Thursday, March 29, 2007

Thankful Thursday



I'm very blessed to be able to still be able to work full time due to having an absolutely wonderful day care situation. Abraham goes to Miss Tami 3 days a week and he LOVES it there. I got Tami's name from a parent at school that I was close to. We went to meet Tami last summer and immediately had a good feeling about her and her family. Needless to say, Abraham is around Tami's 4 girls and only 3 other day care kids. She loves on him really well, as do her girls. On more than one day I have gone to get him and they are loving on him too. That makes me feel so much more at ease knowing he is well taken care of.

The other 2 days a week my mom is blessed with his presence! She asked for it! He gets Mimi, Aunt K and Chloe time. Again we are so blessed to have family close by who are able to and want to watch him.

This week my mom had to go out of town unexpectedly and I needed Tami for those 2 days. She graciously said that she'd take him. I'm so thankful that she is flexible enough to allow me to change things at the last minute. She is fantastic and so worth the money - as little as it is, she probably deserves more!

So my thankful Thursday is written because I'm thankful for wonderful daycare that allows me to still work. God has provided for us yet again!

Tuesday, March 20, 2007

100 random things about me

100 things about me (and my family)

1. This kids song is my theme song for my life: “He’s still working on me, to make me what I ought to be. It took him just a week to make the moon and the stars, sun and the earth and Jupiter and Mars. How loving and patient He must be, cause He’s still working on me!”

2. I’m more in love today than yesterday with my hubby Michael. He is my soul mate, my lover and my best friend. I’m so blessed to be his wife.

3. My boys, Abraham and Moses, are my pride and joy.

4. They were born premature at 28 weeks and had to spend in the NICU.

5. I hate hospitals now. Between 5 weeks on bed rest in the hospital and another 51 days in the NICU, if I never go back it would be too soon.

6. My sweet boy Moses lives with Jesus and the angels in Heaven. He is 100% healthy there and is happy.

7. I can’t wait for the day that I’ll be able to see him and hug him again.

8. I live in the same area that I grew up in.

9. Michael moved to MD from GA for love. There weren’t any good Georgia peaches down there I guess!

10. Blue is my favorite color.

11. Michael and I have visited almost every lighthouse between Georgia and Maine. We did this BC – Before children!

12. Getting Michael to climb up the lighthouses was like pulling teeth – he hates heights.

13. I would wear jeans and a t-shirt every day if I could.

14. If I could go anywhere in the world I would go to an island with very few people.

15. I’m a shoe addict.

16. I’m also a Target addict. I can’t get enough of that store.

17. I get my expensive taste in clothes and shoes from my Nanny. She was always dressed impeccably and she always looked like a lady.

18. My Nanny now takes care of my Moses for me. I hope they are loving each other for me today.

19. I HATE most types of chocolate, ie: ice cream, cake, icing. I’ll eat on occasion chocolate candy bars but that is about it.

20. My favorite candies are fruity, sort of like me!! Skittles, Starburst, Lifesavers etc.

21. My perfect summer day is laying on the beach with a book, listening to the waves roll in, soaking up the sun.

22. My job is the perfect job for me. Most days I feel like I make a difference. Other days I want to quit!

23. I have made some dear friends through my job, some co-workers and others are parents of students.

24. TLC is the best channel on cable TV.

25. I LOVE reality TV – I’m a sucker for American Idol, Survivor, Amazing Race, True Life, Real World… and the list goes on.

26. Becoming a mom is the accomplishment that I am most proud of.

27. I am a poor housekeeper. I hate cleaning – much to the despair and pleading of my neat-freak hubby! Sorry babe 

28. I’d rather do the laundry than clean.

29. I was home schooled for high school and I loved it.

30. I attended Liberty University and majored in Elementary Education. I lived off campus for my first year and was a nanny for extra cash.

31. I lived in Bolivia, South America for 4 months while I completed my student teaching semester.

32. I’d love to go back and see the school and the missionaries that I lived with. Maybe one day!

33. I had my one and only school spanking in first grade… yes they had corporal punishment back then. I helped a kid cheat and we got caught.

34. I “forgot” to tell my parents about the spanking and when they found out I got it worse at home. Dumb first grader!

35. I long to be back involved in a church and for Abraham to grow up knowing the Sunday School songs and stories I grew up with.

36. Both Michael and I got seriously sunburned on our honeymoon and had to come home a day early.

37. I hate taking care of my feet – mostly painting my nails.

38. Everyone should be required to get a pedicure.

39. I always get strawberry cheesecake on my birthday. My mom gets it from the Amish in PA – it’s the best!

40. We tried to be creative in naming the boys. Were going to do and A and B names but it didn’t end up that way. We liked Abraham because it was original. We chose Moses’ name because of a meaning we found: created for special purposes. It suited him to a T.

41. Being a teacher allows me to have Winter Break, Spring Break, Summer Break and SNOW DAYS!! Course I love kids too, mind you!

42. I can’t stand to see, hear or clean up vomit – even with my own kid! Worse when it’s a student 

43. I can’t stop myself from buying “stuff” for Abraham – toys, clothes and of course SHOES!

44. I am starting my Master’s Degree in April. I hope to finish before Abraham turns 18 – HA!

45. I used to stay up late to finish a book I was reading – after Abraham I forget what books are.

46. My alarm clock has a name – Abraham!

47. When I was little I wanted to be an ice skating nurse in Haiti.

48. When I was a teen, I wanted to either be a fashion designer or an interior designer.

49. I love to laugh

50. One of these days you’ll find me in the woods of PA, in a log cabin, with a hubby that is a fly fishing guide.

51. Winnie the Pooh is my favorite Disney character.

52. My nickname growing up was Pooh Bear.

53. I love selling stuff on Ebay. If it’s not tied down, it’s gone! 

54. Every time I watch Lost, I get jealous. I’d love to be stranded on an island with no one around.

55. I love grocery shopping – it’s my weekly escape. I could spend hours in there.

56. I could easily be a shopaholic… if I had more money!

57. I wish I had more time to cook better for my family. I look forward to trying new recipes this summer.

58. The older I get the more I understand and respect my parents.

59. I admire my sister in law, Elizabeth. She is a free spirit and had followed her heart to the other side of the country, completely away from family. I think she is brave and adventurous. I’d love to be more like that.

60. I go out and get coffee or ice cream with my sister once a week – maybe that is why I can’t shed the pounds!

61. People who are dishonest really tick me off.

62. I’m organized – organized chaos. It might not look organized but I know RIGHT where things are.

63. I’m the cheapskate of our family.

64. My favorite day of the week is Saturday because I get to take Abraham to the library for Story Time.

65. I’d be afraid to be a contestant on the show “Are you smarter than a 5th grader?” Although I taught 5th for a year, I think I’d look like an idiot!

66. Amy and I have been friends for over half of our lives.

67. Old friends are the most precious and if they know that much about you, you really SHOULD keep them close!

68. I’m a firm believer that “Everything happens for a reason. I might not know why but I don’t have to know.”

69. I play the lottery every week with some co-workers. When we win big, watch out! There will be a need for teachers at RFE! 

70. We just bought our first new car this past weekend – and I love it!

71. I have a hard time keeping anything clean – house or car. I promised my hubby that I’d do better with the new one!

72. I’m admire my sister and brother in law for living with my parents. Sometimes you just do what you have to do – even if you don’t like it.

73. I’m proud of my nephew for doing so well in Kindergarten.

74. I’m proud of my niece for overcoming what could have been a blow to her confidence. She is a tough cookie and very strong willed. She blows me away daily with her zest for life!

75. I don’t own any gold jewelry. Only silver.

76. My secret vice is watching ice skating.

77. I’m Irish and I love doing St. Patty’s Day activities with my students. I usually dump desks and pretend that I’m a leprechaun! They get a kick out of it.

78. I’d drink a caramel frappachino from Starbucks every day of the week if I could.

79. Because my mom taught me the “correct” way to type, I’m pretty good at it – fast and fairly accurate.

80. I really do LOVE my in-laws. Yes I realize this is out of the ordinary for some but I get along great with them.

81. Abraham’s room has polka dots on the wall – my mother in law painted them, actually she decorated his whole room. Thanks Kay!

82. I love anything mint: Mint Oreos, ice cream, Peppermint Patties etc.

83. I used to hate roller coasters but now I love them.

84. I love cinnamon gum – Big Red is the best!

85. When I feel like a failure at “life” I remember that Abraham thinks I’m the best mommy ever and that is what really matters.

86. My favorite place to vacation is the Outer Banks.

87. I take sick days even when I’m not sick. Usually they are “mental health days”!

88. Chick-fil-a is my favorite fast food place. Their sweet tea rocks!

89. Mexican is my favorite kind of food. I could eat it 3 times a week.

90. I hate “sLIMA beans” and always have. We used to have contests growing up to see who could get the most on their fork and swallow it the fastest.

91. I like having a June birthday because I get gifts every 6 months.

92. One day I’d love to own a bed and breakfast in PA. Michael would be a fly fishing guide and I’d be the hospitality.

93. I think it would be fun to live in New York city.

94. It’s really hard to come up with 100 things about me. I must live a pretty boring life.

95. Besides my husband, my sister is my best friend. I tell her EVERYTHING!

96. Give me caramel or give me death!

97. My favorite singer growing up was Steven Curtis Chapman. I was obsessed with him!

98. I love my XM radio!

99. My XM is set to the 80’s music station. I love the 80’s! Go Rick Astley and Huey Lewis!

100. I don’t have any tattoos – but my hubby does.

Thursday, March 15, 2007

Prayer Requests

I have 2 Prayer Requests of those of you who actually read this blog!

1. What got me remembering my NICU experience is a friend of mine. 3 weeks ago she gave birth to her son, at 25 + weeks. It was necessary to deliver him early as she had a tumor that was growing as the baby grew. Because he was so tiny, his lungs weren't completely developed. He is really struggling tonight. As the Father brings them to mind, please pray for them.
Mandy and Tom Windgate and the baby is Connor.

2. There is a new family at school that has a son in first grade. Mom is fighting for her life against acute leukemia. She is presently in Hopkins and will be there for some time. Dad is left with a new job and 2 young boys to care for. Please pray for this family as they come to mind.
Uebersax family - Sue, Carson (6 yrs old), Tucker (4 yrs old) and Dad (not sure of his name)

Thank you for lifting up these dear ones before the Throne of Grace.

Thankful Thursday


Angel Boy Moses


Abraham and Moses on Momma

Abraham at 1 1/2 months old


I sit here tonight reflecting on the past year and a half that my family has been thru. It wasn't that long ago that I was sitting in the NICU waiting for the day that I'd take my boys home. Sitting in their room day after day, watching the monitors that told me what was happening with them - praying that God would take care of them when I left each night. Dreaming of what they'd be when they grew up, the memories that we would make together. Those days were some of the hardest days of my life. We experienced the highest highs and the lowest lows. We learned to take it one day, one hour even at a time. It often felt like we'd be there forever.

And then one day Jesus took Moses home to be with him. No parent should ever have to bury their child, especially one so young. I went thru all sorts of emotions - sorrow, relief, disappointment, anger. But God in His Grace and Mercy covered all my emotions and made it all as "ok" as possible for me.

The next thing we knew they were telling us they were taking Abraham off of the monitors and the oxygen because he was ready to go home. One day we were visiting the next we were driving our miracle home.

I say all of this to explain my Thankful Thursday post. There was so much to be thanful for back then, even in the middle of all the uncertainty.

I'm thankful that the boys had fantastic care while they were in the NICU.

I'm so thankful for two nurses in particular - Lauren and Alice who were the boys' primary nurses. They were outstanding.

I'm thankful for the wisdom of the doctors and nurses who cared for the boys. Without them and their concern for the boys and for us, I don't think we would have been as calm as we were.

I'm thankful for their cautiousness in sending Abraham home - making sure he was REALLY ready and that WE were ready too.

I'm thankful for Dr. Helau who requested a 2nd echocardiogram to look at Moses' heart. Without his insight, Moses could have very well passed away at GBMC where there was no pediatric heart specialist.

I'm thankful for Dr. Vricella who performed the open heart surgery on Moses at Hopkins. He had never done the surgery on such a tiny baby but he was willing to do it and give Moses a chance.

I'm thankful for the Child Life women who were so kind and gracious in taking care of Moses after he went HOME. We got hand and foot prints and a lock of hair and we got to hold him for as long as we needed to. I was able to start the healing process because of them.

I'm thankful for Holly Mc Comas at the funeral home who made the process of making decisions for Moses short and simple.

I'm thankful for Pastor Mike and the message of LIFE and CELEBRATION that he brought at the cemetary. I'm thankful for the friends and family that braved the cold to support our family.

I'm eternally thankful that my sweet Abraham is a happy and healthy 16 month old. He is the light of our lives. I'm thankful that he is hitting his milestones and is doing so well.
He really is our miracle.

My heart is just full to overflowing with thanks to the Father for HIS goodness and for HIS grace that was and is continually pouring over us. I pray that we will be good parents and that Abraham will grow up to love the Lord with his whole heart.


My Miracle Abraham

Tuesday, March 13, 2007

Baltimore Examiner Article

This past weekend the article about my kids was put in the Baltimore Examiner. It was written soley about us and was well done, I thought.

If you have a chance to read it you can find it at the following site:
http://www.examiner.com/a-611007~Spare_change_helps_to_save_child_lives.html

Sunday, March 11, 2007

New Car Smell





Well, we took the plunge again this weekend and bought a new car. The last car we bought was before we were married. And it wasn't totally new either. So anyhow, my car was in dire need of an overhaul. The cost of the work it needed led us to the Honda dealership!! We drove this Honda Element and loved it. It has plastic floors, perfect for a messy 16 month old and a messy mommy too! It's really cool - hard to believe I'm driving a new car!
So anyhow, here is our new baby.
Oh yea and today, one day after we got it, Abraham put the plastic floor to use when he dumped my Taco Bell cup with ice in it, all over the place. I simply got a napkin and wiped it up without having to freak out! SOO NICE!!

Saturday, March 10, 2007

Remembering Nanny



Today is the 1 year anniversary of my sweet Nanny's homegoing. My sister posted this pic of Nan on her blog and since it is my favorite of her, I'm putting it on here as well.

I love this pic because it is SO Nanny. She was always such a LADY, always so put together, hair just right, and you'd never catch her without makeup on. She was like this nearly to the end of her life.

I could go on and on about the many things that I love about Nanny and the memories that I have with her. Maybe once I get my thoughts together I'll return and put some of these on here...
But for now, let me say how much I love you Nanny. I am glad that you are taking care of my Moses for me as you enjoy the presence of Jesus. Give each other a hug for me, ok?



Me and my Nanny at my wedding (Aug 2001)

Monday, March 5, 2007

The First, but not the last, Trip to the ER for Abraham

This past week has just NOT been Abraham's week health wise. He has had a pretty nasty cough for a while but on Thursday it was getting worse. By Friday, he was running a fever and was really lethargic, coughing and having a difficult time breathing. So Friday night, Michael and I took him to Patient First. They checked him out, ran some x-rays and didn't find anything. They couldn't get the O2 up in his blood and the fact he couldn't breathe made them send us to the ER. We had just spent an unplanned for 2 hours at Patient First (we had been out on a "date" night and got the call from Mom!) The thought of the ER made us both pretty sick. But it wasn't too bad. They hooked Abe up to the moniter and my heart just dropped. It was the same machine he had been hooked to in the NICU. They gave him steroids to help him breathe and gave him an albuterol treatment to help too. By the time we got out of there it was 12:30 AM and we still had to get his meds. Good grief! Poor thing was EXHAUASTEED!!!

His breathing is much more even now. We went to the pediatrician today and checked him out. He has a double ear infection (the 3rd in 4 months), and still has a rattle in the chest. I took today and tomorrow off to be with him. He is all about cuddling and MOMMA right now. He will make it - not sure about me tho! He wears me out!!

So there are no pics of this one obviously!

Sunday, March 4, 2007

Day at Port Discovery

I LOVE pushing BUTTONS!

Our Lil' soccer player

Hey this isn't a real sandbox - that's not funny!


Can you find me in here?

Alex, Chloe, Abraham and Momma
Abraham and Momma



This past Sunday Kari and I and the kids went to downtown Baltimore to Port Discovery. This is where I turned in the $1,160.24 that the students at RFE collected for Hopkins Childrens Center. We were given 4 free tickets for Port Discovery as a thank you. So we spent the day chasing 3 very active kids. Talk about tiring! They had WAY TOO much energy! We really enjoyed spending some time together and just playing.