Whew!

...By the skin of my teeth I managed to whip up one last insightful and informative super scattered post on this the last day of 2008!

I can't believe it's been a week and a half since I last blogged!

I have been BUSY BUSY! .....and then I was TIRED TIRED!

We had an awesome Christmas this year! Carter is at such a fun age! We read a couple of Advent storybooks in the month or so before Christmas and got him a Little People nativity , which he adores! He loves baby Jesus, but he isn't too sure yet about having "Jesus in his heart". He always grabs his chest when that is mentioned, like he thinks it might hurt to have somebody in there.

He is just figuring the whole "Santa" process out and has decided that Santa is a pretty darn cool guy! I have to agree since Santa and his very tired elves stayed up VERY late Christmas Eve putting together a train table and about 750 feet of wooden track (not really 750, but it seemed like it...UGH!) It was totally worth it though! The look on Carter's face on Christmas morning when he sleepily wandered into the living room is one I hope that will be forever tucked away in my mind. It was one of sheer joy and excitement and "OHHH MY GOODNESS SANTA REALLY DID COME!".......It was priceless to say the very least!

He did get other things from Santa, but it took several hours before he moved from the train. Lilah certainly got her share of loot, but she was perfectly content sitting by her brother and clapping for him as he squealed with delight at each new discovery!


We hosted 4 Christmas functions at our house this year and I have discovered that I actually enjoy it....when I'm not pregnant (like I have been for two of the last few years)! Carter loves it because as far as he's concerned everyone has come just to see him! We had Kyle's mom's side of the family here at lunch time on Christmas Eve, which was a new one for us to have here, but I hope it will become a tradition because we had a blast! Everyone came except a few, which is fantastic! I know Grandpa Smith would have been thrilled!

Somebody brought an American Idol game and we sang and laughed until we cried! The best part is when the judges, including Simon, critique your performance. Kyle's cousin Joe sang his own version of "She Bangs", and well, let's just say William Hung would be Oh so proud!.....and you can bet "Simon" didn't hold back! He couldn't have been too bad though. I know that because we discovered that when the judges determine you are too terrible to go on, they WILL stop the song and proceed to inform you in no uncertain terms just how bad of a performer you really are.

....I think a certain football coach who is married to Kyle's first cousin may well be scarred for life over that one. Sorry, Rob. I really didn't mean to laugh THAT hard!!

Christmas Eve night we go to my dad's and there are lots of little ones which makes it so fun! Then Christmas night at my Grandmothers.Lots of little ones there too! At one point I peeked around the corner to see my Grandmother sitting on her bed surrounded by several of her great grandchildren. I am so thankful I had my camera! It was such a sweet sight! It reminded me of when I was a little girl, and all of her grandchildren(there are 9 of us all within 5 years of each other) would do the same thing. It sure made me miss my grandaddy though.

Then the next morning I woke up with a terrible case of Christmas decoration induced claustrophobia.

I could not get those decorations down and packed away fast enough!

I really wish I could be one of those people who wait until New Years to take everything down, but by the day after Christmas....IT. MUST. GO! It's like that every year. Kyle has come to expect it, and basically stays out of the way, but poor little Carter! He apparently thought the decorations were here to stay because when I started taking the tree down he was devastated. He tried his best to convince me that the tree needed to stay up! I finally told him that Santa said it was time for us to take it down since Christmas was over and well, since he now thinks Santa is "all that", he was in his own little "take down" mode and ready to help.

It's a good thing I know Santa so well.

Carter may not be so fond of Santa after a few weeks though. I have a feeling he's going to have a hard time staying off the "naughty" list in the coming year. I'll leave you with why I feel that way....

This afternoon we were standing in the checkout line in a seriously overcrowded Walmart when Carter says in his loudest "detective" voice while pointing to a rather scruffy looking man standing in the line next to us (like 2 feet away and looking directly at us) "MOM!! IS HE A BAD GUY??"

Did I mention that he was POINTING?? arm-stretched-out kind of pointing?? and talking so very loud??

I think we may have watched Home Alone a few too many times this Christmas season. He thinks Kevin is his BFF and apparently he is on the lookout for bad guys.

I hope you have had a wonderful Christmas season! I hope that you got to spend time with family, friends, and most of all with God this year. I have been reading a couple of great books in the past few weeks that have really inspired me and given me new insights into my walk with Christ. I hope to share more about that tomorrow and in the days to come.

As I always seem to do on New Year's Eve I spent today thinking about the past year. Of course the thing that stands out most is April 2. Our sweet Lilah was born! I couldn't have imagined a more perfect baby....or a more perfect big brother! One of my greatest joys has been to watch them love each other so very much!

Also I rejoiced with my neice, Rachel as she was saved and baptized this summer and then with my nephew Matthew as he was saved a couple of weeks ago, and then baptized just this past Sunday! Praise the Lord for the sweet peace that brings!

This year hasn't been without sadness though. We said goodbye to Jill in January. Carter still remembers her singing the Barney song to him and going to see her in the hospital. I know her beautiful voice sings in the heavenly choir, but my heart still aches for her family, for her son....and for her two sisters who are both now pregnant. I know they must miss their big sister terribly!

I saw Derick's mom & dad Christmas shopping last week and my heart broke for them.....and for his baby girl who will be born soon. She will never meet her daddy.

We certainly miss Grandpa Smith too. Thanksgiving and Christmas Eve weren't the same without him in his big blue recliner. His kids are going through the process of dividing everything up and we feel so blessed that Kyle's mom gave us a sofa table, where he kept tons and tons of pictures of grandchildren, and this big beautiful chair that sat in the bedroom he used to share with Kyle's grandmother. I have always loved that chair, and couldn't believe it when I asked about it and found that nobody else wanted it! We plan on putting it beside the chair I got from my grandmother which is now our "reading chair".

I am so thankful for all of these people, those still here on earth and those who have gone, for the way they have each touched my life. I pray that I will be the person God expects me to be in the coming year, and that I will never forget that I am here to give Him glory. Period. Doesn't that put things into perspective? It sure does for me!

I plan on participating in Laurel's New Year's Meditations this week where participants will share things like what they would like to see God do in their life, how would they like to see Him move, how can we/I become closer to Him.
I look forward to sharing and reading the desires of others and being blessed! What an amazing way to start a new year! Please head on over and join Laurel in greeting this new year God has given us!

Didn't I say I was "leaving" like 7 or 8 paragraphs ago? Okay...really going now! Right after I tell you that I looked back to see what I wrote last New Years Eve and realized that I hadn't wrote since December 21 then either! How's that for a weird coincidence?

Happy New Year!!!

"Grow Some Up"....

"Lilah needs to grow some hair up".


"Lilah needs to grow some teeth up."


These are the words of the wise one.

Yes. Carter.

Well after being grumpy and fussy and one serious Mama's girl for the last few days, Lilah finally grew up some teeth.

Well, one tooth.

It just came through yesterday.

I don't think Carter could have been more excited about Lilah "growing up some teeth"!

Wonder how long before she uses it on him?

Anna Noelle

Please join me as I pray for beautiful sweet Anna Noelle, who is only a few days old, and her mom and family! Amy is one of the bloggers I started reading a couple of years ago and have gotten to know her and her family well via blog since that time!

Please join me in praying for them and drop by and give this scared mommy some encouragement today. Would you please do that for me? Click HERE to visit Amy's blog.


Thank you all so much!!

fPhoto Friday

Camera: Canon XSi
Settings:f/1.8 ISO 1600
Location: Our Dining Room

My mother taught so many people how to play on this very piano. My grandfather bought it for her when she was 3. There are pictures of my sister and I doing almost exactly what my own children are doing in this picture. It warms my heart to now have this piano be a part of their lives as it always has been such a big part of my own.

I know my grandfather must have smiled in heaven when he saw this scene.

For more fPhoto Friday, visit Natalie. Thanks for hosting, Natalie!

No News....good news?

....I seriously think I may have to ban TV from my house. Tonight my husband, children, & myself were sitting in our living room, my husband and I were having a conversation and the news was on. World news, I believe.

I was faintly listening to words here and there but obviously Carter was paying attention because as he was pushing his tractors on the ottoman he said:

"S#x Tape.....(short pause) S#x Tape....(another pause) S#x Tape"

ummmmm..... WHAT!?!?

Kyle & I just stared at each other in complete shock and disbelief.

Is this really newsworthy?

Top Stories: War, Rumors of War, Earthquakes in diverse places, S#x Tape???

I am pretty sure every single American could live without knowing THAT!

disclaimer: I also wanted this situation documented due to the simple fact that I have no doubt this phrase will come out of my baby's mouth again.

I have an idea of when that might possibly happen:
1.Sunday School. 2. Awana. 3. During Church. 4. At his Maw Maw's. 5.At the dinner table during one of the 15 or so Christmas get-togethers we'll be attending over the next weeks. 6. In the Walmart check out line when I already look like the "Mom of the Year".

Oh yeah. I know it's coming.

UGH!!

You have been warned.

Christmas Tour Of Homes 2008

Merry Christmas to you! Thank you for visiting my home. I know you probably have lots'o'visitin' to do, so I'll get right down to business!


Front door. Our house can't be seen from the road so I don't do alot of decorating outside. For my own personal holiday pleasure, I hang green wreaths on the windows with red bows, and this wreath & real-live-i sawed-them-down-myself-in-the-pasture evergreen trees. (p.s. If you don't know it, they have thorns! Lots of them! It's been two weeks and my arms are just now starting to look somewhat normal again!)

The Mantle. Carter loves the Nutcrackers. I love that he calls them Robutts. (robots)

Tree. It's pre lit with white, but when my little boy was born I added colored strands and bubble lights for color. He loves it. I can stand it.

I'm bottling Christmas this year. Think I can preserve the "magic" all year?

My Favorites! These new additions remind me of the ones my Grandmother used to make by hand in her ceramic shop while my sister and I played in the ceramic mud for hours.

Dining room. More hand sawed by me evergreens. More sore hands. Worth it though. My sweet little Carter loves it! Trees & lights everywhere!

A little closer view. I made the snowflakes on the wall. I'll give ya a nickel if you can guess how!

I've been doing this the past few years. It dims the light a bit, but it's worth eating in the dark for the effect....at least I think it is. Hubs notsomuch!

Our favorite reading chair. We are reading The ADVENTure of Christmas & Advent Storybook: 24 Stories to share before Christmas right now. It warms my heart to read to my babies by candle and Christmas tree light while sharing with them the true meaning of Christmas.

Carter's "Favorite tree"...seriously, do you know how many thorns I have for this one to be your "favorite"??Snow fabric...I'm using this as well as white satin fabric for that "snow" effect this year. I tried the cottony snow-in-a-bag, but it looked to bulky for what I wanted.

Bubble lights. Remind me of my Grandmother's tree.

My "favorite" decorations this year (and every year). Saw a "Believe" frame somewhere and decided I could do it for free with red paper, exacto knife, and this years Christmas pics...which I also took! I'm alll about some free decor!

...and just when you thought my house couldn't get any tackier for Christmas. Yes, I did. I put decorations in the bathroom.

I hope you enjoyed touring "The Farm". I can't wait to see the beautiful decorations from the rest of the tour!

To participate or just to partake in the Christmas Tour Of Homes, visit BooMama!

Merry Christmas!

fPhoto Friday

This is my pastor. He was being silly Wednesday night at church, and I graciously cropped his wife, who was laughing...and eating, out of the pic.......but!

......doesn't this picture just scream for a Biblical caption? Such as: "Go ye into all the world and teach the gospel to every creature." Mark 16:15.

What caption do you think fits?

Camera: Canon XSi
Setting: f/4, 1/64, ISO 400

Weather Call Calling....

...I hate severe weather.

I always have but that has reached new heights with the birth of my children. The Lord may well have delayed my having children due to the fact that I would never have survived a tornado season with children in a mobile home. Not Ever. I would have had a mental breakdown. I. Am. Serious.

....and I found out I was pregnant with Carter exactly 1 week before we moved into our new house. I'm just sayin'.

I grew up with a basement, and a weather aware dad who would wake us and send us down to the basement then go back up and watch the weather from the carport himself. Have I ever told you how much I love my dad? At 21 I married a fellow 21 year old who could, and still can, sleep through a hail storm, which in a mobile home sounds like a gunfight with you being the target. Needless to say, this was a major adjustment for me during severe weather.

I had every possible storm shelter mapped out carefully. Everything from the tile in the creek (which I can stand up in....yes, I checked!), to the neighbors houses, to the fire department about a mile away. The fire department turned out to be the best bet when we had adequate warning and you better believe I have woke my poor husband many times to haul ourselves to the shelter of that fire department building during severe weather, and once during a hurricane.

He probably wouldn't have went with me a few times if he hadn't been afraid I might get on the fire department or the sheriff department satellite radios if he weren't with me. He is always afraid I might bust out my very best "Breaker Breaker 1-9,...You Got them ears on?" over his fire radio. What can I say. He knows me well.

Anyway....this started out as a short, informative post and has festered into....well, this wealth of knowledge about me that I'm sure you could have all done just fine without today.

Weathercall from the National Weather Service.

In warning situations, mainly tornado, but you can pick which ones, they actually CALL you based on your street address. You can pick up to 3 phone numbers and 3 email addys (all cell phones have an email addy....FYI). It's $6.95 per year. Very well worth it if, like us, your weather radio can get turned off sometimes without your even knowing about it.

They also have gift certificates! Just in time for Christmas! Oh, and to my family...don't even bother....I already got GG one! Seriously, what a great gift idea for the one who has everything!

"Dish Di-ver"

I can't tell you how many times this commercial has cracked me up!.....ALL-MOST as many times as I have cringed during George W's speeches......Poor guy, but you have to admit, Frank has him down pat!

Can't wait to see how ol' Frank is gonna pull off Obama!

Oh, and if you don't have Dish it's actually Dish D.V.R...not Di-ver...LOL


if you're wondering why post this now, it was inspired by THIS pic from CNN this morning.....for some reason his expression just reminded me of the word "pause".



disclaimer: Not by any means endorsing Frank Caliendo.....all I know of his comedy are his impressions of Clinton & Bush.

Dear Eric,

Dear Eric,

Last Sunday morning your grandfather sat on the other end of our pew at church and your mom & dad sat in front of us. Carter ran his trucks into your paw paw so many times I just knew he'd smack him any second. Once, Tim turned around just in time to catch him flipping through a song book and whispering (loudly) "I'm reading my Bible, Mom.". Tim smiled and turned back around and in that moment I remembered how you used to sit with your parents often, in front of, behind, or on the same pew with us, and grin that mischievous grin of yours while you watched Carter's many antics during church.

Then I remembered what day it was.

November 30.

Before I could stop it my next thought was, "One year ago today was your last day here on earth." I couldn't stop the tears either. My goodness, I miss you.

After church we went to a birthday party in Center. I don't know another way to go, or I would have taken it, but I don't. On the way home, in the pouring rain, I passed a small white cross on the side of the interstate. I could barely breathe as I read your name on that cross. "A year ago tonight...." I kept thinking it over and over.

You, and all of "our" boys in the youth class came in to our lives at such a perfect time. Just when we were experiencing grief and sadness, you were all there to love us through....(and dunk us at Whitewater, and roll our yard with a potato gun in the rain, and give us sweaty hugs after every football game, and rescue me from the currents while whitewater rafting ...*thank you, A.J. for that one! Whew!* not to even mention dirt bike & 4 wheeler rides! ) We could never thank any of you enough for sharing such a special time in your lives with us. I miss those Wednesday nights terribly.

I will never forget that phone call early that Saturday morning. I will never forget when I ran into the church early that morning and into your Mother's arms, hearing the sounds of grief coming from that Holy place. Not ever.

You would be so proud of them, Eric. They haven't forgotten you....not at all, but they have relied on God and their family....and their church to get them through this year. I know this would make you so happy! I couldn't count the times you told me how much you wished they would come to church with you. I'm so grateful you got to see that prayer answered! We sat on your couch last week talking about the upcoming anniversary and the tribute your mom had written. When I got home later that night, I thought about all of your requests and how they are still being answered....even after you are gone.

Today, December 5, you would have been 21. I know the celebrations in heaven far surpass any earthly comparison. I know you've had a wonderful day. While we still miss you beyond any words we could speak, I have peace in knowing that I will see you again in our eternal home. The angel you gave me that first Christmas you came to church sits on the mantel where I can see it and think of you and that promise every day.

Until we meet again we'll "Keep on keepin' on"

Love,

"Miss" Deedra

fPhoto Friday

Canon Rebel XSI
Iso 800
Aperture f/4.6
SS 1/16

For more fPhoto Friday visit Married To The Preacher...

Picture Perfect Gift Ideas..

Digital Photo Frames are a great way to gift those hard to buy for people on your list! (Click HERE to keep reading)


Also, don't forget to register for the Wii giveaway while you're over there!

Lilah takes a bite out of Christmas....

Look at the pretty Christmas tree...

Taste of the pretty bubble light....

Ah man!...Busted by Big Brother....

Just wait...He has to sleep sometime! I'll be back bubble light!

p.s....the light didn't make it to her mouth, I had my hand on the walker as I snapped the pic!

MckAwesome McGiveway!

MckMama is hosting an awesome giveaway/raffle for the next few days called "Rebel For A Cause" she is going to be giving away a Canon Digital Rebel XSI 12.2 Megapixel camera TWO lenses, camera bag and MUCH more! Hurry on over for more details!

I will tell you that I just snagged this camera for myself a month or so ago and while I am still learning about it....it is an awesome camera!!

disclaimer:...just because I already have one doesn't mean I didn't almost break my neck to enter! I would love to have the extras she is giving away with it, and pass the camera on to someone else I know who would also love it!

Click HERE To enter now!!

I'm Dreaming of a......

White Christmas? Doubtful, but that remains to be seen. At least we kicked December off with a rare treat.....snow!

Carter was most upset at the beautiful white snow blanketing his precious 4 wheeler that someone named Dad left outside...





Speaking of Rambo, anyone wanna guess how long the 9 Foot Christmas tree was up before he knocked it to the floor?

About an hour. Probably less, actually.

I was on the phone with my sister when I heard it crash to the floor. The next thing I heard was Carter's desperate voice saying, "Mom, PLEASE GET ME OUT OF HERE!"

The tree trapped him in the corner when it toppled over. The little stinker better be glad I hadn't decorated it yet! Funny thing is, I know exactly what happened.

As soon as I had it standing and plugged in the lights he said, "Where's Santa?" I told him Santa wouldn't be here for a few weeks. That didn't satisfy him because as I was unrolling more lights (tree is prelit with white, but I love to add colored ones and bubble lights and have a zillion lights!) he kept lying on his tummy under the tree and looking for him. I'm sure he was crawling around underneath it looking for Santa when he knocked it over.


This morning to get us in the spirit for decorating, I put the Rudolph shirt on him that he wore last year. Thankfully it still fits and the nose still lights up! He was tickled with it until a thought obviously struck him. I could see by his expression that he was pondering something very serious.

"Mom, I don't want this deer to pee on my shirt!"


Well, that makes two of us!.....LOL!


This promises to be a fun...and funny, holiday season!

"Rolllll Eagle!"

For the ones of you who don't live in Alabama, or near it, you may not know that today is the Iron Bowl. This is the day each year that Alabama and Auburn meet up to fight it out in what is commonly dubbed "the game of the year" with the winning team winning bragging rights for the next year. (although I haven't really heard much bragging among anyone other than grade schoolers in years)

Anyway, I am not exactly a die hard, dress up in team colors, go to every game, decorate my home and car kind of fan, and I generally pull for both Alabama & Auburn throughout the year..... except in this game. I want Auburn to win. Mainly because many Bama fans tend to bear a striking resemblance to a certain team a bit north of here who wear orange and white, as far as the level of obnoxiousness goes, when things are good in T' town.

As most of you know, Auburn has won for the past 6 years (maybe that's why there has been no grade school type bragging? hmmm...not sure.) which leads me to my point. See that picture above? That's from Channel 19. I generally watch that station for news and have seen that picture along with hearing the bone jarring voice that says "Iron Bowl 2008, Perfection vs. Redemption" at least a thousand times in the past week or so. While I know that it's referring to the far less than perfect season that Auburn has had and the perfect season (as far as wins at least, not perfect performance by any means) Alabama has had so far this year, it's still really annoying.

As far as facts go, Auburn has actually won the "Iron Bowl" more times than Alabama has and has had multiple winning seasons over the past several years while Bama has performed far less than perfect for quite some time now, at least until this year. One bad season and AU is seeking redemption? Riding Tuberville out on a rail? Please!

Anyway, whoever wins today's game, I'm pretty sure I'll not loose any sleep over it. Carter and I usually spend our time in front of the TV on game day watching for Uncle Chris & Aunt Crystal on TV at the game....we'll be watching for Uncle Chris today wearing his Crimson & White (and you know we'll find him in 100,000+ people!)

I thought about dressing Carter in his Bear Bryant hat and his Auburn shirt...lol! We have said both "Roll Tide" and "War Eagle" so many times this year, he's adapted his own shortened version of both now, which his dad, grandparents and everyone else of "Tide" descent just love ...I'll leave you with it...

"Rollllll Eagle!!"


That's my boy!

fPhoto Friday

Due to my lack of time spent visiting blogs lately, I just stumbled across fPhoto Friday on Natalie's blog this week, and knew this was most certainly a meme' for me! My family & friends will attest to the fact that I am never ever ever caught without a camera close at hand! (especially my husbands family who aren't quite as camera crazy as my family happens to be.) Any time my family gets together there are flashes galore and we are always trying to decide who's Canon is who's. We blame this in part on the baby explosion we have had going on for the past couple of years. There is just too much cuteness for one person to capture! (I hope this isn't a wordless meme...I don't do wordless so well!)

Okay, so back to the pics for today. This is Carter and my sweet niece, Maggie last night. It looks like they are plotting something....(note Carters gun on his side, and Maggie's purse)

He is shhh'ing her! I'm not sure how long Miss Maggie will tolerate this from him!


A super sweet sing a long! Camera: Canon XSi
Setting: I have no idea I changed them about a million times yesterday :)

For more fPhoto Friday, visit Natalie at Married to The Preacher! What a fun idea Natalie, thanks for hosting!

Thankful....

though we prayed for so many years...

though we agonized through devastating losses...

though we wondered, "will it ever happen for us?"....

Never in our wildest dreams did we imagine how God would show out when blessing us and answering our prayers....





Thankful doesn't begin to express our gratitude to Him....

I am also thankful for the opportunity to participate in Cardboard Testimonies this past week at our church. Though my baby was sick, God wouldn't let me stay home (Dad stayed home with the babies). I couldn't decide exactly what to write on my card, but God showed me many times that I had been blessed with these two babies for a reason.....and I had better share my testimony. If you ever have an opportunity to participate or to witness a program such as Cardboard testimonies do it. Thank you Cheryl for bringing this to our church family.

I was blessed beyond measure on Sunday.

I am blessed beyond measure every day.

Happy Thanksgiving to you all!

Update! A bit better!

First of all, thank you all so much for all of the comments, emails, texts, calls, and most importantly PRAYERS over these past several days! Carter seems to be feeling better this morning, and while he still has a temp, it's only 101.3 which is much better than the 104+ it has been for the past few days!

To update everyone on what's been going on since Thursday: We went back to the Dr Friday and they basically repeated everything they did on Thursday except they added some fluids via the IV to try to keep him from getting dehydrated. The blood culture that they drew on Thursday wasn't growing anything at last check, which is good, hopefully whatever this is is viral and not bacterial. The poor baby has been checked for everything from a spider bite ( I killed a black widow outside the garage a few days ago...second one in a couple of months!) to pneumonia to Rocky Mountain Spotted Fever (we pretty much live in the woods, therefore there are ticks in this area) and Roseiola (aka German Measles...Kyle's 1st cousin died from this as an infant several years ago).

I am a "fact checker" and went in that office every time with a list of questions complete with symptoms, times of temps taken, meds given, poops, pees and everything that went into or came out of his mouth......I'm pretty sure they knew that I wasn't going to be happy with an answer such as "it may just be a virus". I hope it is just a virus, but don't think for a minute we're going to wait around for a week to find out without checking when I know my baby, and I KNOW this isn't normal for him. Thank goodness Dr. Jeanie felt the same way! The minute she walked by our room and saw Carter limp in my arms, she came in and started checking him out.

He usually enters the office saying, "Doooctor Jeeeanie?!!!" and proceeds to go all the way to the end of the hall, around the corner and down another hall and right to her office....every time! I have apologized many times for this but she assures me she adores him and loves the fact that he remembers her name, and loves her as much as she does.

Anyway, late Friday night he broke out in a horrible rash and when I called the doc on call, they said that with everything else he had going on we should bring him in to the ER. We are new at this. So new that when I dozed off on the ride up there (no sleep in 2 days will do that), I woke up and noticed we were going the wrong way. "Where are you going?!!" I asked my equally exhausted husband. "To the hospital!!" He was going to the hospital where our babies were delivered....not to Childrens! Thankfully, we could still take another exit and get there pretty quick! When the triage nurse noticed who our pediatrician was she said, "she's actually working the ER tonight, let me see if she's still here!" Thankfully, she was! At this point, I doubt Carter would have let anyone else come near him!

Dr Jeanie believes the rash is an allergic reaction to the antibiotic. I think she is probably right. Both times I have had a Csection I have had a horrible reaction to the spinal block. My face is blotchy and red, and ITCHY BEYOND BELIEF! My lips swell and my nose is a lovely cross between Rudolph and a very large potato. Nice. Carter looked a lot like this.

After more tests we got to come home, but they still wanted to check him in the office later that day....Saturday. (they are OPEN, imagine that!) She didn't give him more antibiotics due to the reaction, but did give fluids and called to check on him later that evening and again yesterday.

I am supposed to call them with an update this morning and then we'll go from there, but I am really hopeful! He seems to be feeling a little better and fever is down some, so maybe whatever this nasty stuff is has run it's course!....and maybe Lilah won't partake of it!

Thank you all again so much for your prayers & well wishes!

I'll leave you with a pic of Carter as he enjoyed Alvin & The Chipmunks yesterday. He didn't dance along with the music as he usually does, but he did manage to hold his head up for most of the movie, which is a definite improvement!

...and Lilah would like to say, she will also be glad when her big brother is feeling better! His sickness is making her a bit grumpy!

Please.....

I have another prayer request for another precious baby.....mine! Yesterday Carter started the day off fine, then all of the sudden something hit him like a truck. No runny nose, no congestion, no nausea...nothing! He went from being fine to barely able to hold his head up. His temperature has been 104+ multiple times.

We were sitting at Dr Jeanie's office this morning when they opened at 8am and they rushed him in drew some blood and sent us for a chest xray after finding that his white blood cell count was real high. When we got back to the office they started an IV and gave him antibiotics and then a shot and told us to come back tomorrow for another xray and the results of the blood cultures.

Since leaving the doctors office his fever has stayed at 103-104 degrees even while alternating Tylenol & Motrin. He has been hallucinating on and off. Right now he is sleeping, but if he does that one more time we are going to the ER.

Please say a prayer for him. The nurses were astonished that he is almost 2 and a half and today is the FIRST time he has ever taken antibiotics. We have been so blessed that he doesn't really ever get sick. Now he doesn't know what is happening to him and he is really scared.

So are we.

Pray for this precious baby!

Update! For an update on Landon please go HERE. Thank you all for your prayers!

I waded though the snot (etc) coming from the nose of most every single member of this household to get to my computer to post this. I would have done it earlier but quite honestly have barely lifted my head for days much less stare at a computer screen. This doesn't by any means lesson the urgency of my request though!


My sweet nephew, Landon, 19 months, has been very sick for over a week and has been in the hospital since Friday. He has been so so sick and they have yet to discover exactly what is causing him to be so ill. Please remember Landon when you pray. Also, please remember his parents, Dana & Kevin. I know they are exhausted not to mention very scared at this point.

Please join me as I lift them up in prayer, as well as the doctors, nurses and specialists that they will find what is wrong and get this baby well! Most importantly I pray that Landon feels much better....FAST!

Thankful...

...This morning I am thankful. I am thankful for all the veterans, both present and past, who have sacrificed to make our country, our world a better safer place. My sweet Granddaddy was in the navy, and I shudder as I look at pictures of him at such a frighteningly young age in that uniform and imagine how scared he must have been as they fought in the second World War. I never heard him talk about it. I can only imagine why.

Kyle's Grandpa was an Army man. So was his identical twin brother. I still remember hearing him laugh as he told of how upset his wife would get when she ran out to greet the soldier coming home toward the house, only to be devastated when she realized it wasn't her beloved....but his twin brother. (I am having visions of two other twin pranksters I know...Lord help her!) I am thankful that within my husband's family there is a strong sense of humor, even if often they are laughing at themselves or at one another (in love, of course!).

I am so very thankful that Grandpa Smith passed away in such a peaceful manner in the wee hours of the night last night, surrounded by family. His youngest daughter holding his hand as he passed from this earth to the promised land.

I am thankful that by now he is reunited with his Mattie Lou, with that twin prankster of a brother, and that He has met his savior face to face. I know that he will love on my angel babies the same way he loved on my earthly babies. I know they will get as big a kick out of his contagious laugh/giggle that I always have. We will surely miss that laugh.

You will be missed Grandpa Smith. Thank you for treating me as one of your own. Carter knew that last night you were probably going to heaven to be with Jesus and he waited up, watching you closely. I hope you heard the words he said to you. After you had been gone for a while he climbed up into my lap, pointed to your body and said, "Mom, when Grandpa Smish(that's how he says Smith) going to heaven with Jesus?" I said, "He's already gone, baby." He didn't understand fully, but he was satisfied and finally...hours after his bedtime, fell asleep in my lap.

Until we meet again,.......

"Guess What, Mom?"

....this morning Carter comes running to where I'm changing Lilah and says, "Mom, guess what?"

He says this all the time, only he doesn't always remember that you are supposed to explain the "what". He usually just smiles at you when you say, "what?"....like that's the whole conversation.

Not today. I said, "What?" He said, "There's a rat in there."

huh?!

"A rat?" He nods proudly.

"On TV?"

He vigorously shakes his head no.

"In where?"

"In the cabbbbinet."

I said, "A real rat?! What's it doing?"

"Sitting on the corn, C'mon I'll show ya!" ...and takes off running.

I immediately grab Lilah and take off after him, with visions of nasty rodents grabbing my baby's fingers dancing in my head.

He flings open the pantry doors and pulls out the drawer with canned foods, including corn, in it.

"See mom. A rat sitting on the corn!"




Well, alrighty then. Does anybody know if anyone puts snakes or other rodents, spiders, or amphibians on their packaging? If he ever runs in and tells me there is a snake in the pantry, I might just faint!

I must start paying more attention to the packaging.

Seriously, DelMonte....what is appetizing about a rodent on a can of corn??

ewwww!

Update...

Update on Grandpa 9:39PM Sunday: We have been at the hospital most of the day today and he is still holding on, though there have been several times today when I thought he'd left us. He had a good day yesterday and even ran a lady out of his room when she dared try to shave him during the Alabama game...LOL! We were all really surprised to get the call this morning around 9 that he'd taken a turn for the very worst. He hasn't been alert at all today other than muttering a few times and creasing his brow now and then when talked to.

Most of the time his family was in decent spirits, even managing to laugh at stories....like the ones you all know and love....about Grandpa and the rest of the family. I hope he could hear the laughter and know that we would all be okay,.....but that he will be missed. I hope he heard those moments too.

Also, please remember the Jolley family. Their sweet Mother, grandmother, & great grandmother is not doing well at all. This precious woman is over 100 years old, and it hasn't been but just a few months ago that I saw her kneel in prayer with a lonely soul at the altar! She is truly a pillar in our community and she is the very definition of a Godly servant. My prayers go out to her and that family tonight, that she wouldn't suffer and would feel the very love surrounding her that she has offered to everyone she meets in her time on this earth....always,...always...with a smile!

Fallin' For Fall!

Fall is my Favorite time of year! There is no better time to live in out in the country than now. God is really showing off his beauty around here lately! I took every one of these pictures, and about a million more from my driveway. Which happens to be about 1/4 mile long.

I am so blessed to live in an incredibly beautiful place.

p.s....some of these look blurry. I meant for it to be that way, I like the way it looks kind of like a painting. Click the pic if you want to see it bigger.

This is the house across the road....
Tree at the end of my driveway. One day I thought "Man, the sky is gorgeous through those leaves..."

Same tree only a few days later.....



Doesn't this look like a painting?

You're Welcome.:)

p.s....Grandpa is holding his own! Thanks for all the prayers! I'm taking my tweezers with me today to tackle the unibrow. He would kill every one of us if he knew we'd let anyone see him ungroomed. If he is alert and give me any lip, I'm gonna remind him of all the homeade apple butter I've been smuggling to him!