Prayers answered and yet there's still a loss.

The last few days have been emotion filled. A distant cousin passed away Sunday after a long period batteling a leukemia like disease. She was one of my grandfather's first cousins. She was 77 years young and lived a happy, fun filled life with her husband of 57 years. I can't imagine that they have been together nearly 60 years. I can't imagine what one does after losing a partner that you have had for so long. I know that she is rejoicing in Heaven today with her Lord. Jim, her husband, is a retired Methodist minister and he is just amazing. He knows that some day he will see her again! She is being cremated and requested that she be placed in a red suitcase with a sticker of Hawaii on the side! She had an amazing sense of humor and Garner Cavender will be missed tremendously.

Monday my mom had planned a routine gallbladder removal surgery. All her preliminary workup looked great and she planned for my aunt Tommie to take her in that morning and pick her up when it was all done (I was home with Hayden who was sick). At 8:30 Tommie called me asking if I had talked to the doctor. She said that they called her saying that Mom's heart had stopped when they sedated her and that they had to do CPR and after 2 minutes got her heart beating again. The surgeon was not comfortable with continuing so he stopped the surgery and allowed her to wake up. They told us that they had made one incision and started inflating her abdomen for the laproscopic surgery and that's when her heart stopped. The cardiologist ordered at heart cath and planned to do a stint if necessary. God answered prayers yesterday. I received a call at 4:00 saying that all was good and no stints were needed. Mom could go home and reschedule the surgery for a later date. Her cardiologist said that he would give some precautions, but didn't see any reason why she couldn't go ahead with the surgery. Mom is feeling less anxious about the surgery knowing that all has turned out ok. I am so greatful to Him for providing amazing doctors and support to save her life.

Thump Thump

She's kicking! I can't believe that I am finally feeling those little kicks. In typical fashion, she started kicking as soon as I got into bed last night. It was such a great feeling. I'm 23 weeks today and I was able to see my belly move last night! I am so thankful to have made it this far and am looking forward to the weeks and months to come.

Thank you GOD for this little gift.

The Chair

Before the Transformation

My step-grandmother found this chair in the garage and gave it to Hayden. She said that she was pretty sure it was my grandfathers. I don't know for sure that it was because my mom and aunt's don't remember it, but either way Hayden loves it. And it makes me smile thinking that it might really have been my grandfather's.

It's not quite ready to sit in yet!

The "seat" of the chair looked like it was an old deer hide. It was moth eaten and really pretty gross so Craig and I decided to try to make a new seat for it. So I set out to find some material that was both durable and cute for a little boy. Recovering a seat is a little more work than I thought. The hide was stretched over the chair like a drum so there was no real "seat" to the chair. Craig had to make a seat to fit and then I covered it. All in all I think it turned out pretty good. Hayden seems to really like it and I even have some material to cover that seat of the rocking horse my Mother-in-law gave me for the baby girl!!

The Finished Product

It's a girl!!!

Isn't she just so cute?

I hoped and prayed for a healthy little baby regardless of the sex. And after our ultrasound last Wednesday we found that we have a healthy little baby girl! The doctor was pleased with all the images and said that there is nothing that concerns her at all. She was a very active little baby. The technician said that she was having trouble getting good images because of the activity. She said that little boys are usually so active and girls are usually really calm. I hope that's not a sign of something to come! I don't care as long as she is happy and healthy.

We are still stumped as to what to name her. We have two names picked out and can't decide between the two. Actually, I like them both, but have a preference. We even had a drawing and the name Craig likes won, but then he said that we didn't have to name her that. Who knows? This may be one of those times that when we see her we decide what her name will be. Sometimes they look more like one name than the other.

First Day of "School"

Hayden started "school" on Tuesdays August 25. It's really Mom's day out, but I have called it school in the hopes that when he goes to real school, he will have a positive outlook. He was so good to get up a little early and eat breakfast. He got dressed and brushed his teeth without too much trouble and we headed to school. He was fine going in, but once he realized that he wasn't there to pick out toys to take home, started crying. He met his teacher a couple of weeks before, but I know he didn't realize what that was all about. So, of course, I started crying. I was careful not to let him see me cry, but I couldn't hold it back. One really sweet mom stopped to reassure me that it would be OK. She said it will get easier and to just give it a few days. I felt so silly and I'm sure that she thought it was time for me to cut my apron strings. I wasn't crying because he was, I was crying because I was leaving him for the first time with someone other than family. I know it's for the best. I want to him to get along with other children and socialize well. I figure it's time to get it out now and not when he's in high school.

Ms. Holli said that he did pretty good the first day, but didn't really want to play with the other children. She loves how he is so sweet and said that she would love to have a class full of Haydens. He says "Okay" when she asks him to do something and just says "hi" for no reason at all. She thinks he's so sweet.

This week was a little tough because he knew what was going to happen and when we were in the car on the way he started crying. I felt better though when we got there because he went straight to Ms. Holli and let her hug him and pick him up. It made me feel good knowing he's comfortable with her. It's just a matter of time and he will fit right in.

Breakfast Time

All Ready for School

Hayden's new Backpack

So the last few days Craig has been out of town. In fact, it's been 10 days. So when I went to pick Hayden up from school, Craig was able to go with me. He hasn't been able to see the school or meet Ms. Holli. Hayden was so excited to see us and ran full blast out of the room to Daddy! I did manage to get a pic of them hugging, but he was running too fast for me to get one! You can see the relief on his face.

Daddy's Little Boy

My Sweet Son is a Little Criminal!

Today Craig was home from work so we got to spend the day together. It's been a while since we have had a whole day to run errands and shop together without having to hurry home or listen for the phone when he's on call. We thought we'd stop by Harbor Freight first. If you know anything about stores, you know this place is a man's paradise. It's equipped with any tool you can think of and them some. They are all resonably priced too. We had a coupon for an engine lift that Craig has been wanting so while the boys were in there picking that up, I went to Baskins right next door. We got the lift and, of course, a couple of other things before leaving and then headed out the door to lunch.

I'm sure at this point you're wondering "where does the criminal part come in?". Well, enter Hayden, the clepto. That's right, we sat down to lunch at our favorite Chinese food place and Hayden proceeds to remove from his pocket an ignition switch. Craig realized right away that this came from the store!! We had to take it from him and explain that he can't put things in his pocket unless they have been paid for. I'm sure he understood about as much as any 2 year old would. So, after lunch, we headed back to Harbor Freight and returned the switch. I sure hope he doesn't do anything like that at Wal-Mart. They might cart me off the jail!

Jennings Family Cruise

From August 17-August 22, we took a family cruise with Craig's family. His father, step-mother, brother and sister-in-law and their two sons all went too Along with his Aunt and Uncle. It was so much fun. I have many pictures. In fact I took 366, but I will spare you and only put a few on for all to see. Our cruise was to Progresso Mexico and Cozumel. It was so relaxing and so great to be away for a little while. Hayden had a blast and loved the big "boat". It was a little overwhelming for him at the ocean at first, but he loved playing in the sand.

The "fun ship" slide on the Lido deck

The elevators in the main lobby "empress deck"

The family at Progresso.

Uncle Chris, Michael, Matthew and Hayden at Progresso Beach

Hayden and Daddy at Cozumel.

Hayden's name in the sand. It took 20 minutes

to get this shot because everytime I finished the water

washed it away! So worth it though.

Hayden waiting for the Build-a-Bear workshop!

Hayden's Build-a-Bear dog "Pooh".

He came with a Super Dog and firedog costume.

Waiting our turn to disembark to Galveston.

The cruise is over. It was so much fun.

Do you ever have one of those weeks or months?

I will have to make a series of posts because SO much has happened in the last few weeks that I have been without my computer. In one week's time my computer got zapped by lightening, our dryer quit, we thought our air conditioner was going out and something mechanical on the riding lawn mower broke. That alone meant that we had grass up to our knees until SEARS was able to get the parts to us and Craig was home long enough to repair the mower. Good thing we live in the country and are over 500 feet from the road. The pasture hides the front yard really well.

But all is on the mend now and as of tonight, I have a working computer, thanks to our good friend Theo! He's a lifesaver. He still had all our old files from the last time he worked on our computer and we didn't lose ANY pictures!!! It would have been devistating since all the pictures of Hayden are on it, with the exception of the few disks I have made.

Overall, things are getting back to normal. And I am finally able to join the land of the well connected and just be able to check my email on a regular basis. I had no idea how hooked I was on this darn thing.

So stay tuned, if you want, to my upcoming posts!