Wednesday, July 30, 2008
Time to Share!!!
Ok, I need everyone's help here. It is time that I get back to cooking on a regular basis. It seems like, for one, that we are never here to eat in, and two, sometimes I dread the thought of having to come up with something to cook for dinner. It seems like I always make the same thing over and over again. Well, that is partly because the hubby won't eat anything that is for one green or does not include the word potato. So, that can make for some boring meals. When we lived in New Mexico, I planned menus for the week and that worked out really well. So, that is what I am going to start doing again. It was nice to always know what to fix or what there was available to fix in the fridge or freezer. I have been reading some wonderful food blogs that I subscribe to and I even came upon a lady from El Paso who blogs about mexican food! A lot of her recipes make me feel at home. So, I have already gathered some new ideas, but I am trying to fill a notebook full of different options. So, if you cook and have favorite recipes (Sherah, Jennifer to name a few!!!!!!!!!!) please share them with me if you get the chance. It would be greatly appreciated. Jennifer I may let you slide since you are moving, but I know you can cook! Thanks for your help!
Sunday, July 27, 2008
Standing alone!
Harper started standing alone the other day. I have some refrigerator magnet toys that she plays with while I am in the kitchen and she was standing up at the frig playing and she just stood there with a toy in each hand playing with them. She stood like that for several seconds! Obviously I don't think she realized what she was doing but it was very exciting for me to see. Later that day she did the same thing expect she was standing up at our ottoman. I say I can't wait till she can walk, but I think my job will even get harder, oh well that is part of the fun!
We had a busy weekend. Friday we went to Universal Studios with a group of kids from the home. It was so fun, but I am dying to go back (maybe in the fall). It was soooo busy that we did not get much done. US has two parks, US and Islands of Adventure. They are probably my favorite of all the parks next to Disney. I highly recommend it to anyone.
Saturday, Eron had a basketball tournament, they won, yea! Harper and I got there late and missed the whole thing, whoops! We went to lunch at Shane's Rib Shack with some people from his team, we had never been there before, it was alright, nothing special! Then we rested up a bit at home and headed to the outlet malls in Orlando. Shopping is always fun but this day was not. It was really hot and so stinkin busy. Think we won't be going back for a long time, after summer definitely. We still managed to leave with a few things.
Today we had church, great sermon! Then we came home, Eron went to play b-ball and Harp and I took a long much needed nap! Tomorrow we are headed to Tallahassee where Eron has a board meeting and Harp and I are going along for the ride. We will be back Tuesday. Hope you all have a great week!
We had a busy weekend. Friday we went to Universal Studios with a group of kids from the home. It was so fun, but I am dying to go back (maybe in the fall). It was soooo busy that we did not get much done. US has two parks, US and Islands of Adventure. They are probably my favorite of all the parks next to Disney. I highly recommend it to anyone.
Saturday, Eron had a basketball tournament, they won, yea! Harper and I got there late and missed the whole thing, whoops! We went to lunch at Shane's Rib Shack with some people from his team, we had never been there before, it was alright, nothing special! Then we rested up a bit at home and headed to the outlet malls in Orlando. Shopping is always fun but this day was not. It was really hot and so stinkin busy. Think we won't be going back for a long time, after summer definitely. We still managed to leave with a few things.
Today we had church, great sermon! Then we came home, Eron went to play b-ball and Harp and I took a long much needed nap! Tomorrow we are headed to Tallahassee where Eron has a board meeting and Harp and I are going along for the ride. We will be back Tuesday. Hope you all have a great week!
Tuesday, July 22, 2008
9 1/2 Months
Harper went for her 9 month checkup last week. She is doing great, she weighs a mere 17 pounds and is 27 inches long. She is in the 10th percentile for both. Her doc said that she was fine since she is growing consistently. She is moving past baby food now for the most part. She pretty much eats modified versions of what we are eating. Once she had table food, baby food does not interest her anymore.
Sunday was the first time that she waved hello/goodbye discriminantly. We were at the beach and she was waving goodbye to everyone who waved at her. Too cute! I cannot believe how big she is getting, I don't know where the time has gone, she will be walking in no time!
Yesterday we went to Sea World Aquatica. It was scorching hot and packed with people. It was not the best water park that I have been to, but it was good to get to go. We both got a little burned (ok, well I did a lot!). She love, love, loves the water. She did not want to get out of the wave pool. She enjoyed the beach on Sunday, even eating the sand, yum!
Friday, Eron and I are going to Universal Studios with the kids from the children's home. I think Harper is going to sit this one out. She has been pretty busy over the last few weeks. It should be a fun time!
Here is a rare picture of Harper and I. I am usually the one taking the pics, but Eron play photographer this time. This was taken at the Lowry Zoo in Tampa last weekend inside one of the Aquariums.
Sunday was the first time that she waved hello/goodbye discriminantly. We were at the beach and she was waving goodbye to everyone who waved at her. Too cute! I cannot believe how big she is getting, I don't know where the time has gone, she will be walking in no time!
Yesterday we went to Sea World Aquatica. It was scorching hot and packed with people. It was not the best water park that I have been to, but it was good to get to go. We both got a little burned (ok, well I did a lot!). She love, love, loves the water. She did not want to get out of the wave pool. She enjoyed the beach on Sunday, even eating the sand, yum!
Friday, Eron and I are going to Universal Studios with the kids from the children's home. I think Harper is going to sit this one out. She has been pretty busy over the last few weeks. It should be a fun time!
Here is a rare picture of Harper and I. I am usually the one taking the pics, but Eron play photographer this time. This was taken at the Lowry Zoo in Tampa last weekend inside one of the Aquariums.
Saturday, July 19, 2008
Janice Faye
I just got off of the phone with my brother, well actually a bit ago, and we had a conversation about our mom and the illness that eventually took her life. I tried to go to bed but couldn't get to sleep, so I thought that I would come write down my thoughts instead.
Ryan and I are very different in many ways, but we are alike in a lot of ways too. When my mom was sick with Scleroderma, I could not bear the thought of talking to her about the inevitable. I did not know when or how she was going to die and honestly I did not even think it would happen when it did. I think that was partly a defense mechanism for me. She never told me that she was dying, and I thank her for that because I think that she knew that I could not handle that. So, subconsciously I don't think that I allowed myself to think that she would succumb to her illness. My job (self-appointed) was to take care of her physically and that I did. I wanted to be the one to care for her, so I took the semester off of college. The last three months of her life were the worst, when she could not even get out of bed to use the bedside potty chair without it taking every ounce of oxygen that she had. It took her 20 minutes for her breathing and oxygenation to recover from just taking two steps to the chair and back to bed. But through all of that I could be there, day in and day out to take care of the physical needs that were overwhelming. I would bathe her, dress her, cook for her, do her hair, her nails, wake up in the middle of the night to make her hot tea with honey and lemon to ease a coughing fit, anything she needed, I tried to provide. We had walkie talkies and she would call any time that she needed something. I think back to those days and don't know how I did it, but I did and I am so thankful for that time with her. I guess nursing has always been a part of who I am! (There were some fun memories through those months, though, like playing Phase 10 every night with Eron and dad and occasionally Ryan and Jen, if they were over, and also making dinner and all of us going back to mom and dad's room to eat because it was so much easier on her. We had some good memories through those times). My brother on the other hand, could go where my dad and I could not. He could have those conversations about how she was truly doing, not physically but spiritually and emotionally. I am so thankful for the fact that he could sit down and have these deep conversations with her because I know she needed to talk with someone in her family about this. So, as we were talking tonight we had a conversation about her outlook on death that we had not had in a while. It reminded me of what an awesome woman of God that she was and what faith and trust that she had in the Lord. I am so proud to have had her as a mom and I am so heartbroken at the same time because there are so many people that I have wanted to introduce her to in the past almost six years since her death. Everyone loved this woman, she was so special and I am also sad sometimes because I don't think that I really knew and understood what kind of woman she truly was. I was 21 when she passed and I think that is still young and there was so much learning to still be done. I mean I knew her as my mom and I knew how much she was loved by everyone but I will never know her as woman that I am now and I will never know her as the grandmother to my children or the mother-in-law to my husband and that makes me so terribly sad. I am scared that one day I will not remember her voice. It is like I am reaching into memories to hear her and I can't seem to find her voice. I don't ever want to forget her voice. That may not make sense but I am not sure how else to explain it. I guess I just always want to remember her????
Getting back to Ryan and I, I am thankful that all of her needs were met by her family and I am thankful that Ryan could go there with her. She told him that she was never scared about dying that she was ready and at peace with it. She was not mad at God but mentioned that she did not understand but was never mad. Ryan said that the only two times that she cried when talking with him about it was when she said that she did not want my dad to be alone and that she was sad about not knowing her grandchildren. That just amazes me, I am so proud of her faith! She was so faithful and such an incredible christian woman. She never complained about her illness and the effect that it was having on her life. In the hospital room when her terrific doc told her that she only had about a day and a half to live she had one tear that streamed down her face. She was so ready and I am thankful that her heart and mind were in the right place.
Like I said we had had this conversation before but again tonight as we were talking about it, it made me sad yet it also gave me some peace over her being gone. I am so sad and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her and how much I miss her and how much I wish Harper and Elle and Renner knew her, but yet I can be at peace that she was at peace and she was ok with going home to the Lord. We all miss her and my dad will never be the same without her but she is with the Lord now and I am so thankful for that! Everyone says that with time things get better, that is somewhat true, with time you learn to deal and get used to not having that person, yet with time comes all of the years of my life that I will not have to share with her.
The truth of the matter is that she is in a better place and she is whole again and not sick, but when you are suffering a loss that is the last thing that you want to hear from someone. So, for future reference, if you are ever confronted with a situation in which someone has lost someone try your best to stay away from those cliche statements. Yes, she may be in a better place but at that moment that does not make most people feel better. It is purely selfish feelings, I know, but I do know that she is better off with the Lord than here. I think that one thing that gets me through times when I am feeling sad is knowing the promise that eternal life brings us. It is so much better in Heaven that even if she had the choice to return here and enjoy the things that she is missing out on, that she would choose to stay because it is so awesome and we cannot even fathom it right now.
Twenty one years is not a long time to have with someone but I am thankful for all of the years that I did have with her. I am thankful for the mother that she was to me and Ryan and the wife that she was to my dad, because Lord knows he needed a very special woman to put up with his quirkiness, oh my! She will always be missed but she has left us with so many memories and family traditions that forgetting her love will be impossible. I love my mother and I am so so proud of her and I know one day we will meet again, what a blessed day! Thank you Lord for the blessing she was and will always be in our lives!
Ryan and I are very different in many ways, but we are alike in a lot of ways too. When my mom was sick with Scleroderma, I could not bear the thought of talking to her about the inevitable. I did not know when or how she was going to die and honestly I did not even think it would happen when it did. I think that was partly a defense mechanism for me. She never told me that she was dying, and I thank her for that because I think that she knew that I could not handle that. So, subconsciously I don't think that I allowed myself to think that she would succumb to her illness. My job (self-appointed) was to take care of her physically and that I did. I wanted to be the one to care for her, so I took the semester off of college. The last three months of her life were the worst, when she could not even get out of bed to use the bedside potty chair without it taking every ounce of oxygen that she had. It took her 20 minutes for her breathing and oxygenation to recover from just taking two steps to the chair and back to bed. But through all of that I could be there, day in and day out to take care of the physical needs that were overwhelming. I would bathe her, dress her, cook for her, do her hair, her nails, wake up in the middle of the night to make her hot tea with honey and lemon to ease a coughing fit, anything she needed, I tried to provide. We had walkie talkies and she would call any time that she needed something. I think back to those days and don't know how I did it, but I did and I am so thankful for that time with her. I guess nursing has always been a part of who I am! (There were some fun memories through those months, though, like playing Phase 10 every night with Eron and dad and occasionally Ryan and Jen, if they were over, and also making dinner and all of us going back to mom and dad's room to eat because it was so much easier on her. We had some good memories through those times). My brother on the other hand, could go where my dad and I could not. He could have those conversations about how she was truly doing, not physically but spiritually and emotionally. I am so thankful for the fact that he could sit down and have these deep conversations with her because I know she needed to talk with someone in her family about this. So, as we were talking tonight we had a conversation about her outlook on death that we had not had in a while. It reminded me of what an awesome woman of God that she was and what faith and trust that she had in the Lord. I am so proud to have had her as a mom and I am so heartbroken at the same time because there are so many people that I have wanted to introduce her to in the past almost six years since her death. Everyone loved this woman, she was so special and I am also sad sometimes because I don't think that I really knew and understood what kind of woman she truly was. I was 21 when she passed and I think that is still young and there was so much learning to still be done. I mean I knew her as my mom and I knew how much she was loved by everyone but I will never know her as woman that I am now and I will never know her as the grandmother to my children or the mother-in-law to my husband and that makes me so terribly sad. I am scared that one day I will not remember her voice. It is like I am reaching into memories to hear her and I can't seem to find her voice. I don't ever want to forget her voice. That may not make sense but I am not sure how else to explain it. I guess I just always want to remember her????
Getting back to Ryan and I, I am thankful that all of her needs were met by her family and I am thankful that Ryan could go there with her. She told him that she was never scared about dying that she was ready and at peace with it. She was not mad at God but mentioned that she did not understand but was never mad. Ryan said that the only two times that she cried when talking with him about it was when she said that she did not want my dad to be alone and that she was sad about not knowing her grandchildren. That just amazes me, I am so proud of her faith! She was so faithful and such an incredible christian woman. She never complained about her illness and the effect that it was having on her life. In the hospital room when her terrific doc told her that she only had about a day and a half to live she had one tear that streamed down her face. She was so ready and I am thankful that her heart and mind were in the right place.
Like I said we had had this conversation before but again tonight as we were talking about it, it made me sad yet it also gave me some peace over her being gone. I am so sad and there is not a day that goes by that I don't think about her and how much I miss her and how much I wish Harper and Elle and Renner knew her, but yet I can be at peace that she was at peace and she was ok with going home to the Lord. We all miss her and my dad will never be the same without her but she is with the Lord now and I am so thankful for that! Everyone says that with time things get better, that is somewhat true, with time you learn to deal and get used to not having that person, yet with time comes all of the years of my life that I will not have to share with her.
The truth of the matter is that she is in a better place and she is whole again and not sick, but when you are suffering a loss that is the last thing that you want to hear from someone. So, for future reference, if you are ever confronted with a situation in which someone has lost someone try your best to stay away from those cliche statements. Yes, she may be in a better place but at that moment that does not make most people feel better. It is purely selfish feelings, I know, but I do know that she is better off with the Lord than here. I think that one thing that gets me through times when I am feeling sad is knowing the promise that eternal life brings us. It is so much better in Heaven that even if she had the choice to return here and enjoy the things that she is missing out on, that she would choose to stay because it is so awesome and we cannot even fathom it right now.
Twenty one years is not a long time to have with someone but I am thankful for all of the years that I did have with her. I am thankful for the mother that she was to me and Ryan and the wife that she was to my dad, because Lord knows he needed a very special woman to put up with his quirkiness, oh my! She will always be missed but she has left us with so many memories and family traditions that forgetting her love will be impossible. I love my mother and I am so so proud of her and I know one day we will meet again, what a blessed day! Thank you Lord for the blessing she was and will always be in our lives!
Thursday, July 17, 2008
Friends, Family and getting down to business!
Update- this past weekend we had some friends from Alabama in town. We enjoyed having them at our home. We went to Sea World on Friday. I had never been before and it was a fun time. Probably not my favorite park but I did enjoy it. Luckliy we arrived right before the park opened so we were able to see most everything that we wanted to in the morning before it got sweltering hot. We all know how much I hate the humidity as it is, but this day is was beyond miserable for me, oh well I made it through! We left a little after lunch before it got even worse.
Saturday we went in to Tampa and and went to the Tampa Zoo. It was a nice zoo. Enjoyed seeing all the animals. Harper made both parks with us and did great. I know she loved being in her stroller and observing everything. We had a few mishaps on the Tampa trip that included a broken, no longer functioning stroller among other things, but all in all it was a fun weekend and we hope to see them soon!
This weekend, my cousins from Jacksonville are coming down until Tuesday. Sunday we are going to go to Sea World's new water park, Aquatica. So bring on the heat! I think I can handle it as long as there is water near by. This park seems like a lot of fun, so I will fill you all in after we go. I think Monday we are going to skip another park and head to the gulf for the day! Can't wait!
Ok, getting down to business. So, I have thought of ways to motivate myself into getting back into shape (it is about time that I do), so I have decided to train for a 5K! Ha, I know that sounds ridiculous, who needs to train to run three miles, well that would be me my friends! Sad as it may be, I hate the act of running but I love the way it makes me feel! So, starting next week, I will begin. I know that if I have a goal then it will make me work harder to accomplish something. So we will see how it goes. I have always hated running, I dreaded the 20 minute run in elementary school, one of the last always to make it! Before I got pregnant I was pretty close to running that without stopping, then I got pregnant and that gave me an excuse to stop! So, I will keep you all updated on my progress. Should be interesting. I am also contemplating on hiring a personal trainer, still thinking about that one, if it were up to me, I would have one tomorrow but Eron has to approve and he thinks he should be my trainer, ha, what a joke, that would never work! But I am getting closer to it happening!
Post again soon!
Shelley
Saturday we went in to Tampa and and went to the Tampa Zoo. It was a nice zoo. Enjoyed seeing all the animals. Harper made both parks with us and did great. I know she loved being in her stroller and observing everything. We had a few mishaps on the Tampa trip that included a broken, no longer functioning stroller among other things, but all in all it was a fun weekend and we hope to see them soon!
This weekend, my cousins from Jacksonville are coming down until Tuesday. Sunday we are going to go to Sea World's new water park, Aquatica. So bring on the heat! I think I can handle it as long as there is water near by. This park seems like a lot of fun, so I will fill you all in after we go. I think Monday we are going to skip another park and head to the gulf for the day! Can't wait!
Ok, getting down to business. So, I have thought of ways to motivate myself into getting back into shape (it is about time that I do), so I have decided to train for a 5K! Ha, I know that sounds ridiculous, who needs to train to run three miles, well that would be me my friends! Sad as it may be, I hate the act of running but I love the way it makes me feel! So, starting next week, I will begin. I know that if I have a goal then it will make me work harder to accomplish something. So we will see how it goes. I have always hated running, I dreaded the 20 minute run in elementary school, one of the last always to make it! Before I got pregnant I was pretty close to running that without stopping, then I got pregnant and that gave me an excuse to stop! So, I will keep you all updated on my progress. Should be interesting. I am also contemplating on hiring a personal trainer, still thinking about that one, if it were up to me, I would have one tomorrow but Eron has to approve and he thinks he should be my trainer, ha, what a joke, that would never work! But I am getting closer to it happening!
Post again soon!
Shelley
Wednesday, July 9, 2008
Tibbie Time
Well, we are back from Tibbie. We had a great time! We got to see Maw-Maw and Paw-Paw, Uncle Eric, Aunt Heather and cousin Aiden. We enjoyed just relaxing and not having to do a million things. Harper loved Uncle Eric and Aiden, she smiled everytime she saw them. It was nice to have other people there, especially Maw-Maw to look after her instead of just me or Eron all of the time. However, her sleeping schedule, oh goodness, was awful and I mean awful. She woke up one to two times per night for what reason, I don't know. I would put her in the bed with us and she was fine. I am glad she doesn't sleep in the same bed with us, because we just don't sleep well like that, but hey we were doing whatever it took to get a little sleep. She ate her first watermelon and then proceeded to play and splash in the watermelon, but I think she like it. Then she took a good ol southern bath afterwards (See pics, oh and there are more in the album). She loved the fireworks and just watched in amazement, I am glad that she wasn't bothered by the loud noises.
This week we have been trying to get back in to the swing of things. I hate coming back from a trip and having to unpack, seems like it takes me forever. Tomorrow, a childhood friend of Eron's, Andy, his wife Courtney and their son Brice are coming for the weekend and we are going to go to Sea World and Buchs Gardens. Should be a fun time, just hope it is not scorching outside. Post again soon!
Taking a good ol southern bath after watermelon eating!
Daddy and Harper on the 4 wheeler, she loved it, just like her momma!
Harper and new buddy Uncle Eric
Oh, kinda out of place but had to add it, she took stripping to a whole new level, after a nap, no joke!
Trying out the watermelon..
Not sure yet..
Oh yeah, she loves it
and loves it!!
This week we have been trying to get back in to the swing of things. I hate coming back from a trip and having to unpack, seems like it takes me forever. Tomorrow, a childhood friend of Eron's, Andy, his wife Courtney and their son Brice are coming for the weekend and we are going to go to Sea World and Buchs Gardens. Should be a fun time, just hope it is not scorching outside. Post again soon!
Taking a good ol southern bath after watermelon eating!
Daddy and Harper on the 4 wheeler, she loved it, just like her momma!
Harper and new buddy Uncle Eric
Oh, kinda out of place but had to add it, she took stripping to a whole new level, after a nap, no joke!
Trying out the watermelon..
Not sure yet..
Oh yeah, she loves it
and loves it!!Tuesday, July 1, 2008
Off to Tibbie (Alabama)!
Well we are currently off to Eron's hometown(what he calls God's country) for some family time, four wheeler riding, hopefully some boating and fourth of july celebrating! Hope everyone has a fabulous fourth of july weekend and don't do anything I wouldn't, ha! We will be home sundaym God bless America!
The Green's
The Green's
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