, and I made it through the day tear free. I loved watching Josie's grandparents dote over her all day. Brandon and I took some precious pictures of her in her Easter dress, and as soon as we get them downloaded I will post a few. I took a bunch of them, I want to practice my photography skills and build my portfolio, and Josie (and her parents :) ) is a great helper!

I am again reminded that God has an amazing plan for Brandon and me, and I cannot wait to see it unfold. The glimpses I get are breathtaking, and I know that everything that has happened has happened for a reason. We have been blessed with an amazing family of friends that helps bridge the gaps between us and our families hundreds of miles away. I pray that you all have friends that help you, and I pray that I can be that friend to others.

I miss my momma

2008-03-20T15:37:00.003-05:00

Thanks guys for all of your encouraging comments. I agree with the majority that say to keep blogging about the real stuff. So here I go...

I miss my Momma. Every day I think of her. I catch myself thinking about talking to her about something, or forget for just a second that she is gone, and my heart aches all over again. I know that it has been awhile, almost 5 months, but I still hurt. Lately we have had some disappointments and I have never needed Momma's advice more. While our relationship wasn't perfect in the past, since adulthood Momma and I had become close. Any time something happened, I would call her for her advice, and mostly for her prayers. I think that not knowing she is there to pray for me is the hardest of all. After every bad call I got working for the state I would call her and have her pray for the child involved. She would never forget what I had asked her to pray about, and she would always follow up on it with me later. Any time someone was sick, one call to her and I knew that they would be covered in prayer.

Brandon and I have made a huge change moving away from our families, and it has been the best decision we have made (I will blog about that later), but it hasn't been without its hardships. I have been lonely, and thankfully have made wonderful friends that help with that, but we experienced another loss just recently. The friends that helped us move out here have separated themselves from us. It has been stressful and couldn't have come at a worse time. All I have wanted to do is call Momma and tell her what has happened. I want to hear what she would tell me to do. It is so hard that I cannot. It isolates me even more.

Grief is such a difficult emotion to overcome. It can be overwhelming. It takes over my dreams, my thoughts, and clouds everything that is going on around me. Struggles that we are having wouldn't be as bad if I wasn't grieving. But I can't pretend anymore. I am grieving. I do not know how long it will take to feel better. I have felt better a little bit everyday, but setbacks are hard to overcome. I know that others have experienced losses, how did you recover? What did you do to help you when you ached for a lost loved one?

Thanks for your patience and understanding. I am glad to be back blogging, I hope you are glad too!

Why do we blog?

2008-03-03T15:21:00.002-06:00

I love blogs. I love "keeping up" with friends through their pictures and updates online. If it wasn't for blogs, I wouldn't know about 85% of what I do about my friends. But I am at a rock and a hard place when it comes to blogging... what do people want to know?

As many of you know, this has been a very rough few months for me, full of changes, not all bad at all, but changes nonetheless. Brandon and I started out the changes by moving out to West Texas so that Brandon could take a job in IT. That was a great move for us, but it hasn't been without its own struggles. Then, within weeks of moving, I lost my mother within hours of finding out she had a life threatening disease. I went down to help her recover from what we thought was a bad case of pneumonia, and ended up staying to plan her memorial service. The blog world comforted and mourned with me during this time. I feel as though this blog has provided me with a place to vent, to unwind, but it hasn't been without struggles. If I go beyond just what is happening, and write about my feelings, I have always had someone get their feelings hurt, most of the time, completely unintentionally.

Thus, the reason for weeks of nonblogging. Is this blog merely a place for pictures and short updates, or should blogs be able to be deeper than that? I love reading about others and their joys and struggles. I have learned so much from others getting real on their blogs and sharing what truly is on their minds and their hearts. So I am really contemplating... do I dare blog about what is on my mind, or do I keep posting pictures and quick updates. Does the blog world think that I share too much? I do not want to just complain on here, there are wonderful things that are happening too, but even those blogs bring on unsolicited negative comments as well. Is it worth it?

I'd love your input. What do you think? I'm debating this and I guess my next post will tell what I have decided.

OK, So it has been forever......

2008-03-03T11:22:00.002-06:00

I know that I haven't posted in forever. I will soon. But thanks for checking in in the meantime. At least the blog looks pretty. Thanks Melody for your fantastic blog redo!

Sweet baby

2008-01-01T21:47:00.001-06:00

Well, the long awaited arrival of our friends' baby finally arrived on December 27th. We were all surprised to find out that the baby is a girl! Sweet Joslynn Marie is beautiful, perfect in every way, and is absolutely precious. We have had too much fun holding her and loving on her. Here are some of my favorite pictures from her first day.

Our Christmas card!

2007-12-12T09:32:00.001-06:00

I have wanted to do a card for two years, but we have always been too busy, last year we were doing everyone else's Christmas card pictures. This year we finally got our picture taken, thanks to sweet Jamie and Greg helping us, and the cards are ordered. I am very pleased that we got it done. I needed it for some reason, so I am grateful that Brandon obliged. He really is a wonderful husband.

If your address has changed recently let us know so that we can get a card out to everyone.

We got elfed!

2007-12-11T21:11:00.001-06:00

Check out the Price family elves!

You know you want to!!!

It's beginning to look a lot like Christmas!

2007-12-06T18:50:00.000-06:00

Brandon and I decided to go ahead and decorate for Christmas, so while he worked late, I put up our tree. This tree is sad, we know, but I have gotten a little attached to it since we had it our first Christmas together. I am not in the mood to replace things right now. I hope that you are enjoying the holidays this year. I know the holidays will be hard, but I also know that the best part of the holidays is spending it with those that you love, and that will be a huge blessing to be surrounded by those that we love.

Here is our sweet tree. Momma coined it a "Charlie Brown" tree since you can see straight through it. The name has stuck... all we need to do is get Peanut ornaments!!! We don't have a fireplace, so the dvds are acting as a stocking holder this year.... hey, you do what you gotta do!)

Just so you know

2007-11-13T17:22:00.000-06:00

I thought that I would check in to the blogging world for a minute. Thank you friends and family that have loved and supported me and my family these last few weeks. I hope you know that each little thought and prayer that you have lifted up for us has helped. I won't lie and say that I am ok, but I am getting better.

The memorial was wonderful. So many people came, it was quite a testimony to my mother and the love that she had for her friends and family. I loved getting to see family friends that have been in our lives forever. It was so kind of my friends who came. It was nice to have support there. I have great friends.

I am back home with my sweet husband in our little bitty apartment. Things were rough when I got here, but I have adapted back to my life here. I miss being around Momma's stuff more than I thought I would, but I have some things that I can put up here to help me.

Again, thank you for all of the support. My family and I couldn't have made it these last few weeks without all of the love. I have had meals, flowers, and plants delivered out here, and all the cards we have received are tender. We appreciate the love, and if she reads this, I really love my new polka dot rainboots! Some people really know how to make you smile!

My Momma's Gone

2007-10-28T22:44:00.001-05:00

My momma passed away Saturday night. She was very peaceful, and gave us a reassurance that she was ready to go and "see Jesus." I had a wonderful time with her Friday, and we all got to say goodbye. I am so sad and she will be missed, but there is a comfort knowing she went on to recieve the prize.

Her memorial service is scheduled for Sunday the 4th at 2pm. Anyone is welcome, just let me know if you would like to know where, I just feel wierd putting it on the internet for everyone.

Thanks for all the prayers and love. God answered all of them, just in a different way than we thought. I have so much more to say, but I will update this later when I can see through my tears.

*Quick Edit*
Many have asked what the biopsy showed. My momma had pulmony fibrosis, and it is a fatal disease. It is ultimately what she died from. Her lungs were like "dried sponges" and as hard as steel. She was put on a ventalator to try and save her, but her lungs couldn't process the oxygen. Pulmonary fibrosis is a horrible disease, and is incurable. We believe that she must have had it for years and never knew it. I am glad though, I wouldn't have wanted to know... it would have made life so dramamtic.

Wednesday's update

2007-10-24T20:13:00.000-05:00

Well, you keep hoping for good news, but I have none to give everyone. I am so exhausted and discouraged but I really need encouragement so I thought I would post and y'all can forgive me if my spelling or grammar is bad. Since I last posted so much has happened that it is hard to know where to start. On Monday they found what they call "free air" or air in her abdomen where it should not be, and completely unrelated to her lung issues. They gave us several options, and ran some tests and last night we found out that the leak was in her bowels. Her doctor felt that he needed to operate because the risk of infection was so high, even though that was the last thing her lungs needed, and so she had to go into surgery today. As he put, he felt "painted into a corner." It was the classic catch 22, the steroids she has to take for her lungs slow her body from healing and make infection symptoms harder to recognize. They performed the surgery and unfortunately the perforation was in her colon, the worse place it could be. They removed a large portion of her colon, and were forced to give her a colostomy bag. She did ok during the surgery, but because of her lungs she was unable to come directly off of the ventilator, so she is in ICU on the ventilator heavily sedated. This is not at all related to her lungs, but the steroids they have to give her to keep them working will prevent her from healing from her surgery quickly. There is a great risk of infection when you operate on the bowels, and they are watching her closely to see if anything develops. She will be in the ventilator for days, and has no idea that she could have a colostomy, so when she wakes up she will have a lot to take in. We are all in shock, we thought she might be coming home soon.

Please pray for healing for my mom. Please pray for her to have no infections. We need her too bad to loose her to this. Thanks for all of your thoughts. Keep them coming. You help me more than you could ever know.

I am trying to be strong... but it is hard. Love you guys and thanks for everything.

A Quick Note about my Mom

2007-10-21T22:19:00.000-05:00

Well, we got here and I got to see Momma Saturday morning. Her doctor told my dad that the preliminary results are good. She appears to have inflammation, not tumors or infection, but there is no answer to why. I was expecting her to be weak from surgery and possibly in pain, but she is not really in any pain. I was pretty sad when we left last night, because in the 8 or more hours I was up there, Mom made no progress breathing better. She has been on steroids for 6 days and she is not improving lung/breathing wise at all. I am so very thankful that she is not in pain and that she is feeling better, but she is not improving her breathing at all. She is breathing so shallow, and today the doctor tried to take down her oxygen intake and she had a pretty bad incident just going from the bed to the toilet 2 feet away. She had a good nurse in ICU that would get in her face and tell her to breath slow and deep, and also keep her honest about how she was doing, but her other nurses let her tell them that she is doing great and say things like "you are the best judge of how you are feeling." Really? She thought that her bathroom trip that her oxygen levels dropped so low was her best time up yet?!?! Does that sound like she knows how she is doing?

Please pray for her tonight and tomorrow. She is off of all of her monitors, which is so very scary to me. Now, no one will be alerted if she starts breathing poorly, and they only check her vitals every 8 hours! It is so insane to me that she doesn't have more supervision, and to make it worse, she is the farthest room from the nursing station that is on a different hall from her. I am going to have to trust that the Lord will watch over her and protect her. If not I will go crazy.

Brandon left today to go home, and I will be here until Mom is home and settled, which could be a long time (a week or two). I miss him, and I know it is so selfish and silly, but I hate being away from him. I won't go on and on, I know that my military wife friends would want to strangle me for being such a baby about being away from him. I just haven't been away from him since we got married for more than a day, so this is new and with my mom being so sick I miss him being here to support me.

I will try to post as soon as she comes home. It may be tomorrow. I do not know really what the goal is to get her home. Thanks for all the prayers and emails. They are a comfort beyond what you could imagine.

The Waiting Game Begins

2007-10-18T11:18:00.000-05:00

Momma had her surgery this morning and is out and recovering. She will be in the ICU for at least 24 hours while they monitor her. They were able to get a good sample of tissue, so now we wait while they test it for everything under the sun. They were not able to tell anything by just looking at the sample, which is not necessarily a bad thing. I will be glad to see Momma when we get to Dallas, it has been really hard to be so far away.

Thanks for your prayers and thoughts. Don't stop yet, we still need to find out what has taken over her lungs!

Update on Momma

2007-10-17T18:23:00.001-05:00

Well, Momma will have her biopsy tomorrow (Thursday) morning. She will have a large section of lung removed to be studied. Well, I think that it is large, they told her it will be about the size of her thumb. She will have to remain in the ICU for at least 24 hours to watch her chest tube and monitor her breathing.

Please pray for her safety and for the surgeon's skill tomorrow. Unfortunately, the doctor's have very little clue what is going on with her. They have told her it looks like she was exposed to toxins for several years. That scares me because it could mean that the damage is long term. We all need a little comfort, especially my momma who is terrified of the surgery. I will post when I know more after her surgery tomorrow.

Brandon and I will be leaving to go see her Friday, even though she keeps telling me that we do not need to. This weekend is ACU's homecoming and we were planning on going to that, but I do not think that I would enjoy the festivities knowing that my mom is lying in a hospital bed.

Thanks for your prayers, as my anxiety level fluctuates, I am reminded that my friends are out there praying for her.

Now I just wish that we could have Hugh Laurie from House come and look at her! He would be able to figure out what is wrong!

Prayer Request

2007-10-15T15:12:00.000-05:00

My mom has had pneumonia for about 4 weeks, and they put her in the hospital today. She has been at home with oxygen for about two weeks, and they haven't seen enough improvement. She seems to be in good spirits, but I know that she really did not want to have to be hospitalized. My prayer is that she can get the medicine that she needs, and that she can recover quick. I ask for your prayers for my mom and dad. It is so hard being this far away from her and not being able to be there with her. It helps knowing that my friends and "webfriends" are praying for her recovery.

***UPDATE***

Well, after a sonogram they did to determine where they needed to drain Momma's lungs, they discovered there was no fluid. They did a CAT scan, and they now do not think that she has pneumonia. The doctor told her today that it looks like she has been exposed to toxins for an extended amount of time. They have scheduled a lung biopsy for tomorrow to see what it is that has infected her lungs. Please be in prayer for her and for our family. We are all a little startled by the news today. I will post as much as I can as soon as I can. Thanks again for your prayers.

We're Here!

2007-09-27T21:43:00.000-05:00

Well, we are in Friona! Brandon started work Monday and has really enjoyed it so far. The only down side at this time is that we don't have DSL yet, so I haven't been able to check my email or keep up with my blogging. Hopefully we will get hooked up soon, but until then please do not be upset if I take a long time to respond. Thankfully we have wonderful friends that will let us use their internet while we sit on their couch and watch their satellite(we decided to downgrade for the time that we are in the apartment, so I miss my channel guide and DVR).

I am really looking forward to our life here in Friona... it is so different, but I love the change. I have read 4 books in 4 days, and since Jamie works at the library, I have access to more than I could ever read. I know that at some point I will have to get busy on the business, but the lack of internet is a good excuse at this time. I have lots of pictures to show everyone, but I will have to wait until I can work on them from home. Take care!

On The Road Again...

2007-09-04T14:06:00.000-05:00

Well, the Lord is working in very mysterious ways for Brandon and I. Brandon and I have been hoping that we could find a job for him that would provide us a little more stability and a little more freedom from working so much at The Wedding Cottage. We had no idea how this would happen, but we knew that it would have to be after Brandon graduated with his degree. Well, the week he was finishing up his classes Jamie and I were talking and she jokingly said that Greg (her husband) wanted Brandon to come work with him, but that she knew we wouldn't move out there. Why would we not move.... because they are in Friona, Texas, less that 60 miles from the New Mexico border, in a town with 4000 people. But, wouldn't you know that the Lord has a sense of humor! We were talking more about the position, the pay, the benefits, and suddenly we were talking seriously about the possibility. We let the boys talk for awhile, so that we were not planning their lives for them, and when it was all decided, we were moving to Friona... soon!!! Everything has fallen into place. Now, I will not say that our parents are excited for us, they all live within three miles of us now, but all our family agrees that this is an opportunity that we cannot miss. As of today, we are going to try and move the 20th of September, just in time for Friona's Maize Days celebration...a hometown parade and homecoming! What fun!

We are so excited, but we have a lot of packing to do before then. Brandon turned in his two week notice, and we have turned over all of our cakes and photography clients. We are going to continue doing photography in Friona, we are just going to change the name for a fresh start. We picked out Priceless Photography, and we have the website address www.pricelessphototexas.com, but the website isn't up yet. We are hoping to have our new phone numbers this week, and as soon as I have that, the website will go up! We are so very excited about all of this. We know that it will be a BIG change of pace for us... this will be the first time in years that I haven't been employed at all. I am going to possibly try and substitute teach or something, but I doubt I will work full time. That way I can take care of the photography business. I am so very excited about all the opportunities that are coming our way.

We covet your prayers while we transition. Brandon and I are looking forward to a little alone time, weekends off (a novel concept), and time to relax a little. We will post as the process continues. We will miss all of our family and friends in Dallas, but we will be back often to visit our families for holidays and such! Wish us luck!!!!

Some of my latest cakes

2007-08-19T15:12:00.001-05:00

So I have gotten in trouble with my mom for not posting any new cake pictures in awhile, so here are some just for you Mom!

hope you enjoy!!!

Update!!!

2007-07-25T13:55:00.000-05:00

Brandon got a job! Yeah!!! He started work today. I am so excited for him. He was hired as an electronics specialist at an office store in Greenville (about 30 miles east of us) and has already been told that they hope to promote him to a manager soon. We are very excited about all the possibilities, but it has also been hard to let all our free time go. Brandon and I have been able to spend every Monday and Friday together, along with weekends, for several months, and it has been wonderful! We have grown as a couple, and have really deepened our relationship these last few months, so it is a little sad to not have all that time together.

On the plus, a new job means more money, and they are working around his photography schedule, so he will be able to keep that us as well. We are hoping that this new adventure will lead us to more independence and financial security... as well as options for our future. As we said it last night, we will finally be able to move forward in life, instead of being at a standstill. Benefits will be nice, since neither of us has had insurance for the last 8-9 months or so, so it will be nice to be able to go to the doctor if we get sick.

Please pray for Brandon as he starts his new job. I know that it can be very stressful learning everything new. I will try to be better about posting... I guess being busy in our line of work is a good thing, but a little slow down isn't too bad either!!!!

Touched

2007-06-20T14:56:00.000-05:00

Brandon and I went to shoot a wedding of a GATA friend in Oklahoma last weekend, and on the way back, we decided to stop and see the Oklahoma City Memorial. It was so powerful being there and seeing the chairs that stand for those that were lost. Brandon and I both got chocked up looking at all the little chairs that represented the children that were lost. The memorial reminded me that everyday is a gift, and that we need to be grateful for the time that we have with our loved ones. I got these three words off of the memorial. I was touched by what they said. The memorial is filled with faithful statements about keeping a strong faith despite of tragedy. If you ever get a chance it really is worth visiting.

The silver lining...

2007-06-07T12:52:00.000-05:00

Ok, so you saw the awfulness from the last post, so I thought that I better tell you about the rest of the weekend. Saturday morning and night ended up being fabulous. The cakes looked great, well to me at least, and I delivered them early without any stress at all. Sunday went well too, but I do not have those pictures yet. Here is one of the weddings on Saturday. Brandon was sweet enough to come up and take pictures of all my cakes, even when he wasn't the photographer.

I did the flowers for the bride's cake all by myself, and I think that it looked fun. I know that I still have a lot to work on, but I am glad that it is getting easier, and less stressful. I have decided that I am better at the chocolate cakes. I think that it is because they look tasty, rather than beautiful, so it is easier to make that happen. I loved the mosaic chocolate, even if it did take me a long time.

So, would you hire me yet?

(The groom was a Nascar fan, and the "20" was for his favorite driver.)

Chaos this weekend

2007-06-07T12:39:00.002-05:00

Well, I had my first, and unfortunately probably not my last, cake disaster. I was so proud of myself Friday night, I had decorated the cake early and was just going to have to deliver it basically. I got to wedding site, and the cake fell apart. No lie, fell apart. It looked awful. Since I was so prepared, I hadn't brought extra icing, so I has nothing to cover it up with. The bride wanted her cake to be different, so she had wanted colored icing, so I had that with me. She also wasnted butterflies, so I had made a ton of them out of chocolate. Thank goodness. Well, when it was all over, this is what it looked like. Not great at all, but not a huge disaster. The bride didn't complain, and it tasted good. I went out and melted in the car, knowing that I still had 6 more cakes to do all weekend (3 bride and 3 groom).

I think that I learned a lot from this. I put way to much filling in the cakes, which caused them to slide. I also did not brace the cake since it was so small, but the braces would have held it together. Thanks to some left over flowers, and quick thinking mother- and sister-in-law, I think it was salvaged. What do you think?

Cake picture

2007-05-29T14:47:00.000-05:00

So, this was not my best cake ever... but the bride did not complain. I think that the flowers were gorgeous, and that they really made the cake. Got to get to work on my cakes for this weekend, I need to make some improvements!!!!

Jesse's cake

2007-05-29T14:34:00.000-05:00

Our sweet nephew turned one, and we fixed the cake for the party. It was a Cars theme, so I made a cake for the cars to run around on. It was fun! I also have another wedding cake I will post soon. Busy busy busy! I have 8 cakes to do this weekend. I am excited, and nervous all at the same time. I will post them as they are done. Thanks for all the encouragement. It is a fun new adventure, but it is an overwhelming one at the same time.

Bored at Work

2007-05-23T16:36:00.000-05:00

I have been working on my Photoshop skills since our photography business is picking up. I love adding text to pictures, they are great for cards or announcements and albums. I must be in a sappy mood, because these are the two that I did. I hope that you can read them, if you click on them they will get bigger. Both are throwback to our wedding, I Corinthians 13 was what we used to write our vows.

Our wedding invitation started with the phrase, "God has led two lives to take one path." So when I saw this quote I had to use it on something. I liked the way it fit in the tree trunk.

I guess it goes without saying, I love my Brandon dearly!

Tender memories

2007-05-17T14:50:00.000-05:00

It has been about a year since I lost my grandfather. The Lord was so amazing though, and allowed me to see him one last time at my wedding. I miss him, and my other grandparents that went before him, but I am reminded to enjoy the time that I have with those that we love.

My grandfather was an amazing man, and left a sweet legacy behind him. I know my grandma misses him every minute of everyday, and I pray that the Lord provides her the comfort that she needs.

This is one of my favorite wedding day pictures. My eyes are welling up because I knew he was telling me good bye. He was so sweet to me that day. I am so very grateful he was there.

Another one done!

2007-05-16T11:59:00.001-05:00

Well, it was a long weekend in the world of deelicious cakes. I made a cake for a wedding, and then I did a cake for 400 for a wedding at a church. Unfortunately, I do not have pictures of my cake for the 400, but I do have my other cake. I made the pink flowers out of fondant, the leaves are real. Let me know what you think.

Smile, and say, "Cheese!"

2007-05-11T13:52:00.000-05:00

Our dog, Charlie, keeps me laughing most days, but he has been extra cute the last couple of days. We have always said that he smiles, but Brandon finally caught it on film...

Charlie has been kicked out of the kitchen lately due to the cake making process. He has been sulking all over the house. Guess he thought he wouldn't be seen here...

TOO CUTE!!!!

Sweet memories...

2007-05-08T10:29:00.000-05:00

We had the pleasure of spending the weekend a couple of weeks ago celebrating the marriage of one of my college roomies, Katherine, and her sweetheart Brett. It was a fancy wedding weekend, to say the least, and we all got to dress up and play all weekend. It was funny that we spent more time with our friends from Dallas in Houston that weekend than we do here in Dallas. Katherine was a beautiful bride, you could see the joy all over her face. Brett was handsome and charming and a perfect fit for Katherine.

We wish them joy in their new life together. May they be blessed as they start this new journey together.

Here is a picture of the gorgeous couple (thanks to my fabulous photographer husband).

I did it!

2007-05-05T13:18:00.000-05:00

I made my first wedding cake. It was scary, but fun all at the same time. It is ivory and white, with beautiful flowers! Tell me what you think!

Busy weekend

2007-04-23T00:45:00.000-05:00

Well, so we had another walk in client for a cake this weekend, so I had the opportunity to do another "fun" cake. Here it is...

Tell me what you think!

I also did a wedding cake Friday, three tiers and everything. I will post a picture of it soon!

New Adventure!

2007-04-18T12:35:00.000-05:00

Well, because life just wasn't interesting enough, we decided to take on a new business adventure. We are going into the cake business, wedding cakes to be more specific. I love to bake, and so I started taking classes last week to learn how to decorate my cakes. I had my first try at a cake last weekend, and it was an adventure. The weather was muggy, my icing was runny, but I think that the end product was pretty cute! I have learned that I do not write on cakes well, so I am best sticking to the wedding cakes. I need practice, so if anyone needs a cake (without writing on it) let me know and I can cut you a pretty good deal.

Brandon came up with the name "deelicious cakes" and it has stuck. We bought www.deeliciouscakes.com, so we will be getting that website designed and up soon. Wish us luck... and patience! I will post my progress. Your prayers are appreciated, especially for Brandon as he puts up with "stressed out" dee!

Here is my first "professional" cake!!!! (please ignore the mess in the background)

Prayers Needed

2007-04-05T10:33:00.000-05:00

*UPDATE*
Thank you for all those that said a prayer for Gama yesterday. She was sent home from the hospital after running several tests. It was revealed that she was dehydrated. Since she has had open heart surgery, we were expecting it to be her heart, so we were really relieved when we found out what it was. Thanks again for all your prayers.

Brandon's Gama was taken to the emergency room this morning, and so far we have very little information, we just know that she was not feeling very good. Please lift her up in prayer this morning, that it is nothing serious.

Here she is with Papa and Jesse at Thanksgiving:

Check out the new pictures & blogs below!

2007-04-04T15:58:00.000-05:00

OK, so I got a little OCD and decided that everything that I was posting needed to be in chronological order, so there are a couple of new blogs (WITH PICTURES) at the bottom of the page(actually they ended up going all the way into the "older posts" category). You can view them on the menu to the left, the newest blogs are "I love this man" "Cruise picture" "St. Patricks Day" and of course "Jesse". Make sure and check those out when you get a chance. I am loving having a camera and the time to update a blog. I have no idea if anyone looks at this, if you do let me know, but I thought that at least for now it will be a great outlet for me.

What a cutie

2007-04-04T15:26:00.000-05:00

Brandon took his nephew Jesse to get his pictures in the bluebonnets. He is so cute!!! We can't believe how big he is getting, he will be one in May! He is crawling everywhere, and we know that it is only a matter of time before he walks. We love this boy!!!!

Cruise Pictures

2007-04-01T16:52:00.000-05:00

It took me awhile, but I finally got some cruise pictures to put up. Hope you enjoy!

Prayer Request

2007-03-30T11:40:00.000-05:00

In your quiet moments please remember this sweet family in your prayers. While I do not know the couple personally, they are related to a dear friend of ours. Their twins came very early, and they have sadly lost one. The little boy, Kanyon, is doing better daily, praise the Lord! Their blog is kept up by a relative who is doing an excellent job keeping everyone updated. There are hundreds of comments from people praying for them and encouraging them, and I know that they could use hundreds more!

It is amazing what prayer can do! I ask you to join in and pray for this young family, for peace and comfort, for the doctors, and for little Kanyon to keep growing and developing. Thank you for remembering them!

Cottage Photography

2007-03-28T11:57:00.001-05:00

Some of you may know that Brandon and I took on Cottage Photography last year. Over the past year, Brandon has really developed into an incredible photographer. I am so very proud of all that he has accomplished. The above slide show are my favorites that he has done. You can always check out all of his work at his Cottage Photography website.

New blog, new year

2007-03-27T12:21:00.000-05:00

Brandon and I just had our first anniversary, and it was wonderful. I figured that with our start to our second year of marriage, I would start a new blog for us. We have a wonderful life, not without our share of troubles, but the good far out weighs the bad. Thanks for reading our blog, hopefully life will be interesting enough to share with you all.

I LOVE THIS MAN!!!

2007-03-25T15:51:00.000-05:00

Brandon and I celebrated our 1st anniversary on the 25th, and it was wonderful. We didn't go far, but we did get out of our house and stayed the night in a great hotel near downtown. We went and had dinner at the restaurant we had met at for the very first time two years ago that night. Brandon is an amazing husband, and I thank the Lord for him everyday!

Thinking back on our wedding, we were reminded of all of those that came from far and wide to celebrate with us. It was an amazing day, and we thank our friends and family for making it so very special for us. Here are two of my favorite picture from that day.

Here we are in Brandon's truck:

Our first dance (my personal favorite):

Fun at the arboretum

2007-03-18T12:26:00.000-05:00

We recently went to the arboretum with our sweet friends, Jamie and Greg, to scout out bridal and engagement photo locations. We ended up taking some great pictures, even some of us. We went almost the whole time we were dating and well into our first year of marriage without ever getting out the camera. The times are changing... and here is proof of that!!!

Pretty Flowers

That's Us!

Jamie & Greg

My favorite!!!

St. Patrick's Day Fun!

2007-03-17T15:35:00.000-05:00

While Jamie and Greg were in town we went to the St. Patrick's Day parade in Lower Greenville, and it was so funny! Not family friendly, especially the jello shots that were thrown from the floats, but fun for us!!!
The most handsome man I know:

Brandon and I at the parade:

Jamie and I with our beads:

Brandon and I toasting green beer:

Jamie and I with green jello!:

Hope your St.Patrick's Day was fun!!!