Living the mama life!

Good grief!

2009-08-22T23:10:00.003-04:00

I cannot believe how long it has been since I have updated this thing. I can't even begin to try and catch up so I won't. Things have been going really well and Delia is still the smartest, funniest, most beautiful little girl I've even seen!

She will be 21 months next week which means her 2nd birthday will be here before we know it. I'm already planning the party cause that's how I roll. The thing that stinks about birthdays in late fall or winter is that there's not as many options as in warmer weather. But she's still pretty little for a lot of stuff anyway. Not that anyone may care...but the theme is Woodland Fairy Tea Party...I do love having a little girl!

We were thinking of enrolling her in Montessori this year but we're gonna hold off. I can't bear to part with her just yet, even for a few days for a few hours.

As some may know...I have become a PartyLite consultant. It was free to start and it seemed like a flexible, fun thing to do...and it is! I have been doing really well. I even made top sales in my unit last month without even knowing it. I get to get out and socialize while I'm making money. And I get a ton of free candles, which is a HUGE bonus for me. It's allowing me to continue to stay home with Delia during the day and taking some of the burden off Mike. It really has been an enormous blessing.

Our biggest news is that we're moving!!!!! Finally! I've said it a thousand times...I don't mean to seem ungrateful for having a free place to stay the last 10 months...but there is nothing like being in your own place. We'll be heading up north of Nashville. We'll actually be about 30 minutes from the KY line. Which really isn't far from where we are now. I will be so glad to be in my own bedroom (on our mattress that is no longer just sitting on the floor...we've been sleeping like squatters all this time), and cook my own meals, and watch my television (which is a brand new Samsung LCD 1080p 120hz HDTV...thanks PartyLite!), and have everything just the way I want it...this is starting to sound really self-centered. You get the point. We're excited. Delia will be back in her own room...I've been building a stash of new things for it so I'm super-excited to get it all set up. If you've ever gone from living on your own to moving back in with your parents...you know how we've been feeling. But the time has finally come.

We've been taught so many things over the last year and a half. We've had a serious lesson in patience and God's plan/timing vs. our plans/timing. We've left friends and lost A LOT. It has been so stinking hard a lot of the time to not get discouraged and down on ourselves. But I've also learned how to find joy...in everything. I've never really been a pessimistic sort of girl...but as rough as things were getting...it was really taking it out of me. I don't think we ever hit the bottom of anything...but we sure got close several times. That has taught me to look for the silver lining in just about anything and any situation. I've also had to learn that my silly attempts at control really are futile. I've been meaning to get this lesson down for a long time...it took drastic measures for that to happen. But I'm grateful for it.

Well, I need to get off here and get some more packing in. 2 more weeks!!!! Of course...it's going to crawl by...but I can handle it! Oh and I'll add new photos once we get moved. I have been forbidden to add any photos to my parents' ancient computer and we no longer have internet on ours since we had to dismantle the router. Apparently it was somehow damaging the aforementioned ancient computer. You've all waited this long...2 more weeks won't kill anyone.

I have an 18 month old little girl!!!

2009-05-29T01:25:00.002-04:00

Taken from Delia's Babysite on 5/28/09:

We have an 18 month old little girl as of 6:15 this evening! I cannot believe how fast it has all gone by. She is starting to lose that "baby look" and is looking more and more like a little girl. It makes me excited to watch her grow, but sad that she's not a teeny baby anymore.

She is more and more independent every day, which is also kind of sad. She can say about every word out there, she is starting to put together 2 and 3 word sentences. She can say "I love you", though it doesn't come out quite that way. She blows kisses all the time and if she sees keys in your hand, she'll start to wave and tell you goodbye.

She can climb stairs which freaks me right out. She still hasn't figured out how to climb over furniture though...thank goodness. She likes sitting in her little chair and I'd really like to get one of those little Princess or Dora couches that folds out into a tiny bed. It is the perfect size for her.

We just took her off her bottle so we'll see how that goes. She is starting to throw tantrums which makes me want to pull my hair out but she responds pretty well to discipline...even though we get some attempts at manipulation when she knows she's in trouble. She starts saying, "Hi Mommy" or Hi Daddy" or "Come Here" and pulls your finger to try and distract you. She's a smart one.

She is turning out to be such a girl...which is odd for me since I grew up with a lot of boys and have never been terribly girly. She loves purses and calls them "baggies" and loves chapstick which is called "ips" for "lips". She loves her dresses and insists on putting on a jacket every morning no matter how hot it is outside. She also loves her Lucy Bear and rocking on her horse that she named "Rocket". The name came from her saying "Rock it" anytime she wanted on. We thought that was a good horse's name.

She is still a Dora nut but also really loves Ni Hao Kai-Lan, The Backyardigans, Max and Ruby (which she just calls "Uby"), and Olivia.

She loves eggs and can eat a ton of them. She also really loves apples and chicken. And the french fries that Aunt Caity is always bringing her.

We bought a zoo membership in April and have already used it a ton of times. We can also use it to get into over 160 other zoos for free which is pretty cool. Delia loves seeing the animals up close. They have farm animals which are her favorites. She also loves the meerkats (which look like our old buddy DeeDee...RIP little man...) and the petting zoo. She has a fit every time we leave that part and cries while saying "Bye goats". Oh and the elephants...she loves those! They also have this huge 60,000 plus sq. ft. play area with a section just for the little ones and a really cute carousel that she rides like such a big girl. She just loves being outside and loves dandelions...or any flower, really.

Delia has now been to four different states: Georgia, Virginia, Kentucky, and Illinois (where I used to live). She'll go to the fifth in July when we take our girl's trip to Florida and see the beach for the first time! And then to Maryland this Christmas (and possibly before if we can swing it)...she is a big traveller.

We love spending time with her and making sure she gets to experience as much of everything out there that she can. She is a huge goofball and cracks me up all the time. She does the funniest, most random things sometimes. I can be completely angry about something and she gives me that big grin she has and I can't even remember why I'm mad (unless it's about something she did...she doesn't work me over that easy...).

Free Soaps...Oh My!

2009-05-12T11:30:00.002-04:00

A chance to win free soaps...I am so there. You can either visit Maria's Space for a chance to win soap for the dear father in your life or go to the source herself and visit Tanya's Dirty Housewife page for instructions on how to win there every month. I already have about 10 bars myself and they are soooo worth it! So go go go!

Give mama some sugar...

2009-05-11T23:19:00.003-04:00

I had a great Mother's Day...even with a migraine. Mike and Delia got me a heart necklace with Delia's name engraved on it. So pretty and I loved it. We went to church with my parents and then came home and spent most of the day resting...which is all mama wanted. Then my sister, Sarah, came over and cooked dinner for the two mothers in the house (well, and everyone else too...). We didn't have to cook or clean...yay!

I am so thankful everyday for being appointed as Delia's mom. I love that little girl with everything I have. She is such a blessing and I love spending as much time as I can with her and discipling her. Being a mom is one of the best things I have gotten to experience. I am so proud of what she does and who she is and how she changes and learns new things everyday. I just get her...even when she's being a turd. It's so amazing having this little person who looks just like you and is so much like you.

Can't wait for all the Mother's Days in the future and to have another child to be mommy to someday soon...

Whoa

2009-05-02T11:17:00.004-04:00

So um...yeah...I have been terrible at keeping up with this thing lately. Between Twitter and Facebook...I forget to update on here.

Mother's Day is coming up and I am so excited! My sisters and I got our mom a pretty cool gift...I think she'll really like it.

My photography business is starting off nicely. It is really hard to find time to edit since my parents' computer is old and bogged down and ours is in the room where Delia sleeps...and the only time I have to do anything is, of course, when she is napping. I have gotten some bookings for May and I am really excited about them.

Hopefully using our computer won't be a problem much longer...Mike had his second interview with a really great company this past week. Our old neighbor in Powell, Brian, works for them out of the Knoxville area...but they are actually located here in Nashville. This last interview was with the owner and it went really well. Now we wait. Please pray. If he gets this, we can for sure move out in the next couple of months.

Delia is doing awesome! She never ceases to amaze me or crack me up...even as she is developing a bit of baby attitude. It's so funny how much like me she is. I get her...even when she's being less than cooperative. She is talking like crazy and growing more and more independent. She is twirling in the living room as I type this. She is starting to say two and three word "sentences". Stuff like, "Help please" or "I sorry" or "I stuck" (though that one comes out as "I suck"). She is climbing stairs...which absolutely freaks me out. She is hardly ever still...except maybe when Dora is on. She loves ammals (that's animals). We got a zoo membership that gets us into over 100 other zoos for free...she loves it! Especially the animals we can get close to: the goats, horse, lorikeets, sheep, meerkats, etc. As far as growth...she's gained a tiny bit of weight but she is still one of the healthiest kids I know of.

We're going to try to go to DC this summer...like late summer. Even though Mike's grandparents only live about 45 minutes from there, he's never been. I went on a class trip for 4 or 5 days in the 6th grade and I loved it. We were going to stay with his Mamaw and Pap and then just either drive in to DC every day or take the train. Every major monument there is free...all the Smithsonian museums are free...we will literally only be paying for food and gas. We were going to try to make it to New York either this summer or fall to see my family...but we're going to have to wait now.

Oh and I have already stated my Etsy addiction...if you have baby girls (or are about to, Ashley...), you need to visit this blog: Three Yellow Starfish . She makes the cutest pinafores and bloomers. I'm also putting her link on my friends list. I got Delia a pair of bloomers for summer and they are so cute! There is a link to her Etsy site where you can purchase any of her items.

I also have to give link love to Tanya, owner of The Dirty Housewife Soaps. I love, love, love her soaps. I am a soap junkie and these are so great...I even licked one of the bars I got because it smelled really sweet. She has an Etsy store as well. You can visit her blog here: The Dirty Housewife . There is a link to her Etsy site on there as well.

Well, I need to get off here. Delia has been playing but she's getting cranky since it's getting close to naptime.

Obsessed

2009-04-12T00:01:00.007-04:00

Ok...I know, I know...I haven't posted in a long while. I'll be getting back to that. I just needed to confess a love (obsession) of mine.

I could seriously scour this site ALL day and it wouldn't get old...I can always find something I need (or want, really).

See for yourself...Etsy

Yep, that's all...

So ready for spring!

2009-03-18T11:13:00.003-04:00

I am so congested it's making me sick to my stomach. Delia has had the worst sounding cough and it's starting to sound a little better so I hope it's gone by the weekend, at least. Mike found out from Epiphone that they are in an "unofficial hiring freeze", whatever that means. He was pretty frustrated with the woman who called since he's been trying to get a hold of her and another guy there for over a month. So pretty much...he's giving up on that as a job prospect. But since they told him he had the job, he hadn't been looking as diligently for other things so now he's back at it, full swing.

Okay, that's the stuff that sucks right now. I needed to whine a bit. Other than that, we're good. So ready to be out of my parents' house but it'll happen. We joined the church we've been visiting and we're really excited. We had already started getting involved and have even started a new ministry there with another in the works.

I am loving the nice weather we've been having the last two days, even though I think it's supposed to get cold again soon. We're planning a camping trip for sometime soon and since I won't be working Saturdays anymore after this Saturday...we'll be able to get into more stuff on the weekends. I am so pumped about Easter since Delia will be able to participate this year! She has the cutest dress and we made a basket for her. Again, we'll be visiting Knoxville/Powell the first weekend in April and we can't wait to see everyone! I think we're also going to try and head up to Cade's Cove while we're there if the weather is good.

Mike is about done with my logo so I can start watermarking my photos. It's really cute. Since they're kind of pricey, I'm not setting up a website yet...I have a blog I'm going to post photos to for now. We also got Photoshop CS4 and Lightroom 2 and I am ready to figure them both out. I know a little about Photoshop...like basic stuff...but I want to be able to use it all on my own so I'm not constantly bothering Mike about it.

Well, I guess that's all that's been happening. Like I said, we're just itching to get out of here and into our own place. Please keep Mike in your prayers as he looks for another job so that we can get a place of our own.

We want to see our friends!

2009-03-08T14:20:00.002-04:00

We will be in town the first weekend of April!!! We want to see everyone, so we need another hangtime.

Ok, that's it.

15 months old!

2009-03-02T19:28:00.003-05:00

We took Delia for her 15 month check up today. She's doing great, of course. The doc did have some questions about her weight but once we assured her that Delia does eat and is one of the healthiest babies we know...she just gave a couple of new suggestions on how to increase her caloric intake. She's just going to be petite, I guess. She also got three shots and was not okay with it. She screamed and cried like she has never done after getting shots. We also waited two hours before being seen and she was really tired and not happy about not being able to get down and play (they had nothing to separate the sick and well children). We actually weren't so impressed with the office as a whole. The doctor was just okay. We just really loved the Blackmons and their quality of care.

Delia showed off her huge vocabulary and showed the doctor where all of her facial body parts are. Then she ran through all the animal noises she knows. And then she shredded the paper on the exam table. And tried to eat some of it...

Anyway, we're all good here. Nothing major going on. Epiphone seems to be dragging their feet all over the place with hiring Mike. It'll be 8 months this month since he first interviewed and all he keeps hearing is that they're sending his hiring packet through.

Well, we need to go eat...hope everyone has a good rest of the week!

It's another girl!

2009-02-23T10:45:00.006-05:00

Not for us...that would have been strange and fast huh? Delia is going to have a little girl cousin to grow up with! I am soooo excited. When Jason and Miranda first told us they were expecting, I really thought it would be a boy but then after we moved...I didn't know anymore. Brooklyn Kate Barnard should be here in early to mid-July. I am already thinking of all the cute little things I want to get for her. Seriously, I don't know when or if I'll have nieces or nephews of my own so this is the next best thing as far as family goes. I already feel like I have little nieces and a nephew (Sophia, Aubrey, Isaiah and Miss Amelia!) from friends.

Anyway, I was just super excited about that and wanted to share.

We had a good weekend...not too eventful. I napped a couple of times (which I NEVER get to do anymore). My uncle, who is a former Jehovah's Witness, came to church with Mike and I yesterday. I know if it was confusing for my mom as a Catholic...I know it has to be even more confusing for him to understand God's grace. My prayer is that conversations will be had with either us or people put in his path and that his eyes will be opened. He has had such a hard go of things for the past 8 years or so. He has 4 children and all of them have either a mental, emotional, physical, and/or developmental disability. He's struggled with alcoholism for as long as I can recall. His ex-wife is bi-polar and makes life for him and their kids very hard. He is a great guy and knows no strangers, he can make friends with a tree if need be. I just want him to know God's peace and to receive His grace. It's a pretty huge step that he even came because I don't think he's been to another church since he left Kingdom Hall. Just pray for him with me if you don't mind.

Well, that's it. Now I need to go get that Delia Bird to bed for a nap.

Starting out

2009-02-19T11:04:00.005-05:00

Sooooo...I have big, good news! After much prayer/thought/talking it over with Mike, I have decided to do something I should have done a long, long time ago. I have had a love for photography since I was a little girl. That was usually the main thing on my Christmas list...a new type of camera I didn't yet have or a better camera than the one I already had. In high school, I would wake up early on Saturdays and walk around Old Hickory with this ancient old Brownie camera I found in a thrift store. I would have gone to college for photography if I knew I wouldn't be met with rolled eyes and lectures of how it would have been a dead-end. I have had this thought/idea for many, many years and Mike and I have talked it over a lot in the 8 years we've known each other. I am just now feeling confident enough to do it and so I am starting my own photography business. I am literally just getting it going. I have ordered my equipment (after saving some Christmas/birthday money) and will be working on my portfolio. Mike totally, 100% supports me and has been trying to get me to just do this for a long time. I have gotten in my own way before by second-guessing myself. Please pray with me as I take this leap. I am still very nervous and want to be the best I can be. I am sticking strictly to families and children right now. I couldn't stand myself on my wedding day so I don't think I want to tread those waters just yet. I will be using my gorgeous, and much-more-photogenic-than-me sisters and daughter as my practice subjects. I really can't wait...I haven't been this excited about something for myself in a long time.

New theme!!!

2009-02-17T14:44:00.001-05:00

Thanks again to Ashley for giving me an awesome new theme! I love this one just as much or more than the first!

I'll never be an aunt...

2009-02-13T17:43:00.006-05:00

Since I have no clue when or if any of my sisters/sister-in-law will have children (for various reasons) anytime soon or at all...I am so super-excited that in one week we will find out what Mike's cousin Jason and his wife will be having. I was thinking a boy but since we've moved...the vibes have gone. I think I have to be within a 10 mile radius for the vibes to be there. Jason and Mike are more like brothers than cousins and I think of him and Miranda more as aunt and uncle to Delia so this actual 3rd cousin to Delia will seem more like a 1st cousin.

Speaking of babies...I'm watching a segment on Inside Edition about the 13 year-old boy in the UK who has just fathered a child. Wow. Just wow...

I am now 27

2009-02-09T16:23:00.005-05:00

3 years closer to being 30. I had a great weekend. The weather was so beautiful...I never get that on or around my birthday normally. It's usually either just cold and nasty or snowing.

I taught my first PATH for Belmont and we actually had more than we expected. It was a good first class, even though I was feeling pretty rusty. The last time I taught was in early August.

Afterward, I got home and Delia, Mike, and I went to the playground here in Old Hickory. D loves being around all the other kids. I justove being outside when the weather is so great. That night, we used our Cracker Barrel gift card that we got for Christmas.

Sunday, my sisters came to church with me and then after...took me to O'Charley's where we had literally the worst service I've ever encountered. But it was good to get out with them and Delia. Mike had to work again...hopefully Epiphone will get finished checking his references this week and let him know his start date. Later on, after her nap, Delia and I went for a walk on the Stones River Greenway...very good day for it. Sunday night we (me, Mike, Delia, my parents, my sister Sarah, and her ex-boyfriend) all went to Cheesecake Factory at Green Hills. It was so good. I got the Banana Cream Cheesecake and it was awesome! They have such a great, expansive menu...everyone can find something they like.

This Wednesday is my mom's birthday and we're going to the neat little Irish pub in Franklin. It should be good...it's my mom's favorite restaurant.

Anyway, thanks for all the well-wishing...it really was a good day.

Back to work...sort of...

2009-02-05T13:13:00.003-05:00

That's right...I will be working starting this Saturday. Well, I'll be working every Saturday for the next two months teaching PATH. I'm being contracted out through Belmont University. It'll be good to get to interact with other adults on a regular basis. I really do love training. The only thing that worries me is that I haven't trained PATH in about 6 months. I've been going over the material so hopefully it will just come back to me. I have 16 participants so far! And I have a co-trainer! And I don't have to write the home studies! I also have to train them for CPR and First Aid in March so I need to find my instructor dvd. It is somewhere in storage.

The only thing that bums me out is this Saturday is supposed to be warm and pretty and I'll be stuck inside ALL day... But I will be making a stop by this awesome little Thai store/restaurant on my way home. And then I have to pick up Delia's new VeggieTales dvd that I preordered.

We're going to check out some apartments around here today...just to see what's out there and isn't a piece of junk. I really loved being in an apartment...even The Ashton until it flooded. We're probably not moving out until August but we want to get a start on checking things out.

Well...I need to finish laundry and get myself ready before Delia wakes up.

Days like this!

2009-02-01T15:35:00.004-05:00

I definitely let the weather affect my mood. If it's rainy...I want to crawl in bed and stay there. If it's really hot...I'm ready to kill anyone that touches me because I'm all sticky and sweaty. If it's a beautiful, mild day like today...I want to give hugs and kisses to everyone. I am going to take full advantage of this day as soon as Delia gets up from her later than normal nap.

This weekend was a bit different. I went to Knoxville yesterday by myself to say goodbye to my dear friend's sister who had passed away last weekend. It was good to see my friends two weekends in a row...but the circumstances I got to see them under pretty much sucked. I defintely agree with what Bobby said during the service. We need to live and live well to honor Kirsten's time here with us.

Mike had to work today so it was just D and I at church. I really love the church we've been visiting. Partly because it is about 5 blocks from our house (I love being back in a place that has actual, definable blocks). I also love it because it feels like home. We were worried (for no good reason) that it would take us a long time to find a church here. We love our Ridge friends and that made the move so much harder. But we feel like we belong at NorthPointe now and there is all kinds of room to get involved and really reach this community.

Speaking of church...I just have to praise God for all He has been doing for us. 2008 was not the best year we've had. We had a lot of bad things happening and they seemed to hit us one right after another. I have been learning a lot about humility and patience and to truly trust what God wants for us...not what we want for us. Things have really been looking up lately. Part of that is that Mike finally heard back from Epiphone and they are sending his hiring packet through so it's just a matter of a couple of weeks I would say before he starts. And he really enjoys school and feels like he's doing well. I also have an employment opportunity that will pay well and is flexible to my mothering schedule. I may even be able to bring D with me. I would be working as a companion for seniors. I had been thinking of that exact thing a few months ago and it turns out that my sister's best friend just got a job hiring people to go out to the houses. I would basically work when I could. I also start teaching next weekend. Things are totally going well.

So...I'll be 27 in exactly one week. Yikes. 3 years closer to 30. Mike has to work on my birthday but then I think we're going out to dinner. Last year, I was puking up Bojangles (which I will never eat again) because my sweet husband gave me a stomach virus for my birthday gift. I think most of my friends know about Delia's "Bo-DooDoo" from that weekend. The only thing I want is a massage. Lucky for me...my sister is a massage therapist.

Anyway, I'm going to get off of here and get outside!

Like Rodney Dangerfield...he's going Back to School...

2009-01-21T18:04:00.004-05:00

Mike offically starts school tonight. I know he is nervous and I honestly cannot imagine going back to school for another degree and having a family and working a full-time job. I am done with school for the rest of my life (at least for myself). I am so proud of him that he is willing to do this for his family. It means more than I think he knows. Please keep him in your prayers as he is beginning another degree and for the times that he gets discouraged. He is going to apply for the Radiology program in May and they only accept like 30 people...so also pray that he does well and can be one of those 30.

On our way to P-P-P-Powell

2009-01-18T18:03:00.005-05:00

So we are most likely going to be in Powell this next weekend (Thursday, the 22nd - Sunday, the 25th). We want to see our friends...this means you: Denira, Deena, and Melissa... You better be in town. We didn't think we'd be able to make it out there this month and we for sure can't from February until early April so this will be the last time for a while. I'll be teaching a foster parent class every Saturday...so we're stuck here until it ends in April. Anyway...be in town...hang out with us...I want to see you all (and your respective children...).

Oh and if you haven't yet...watch the videos in the post below...soooo funny.

Delia Dancing Dirty...

2009-01-18T10:27:00.009-05:00

When Delia dances...she does this hilarious hip thrust that I sooooo did not teach her. It's just what her natural sense of rhythm tells her to do, I guess.

We've got a walker over here!!!

2009-01-16T20:52:00.002-05:00

Man, I was starting to think she'd be two by the time it happened...and it actually wasn't today...it was Monday. But Delia is a walking girl. She is still wobbly but she can go clear across rooms (that aren't too big). We took her to Opry Mills during the day on Wednesday and let her walk in there and she went (with help from my finger) from Past and Presents almost to Rainforest Cafe. In case you don't know, it's not a short walk. It took us about an hour to get there but she made it. She was so excited. She doesn't like to be corraled up in the living room anymore...she wants to explore. But...my parents' house isn't totally baby-proofed yet so we have some cabinets and such to work on. Here's a couple of photos of her walking and I'll try to put up the video too. I've never done that before so bear with me. She's playing with my old cell phone...it keeps her away from my current one. What is it with babies and cell phones???

I hate my nature

2009-01-08T13:04:00.003-05:00

I could use some prayer right now. I am a complete and total worrier. It comes from me wanting to have control of everything in my life...which I know is off. Still...it's in my personality...and I fight it and pray about it constantly. Things (as per usual for the last 12 months or so) have not been going according to our plan. I know that at the end of this long, and sometimes dark road that things will be better. I have faith in that. I am just having trouble with faith that things in the next few days are going to be okay.

I'm not going into huge detail but it seems like just when we start to take a step forward here...we get put two steps back. It's incredibly frustrating.

So anyway...when you're praying today...if you could add me and my family in there, I'd appreciate it.

Lazy, rainy weekend

2009-01-04T15:15:00.002-05:00

Not much has been happening this weekend...and that's just how I've liked it. Not plans, no agenda. Just going with whatever comes up.

We were going to check out a new-to-us church tonight in East Nashville but my aunt and cousin that I haven't seen in 7 months are coming through town on their way home to Kentucky so we're having dinner with them instead. City Church...we will have to meet next Sunday.

Delia is doing great. I would say growing like a weed but anyone who has seen my daughter knows the likelihood of that happening. She has such an extensive vocabulary. She knows where ALL of her body parts are...even the unmentionables (which she calls "No"...I just don't want her to hook it being all grabby down there!). She still isn't walking but I'm not at all worried...she will when she's ready. She is such a personable and outgoing girl. She says hi to just about everyone we pass when we're out. And then she wants to let them know all of the animal noises she can produce.

Since I've been able to stay at home with her now...we are missing some social interaction with other kids. Now kids her age don't "play together" anyway...but still, she's missing out on just being around other kids. So I've started taking her to storytime at Old Hickory Library where I used to go when I was little. Actually, the same sweet lady, Ms. Dorothy, is still doing storytime there after 30 years. She is amazing with kids. It's neat that Delia can sit in the same room I used to sit in and listen to the same stories and sing the same songs I sang when I was little. Anyway, she loves just being around the other kids. She's the youngest but she behaved well for being 13 months. We're also signing her up for Kindermusik classes starting January 23rd. I am so excited and I know she will love the songs and dancing and instrument playing. It will also give me time to be with other moms.

Well, that's my update for now. Have a good week!

I am resolving to be resolute

2009-01-01T12:36:00.003-05:00

I normally don't do these because normally I am only half-committed to actually completing them...so I guess that also needs to be a resolution:

*Pray more
*Finish things I start
*Lose another 15 pounds by end of February (I've lost 15 since beginning of November)
*Spend more one on one time with my husband/Be a better wife
*Make two new "real" friends
*Move out of my parents' house
*Pay off our cars by summer
*Find a church (we're working on it...but it takes some time and prayer)
*Get into a Bible study on a weekly basis
*Be an even better mom to Delia

Those are reachable goals, I think.

What are some of yours that you can actually stick to?

Happy New Year Everyone!

2008-12-31T19:46:00.001-05:00

Welcome to the world, Baby Amelia!!!

2008-12-27T22:54:00.005-05:00

One of my oldest and best friends from Knoxville, Melissa, gave birth to her baby girl today! Amelia Noelle Hill was born somewhere around 3:00, Eastern time. She weighed 8 lbs. and 10 oz. and is 20 inches long. She is a beautiful girl and we cannot wait to meet her! Baby and Mama are doing well. We are so proud of you guys and we love you...and you too, Amelia!

The Big Photo Catch-Up Part VII

2008-12-06T22:52:00.004-05:00

The Big Photo Catch-Up Part VI

2008-12-06T22:49:00.003-05:00

The Big Photo Catch-Up Part V: Thanksgiving Edition

2008-12-06T22:45:00.005-05:00

The Big Photo Catch-Up Part IV: Birthday Edition

2008-12-06T22:33:00.016-05:00

The Big Photo Catch-Up Part III

2008-12-06T22:25:00.010-05:00

The Big Photo Catch-Up Part II

2008-12-06T22:22:00.003-05:00

The Big Photo Catch-Up!

2008-12-06T22:18:00.004-05:00

This will have to broken up into a few posts...there's a lot.

I'm starting to feel Christmas

2008-12-05T14:56:00.002-05:00

I was reading my friend Melissa's blog earlier about how she's not really done much in the way of Christmas (and with good reason...getting ready for Baby Girl and all...) and it made me think that I haven't done much either.

Pre baby, the tree would have been up, the gifts all bought by the end of October, at least two batches of Christmas cookies would have been made, Christmas Vacation would have been watched at least once, and a trip to Dollywood would be in the works.

Post baby and a few weeks after a move half across the state, there is no tree up, no cookies made, hardly any shopping done (because there is a LOT less money post baby), no Christmas Vacation (although I did watch Rudolph), and no trip to Dollywood (but there are planned trips to Two Rivers Mansion and Opryland Hotel)...

Our lives have been turned nearly upside down lately. It's been a rough year for us (and so many others) financially. We have had to swallow a lot of pride and cut back on a lot of things. It's been really hard to see what all of this is about. We've not felt very brave and we definitely don't feel in control. My thoughts tend to turn to all that's going wrong.

It's this time of year though...and particularly this year...when there isn't as much money as there has been...that I think of how lucky we are.

We are all healthy, we're together, we have a place to live, we do have enough money to take care of our needs. I don't care how much I get for Christmas...I don't care if I get anything. We have had to be really creative in how we're going to make this Christmas memorable. It reminds me of my favorite Christmases when I was growing up.

We NEVER had money when I was a kid. We had what we had to have and no more, my parents had to make crazy sacrifices to give us what we needed. I was made fun of on more than one occassion for wearing second-hand consignment store clothes. But despite all of that...somehow my parents pulled together everything they had and did whatever they could to make our Christmas great. I actually remember getting into a fight with a boy named Roger at school when I was in the 3rd grade about whether or not Santa was real. He told me he wasn't and my repsonse was that he had to be because I knew my parents were too poor to be able to do all that they did for us every year...now I know what they had to do and it makes that argument all the more special. We would always get one big thing that we really wanted. We spent a lot of time together decorating (usually with homemade decorations), making cookies, and watching Christmas shows on tv. We would drive around and see the lights and put out our nativity scene and my parents would remind us of why we were celebrating such a beautiful day. Even though I know they had very little, those were the best Christmases. It wasn't about the gifts. It was about getting to spend time together and building those traditions.

Anyway, there will be many more Christmases to spend...we'll have more money...but I want my daughter to know it isn't about the money or the gifts. It's about Christ's birth and being with her family and knowing how important all of that is.

I have great friends!

2008-12-01T13:55:00.003-05:00

Ok, I have to make this fast while Delia is still asleep because I still have to start laundry and get my shower before she gets up.

The weekend was good. We were able to go to Knoxville Friday evening to stay with Mike's parents. Saturday I got to go to Melissa's shower. Sooooo much good food. Melis, I would have gone for the food alone...your mom is a master of the kitchen. I brought Delia and it was so good to see my dear friends. Those are the kind of friends I wish for D when she gets older. Melissa got some awesome gifts...lots of cute little girl clothes...I love those! Delia also got some barely belated birthday gifts from Deena, Denira, and Melissa and we loved them all. I seriously want a pair of the boots she got for myself.

I promise I will post photos soon. We are still getting our living quarters unpacked. It has been crazy hectic here. Anyway...I need to get a move on before Delia gets up. Mike is off today so we have some errands to run.

Happy First Birthday Delia!!!

2008-11-28T18:17:00.002-05:00

Today is my sweet baby girl's first birthday! She got to go shopping with us today (which is something I had to wait until I was 18 to do...). She is such a big girl and this year has been an awesome one with her. I cannot imagine life without Delia in it!

We'll see some of you guys tomorrow in Knoxville!!

Happy Thanksgiving!!!

2008-11-27T09:26:00.001-05:00

Hope you all have a great day with family and get some good eating in! We'll see some of you in Knoxville this weekend!

Tagged!

2008-11-22T11:19:00.003-05:00

Since we don't have our computer hooked up to the internet yet...I have to use my MySpace photo folders to do this. Denira tagged me and the way it works is you go to your fourth photo album folder and then the fourth photo. You upload it and write four things about it.

1. This was taken about three hours after Delia was born (almost one year ago!).
2. She was under the oxygen hood due to aspirating on amniotic fluid at birth.
3. She was about to be taken to ETCH NICU for better treatment.
4. We didn't know if we'd see her again...the nurse practioner did not give us a good prognosis. It was the most scared I have ever been and the darkest (and yet happiest) day of my life.

I'll do another when I have my computer hooked up.

Now I tag:

Ashley Downey
Karen Woelke
Angela Whittaker
Pierrette Abegg

First Birthday Party Ever!

2008-11-21T17:06:00.002-05:00

Tomorrow is Delia's first birthday party! I haven't really had a chance to think much about it in the last couple of weeks. We've got everything we need for it...including her gifts! I need to make her cake tonight. It's a giant cupcake.

None of Mike's family will be there which pretty much has him bummed out...she only has one first birthday. But we'll have plenty of other family and friends there.

As soon as we can find the rechargeable batteries for our camera (which will hopefully be before tomorrow since we want to take photos...), I'll post new photos.

We're also planning for Thanksgiving next week! Yum! Lots of good food! And then shopping on Friday (which is Delia's actualy birthday). What's everyone else doing for the holidays?

We're here!

2008-11-12T00:00:00.003-05:00

So we're here. We're getting moved in and settled. We're trying to get adjusted to the time zone change. We still feel like we're just visiting. I keep thinking of all these things I want to do like I'm just in for the weekend and then I realize that I have a lot of time to do all this stuff.

It was really sad leaving everyone and our house. I cried with D asleep in the backseat on our way to stay at Mike's aunt and uncle's on Friday night.
I mean bawled...like a baby. It's not that we're not excited...it's just a lot to take in.

We've been trying to get our living quarters arranged. It's like working one of those puzzles where you have the one empty square and you have to move the other pieces around with just that one square missing. My parents have been very cool and it's so good to know that they're right downstairs instead of almost 200 miles away.

We'll start to feel a lot more normal once we get into a routine...find a church...make friends at work and school (for Mike)...that sort of thing. We had dinner at our friends, Will and Becca's tonight. It was good to see them since it's been a while for me. They've never met Delia so they were excited to see her. We also got to see the Wii Fit tried out and now I really really want one. Anyway...I need to get to bed. I have to work on our room tomorrow and get Delia's birthday gifts.

I still have photos to post...they'll have to wait.

We miss you guys (you know who you are)!!!

Onward ho!

2008-11-02T15:51:00.004-05:00

We just returned from a weekend of camping with my family. Always a fun time. I am beat...absolutely beat. We hiked 6 miles yesterday. I could have done that no problem 5 years ago...heck, even 3 years ago. But not now being as out of shape as I am and not with a baby. Delia did great. She hung out in the carrier the entire way. I felt like I was going to die right before we reached the overlook we were headed to. There were two times where I literally felt like my legs were just going to give out. I also have plantar fasciitis really bad in left foot and it was flared up like crazy yesterday evening. But I did it. I'll post photos tomorrow maybe.

I am really writing this post to say that the time has finally arrived when we must say our goodbyes to Knoxville. This has been in the making for around 8 months now. We are moving to Nashville this coming Saturday, November 8th. We are excited and nervous and sad. We know this is what we're supposed to do but it's a little bittersweet. We have some of the best friends we've ever had here in and around Knoxville and we are going to miss being able to see everyone regularly. Anyway...I just wanted to let everyone know.

We're packing up and loading the truck on Friday, the 7th...so if anyone wants to come down and hang out and throw some boxes in the truck...we'd love it!

This week is going to be nutty so I may or may not be able to post again until we are in Nashville. Be praying for us...

Almost a year!

2008-10-23T18:02:00.007-04:00

I cannot believe that in a little over a month...we'll have a one year old little girl! Time has gone by so quickly!! I need to get going on putting her party together. We've decided to have it in Nashville since we will more than likely be moved there by then. I'm just not sure exactly where in Nashville yet. If it's at my parents', then we'll have to clean before and after (yuck...). My sister said we could do it at her apartment, but there again...she'd have to clean...and it's not as big. And I need to get invitations and work on getting them out in the next few weeks. I know a lot of our Knoxville friends may not be able to make it...but I hope some can be there.

Next Thursday, we're taking her to Central Baptist in Fountain City's Trunk or Treat...photos to follow. Then Halloween night we're going camping with my family at Pickett State Park.

She's going to be able to get her 1 year immunizations at 11 months since we don't know if we'll have insurance when she is 1.

On November 9th at 6 pm, we are doing her baby dedication at the Ridge Community Church. If you love our daughter, be there!

We are also supposed to find out about the offer on our house tomorrow. I have a feeling it will go through and if so, we're closing 10-14 days after. So we'll have to move very soon.

It is just crazy how fast this last year has gone by. So much has happened...good and bad. I feel like we're definitely stronger as a couple (for Mike and I) and as a family.

It's Fall!!!

2008-10-20T18:45:00.002-04:00

Nashville...how we'd love to call it home.

2008-10-16T18:47:00.004-04:00

Still not there yet. We visited this past weekend for my sister's housewarming party. Friday we ate at my Grandma's and watched a movie. We went to Germantown on Saturday for Octoberfest. Had some good German sausage and beer. Sarah's apartment is so cute! I should have taken photos but I forgot. It's seriously almost as big as our house. She got a lot of really nice and usable things at her party. We got to hang out with family...made a fire Sunday night.

We should hopefully find out in less than a week if the offer on our house will be accepted. We're really praying it does. SunTrust keeps losing paperwork which is why it's taken this long.

We're going to carve our pumpkin tomorrow night after we go to a funeral visitation...fall is good times. Not the visitation...the carving.

I found out yesterday that our friends, Josh and Caleb, lost their grandmother, Ann. She had had a heart attack a couple of weeks ago and has been going up and down in health since then. God saw fit to call her to Him Tuesday night. She leaves behind a family that will truly mourn and miss her. I know how close they all were to her...I can't imagine. I only have one grandmother who is active in my life and she is my second mother. I don't want to think about the time when she'll no longer be here. Please pray for them. This is definitely a hard time for the Tipton and Jenkins family.

God is in control!

2008-10-10T12:03:00.004-04:00

Everything that's happened with Baby Isaiah has really had Mike and I thinking back to when Delia was in the hospital and how dark and grim a time that was at first. But what is so awesome is that we had complete and total faith that God would heal our baby girl and she would come home with us without any indication that anything had ever been wrong.

He did just that. The photos above show Delia at Children's Hospital and how she looks now. For anyone that knows my daughter...you know her lungs (that were once compromised and filled with fluid) are working just fine...better then fine. She can hit Mariah Carey-like octaves. It's not that I have forgotten at all what happened to her or how scared we were and how helpless we felt...but it was such a blip in her life that she overcame miraculously. We know that God will do the same for Isaiah. Denira and Bobby will be able to look back 10 1/2 months from now and think the same thing. I am certain of that. God is in control. He is taking care of that baby boy.

The Great Pumpkin Patch

2008-10-06T11:48:00.005-04:00

We took Delia to her first pumpkin patch and for her first hayride over the weekend. She loved it! She loves being outside to begin with and she absolutely loved the hayride. She picked out a great pumpkin to carve.

We're going to a costume party at the Powell library tomorrow afternoon...I'll post photos from that soon.

We're headed to Nashville this weekend...I really thought we'd be moved there already by now...but God has had other plans and we really have been trying to be more patient with that.

The most exciting news that I have is that Denira and Bobby are going to meet their son, Isaiah, this Wednesday!!! We're definitely going to have to stop by that evening to see him before we head to Nashville on Thursday! I am so excited. I know the last month is really hard and Denira has just been ready to see her little boy and he'll finally be here!!!! Pray for an easy delivery and a healthy baby!

Fall, wonderful fall!

2008-09-27T10:27:00.002-04:00

I just checked the 10 day forecast here and starting Wednesday, it's supposed to be sunny and in the mid to lower 70s. I am sooo excited!!!

We went to GreekFest and the Food Show yesterday and got a ton of free stuff and yummy Greek food. It was fun just hanging out, mother and daughter.

I absolutely love fall. A lot of people love summer and spring (spring is nice too...by the way), but fall just does it for me. We've already planned an orchard trip and have bought Delia's first Halloween costume. She's going to be a ladybug. It's adorable. We had chili for the first time last night since last year. That's a big deal for me...it means fall has arrived! I just love all the festivals and holidays around this time. I love being able to wear a sweater or jacket and I can't wait to get Delia in some of her fall clothes...some I've had saved since before she was born. I've already bought stuff to make apple cider (my favorite!). We also got Delia a couple of cheap Halloween/fall themed dvds. I remember in August of 2007 I had posted a blog on my MySpace about how much I love fall and how excited I was to share that with Delia...and now that time is here and I couldn't be happier!

Speaking of our little lady...she'll be 10 months old tomorrow! Can you believe it? Two months until her first birthday! It has flown by.

Oh and we've had a lot of things happen within the last week that will more than likely cause our home to sell in the next 30 days. I'm not going into detail because it's sort of complicated but there's a real chance we'll be leaving very soon. Mike also found out he's still in the running for those Epiphone jobs. It would be very cool if we sold the house and he got the Epiphone job all at the same time.

Continue to pray for us...this is still nerve-wracking, but I feel like I'm more at peace and calm about it all. God has really revealed Himself to me lately and I know He's taking absolute care of us.

I have one beautiful little girl...

2008-09-23T11:43:00.001-04:00

And I think that photo there proves it...

Relieved...

2008-09-13T15:19:00.004-04:00

Because I have a VERY mobile child...I won't go too much into details. Basically, Holston terminated me. I kind of saw it coming and it had nothing to do with anything I was or wasn't doing. The administrator has been coming down hard on everyone the past few months and apparently I wasn't the only person to be let go. What is the most frustrating is that on the same paper they're firing me with...they ask to hire me for contract work. I've also been getting phonecalls because they need help with my old files. Sorry...when you fire someone..that's it.

Most people might get really upset and worried about something like this...and usually, I would too. But if you've been keeping up with my recent posts at all...you know how sick of Holston I have been and how much I have been wanting to stay home with Delia. So when they let me go, I actually felt this huge amount of relief. As strange as it may sound to some, I can totally see God at work in this.

Delia turned 9 months the day before all this happened, which is why I haven't updated. I've been busy chasing after her and we took a trip to Williamsburg, VA with my family last week. Delia is doing awesome. She isn't really gaining much weight but she eats like a horse and is all over the place. She still doesn't crawl...she scoots. But man is she fast! She also took her first tumble off our bed. I literally turned around for a split second and when I turned back around...she was going over the side. I saw the whole thing. She didn't hit her head. She grabbed onto our comforter as she was going down and I think it broke her fall. Either way, she doesn't get put on our bed alone anymore. She took her first really long trip and did awesome, she was so good the whole way there and back. Rode her first bus. Stayed in her first hotel. Survived a hurricane (or at least the wind and rain leftover from Hanna). She is eating table food now, but it's really hard because she can't have any dairy until she's a year. She can wave and say bye bye and hey. She says Mama and Dada and a bunch of other stuff I can't make out yet. She also gives people five. And she dances while saying, "Yeah yeah yeah". She waves anytime she sees or hears something she likes. She loves the Backyardigans and Oswald. She is trying to pull up but so far can get herself onto her knees and that's it. She freaks out when you take something from her that she is playing with (even if she shouldn't be). She is working on tooth number 8. She is only about 15 pounds and is 27 inches. She's teensy. I had to go back and buy her new fall clothes because the ones I had were 9-12 months. She's just now getting into 6-9 month clothes. Melissa came over and did her 9 month photos today. She'll have them ready in a couple of weeks I'm sure.

Anyway, I love being able to see all this throughout the day.

Still...keep us in your prayers as this has added a lot more stress for Mike. He's the sole breadwinner now (even with me getting unemployment). We're also still Nashville bound. When I found out I had lost my job, I kind of panicked and said that we had to move to Nashville by the end of the month...regardless of whether or not Mike had a job there yet or whether or not the house had sold. After a good talking to from my parents...I have focused a bit more and we're praying to know what we should do. If God wants us to move soon...He'll make a way. But we also may be hanging here a bit longer. We're still moving...we just still don't know when. I'm trying to be more patient with that and I've been realizing that maybe that's part of all this...to teach me patience and to have full and absolute faith.

Discouraged...

2008-08-14T18:07:00.003-04:00

I have been feeling pretty down the last few days and since I've started taking it out on my husband...I figure it's time to stop.

I'm just really discouraged that we haven't moved yet. That Mike hasn't found a job and that our house hasn't sold. I just want to be in Nashville so bad it makes me almost angry to even think about it.

I am so tired of my job: physically, mentally, and emotionally tired from it. I love my co-workers and I love the families I've been able to work with but I want to be at home with Delia and I know I'll be able to in Nashville.

Anyway, keep the Gentrys in your prayers. I don't want to keep feeling this way until we do get moved.

Addiction

2008-08-12T17:14:00.002-04:00

Before you go thinking this is going to be some heavy blog about binge drinking...let me stop you.

It's not.

But it's an addiction of a different sort.

I am addicted to buying baby clothes. I can't help myself. I am a mommy obsessed. The upside is I rarely buy anything that's not on sale or clearance. But still...it's a fix I have to have. And it doesn't just stop with Delia...I look for excuses to buy clothes for other babies. Sheesh.

Well, I have to teahc PATH...

Pray for my obsession.

Weekends are good

2008-08-11T11:53:00.002-04:00

Last week sucked. Really bad. I worked four nights. I had a lot of trouble finding childcare for D for some of those nights. I am so sick of my job. I am so ready to be able to stay at home with my daughter. It also didn't help that Mike was at a sleep study for two nights so I didn't see him from Wednesday morning until late Friday night.

The weekend was better. A lot better. Denira's shower was Saturday afternoon and she got lots of good stuff for little Isaiah! I know that first shower definitely makes it seem that much more real that your baby will be here soon. It's so exciting getting all that stuff because you know the arrival is just around the corner. Mike and I just hung out with Delia Saturday night. Sunday I let Mike sleep in and Delia and I played for a while then when she got sleepy, we went and took a nap (something I never do anymore). It was nice. We went to the duck pond, where she totally ignored the ducks and geese. Then we went to a few stores and just drove around. We had dinner at Salsaritas and then went back home to get ready for the week ahead. We watched a movie and just hung out some more.

I'm working three nights this week and Mike has mandatory overtime. But I'm having a Southern Living party at my house this Friday so I'm excited to have some girl time. I won't be able to hang out with my friends for two weeks in a row so it'll be nice.

Next weekend we're going to Nashville. We haven't been since June so I am ready. I just know it'll be hard to come back because I really thought we'd be moved there by now.

I know I am being taught through all this to have patience and just trust in God's timing. Please pray that I can do that. It is so hard.

We call her Scoot...

2008-08-04T23:21:00.007-04:00

Miss Heather asked to see a photo of my tattoo. So the first is a photo of my tattoo right after I got it in September of 2003. The second photo is a partial view of some of the add-ons I've had done in the last couple of years. I had a cloud border added and then the dogwood about two years ago. My arm has gotten significantly larger (aka fatter) in the last year or so. I'm going to keep blaming it on having been pregnant at least for the next couple of months. I have plans for a compass tattoo on my left foot but our funds have to be used elsewhere. Someday...

Also, my child is scooting all over the floor on her butt. She refuses to crawl. Apparently she's too good for it.

Babies Babies Everywhere!

2008-07-31T15:17:00.005-04:00

So yesterday my sweet friend from work, Sara, had her first baby...Alwyn Thomas Staley (Wyn for short). He is too precious. I went to see them for a bit this afternoon and the new little family is doing great!

And one of my bestest friends (and personal photographer), Melissa is having a baby girl in January 2009!!! Congratulations Melis and Chris! I knew it! I should be paid for my baby predictions...the only one I got wrong was my own. She has got so many cute girl clothes coming to her whether she wants them or not. From me...and Delia.

Denira's first shower is next Saturday! She has a lot of goodies from the Gentrys.

Babies are too much fun!

Happy Birthday Sawah!

2008-07-29T21:14:00.006-04:00

Has anyone seen the Labyrinth with David Bowie? I can recite that movie the whole way through. There's this giant orange monster named Ludo that calls Sarah (the main character), Sawah. So when I was little, I thought it was funny to call my younger sister that.

Anyway...that brings me to the point I was getting at.

Which is to say...HAPPY 23RD BIRTHDAY TO MY LITTLE SISTER SAWAH!!!

She is leaving the nest and getting her own apartment on September 20th and I am so excited for her! I love my sister!

This post isn't as happy as the last

2008-07-29T13:55:00.003-04:00

There's no good news in this post.

A friend of mine in Nashville, Sara Brindley, lost her little sister, Caitlin, Sunday night in a car accident in Kentucky. Caitlin and three of her friends were returning from a trip to King's Island when the car they were in crossed a median and hit a tractor trailer truck head-on. All four of the kids were killed...they will need to be identified for sure by dental records because the car caught fire. Caitlin was only 18 years old and was going to start college in Florida next month. She and the three others all went to my high school and my youngest sister knew most of them. I cannot imagine what Sara and her family and the families of the other victims must be feeling right now. My heart hurts for my friend. I just ask that you please keep the Currey and Brindley families in your prayers as well as the families of the other three. If you are in or around Nashville and you want to help with food or time, etc., let me know. I am trying to set something up for the family. Also, Sara is not a believer but she specifically asked me to pray for them right now. I just ask that God grants them peace in their time of grieving and that though she is certainly angry right now, that God will be real to Sara through this.

8 months old!

2008-07-29T13:42:00.004-04:00

Delia turned 8 months old yesterday! I can't believe how fast it's gone by!

She is growing so fast and finally putting on some weight, although she can still wear her 3-6 month old clothes.

She is eating stage 3 foods now and can sit up all by herself. She has been rolling and scooting to get where she wants to go...although it's never very far. She loves playing with her guitar, her farm, and her blocks. She has figured out that everyone else has a mouth like hers so she tries to share her pacifier with everyone. Too cute! She loves to see herself in photos or in the mirror. I can't believe we just have four months until she's a year!

Scrapbook Fevah!

2008-07-14T17:35:00.002-04:00

I have officially been bitten by the scrapbooking bug...

I said I would never get into it...but a girl needs her hobbies. And I do have an adorable little girl who needs to be showcased in her very own book. I went nutty today and got some starter stuff. The thing is...I have no idea what I'm doing. There is a lot to this mess. I mean, they have stores dedicated only to scrapbooking. I was overwhelmed looking at all the stuff you can use. It's insane. I'm starting small-scale. Simple. I'll be moving onto bigger and better things when I get the hang of things and when I get more money.

Any suggestions/ideas from the pros out there?

Goals

2008-07-10T15:01:00.002-04:00

I have some serious goal setting to do:

I need to lose like 40 pounds...I am not even joking. I don't even recognize myself in photos anymore. I know I'll never get back to near what I was in high school...but I at least want to resemble the "old me". I also don't want Delia to pick up the bad habits I've started the last few years. I want her to have a healthy family.

I need to be working more on my Southern Living business. It's weird being in transition when I know we're moving soon...but I don't know exactly when. But still...I need to be getting on that.

I want to be a member of a church so badly. Again, this is where the transition thing throws a monkey wrench in the plans.

The whole transition thing makes me think of our biggest goal...which is to get the heck out of Knoxville and on to Nashville. Mike has a phone interview at 4:30 today so hopefully that will go well and we can leave soon.

I know that when I seem so eager to leave, it may seem strange to our friends here in Knoxville, but I am just ready to go. It has nothing to do with them. I am ready to not be at Holston anymore, to be a stay at home mom, to be able to see my family more. That's what it's really about.

I need help with sticking to these goals. So if you see me...or if you don't...every once in a while, give me a nudge. I need it.

I'll get the July 4th weekend photos up soon. Hopefully this evening.

Busy, but fun, weekend!

2008-07-07T14:43:00.003-04:00

Hello! I had a great weekend with my family. My mom, dad, youngest sister, and her boyfriend all came to stay with us. We took Delia to see fireworks on Friday downtown. Then we went back home and had our own display. She was so fascinated by the sparklers...too cute! Saturday, we took everyone down to the Sunshpere and then to the World's Fair Park fountains. We then headed out to Turkey Creek for some eating and shopping and then took a tour of the UT campus for Jacob (Caity's boyfriend...he had never been to Knoxville before). There were hamburgers Saturday night as well as my yummy potato and pasta salads! Then a lot of Guitar Hero and some Trivial Pursuit. On Sunday, Mike, my dad, and Jacob all went hiking near our house and then we took Delia to the water park that is right down the street from our house. We ende their time here like we always do when the weather is nice...with a trip to Brusters. Delia had her first strawberry sorbet (since she's lactose-intolerant) and she loved it! I can't wait till I get to hang out with my family everyday! I love them sooo much and I always have a good time when they're around. Photos to come when I'm not at work... :)

Photos of my beauty!

2008-07-02T10:20:00.010-04:00

Thanks so much to one of my best friends, Melissa Hill, for doing such an awesome job on the photos! Delia was not the easiest subject to shoot and she wasn't able to sit on her own yet (but she can now!!!), but you did a great job. If you need photos for any occassion, see Melissa...her link is over to the right.

Also, I need to thank Ashley from Great Grabbie Designs for creating my wonderful new blog!!! It's so pretty and it reminds me of my wedding! She does these free of charge as a hobby. I'll be adding a link to her site shortly.

New Layout!

2008-06-23T16:58:00.002-04:00

I am about to have a new layout...stay tuned!!!

Antsy

2008-06-19T10:57:00.002-04:00

Here I am again, telling everyone how anxious I am. We are just ready to know what's going on. Patience is one of the hardest things for me to adhere to. Still no word from Rocketown...Mike sent an email last night to kind of see what the hold-up is. Hopefully they will at least respond back sometime today. The suspense is killing both of us. I don't think I've ever heard of such a rigorous interviewing process before.

Anyway, and totally unrelated...I joined the Disney Movie Club last week to get some timeless classics for Delia. They put a lot of the really good ones into their crazy "vault" for who knows how long so I didn't get a lot of the ones I really, really wanted. If you sign up online, you get to pick 4 movies for $1.00. That leaves you with an obligation to buy four more movies at regular price over the next two years. That is, unless you buy two more movies at the time of subscription. Then you get one for $9.95 and another for $14.95. That's still only about $25 total for six brand new movies. And then you only have to buy two over the next two years. We do that anyway. And shipping is free for that sign up purchase. So it made sense to me. As of now, she has The Little Mermaid, The Brave Little Toaster, Cars, Monsters, Inc., Robin Hood, and The Sword in the Stone.

Well, I need to get ready to head out for some fire drills. I have to make some of my families run outside as if there house were on fire. It's one of the perks of my job.

Oh and stay tuned for a new and improved blog design. I'm hoping it will make me want to be on here more often.

Again, I am so ready!

2008-06-17T12:39:00.003-04:00

We're hopefully going to be finding out about the last Rocketown interview today. I am just so ready to find out what's going to happen. I have a hard time being patient. Anyway, I'll post something as soon as I know. Just continue to keep us in your prayers!

We're going to Nashville this weekend for me to go to my Southern Living at Home Convention and for Mike to go to the Gibson Summer Jam with my dad. Slash, Matt Sorum, Jerry Cantrell, and Billy Duffy will be there. He's not so interested in meeting any of those guys, he just wants to see all the guitars.

Delia will be spending Friday with my babysitter, Sue, from when I was little. Sue is more like family than anything. She kept me from the time I was about 3 months old until we moved to Illinois when I was 8. Even after that, we still spent weekends and stuff with her. She's awesome and I think it's cool that D gets to spend the day with her.

Well, I need to get back to work. Denira, I will put up photos of my hair soon. Promise.

Da Da Day!

2008-06-15T18:38:00.003-04:00

Happy Father's Day to the best DaDa ever! We've been trying to get Delia to say that for the longest time now and I was hoping she'd unveil it for the first time today...but so far, no chance. Instead, she's been calling out "Ba Ba" and reaching out for me. I guess maybe I'm Ba Ba. Or maybe she's just hungry.

Anyway, Mike is such a great dad and is learning everyday about little Miss D. She loves her daddy so much! My prayer is that they grow closer everyday and that he is someone she can always run to.

Happy Father's Day to all the other dads and dads-to-be out there (Bobby & Chris!).

New hairs

2008-06-13T23:44:00.002-04:00

I got my hair colored today! I had it darkened and then added three panels of purple. It looks awesome and I haven't done anything like that since high school. I highly recommend Whitney at Rebel Salon. She was fantastic and so sweet. And this month if you mention their Myspace bulletin, you get 25% off any service! I'm also getting a new tattoo tomorrow and getting my dogwood border touched up. Pretty soon I'll be all rocked out. I am definitely a cool mama. Oh yes...

Good grief

2008-06-12T11:51:00.007-04:00

Anyway, I'll fill in the gaps of all that's been happening. Mike is currently waiting to hear back from Rocketown to see if he's made it to the last interview. We'll know by next Tuesday. He had his second interview last Friday and then went with the entire staff to a Sounds game in Nashville. It was a great chance for him to hang out with everyone outside of being in an interview. I got to meet everyone too and they are really great. I was a little worried and really hoping that they wouldn't be a bunch of hipster scene kids and they really were not at all. I loved all of them. They were so down to earth and genuine. Definitely there for the kids. It made me want the job for Mike all that much more. We got along great with everyone, even the volunteers and the skate team. They seem like a family to me and I love that. I feel like this is what God wants for him and us so I hope I am right. Please continue to pray.

The downside (the only downside) to him getting the job is that they want someone by the end of the month...which means we may have to scoot out of here without much notice. That thought does not thrill me but we'll do what we have to.

Oh, I also had to tell my boss what's been going on. He seems cool about it but I know it's really going to mess things up for the agency when I leave. It was bad enough when i took maternity leave and I cam back after that. That's what happens when there's only one of you doing the job.

Still no buyers for the house...I know it will sell when it's supposed to though so I'm not worrying just yet.

We also found a few churches in Nashville that we want to visit. One of them is the church that John Davis (from Superdrag) attends and we got a personal invite from the man himself. Mike was so excited. It sounds like an awesome church and it's right down from my high school, so it wouldn't be hard to find.

Delia is now 6 months and 2 weeks old. She weighs a little over 14 lbs. She's still a teensy thing. But she eats like crazy. I think it has a lot to do with her two hospital visits in March. That kind of set her back weight-wise for a bit. She is on jarred food and loves the green stuff. Peas and green beans. She's sitting up much better. It's taking longer and longer for her to topple over so I think she'll be sitting on her own soon. She says Gee Gee when she gets upset. We have no clue what that means but it's cute. She says Mum and Ba Ba and chatters incoherently all the time. She went swimming for the first time a couple of weeks ago and since it was the first time the pool was open and it was freezing, she wasn't a fan. We're going to try again tonight and see how she likes it.

I am getting my hair colored for the first time in two years tomorrow. I'll be going a bit darker and adding a few panels of either blue or purple. I'm not sure which yet. I'm excited. I also looked through our entire dress policy and it's not mentioned anywhere about having "unnatural" hair color.

I've also been reading Is Belief in God Good, Bad, or Irrelevant? by Dr. Preston Jones. I saw it a while back and noticed that Greg Graffin (from the band, Bad Religion) was mentioned. Basically the book is a chronicle of 6 months of email conversations between Dr. Jones (a professor of history at John Brown University and a Christian) and Greg Graffin (he call himself a "naturalist"). I really like it for the most part but can't help but be frustrated by Greg's inability to even try to see someone else's point of view. The two never get nasty with one another and it's not a competition between who is right and who is wrong. When Greg suggests that Dr. Jones read something of a "naturalist" perspective, he does. But when this is flipped on him and he is asked to read just the four gospels, he gives an excuse and says that he might do that someday. I also don't see how if you don't believe that something exists, how you can become so angered by the thought of "it". I don't believe in the tooth fairy, it doesn't make me angry that millions of little children do. So why does the thought of God to an atheist, agnostic, "naturalist", etc. make them so angry?

So that's what's been going on...in a nutshell. A rather large nutshell.

Moving on up!

2008-04-24T14:51:00.002-04:00

Or over to the side, rather...to the West Side. Of Tennessee. Well, more central TN. Anyway, we're moving to Nashville in the next few months. It is definitely official. We put our house on the market tomorrow. We don't even care what we get for it as long as we at least get what we paid.

Mike is still waiting to hear back about jobs...the most exciting one being the Entertainment Manager at Rocketown. He would be in charge of booking and promoting all the bands that come through. He would also be in charge of all volunteers at the events. This job is perfect for him so please be praying that he gets it. We won't know much of anything until either May 2nd or May 6th.

We're basically still planning on moving whenever the house sells or when Mike gets a job...whatever happens to come first.

Again, it's going to be hard and sad to say goodbye to all of our friends...but we're not going that far away. We visit Nashville all the time now so I'd say we'll do the same thing for here when we move there.

Anyway, I need to get back to work. Please continue to keep us in your prayers.

Prayers please!!!

2008-04-02T15:53:00.003-04:00

I have just found some awesome job opportunities for Mike is Nashville. Jobs that he would be perfect for. I'm not going to go into detail b/c I know he wouldn't want me to in the event that he doesn't get them. Just be praying for the jobs that I found today and that something will come through with one of them. God has been working tremendously in our lives in the last few weeks and I know that He can make this happen as well! This just makes me so excited to see what he has in store for us there!!!

Thanks!

Spring is here!

2008-03-25T15:53:00.002-04:00

And yet, not really...

I am ready for the good stuff. The blue skies and pretty flowers. The 60+ degree weather so I can take Delia out for walks.

Speaking of, she is doing great. Had a scare two weeks ago and had to put her in the hospital overnight. She had an allergic reaction to formula (which she rarely has to have) and a respiratory virus on top of that. She was a bit dehydrated from vomiting but she is back to normal now. She's added grumbling to her speech. She sounds like she's mad and complaining about something but she does it all with a smile on her face. Cutest thing ever.

We also celebrated our first Easter with her. She got to wear her beautiful little Easter dress to church and slept through most of the service. She does that every Sunday though. She had a little basket waiting for her when she got home.

To update everyone about our move; we are really and truly leaving our home here in East TN. We'll be moving to Nashville either when Mike gets a job or when we sell the house, whichever happens first. We keep getting confirmation after confirmation that this is the right thing to do. We haven't told his parents yet and we're both extremely nervous about how they're going to react so please keep us in your prayers and also keep this on the DL for the time being. I know they're going to feel like this is my doing and my fault but I seriously am just following my husband's lead.

We'll be living with my parents once we get there, at least for a little bit (especially if the house is still up for sale when we move) until we can find a new house there. We're thinking we're actually going to be either in Mt. Juliet or Lebanon. We don't really want to be in Davidson County.

I'm getting more and more excited about moving. I'll be able to stay home with D and it almost seems like we get to start over from scratch. That thought is both scary and exciting. I can't wait to be closer to my mom, my dad, and my sisters. It really hit me hard about how much I really do miss them once Delia was born.

Oh and another big thing is that I just became a consultant with Southern Living at HOME and I am so happy with the decision to just do it. It is an answer to a prayer and a way to really help me be at home with D.

If anyone would like to book a show with me or view the current catalog, you can go to my website at www.southernlivingathome.com/stephaniegentry .

Well, I need to get something to eat before I teach my class tonight! Have a good rest of the week!

Don't wanna be here!

2008-02-25T11:47:00.002-05:00

I'll be honest...with everyday I'm in my office...I realize more and more I'd rather be home with Delia. I am not a lazy person by any means...I am just a mother who loves her daughter. I know I am not unique in this desire to spend my days with my child. It just hurts to be away from her. Please pray that my days become easier or that we will find a way so that I can be home with her.

Also, we have some big life-changing decisions to make and I know they're going to be very difficult to follow through on. Not so much for me as for Mike. It will be hard on both of us...but more so for him. There is a very good possibility that we will be moving to Nashville within the year. That's where I'm from so it would be easier for me in that regard only. I'll still have to deal with all the changes that will come along with it. Finding a new job, finding a new house (after we just bought one less than a year ago), finding a new sitter, finding a new pediatrician...not to mention just the headache of moving in itself. We're not moving until Mike gets a job. This isn't a decision that was come to easily. It's just that Knoxville can't offer what Nashville can as far as jobs/income. And this wasn't even my idea either. Mike brought it up without me ever even thinking of it as an option. Obviously it will be so hard for him leaving his parents and us leaving our friends and what I have come to consider as my home. We just want to do what is best for our family, whatever that means.

Anyway, that's just a little of what's going on right now. Just send up some prayers for the Gentry family right now, if you will!!!

Thanks!!!

I'm the Mama!

2008-02-19T14:43:00.003-05:00

I am so amazed by how quickly Delia is growing. I am also sad that I'm not there during every day to see it as it happens. I am uplifted though that each and every day as soon as she sees me, she lights up and gives me the biggest toothless grin! Being her mom is the best thing I can think of next to being Mike's wife.

We're also finally able to start bringing her to church. Mike filled in on drums at Headwaters this past Sunday and she did so well. They don't have a nursery so she sat with me and slept most of the time. She also finally got to meet her friend Sophia. Sophia is going to have a baby sister soon and she really wanted to hold D...but since she's only 15 months old... no dice.

We're going to get her 3 month photos done next week. Can you believe she's almost 3 months old?!? She sits up in her Bumbo seat with no assistance and can hold her head up so well. She looks so proud of herself sitting on her own. It's adorable.

I am back to work as I sort of elluded to above. I really do enjoy what I do...but I enjoy my time with Delia more. I'm okay once I get her to the sitter's and get to work. It's just hard when she gets up in the morning and is all smiles and being so cute and then having to leave her. I hate that part.

Someone please start a home business with me. I have been thinking about event planning (parties, weddings, etc.). I know I'd be great at it...I organize like nobody's business and I have the best ideas for parties and such. I just really want to think of a way to be able to stay home with my daughter.

Anyway, I need to get back to my work. Mike is home sick and I hope it's nothing terrible or contagious. So far, we have both had colds and a stomach virus and Delia hasn't gotten any of it.

I promise, I'll be putting photos up soon. Soon just happens to be a very unknown word to me right now. So is the word clean. Oh and sleep too.

Such a long time

2008-01-19T21:28:00.001-05:00

Woo...it's been a while. The little one is down for a few so I will take this time to note a few things.

Thanks to everyone for the many prayers for Delia. She is doing so, so well and we know that it is all thanks to our Father! We were so scared those first few days and it was a real test for me to really just have faith that things were going to be okay.

Keep praying though for us with our hospital bills...we were hit with a lot b/c the doctors in ETCH NICU are not contracted with our insurance. The hospital is...just not the doctors. Right now we have a lot to pay that we weren't expecting.

Also, I go back to work in two weeks and it's going to be tough...I won't lie. I am going to miss being with D all day and seeing all those little things she does.

Speaking of...she has started really smiling. She can hold her head up pretty well for longer periods of time. She loves to look at lights and bright colors and she talks to her bedroom walls while she's being changed. She is truly the most adorable baby ever. And yes...I am totally biased.

We can start having visitors more often at the beginning of February which is awesome. I have felt a little like a hermit for the past month and a half.

Also, I will be 26 at the beginning of February. Not planning on anything special this year. We are going to Nashville the weekend before my birthday so maybe we'll do something there with my family.

Well, I need to get back to my precious. (That sounds a little Gollum-ish, doesn't it?) I'll add photos some other time.

Love!

Gonna be a mama...like TOMORROW!

2007-11-27T21:04:00.000-05:00

Tomorrow is the big day. "D" Day, if you will. We go into the hospital at 5:45 am. I am not so excited about that part but I guess it's better to get an early start. Delia should be here sometime tomorrow. I keep getting asked if I'm nervous...not really. Not because I'm a strong, level-headed, cool individual. More because at this point I don't know what to be nervous about. I'm sure tomorrow morning, I'll be a dribbling mess. Please keep us in your prayers. I know Mike's already nervous but excited. He just wants me and baby to be okay...and he is also semi-afraid he may pass out. Pray that he does not. We'll be ready for visitors Thursday evening, I'd say...so come on out and see the newborn. Just call Mike first. Obviously, I don't know what room we'll be in so Mike will keep everyone posted. It will be so nice to be able to do regular, ordinary things again too. Like shave my legs without cutting every inch of them because I can't really see what's going on. Or going back to only peeing three times every hour as opposed to 15 (Melissa knows what I speak of...my nickname should be "Tiny Bladder"...Elton John could write a song about it). Also, going back to regular jeans will be good, even if it's not right away. Well, I need to finish getting some last minute stuff done. Next time you all see me, I'll be someone's real, live mother!!!

Thankful

2007-11-23T15:06:00.000-05:00

Ok, been almost a month since my last post. Mainly because things have been crazy at home and work trying to prepare for Baby D. So crazy in fact, I've barely had a moment to actually remember that I'm going to be a mom soon. I mean, I know it's coming. This bump in my mid-section isn't here without reason. We're actually going to have her this Wednesday. I'm going in for an induction at 5:45 am. But I've actually been so busy, I haven't given myself a moment to stop and reflect on a lot of things here lately.

I have been a mess recently. Really. A walking mess. I have been a poor friend, a poor steward, a poor spouse even. I feel like I am so behind in my daily walk it's not even funny. I have tried to be too self-reliant (always a constant struggle with me...) and it has bitten me in the rear yet again. I feel like I have lost my grip because I was never supposed to be the one holding the reins to begin with.

I guess what I am most thankful for right now is a loving Father who takes me back everytime I fail. Everytime I am unfaithful to Him...He remains faithful in His love for me.

I want to lose the control I think I have over my life. I want to give it over. Desperately. I want to hand over my worries (and there are a lot) and leave it to my Father.

Please keep me and my family in your thoughts and prayers.

Soooo tired...

2007-10-25T10:09:00.000-04:00

Okay, I need to preface this by saying that I do not want to in any way sound ungrateful or anything like that about the fact that we're going to have a baby very soon. I am so thrilled at the idea of being Delia's mom and I cannot wait to see my daughter's sweet face. I am, however, allowed to complain a little bit...so I'm gonna...

This kid has been killing my insides for the past two nights. I think that, collectively, I've gotten about 3 hours of sleep. I look like a punching bag. I have swollen, puffy eyes. My ribs have been taking a nightly beating and my back feels like it's going to cave in on itself. I would like to look forward to being able to possibly get some much needed rest over the weekend...but we'll be in Nashville. Rest won't be an option. I feel like I'm going to pass out at any given moment. Also, I was warned about the really bad heartburn toward the end of pregnancy but I didn't take it very seriously. I do now. Anytime I eat, I feel like she is literally pushing the food, along with a gallon of stomach acids, back up my food chute. And because I'm not very tall, and I feel that she may be...she is quickly running out of room to put herself and so the feet go right up under my diaphragm which makes it really hard for me to breathe as well as I'd like. On top of the fact that I already have asthma...it gets scary.

Okay, I am done with my whining. Again, I am so happy that she'll be here soon and when I do get upset over my lack of sleep and constantly aching body... I just go into her bedroom and I feel overwhelming joy. I just wish she'd give her mother a break for like, one night.

So if part of a tree falls on your house and you're asleep, does it make a sound?

2007-10-19T10:09:00.000-04:00

Around 3:00 am, I get up to do my regular pregnant woman bathroom routine and when I lay back down, I hear what sounds like boulders being dropped on the floor or roof up above my and Mike's heads. Well, the tree on the property next door had come up a few huge branches and limbs short...and dropped them right on our house and cars. We've been trying to get the owner to cut it down (b/c it's dead and a huge endangerment to my house and my family) for months now. So Mr. Charlie Russell got a phonecall at about 3:10 in the morning. He told me we shouldn't be parking our cars in a place we know a tree could fall on them. Well, since this is OUR house...I should be able to park wherever I want w/o fear of trees in someone else's yard falling on our vehicles. And what about our house? Can't exactly move that sucker. I still don't know how bad the damage is. We took a few photos but it was dark and since we knew the whole tree could possibly come down...we high-tailed it over to Mike's parents' in Mike's car b/c the tree mostly hit my car. We won't really know until it's light out how bad things are...hopefully not too bad. I just want to go back to a whole house. Anyway, this guy has known for about two months how bad this tree situation is and has done nothing. So now neither Mike or myself have gotten any sleep and have been rushed out of our own home. I am not so happy...

7 more weeks!

2007-10-15T13:07:00.000-04:00

Holy moly! I am going to be someone's actual mother in about 7 weeks. This child that has been housed in my belly for the past few months will be outside! I cannot wait to meet her! It's so weird that even just about a year ago, Mike and I had really just started discussing having a baby. It had been on my heart and mind for a long time but I didn't know how he would feel about it so I didn't want to bring it up. I can remember crying and praying because I just wanted a baby so badly. I don't think I've ever even told that to anyone. I would be in the shower or in bed or in my car and just ask God to bless us with a family of our own and I wanted it so desperately that it would make me cry. For anyone that knows me...I'm really not a big cryer (except when I watch ET...). I just wanted to be a mom so much it hurt. And now I'm almost there! I want to see her, I want to know what she looks like and who she'll take after more...even though this kid is going to be goofy as crap...she has no chance as far as that goes. These months have just gone by so fast. Even when I thought things were rough, it's been a pretty smooth pregnancy. I really cannot wait to meet my daughter!!!

Ooh and this isn't so much related to Baby D but I am just so excited. We're going to be putting up our Halloween stuff this weekend! I'm making cookies and cider and it's going to be so much fun! I am a complete and utter nerd when it comes to fall and fall festivities. I even got the baby girl her own tiny little pumpkin. I'm pretty sure it's not going to last till December though.

PartyLite!

2007-10-14T11:44:00.000-04:00

I am having a PartyLite show at my house tomorrow night! They have so many pretty things that I want for the house... Anyway, it's at 7 pm tomorrow. I'll have some food and some drinks and it will be fun. Yeah.

Who loves student loans?!

2007-10-11T10:26:00.001-04:00

Not me. So I was balancing our checking account last night and when I went online to do so, I found that my student loan payment has been more than doubled. Now, I did set it up a little over two years ago as making graduated payments. That means that for the first two years of repayment, the amount would be lower and then after the two years, it would increase. But I feel like a little notification...a letter or something...would have been nice to get to let me know. It's not $20 extra a month I'm talking about. Not to mention that I started making payments in August of 2005...it's October 2007. A tad over two years. I'm just really aggravated that they didn't let me know exactly when it was going to happen...I mean, I knew it was coming but it wasn't the first thing on my mind. That's why a reminder would have been nice. I work on a budget, people!

Anyway, I'm going to call today and figure out if that's even what it is that happened and that they didn't make some billing error. For all I know, without any letter of notice, that's what it could be.

Sheesh. Other than that, the week is going pretty well. I have to teach CPR and 1st Aid at work tonight...until 9 pm. Woo hoo. And then I have to be to a legislative breakfast with a bunch of boring suits tomorrow at 8 am. Then I have a doctor's appointment and I am going to try and remember this time to ask her which way the baby is laying. I'm pretty sure I know...but I always forget to ask.

The weather is supposed to be really good this weekend! I am definitely excited about that and the fact that we really don't have anything planned.

Well, I need to call about my wonderful student loans. Ah college! You plague me still...

I need to stop...

2007-10-05T17:36:00.000-04:00

So I got the Baby Girl a Christmas dress today. I am such a freak when it comes to buying her clothes. It is like an addiction. I had Gym Bucks so I used them...she needed a Christmas dress to sleep through Christmas in so I got it. Sue me. Okay so that sounded a bit defensive...

Stressed no more!

2007-10-05T10:54:00.000-04:00

I am so glad this week is almost over. I don't think I have ever been this stressed out since I've worked at Holston. Three audits in one week! We were prepared for two of them and then I get a phonecall at 9:00 am yesterday with our office manager telling me that we had a surprise DCS audit. You'd think with us just having had the other two audits, I wouldn't be worried b/c the files look good but for one of the audits we had to pull the files apart and hadn't had a chance to put them back together. I had to rush in to work (since I hadn't planned on coming in till 10:00) and throw the files back together in about 30 minutes. Not an easy task.

So anyway...it's all over with for now and I don't think we can be audited by anyone else...they've all already hit us within the last couple of months. Next week I can start to really focus on getting things squared away to leave. It will be so nice not to have to think about work for a bit.

Tomorrow's our first shower! I'm so excited but I need to clean as soon as I get home.

Alright...I'm going to start rambling even more if I don't end here...

Starting Over

2007-10-03T10:59:00.000-04:00

Okay, so since I have been trying to remember my other blog's password for months now to no avail...I am starting another one so Denira will get off my back.

Things have also been so crazy lately. I'm not even talking about baby stuff. It's been chaotic at work. I am trying to get things ready for me to go on maternity leave and it's like things just keep getting heaped on my already huge list of things to do before the end of November.

Speaking of baby stuff though...this Saturday is our first shower!!! I am so excited to see what Baby D is going to get! That and I want everyone to see what we've done with her room so far. I can't believe we just have 8 1/2 weeks left till she's here. There is still so much to get done between now and then.

I am so excited that it's fall!! I cannot stress that enough. I wish it would cool down already though. I want to wear sweaters and hoodies.

Well, that is about all I have for now. I promise I won't forget the password this time.