He enjoyed flinging sand everywhere!
Playing in the sand with big sister!
I didn't realize when I took this picture that they were holding hands :)
Cousin Jacob had lots of fun too!
Wednesday, July 27, 2011
(Almost) Worldess Wednesday
Enjoy some photos from James' first ever trip to the beach!
Checking out the seaweed!
He enjoyed flinging sand everywhere!
Playing in the sand with big sister!
I didn't realize when I took this picture that they were holding hands :)
Cousin Jacob had lots of fun too!
He enjoyed flinging sand everywhere!
Playing in the sand with big sister!
I didn't realize when I took this picture that they were holding hands :)
Cousin Jacob had lots of fun too!
Tuesday, July 26, 2011
Reflections
Gulf Shores, AL
July 2008
James, 23 months
Panama City Beach, FL
July 2011
It's funny how much time changes things. I can barely recall those moments of infancy with Gracie anymore. I remember things we did and stuff that has happened along the way, but the memories of her as a newborn have slowly begun to fade for me.
And then I look at James, and it was like he was a newborn yesterday. And I blinked and skipped ahead to almost two years old. I had alot of time to reflect on this short-lived beach trip. I've had lots of time to reflect over the last month or so about how precious life is. And how important some things are. And others that aren't.
God blessed me with these two little angels to love and care for while they are here with me. And I never knew the road to parenthood could take you through so many bumps, bruises, tears, laughs...the list could just keep going. I am sure that as they grow, more words will be added to that list.
I had time to reflect on this mini-vacation. I had time to look both of my babies in the face and tell them how much I loved them. I got to snuggle with them under the blankets of a cozy hotel bed. I got to feel little fingers curling around mine while we tromped through the sands of the beach.
I watched him sling dirt at the beach.
I watched her try to show me that she could swim.
We listened to loud music in the car.
We ate more than one donut for breakfast.
We stayed up past our (regularly scheduled) bedtime.
We got to sleep in.
Watched James grin when he got to drink Coke from a straw.
Cheered for Gracie when she tried her first (fried) oyster.
Sometimes it's good to be the Mom who is in charge, who gets to be The Boss, who gets to say "Because I said so!!!"
Then there are other times, like this weekend, where just being with these two precious faces was all I wanted to do. And being laid-back Mom who let them get away with things and wasn't as concerned with schedules and routines as always, just wanted to enjoy some time away.
To reflect.
Sunday, July 24, 2011
Panama City Beach
We had an awesome time on our trip! The kids are sleeping, everything is unpacked, and I am exhausted. I promise to post more pictures and stories in the next few days!
Tuesday, July 12, 2011
1:57 AM
1:57 AM. Sunday, June 19, 2011. Father's Day.
I heard my cell phone going off to my Bruno Mar's "Grenade" ringtone.
The person who was calling was a friend who used to work with me. Before I even answered the phone, I was still half alseep and trying to figure out why he was calling me at this hour.
What unfolded over the next two and a half hours was probably the worst nightmare I sometimes feel like I'm still trapped in.
He was calling to tell me that Lance, a friend of ours who worked as produce manager at Winn-Dixie, had been killed in a car accident.
And I thought he was joking. Leave it to Lance to pull a prank like that. I half expected to hear him dying of laughter in the background as my friend continued to repeat himself, over and over. And it still wasn't sinking in.
And then all the questions started pouring out of me, trying to make sense as my children slept safe and sound in their beds, of what had happened to my friend.
Just after 11pm on Saturday, June 18th, Lance was involved in a violent car accident not far from his home. He was actually on his way home when the accident happened. The details of the accident are still somewhat uncertain, and because there might be a criminal trial I don't want to speculate or post inaccurate information.
Lance and I had spent countless lunch hours together. Alot of times with another co-worker, and then often times just the two of us. Those were probably the times that Lance and I really got to know each other. His favorite place to go (when it was just the two of us) was Ding How in Prattville. We even had a conversation once that if heaven had a buffet line, Ding How's sesame chicken would be on it! If you've never tried it, you should!
That day was a complete blur for me, probably because not only was I dealing with all of these emotions at once but every single time I tried to lay down and sleep I just couldn't. Or my cell phone was going on.
Walking back into work Monday morning was more than excrutiating. Not just for me, but for the rest of my co-workers. These were people who saw Lance on a daily basis. Worked with him, talked with him, laughed with him. We all pulled together to put up a small memorial at work.
I have tried my hardest in the last several weeks to deal with this loss and my grief the best way that I know how. Out of this horrible loss, I have watched a brand new friendship blossom. If it even seems possible, some work relationships have become closer. I have had people that I look up to and respect encourage me to deal with my feelings the best that I can. To not force myself to do anything I'm not ready to. And to understand that while this pain will be with me the rest of my life, that time will make it easier to deal with.
It has been hard to hear people say that he's in a better place, that I will see him again one day, or that this was part of God's will. Not because I don't understand that, because I do. It has been in dealing with the human side of grieving for a friend and co-worker that I won't see again in this lifetime. With trying to make sense and understand what happened, even if it is never explained in a way that I can understand. To put my misplaced anger and frustration into something positive. And to really and truly, honestly understand that this kind of suffering only brings us closer to God. And closer to each other.
There is so much that I will take away from this loss, the majority of it being positive. I believe with all my heart that there was a reason why God put Lance Martin in my path. And I have shared that reason with several people. Lance and I never had a conversation about what kind of friends we were to each other, but hearing the words his mother whispered to me the night of his viewing, I am for certain that Lance and I we were friends. My biggest regret is never telling him how much his friendship meant to me.
There are still days that are terribly hard, and some that seem so easy. Sometimes I have a Lance moment where something or someone reminds me of him. Lance was always smiling, joking, and laughing. I don't think there was a time that I knew him where he was ever serious about anything. He enjoyed life. He cared about people. And his death has changed so many people for the better.
The video below was put together by Lance's family (his sister, Alyssa) and was played during the viewing and funeral services.
I heard my cell phone going off to my Bruno Mar's "Grenade" ringtone.
The person who was calling was a friend who used to work with me. Before I even answered the phone, I was still half alseep and trying to figure out why he was calling me at this hour.
What unfolded over the next two and a half hours was probably the worst nightmare I sometimes feel like I'm still trapped in.
He was calling to tell me that Lance, a friend of ours who worked as produce manager at Winn-Dixie, had been killed in a car accident.
And I thought he was joking. Leave it to Lance to pull a prank like that. I half expected to hear him dying of laughter in the background as my friend continued to repeat himself, over and over. And it still wasn't sinking in.
And then all the questions started pouring out of me, trying to make sense as my children slept safe and sound in their beds, of what had happened to my friend.
Just after 11pm on Saturday, June 18th, Lance was involved in a violent car accident not far from his home. He was actually on his way home when the accident happened. The details of the accident are still somewhat uncertain, and because there might be a criminal trial I don't want to speculate or post inaccurate information.
Lance and I had spent countless lunch hours together. Alot of times with another co-worker, and then often times just the two of us. Those were probably the times that Lance and I really got to know each other. His favorite place to go (when it was just the two of us) was Ding How in Prattville. We even had a conversation once that if heaven had a buffet line, Ding How's sesame chicken would be on it! If you've never tried it, you should!
That day was a complete blur for me, probably because not only was I dealing with all of these emotions at once but every single time I tried to lay down and sleep I just couldn't. Or my cell phone was going on.
Walking back into work Monday morning was more than excrutiating. Not just for me, but for the rest of my co-workers. These were people who saw Lance on a daily basis. Worked with him, talked with him, laughed with him. We all pulled together to put up a small memorial at work.
I have tried my hardest in the last several weeks to deal with this loss and my grief the best way that I know how. Out of this horrible loss, I have watched a brand new friendship blossom. If it even seems possible, some work relationships have become closer. I have had people that I look up to and respect encourage me to deal with my feelings the best that I can. To not force myself to do anything I'm not ready to. And to understand that while this pain will be with me the rest of my life, that time will make it easier to deal with.
It has been hard to hear people say that he's in a better place, that I will see him again one day, or that this was part of God's will. Not because I don't understand that, because I do. It has been in dealing with the human side of grieving for a friend and co-worker that I won't see again in this lifetime. With trying to make sense and understand what happened, even if it is never explained in a way that I can understand. To put my misplaced anger and frustration into something positive. And to really and truly, honestly understand that this kind of suffering only brings us closer to God. And closer to each other.
There is so much that I will take away from this loss, the majority of it being positive. I believe with all my heart that there was a reason why God put Lance Martin in my path. And I have shared that reason with several people. Lance and I never had a conversation about what kind of friends we were to each other, but hearing the words his mother whispered to me the night of his viewing, I am for certain that Lance and I we were friends. My biggest regret is never telling him how much his friendship meant to me.
There are still days that are terribly hard, and some that seem so easy. Sometimes I have a Lance moment where something or someone reminds me of him. Lance was always smiling, joking, and laughing. I don't think there was a time that I knew him where he was ever serious about anything. He enjoyed life. He cared about people. And his death has changed so many people for the better.
The video below was put together by Lance's family (his sister, Alyssa) and was played during the viewing and funeral services.
Sunday, May 8, 2011
Happy Mother's Day!
To my own mother, Cheryl Harvey: HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!! I LOVE YOU!!
This is a post I wrote back on November 20, 2007. I had just learned that my mother was taking a job overseas in Qatar. She had retired from active duty in the Air Force in April 2005.
A mother is the truest friend we have, when trials, heavy and sudden, fall upon us; when adversity takes the place of prosperity; when friends who rejoice with us in our sunshine, desert us when troubles thicken around us, still will she cling to us, and endeavor by her kind precepts and counsels to dissipate the clouds of darkness, and cause peace to return to our hearts.- Washington Irving (1783-1859)
My mother was so excited about being a grandmother than when she retired in April of 2005, she told everybody at her retirement reception that she wasn't going back to work; she was going to be a full-time grandmother. I knew she was excited about being a grandmother, but I never expected the never-ending love and support I got from her not only while I was pregnant, but even the months and leading up to the two years since Gracie has been born.
I remember how terrified I was when Gracie was born and they let us come home from the hospital. Still feeling a little bit in shock, I didn't sleep much the day we came home from the hospital. And my stomach went into knots every single time someone mentioned leaving me alone with the baby. So it was an utter shock to me that first night home when Gracie, screaming and crying, refused to go to sleep and I was physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausted. I called my mom and she came right over, rocking and cuddling Gracie until she went to sleep.
And she was right there when I went back to work, suffering what I consider a mild case of post-partum depression and invited us to spend the night at her house.
My point in this long rambling post is that I don't know where I would be as a mother without my mother. Even before that, going back to when I was little and she had to play dual roles of Mommy and Daddy. I often take for granted the fact that she was always there, constantly, no matter what.
My mother is taking a job overseas for a year. And at first, it really bothered me. Okay well to be totally honest...I'm still not 100% okay with it. But I'm adjusting. I've managed to get Gracie through 2 years of her life without any major scars. And I know in my heart that if my mom had other options she would not willingly miss out on a year of Gracie's life. And I understand that this is a good thing for her and a positive move in terms of finances and everything.
It just sucks I guess. But I'm not going to be depressed about it, I'm going to be excited for what this opportunity means for my mom.
And so I'm dedicating this post on Gracie's blog to her, as a way of wishing her luck and telling her just how much we love and will miss her. And how she'd better check this blog on a daily basis--OR ELSE! :)
When I am down and, oh my soul, so weary;
When troubles come and my heart burdened be;
Then, I am still and wait here in the silence,
Until you come and sit awhile with me.
You raise me up, so I can stand on mountains;
You raise me up, to walk on stormy seas;
I am strong, when I am on your shoulders;
You raise me up: To more than I can be.
Thursday, May 5, 2011
Prayers, please.
I am a nervous wreck.
Tomorrow morning, James and I will be driving to Montgomery Surgical Center so he can have tubes put in his ears.
I am a nervous wreck.
I have had several friends with children who have done this whole procedure (some more than once) and the surgery itself is very short. The longest waiting time is trying to get them relaxed enough with good drugs to go to sleep.
I am a nervous wreck.
My children have never had to be hospitalized for anything other than their birth. And he won't even be at the hospital, he'll be at the surgical center. But Gracie never had tubes. So Friday morning I will be walking through that whole "First Time Parent" game when it comes to tubes.
I am asking you to pray for James during the surgery. I have heard loads of good things about tubes and how he will be a completely different child (healthwise) after the surgery.
But can I ask you to say a small prayer for me? Pray that God will show me that this is just a simple little procedure and nothing for me to worry about. And that I don't need to be a nervous wreck.
Because let's face it, folks:
I am a nervous wreck.
Wednesday, May 4, 2011
An update: Decisions
Okay so almost one week ago, I declared and then opened up the blogosphere (all three of you that read my blog) about turning off the TV.
I have good news to report! We have managed to cut way back!
I promise to post pictures soon of some of our non-television related endeavors. I am very proud of some of the ideas I came up with. Some all on my own and then some with the assistance of others.
Gracie seems to enjoy finding other ways to occupy our time and even makes comments to other people about how "We don't watch alot of TV anymore!"
Although I was dreading trying to pull this off in the beginning I am very proud that we have scaled way back. Sunday afternoon we went to my dad's in Marbury and we did watch Wizard of Oz. We also watched American Idol (Gracie was happy they sent Casey Abrams home). And I couldn't let the entire weekend go by without catching a glimpse of some of the Royal Wedding!
Pictures and updates to come!
I have good news to report! We have managed to cut way back!
I promise to post pictures soon of some of our non-television related endeavors. I am very proud of some of the ideas I came up with. Some all on my own and then some with the assistance of others.
Gracie seems to enjoy finding other ways to occupy our time and even makes comments to other people about how "We don't watch alot of TV anymore!"
Although I was dreading trying to pull this off in the beginning I am very proud that we have scaled way back. Sunday afternoon we went to my dad's in Marbury and we did watch Wizard of Oz. We also watched American Idol (Gracie was happy they sent Casey Abrams home). And I couldn't let the entire weekend go by without catching a glimpse of some of the Royal Wedding!
Pictures and updates to come!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
