A MESS I SAY

I have TONS to do and not enough time to do it. I have only wrapped about 5 Christmas gifts.... I have to finish all that up. But the biggest thing on my mind is an interview I had this past week. I know I was one of 4 people who were being interviewed, this was after we made it through a round of telephone interviews. It is a position I really would like to have and I am trying so hard to not get my hopes up. I know they can not make an official offer till after a full background check and all. But, they did say that they would call, either way, the early part of next week. That, in turn, makes this the LONGEST weekend ever. I know that having to work tomorrow will take my mind off of it but I am almost beside myself, and sitting on pins and needles. I do feel that the interview went very well. When I had an hour with the staff of the center I had them laughing and cracking jokes. According to the guy doing the hiring, I am the only one that has actually gotten them talking. I should see that as a good thing right? Any way please keep us in your prayers. Eric had been diagnosed with Shingles and I know it hurts really bad, and, there is nothing like having to meet a $100 deductable on an Rx when there is only a few weeks left in the year..... More to come later.

Prayers

I have LOTS to post but no time. Please keep us in your prayers next week. After then I will have some time to post :)

Bad blogger

I know I have been a bad blogger... but in my defense life is nuts with a 2 and 20 month old!!!! Please keep us in you prayers as Eric and I have some decidions to make and are praying for God's best for us and the boys :)

This year was Corban's 2nd halloween but it brought an all new adventure for him, as it was his first year to be old enough to go trick or treating. We loaded up the wagon with Corban and cousin Addy and around the neighborhood we went. Helena, like a few other cities decided to celebrate on Sat. night instead of Sun. which worked fine because we went to the Kingwood trunk or treat Sun night. Corban decided that he did in fact like the moon walk the previous week at church and when he spotted one he had to play in it. Corban was Tigger this year, while the costume was a size 2t it fit him perfect!
Asher had to have a costume too! We had a winnie the pooh but it was a 3-6 month and swallowed him whole so I found the pumpkin outfit at kids market for a couple of dollars and it was a great buy seeing as how he wore it a couple of times. I am dreading the years as costumes will get more expensive in the future. But the joy of 2 children of the same sex is hand me downs!

Corban is such a great big brother. He LOVES Asher. It is not unusual for me to be holding Asher or for him to be laying in his seat or anywhere mind you and Corban walks over to him and says "kiss." We have kissed head and toes and hands, tickled tummys and feet and brushed his hair. Corban is genuinely concerned when Asher cries and is super protective. If a paci has fallen out he must get it back in Asher's mouth. We can't go to sleep till after everyone, including Asher has had "kiss." I want to treasure and remember these days because I know the time will come too soon that he will run from hugs and shy away from kisses.

The boys cooperated pretty well for our first, of many, annual halloween pictures.

This picture makes my heart sing, Corban's most prized toy is his guitar. Asher had been crying and to make him "ok" Corban went over and laid his guitar in Asher's lap. The guitar fell out of his lap several times but every time it fell Corban picked it up and put it back in Asher's lap.

The past couple of weeks it is like a light has gone off in Corban. He is picking up words like crazy. He is starting to say "thank you" with out being prompted and after any sneeze you will hear "bless you." Since he is in his toddler bed we close the door to his room at night and lock the gate at the top of the steps, just in case. Last night after Eric put him to bed I was getting Asher to sleep so I could run down stairs and get a snack and I heard this knocking sound. I thought it was Eric and was about to ask him what he was doing when I it happened again. I realized it was from Corban's room. He was knocking on his door for someone to let him out, not banging like you would knock on a front door, he also did it at 4:45 this morning when it wasn't as cute but equally funny.

I have a super sweet and thoughtful husband. He read my post about wanting to go to Fiddler on the Roof and made it happen!!! We got all dressed up and went last Sunday afternoon as my Christmas present!!!! It was WONDERFUL!!! I am theatre through and through and it is truly one of my favorite things. When I was at school at UAB I attended lots of plays at the Alyce Stephens Center but I had never been to a Broadway performance! Needless to say I have kept my play bills and they will go into a scrapbook. The music, and acting and singing was incredible and there was not a single person who I thought umm, they really can't sing that they were all great!

Corban Lee my big boy at 20 months

I can't believe my baby is a big boy! Last night he slept all night in his big boy firetruck bed, under the stars, you know the glow in the dark ones that you stick on the celing, the previous owner had them in his room. Corban loved them so much we left them up.
-Asks for "help" if he wants it
-Can say his abc's if you go through them with him but often if you say a he will say b and so on.
-Knows the difference between 1,2 and 3
-LOVES to hold and kiss Asher, when he is done holding Asher he pulls his arms out from under him and signs "done" - like he does when he is done eating or with his milk
-Sill working on mastering the fork but does pretty well
-Will sit on the big boy potty
-Loves bath time, with bubbles of course
-Picks Asher up when mommy and daddy are not looking..... Asher often alerts us to this, sometimes anyway
-Likes to point to Asher's body parts and name them
-Likes to give Asher his paci..... sometimes in the eyeball
-Loves balls, anything round is a ball and if it is small and round it is a "beball" and ALL round objects MUST be thrown, that's my boy!
- Loves his mickey mouse ride on firetruck, well worth the yard sale price of $3 and his shopping cart, another yard sale find :)
-Is starting to inform us when he has a stinky, bring on the potty baby!
- Asks for "kiss"
-Is quite the little ham, I love his big open mouthed laughs thst show his dimples
-Is willing to try almost anything and isnt afraid of too much
-Loves the Wiggles and MM Clubhouse. He jams out on his "gittar" with Murray, the red wiggle. If he doesnt have his guitar to play he makes fists and plays the "boomboom" to the beat I might add
-likes to spin in circles, then tries to walk and falls down laughing

Searching.....

Has been my life for the past couple of years. Learning how to be a mom, house search, job search and church searching . While Eric and I love the people, and like the church we have been attending next week will be our last week there. There are several reasons we have but the biggest one being that this is just not "home" for us. A big problem that I have been running into is church only has one service and it starts at 10...... the exact time of Corban's daily nap. When nap time gets messed up so does the entire day and trust me, it is not worth it!!!! I think right now we are leaning to Kingwood, I can go to service or SS at 9 and run home afterwards to get Corban his nap. Also, it is where I grew up, my parents, and now Eric's mom attend there as well. Lately Eric's sister and her family have been going some too. It is also only 5 minutes vs 20 minutes from the house. But we are praying and seeing where God would have us.
Another thing on my mind is my job. My year at the bank is up and when I go back from maternity leave, Friday, I can "post out" of my position. Except that they have frozen all postings till Jan. because they want to have a strong 4th quarter reporting for the year. So, I am praying for favor and God's wisdom in which position to post for when the time comes. I have been looking at positions elsewhere too. One position specifically, that I am looking into would be a state position and would be awesome!!! I would have to drive down town but it would be worth it in the long run with insurance and benefits for my family, not to mention an increase in pay :)

Pumpkin Patch

Blogger is giving me uploading pic fits so I will have to post the rest of them later. Last year we didn't go to the pumpkin patch because Corban was so young I didn't see the point. This year he loved it. We went to Old Baker Farm in Harpersville. We went there because the $10.00 was all inclusive and was the best deal, and kids under 2 are free :). They are the oldest working farm in Shelby county, over 100 years old. I wanted to go next weekend for their cotton picking celebration and history reenactment, but we have other plans :(. We were able to see, up close, ducks, chickens (some babies too), calf, pig, goats, horses, donkeys, turkeys, swans and I am sure I am forgetting something. It was easy to get close enough to pet the horses and calf. We did the corn maze, which is HUGE, where we managed to get real good and lost. Picked a little bit of cotton, they had this big cotton bin that you could get in and play in, like I said pics to come. Corban loved the hayride because he is stuck on tractors/ cars, anything that he can "ride." Asher had fun too, sleeping.


Corn

On our way to the patch

Eric's "perfect" pumpkin.

I was suprised he could lift this pumpkin, it is pretty heavy. As you can see there is some straining going on.

Asher 4 weeks

I can't believe my baby is 4 weeks!!!

- I love sleep smiles!!!

- Starting to "talk"

- Loves to watch his big brother

- Sleeps at night, not through it yet but only wakes 2 times, normally

- takes deep heavy breaths when dozing off.... like your dad and brother

- doesn't mind tummy time, and is actually quite fond of it

- loves to snuggle chest to chest

- has earned the nick-name stinker..... which I have shortened to stinx

- is very laid back..... unless it is time to eat

- lets his brother poke his face/eyes, grab feet, and attempt to pick up-and yes brother is strong enough to pick him up

- goes crosseyed if he tries to focus too hard

- has grown out of newborn clothes

- is still not too sure about baths

- has given MANY showers when having a diaper changed

Adjustment?!?!?!?!?

Is the most appropriate word for my life right now. God has blessed us with an awesome new house and a new baby boy!!!! All at one time, really. I am blessed beyond words!!!

Believe it or not Asher has not been the adjustment, Corban has. While he is being a good big brother he has had a few things going against him. Last week he had a 48hr feaver virus, my hands were raw from washing them from going back and forth between the 2 of them. If you know Corban then you know he doesn't sit still. So, when he wanted mommy to sit on the couch and hold him I knew something was really wrong. Did I mention it is difficult to nurse with both kids in your lap? Not to mention Corban wanting to "help." This week he has an ear infection and has been difficult at night, he wakes up at least 3 times and sometimes wants to sit up, it hurts to lay down with ear infections.

Asher is doing great! At night he often sleeps 3-4 hours..... maybe longer if Corban wasn't up so much. He is also the quiet one of the two, with a much more laid back personality. Corban is ocd, like his daddy, but I love them, someone has to keep the house clean right?

Corban is sitting on the big boy potty every night before bed, he has yet to use it but does know what it is for. When Eric put him on there for the first time he sat there for a minute, reached over and grabbed toilet paper and wiped himself and dropped it in the potty. Eric and I laughed so hard..... since Corban almost always goes to the bathroom with mommy he was just doing what he has seen......poor kid, he will have so many excuses for therapy when he gets older.

Asher's Story

Post warning: this post contains some details of labor, but I think the laugh you may get out of it may be worth the read.

Friday, Sept. 17th started out with a bang for me. At 1:59am I woke up from a deep sleep and sat up in bed. I felt as though my water had broken. After searching the web and reading I decided that I did need to go on the hospital. After gathering our stuff and making the trip we arrived around 4am. After talking to the nurse and Eric telling them I was supposed to be there at 6 anyway they went on and put me in my room, which was bigger than my last room there. While I was having contractions, so the monitor said, I was in no pain. I also requested the nurse that delivered Corban for the day and my wish was granted. Her name is Katherine and she is an awesome delivery nurse!!!!

A little before 6am they started me on the petosin to increase my contractions so Asher could make his arrival. I dialated quickly at first but then things slowed and my blood pressure was not playing nice. Finally, after some adjustments, I was fully dialated and ready to push. I remembered thinking "woohoo, here comes the real work." Katherine rushed around the room getting everything set up for delivery and the doc to have all those tools he might would need in the delivery. As customary, the nurse pages the doc and asks for permission to push. Dr. Bill grants permission and in the styrrups I go.

Kathryn checks on Asher's progress and immediately pages again asking for extra nurses and for the doc to come to the room asap. Only to be informed the doc is delivering another patient, to which she replied "Can you speed that up?". She then looks at me and tells me everything is ok but not to push. The "extra" nurses enter pull my feet out of the styrrups push my knees together and tell me not to push. At this point one lady is so serious it is cracking me up. She then informs me to not laugh, or sneeze or cough. Which is that much funnier to me and I am trying so hard to keep from busting up, so is Eric at this point.

The good doc finally arrives and tells the nurses that they called him in there for this? The doc then informs us that he has delivered the baby of another patient but had to go back to "finish" I will spare you the details. I was instructed to push as the conversation continued where we ask if it is a specific family he was delivering. We told him we know the family and he is yet again floored by the fact that I am either related to or know all of his patients, even in the delivery room. Two, 2, yes 2 pushes is all it took and Asher made his arrival. Nothing like Corban. Everything the nurses did made Corban mad, Asher just looked around as they worked. The good doc then made his exit to "finish" delivering his other patient. I am so blessed to have my boys!!!!!

Still no

contractions, at all, not one. Just a lot of pressure and pain from him pushing up into my ribs. If Asher has not made his arrival, Friday morning at 6 we will start the process of him making an arrival. To be honest I really don't want to be induced, I would rather go into labor. I do have a really great doctor so that always helps. I have started sewing the curtains for Asher's room. Pics will come when I get them up..... if they don't look too bad. It has been years since I have tried my hand at sewing and I now have my grandmother's machine..... While I did have to read the instructions on how to thread the bobbin, I did do it all by myself, well with the "destructions" as I like to call them. I did find some fabric at JoAnn's that is the fire truck I want for Corban and also a 40% off cpn, so I will go get that tomorrow, maybe. My SIL will be here tomorrow to help me put monkeys up on Asher's walls.

Last night was girls night with a friend and it was so good to catch up!!!! I really needed to not be mommy for just a while and it did the trick. I am looking forward to ding it sometime again real soon.

Tonight was "date night" for Eric and I. A friend offered to watch Corban and we went to dinner at Fox Valley, it was AWESOME. I have lived in Helena for most of my life and have never been there. While it is not in our "normal" price range it really is our last night out for, um, well, a while. We decided to order dessert too, I picked White Choc. Macadamian(sp) nut pie. It has to be some of the best stuff I have ever put in my mouth!

Oh well, off to bed. Maybe I can sleep past 3am .... but, I am more than willing to wake up for contractions :)

The countdown

is in full swing. I am only dialated a little more than 1 but not too much, which doesn't surprise me. Corban didn't dialate well either. I will go back to the doc in a week and if Asher has not made an appearance by then they will induce Friday. Which would be great, except that it is Eric's brother's birthday, Eric's birthday is 2 days later. But I really would like for him to come this weekend. The doc picked Friday because he is on call and I would love to have him deliver. I really do like my doc.

On the home front, we are fully moved in but not 100% situated. Eric has painted both Corban's and Asher's rooms. Aher's is a real light blue and will be decorated with green and monkey accents. Corban's is a little darker blue and will be decorated in fire trucks, he has a fire truck toddler bed. Their bathroom has not been painted yet but is monkeys and frogs.

I personally have been having a difficult struggle lately. I often miss church due to Corban's nap time and me just being plain tired on top of it, so often I take a nap with him. That, in part, is due to the move and just being preggers. I also have lost touch with what I once called close"friends." I am not sure that I have done anything to cause this but for whatever reason we no longer talk. I find myself feeling like the "rebound" relationship till something better comes along for the other person and then they are gone, only to have it happen over and over again. Then I have the "friend" who is too good or concerned about their "position" to actually be a friend, that I have never understood. I do really love my church family but it is so small it is hard to find someone I can really connect with. Since I am not a stay at home mom I have a hard time finding time to catch up with much of anyone because most of my free time is on the weekends and I know those are busy for everyone. I am thinking of doing away with my facebook, I just grow frustrated to see where my friends have made time to meet up with others, yet I didn't even get a phone call for a simple hello. Especially when my calls go unanswered or messages unresponded to. To be honest, it really does hurt my feelings. While I am quite the confrontational type for some reason I will not do it for myself. Don't get me wrong I am not perfect and I am sure I have NOT been the friend I need to be either I just get tired of trying. Why should I put any effort into it if the other person will not? I am just tired, frustrated and emotional and the preggers doesn't help any. I just had to get that off my chest. I feel better now. I am not looking for sympathy or pity/praying for you comments I just needed to vent. I think there are lots of other women out there that feel the same way though and for some reason we have to be strong and show no weakness. God has blessed my family above and beyond what I can ever imagine and I know He has not forgotten me...... I am just tired (mentally and physically) and frustrated and done, so to speak.

Deep breath

Well, Tuesday we finally closed on our house and moved in!!!!! We had lots of great helpers to get the truck unloaded and big furniture in the house.... we had to remove a door or 2 but they went right back on. I wasn't too much help because the house is 3 stories and I can't carry those boxes up and down the steps. I did start the cleaning though. The people we bought the house from left some junk and didn't leave it clean. She had 2 dogs and there was dog hair all over the steps, the kitchen cabinets were beyond dirty so my loving hsband called a maid service and they came and cleaned the baseboards, lots of dog hair, bathrooms and cabinets. It was well worth it!!!! We have a few more things to move today from my parents house, like the bed for the 4th bedroom and a chest of drawers.

Corban is adjusting well. Right now he is sleeping in Asher's room in the crib still and when we move Asher to his room, when he starts to sleep at night, Corban will go to his fire truck toddler bed. He all ready loves to play on it and today we might try a nap on it. Speaking of naps we are down to one nap a day so he sleeps better at night now. Did I mention Corban LOVES going up and down the stairs.

Eric cleaned and shocked the pool yesterday so it is ready to go! The only problem is it doesn't look like was are going to have a fall the tempatures are just dropping, which is nuts!

Oh well, back to unpacking. We will post pics when everything is finished. Asher will make his arrival in the next 2 weeks, maybe I should pack my hospital bag...... tomorrow......

A Beautiful Mess

is the most accurate description of my life/home at this point in time. If you walk into my house, which is really only accessable by the back door due to all the boxes that block the front door, that is exactly what you will find a mess. We have boxes piled high around the table, front door, Corban's room, our room. This weekend I get to pack the rest of the house and we will get to live like we are camping!!!! Eric has taken next week off and we will close on Tues at 10:00, after Asher's dr appt. While it has been a long crazy stressful time in our lives, it will come to an end very soon. we will be in our new house, which has everything we wanted in the area we wanted, and Asher will make his appearance soon. I have asked him to give mommy one week to get his new room set up.

At my dr appt on Wed. the ultrasound showed that the placenta has moved from blocking my cervix and Asher can make his exit. Now, since he is sunny-side up he needs to take a little spin to help mommy out in this process. I am dialated to a 1, which isn't much, but my doc says he is sitting right there and that when I start contractions that it won't take long for him to get here. In official timing we have 3 weeks to go!!!

Corban's 1st hair cut

We took Corban to get his first hair cut yesterday and he did such a good job. I thought we would end up having to hold him but that was not the case at all. He actually sat in the chair like a big boy. He did push her away a few times but he never cried or fussed. His favorite part was a sucker for being such a good boy, he does belong to me because he loves grape, which has always been my favorite. Pics to come. My hands are swollen it is getting difficult to type.... tomorrow is 4 weeks to Asher and today is 12 days till close..... I am so ready to move!!!!!

The adventure begins....

Being preggo with Asher has been, for the most part, uneventful, aside from the previa that I go back next week to have recehcked with another ultrasound. We will then know if Asher will be "scheduled." Well last week I started having a pain in my foot that shot from my shin every time I took a step. At first I thought that I had pulled something. Then the next day my foot and ankle was swollen along with a loss of sensation in my left leg, it felt like it was "asleep" but trying to wake up all tingly, it hurt so bad!!!!! After a call to the doc, I recieved a call directing me to the hospital for an ultrasound on my leg. They said the loss of feeling and swelling was normal but not the shooting pain.... so they checked for a blood clot to be sure. The test came back negative so they let me go home. Asher was sitting on my nerve causing me to not feel my leg. Friday he decided to move ever so slightly and is, for the most part, off that nerve. Thank God! I told the doc we close on the 31ts and I need at least a week before Asher arrives to collect my sanity!!!!

Fast Forward

Is a button I want to push for this month so bad!!!! Our house is sold and we are not going to be able to close on our new house till the 31st!!!! :( When we made a request to reduce the price of the house, because the roof will need to be replaced within the next 2-3 years, teh seller agreed but changed the closing date. I guess that is understandable because she is moving into an apartment......... So, our house will be completely packed on the 30, except for our bed and Corban's and when we get up that morning that is all we have to throw on the truck. Or, that is the plan anyway. So, sure we can move and have a baby 2 weeks later, nothing stressful about that, that is if I don't have to have a c-section......

On the Corban front, he thinks it is so funny when he poots. I am convinced that boys are born with this.....

Are you nuts?

Is a question I have been asked many times the past couple of weeks. I simply respond God is so good! We close on our house on Thursday!!!!!!

Tomorrow is the inspection at our "new" house. We don't see there being any problems but your prayers are more than welcome! While Eric is over there tomorrow afternoon he will take a few pics. Growing up I had really good pastors and they taught me to pray for specifics. That it it not that God doesn't know what you want but He wants to hear it from you. So when we started praying about our house, together and seperate I had a list of specifics, just like I did for this house. I want you to know God answered every single item I asked for.

-4 bedrooms or at least 3 with a den
-a big laundry room where we can leave the ironing board out and close the room up
-wood floor in the living room
-a master bath with 2 sinks and a door between the toilet/shower area and the sink area
-large master closet
-formal dining room
-fireplace
-2 car/ 2 door garage
-fenced in back yard
-seperate dog run area fenced in

After I saw how much Eric would like a pool I added it to my would be nice but not a must list, but we got that too :) Needless to say we will be having a pool party sometime between moving and having a baby.......

The house hunt

I don't have much time to post so I will get down to the point. We found a house we love and made an offer yesterday. While they may not accept the offer we put in we would at least like a counter offer. We LOVE this house! We do know the house had several showings this weekend but are praying that we are the only ones who made an offer!!!! No to mention that I know the owner........ I went to school with her daughter! Please be in prayer!

You can do it, you can do it

Is what I keep telling myself. God is so good to provide right on time!!!! The past few days have felt like a blur. We have been looking for houses online to line them up just to spend this next Satudray looking all over Alabaster, Helena and Maylene, we have not found any in Calera other than new construction, and why do that if we can get the same size house with a big yard and maybe a pool too. Then maybe I can have a pool boy........hum...... We were able to get our preapproval yesterday, the lady was more than pleased with our credit scores. We do have a target price that we want to keep the house payment under and with interest rates right now we can get more house for the money. We are looking for the best way to "close" on our house because the buyer is paying cash we are trying to save some money and thinking about using a title company instead of a lawyer.

My list
-start packing
-close on this house
-buy a house
-close on that house
-move
-have a baby in less than 8 weeks

Seeing as how I have to work next Saturday and on Sunday Aug. 15..... I think things will be a little bit busy at my house.....

God is Good!!!!

There is a LOT going on at the Snyder house the past couple of days!!!!!! Details to come. But we have a buyer for the house and it will provide more perks than just being sold. So we are looking for something to move into, seeing as how we quit looking.

I got my set schedule at work and it looks like this is my last 10-7 shift. I will be working 6:30-3:30 from here on out :)

Eric's sister and her husband have moved to Hoover, so excited.

Eric's Granny is in town this week.

Asher will arrive in no less than 8 weeks!!!!!!

My feet are killing me........

I get knocked down, but I get up again....

Yes, I know, you will be singing that all day now, you're welcome. That is the just of my life lately. I have been struggleing to maintain a good attitude. People frustrate me, not that they mean it intentionaly, I don't think but that doesn't always make it any better. I do want to let you know this is not aimed at anyone on here.

I am a working mom. While I don't enjoy my current position at work it is an end to a means and it pays the bills. So inspite of my attitude I thank God, daily, for my job He has shown me favor, just like He promised. That being said, I am SUPER busy! Most of my weekends and evenings are planned. I have had several people that I know that are stay at home moms, mind you there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mom, turn their nose up at some of my personal decisions about my family. I don't go running to the doctor every time Corban sneezes (its not necessary and a $40.00 copay). I don't lay down and take naps with him daily. No, I can't go the 1/2 price Tuesday at the zoo, and I can't meet you at the pool this afternoon. I am not going to change my weekend plans because you decide you want to visit someone, who like you, doesn't work during the week. No, I can't go buy something that is on sale just because it is on sale, I have my boys to think about. No, I am not disappointed to be having another boy, less to buy that way. Yes, I am going back to work, having another child doesn't make things cheaper. No, we don't have a nursery for Asher all decorated because he will be in our room since we have a 2 bedroom house, which is adorable.

These questions bother me because many times it implys, to me anyway, that my husband doesn't have a good enough or a real high paying job. When in truth he has a good paying job with benefits that in all honesty, could be a little better, but who's couldn't? How many wifes can say that when they have to work to 7pm that they don't even think twice about their husband being at home with the baby and having to provide dinner and give baths? I am so blessed! I have a husband that is willing to do anything for our family. I have chosen to work for now because it makes us able to provide more for our family. Corban has an excellent nanny, who will be taking care of Asher as well. We could not ask for a more kind, God fearing, praying family. Ok, I just had to get that off my chest.

Wow

It is hard to believe that time has gone by SO fast! In less than 10 weeks Asher will make his appearance. Asher means Fortunate; blessed; happy, and was the leader of the tribe of Asher and was the son of Jacob. Corban has noticed mommys tummy looks different but has not made the connection..... he will in 10 weeks or so though. We are still praying that this little one will arrive with no complications.

On the house front...... we have put our heads together and think we may have a price that we can work with to add on.... we will know more in a week or so. But, we are looking at a den and master on the back of the house. We wouldn't get that 4th bedroom we wanted or a garage but we would keep our massive yard, which is a plus to us. We would add, later, one of the 4ft above ground pools and would have plenty of room for a big swingset and still leave room for Zoe and tons of run around space...... without us even having to use front yard space. Another benefit if we add on is we keep our space and there will not be anyone on top of us and we do have some really great neighbors.

On the job front..... my job is getting a little more interesting. In my area we have gone from 17 people to 7..... some have quit, others fired and others moved to a different department, which I do not envy b/c they will be working on Sundays and till 10pm.... so I decided not to take that position. My hourly supervisor is one of the ones who moved and in the mean time I have been filling her role while having to maintain my sales and performance numbers as well as doing on the job training for the new hires. If you know anyone who needs a job in sales and has good customer service skills have them go to Regions.com because our Riverchase office is hiring like crazy.... granted for the first year of employment you schedule can work you as late as 7pm, but the pay is good. My manager wants me to apply for the supervisior position but I am not interested I want normal hours, granted they would be more normal, and off the phones..... I take all of the escelated calls, so I take fewer calls, but most of them I am being cussed out so I get to hang up on them :) I am going to buy my time and after Asher gets here and I go back to work I will be looking for more job postings as well as looking for something at UAB or somewhere it is state benefits and retirement :)

Not too much.....

Nothing that is really new to report.... still waiting on the house to sell. We had hoped to have it sold by now but we are still waiting. Since we are in a 2 bedroom there really isn't too much to get ready for other than clothes and diapers and pull the baby bath and a few other things out of storage. We will be getting a co-sleeper and lilbit (Asher) will be in our room till God provides our new house. It is so hard to be patient but I would rather wait on Him than to make any bad decisions.

I had thought about going somewhere this weekend to have a "vacation" this year but it doesn't look like it will happen. I will be using my vacation time for post delivery and dr appts. Eric and Corban are leaving in a couple of weeks to go to Fl. to visit his grandparents. It also happens to be our anniversary that week so we will spend it apart :( Maybe mom will take me shopping that would work :)

I have yet to get my set schedule at work which is so frustrating. I try not to let myself get down about it but it is beyond difficult. I think I got to spend a total of 20 minutes with Corban last night before he went to bed, he was being a boy and didn't want mommy so I just watched him play. I can't really pick him up anymore, and because of the abrevia I can't really pick up much of anything. Because Asher is so low I look like I am at 9 months..... my 9 month maternity clothes from Corban are tight and uncomfortable.

We are also praying about our church. We LOVE the people but we are looking for that "fit" that we have not had in a while. It is also difficult b/c with little people we need a good nursery and children's program, not that where we go now is bad by any means, just things to consider that were not as big of factors as before. I grew up at Kingwood, which was great, I want that for my kids too. I grew up with that constant in my life.

Sorry about my whining, I just needed to get it all out...... thanks if you read this far :)

It tastes like thick sunkist.......

So this morning at 7:45 I was starving and drinking nasty orange junk. Now we are just praying for a good report from my glucose screen. Next was the ultrasound, which took a good 40 minutes, thanks to lil bit not cooperating. Every time the tech would get a clear shot of what she needed, he would stick his head right in the way. So, we had to do one the "other" way. The abrevia is still there, however it is improved but not yet considered "normal." So, I will have another ultrasound at 36 weeks and if things are the same we will have a "scheduled" baby this time. I have kept myself from looking up info online, b/c there is so much stuff on there, so I did not know how dangerous it is for me, if I were to go into labor, till today.

This weekend will be a little emotional as we will say good bye to my grandmother's house as we move everything out and close on the contract we have on it. The house never even had to be put on the market!

A couple of changes

Corban is growing up so fast I just want everything to slow down! Every night before bed we read books, yes books. We have a night night book that must be read following that could be any book but the past couple of weeks it has been a peek-a-boo book, that I got for $1 at BAM when I met Jamie for dinner. It has about 7 or 8 animals and you say the noise they make and their paws/feathers cover their faces and you can pull them down and they reveal the animal. Wed night Corban decided to be repeat the animals, we have dog (which he has mastered for a while now) but he decided to add chicken, sounds like chichen, sheep, sounds like shweep, pig and cow. We have also added cookie(tookie), sock, shoes, toes. He also loves to point to bobos (belly button) after he points he takes his hand flat and cover up the bobo till you ask where it is then he smiles real big and moves his hand. If you ask him where his bobo is he will gladly pull up his shirt and show you. He and Eric went to the thrift store last night and found a "working" toy vacuum cleaner which is now our favorite toy and must never be out of sight. Even if it is on and making noise he still makes the mmmmmmmmm noise himself.... he is def going to be the neat freak like his daddy(love you honey).

-We bought Zoe a kennel and she is now an outside dog, the shedding got to be too much for the "neat" ones in the house, even though it was not too bad.
-We have significiantly lowered the price of the house but have had no offers so Eric is considering renting, I am honestly not a fan of this, but we will do what we need to.
-We are still praying about a job for me. While Eric has been more than patient, the 10-7 shift is about to kill both of us since I have been working it for about 12 weeks in a row now. I am getting closer to getting my set schedule but it is beyond frustrating. I am being used as one of the night supervisiors which is good experience but I am ready for normal hours. My manager is not budging on making me be there a full year before she lets me apply for a position in another department, which wouls mean a raise and "normal" hours, UGH!
-I go on Thursday for my glucose test and ultrasound #3 and praying that the partial placentia abrevia has corrected itself.

Corban Lee 15 Months

Words- bye bye, baby, mama, dada, zozo (for Zoe), ball, shoes, dog, baba (bottle), papa (paci), no no (as he continues to do what he is not supposed to), uhoh, bobo (belly button) and I may be forgetting a few.

I know where to find- my toes, nose, ear, mouth

I sign for- more and milk (working on hungry)

I like to- play in my pool, slide, swing, play outside, run and scream, dance, push anything with wheels, flush the potty, pretend and make noise like a hair dryer and curl my hair with the curling iron, brush my hair, brush my teeth, get anyone's bobo and toes, give Zoe her dog treats, dip everything in ketchup, like daddy, feed myself with a fork, run around naked after my bath, help daddy with anything and everything, chase Zoe all over the house to give her lovin

I don't like to- have my diaper changed, not get my way, put on clothes, okra, be told no

Mommy loves- morning hugs, when asked if it is night night time the way I give hugs and walk to my crib, my laugh, my smile, snuggle time, to dance with me, the way I point and say huh when I know what she is saying, the way I spin in circles, the way I run with my arms behind me when I get excited

"Be strong take heart and wait on the Lord"

Ps. 27:14. This is the verse that sustained me all throught highschool and I have found my strength in it once again. Eric and I have lowered the price on our house, we need it to sell. We have also found a house that we really like. The builder even has a deal where if your house has not sold by the time they finish building yours they buy your house from you. While we will have to give up our yard in return we will get a 4bedroom with a den and a real 2 car garage, so decisions, decisions. Still waiting to hear back from the school that I applied at, in August I can "post out" of my position and hopefully get into something with normal hours and no Sat. So, needless to say we are seeking God and asking Him for His best, just like He promises.

My brother comes home on Sat and will be the first time I have seen him since my grandmother's funeral.

Dr. visit

Emerson is growing well and is quite the active little guy. His favorite time to "play" is at night when mommy needs to sleep. The dr visit was good, with the exception of an elevated bp., his heart beat was 155. I get to go back in 4 weeks and do that LOVELY glucose test. I also have to have another ultrasound. At my last ultrasound it was discovered that I have a partial placenta abravia. According to my doc the partial ones always correct so baby can be delivered. Worst case would mean a c-section. Not that there is anything wrong with them, but I don't want one.

Corban's 15 month check-up: 31 in long (50-75%), 24lbs (25-50%), head 19 (75%). None of these number suprise me at all.

On another note, Eric and I are still praying about some big decisions that are infront of us, please keep us in your prayers.

For Really?!?!?!?!?!?

This week has ben super busy, as usual. Well, Tuesday Corban's sitter needed the day off fo her son's awards stuff at school so I had to take him with me to the Region's daycare. I was super excited they had a spot because my options had dwindled down to my dad having to take him to school with him for the half school day and watching him till I got off, granted I didn't get the call till Monday and he had been on the waiting list for 2 weeks. Corban likes it there they have tons of toys and the playground, which he LOVES, his teacher is super sweet too. Well after work I go by to pick him up only to be told that they had to send a kid in his room home earlier today because he had the rash from hand, mouth and foot virus. Wed. night while Eric was bathing Corban he noticed the rash on Corban's back...... The good news is that I don't think it has gotten in his mouth.

Life just gets better for the little man, as he was getting ready to go to bed. I had walked into the other room so I didn't see it but I could hear the big bang. Apparently Corban had lost his footing and fell, face first right on his nose. It was instantly red and blue. My biggest fear was that it was broken but it didn't look crooked nor did I see a weird bump. I called after hours anyway and the nurse said as long as it was not dripping clear fluid or had a bump that it would be ok till morning to look at it then. It still doesn't look broken but it is all pretty shades from pink-red-purpler-bluish-black you know just in time for the family reunion on Sunday........

I had to go through some training at work yesterday for a kind of promotion. It doesn't pay any extra but I am being pulled out to do new hire training, yay.

Wow

Where to start? Well, Corban slept great for a few days and last night we were back to not sleeping..... well at least for a couple of hours. Apparently he is teething and nothing works we just give him medicine and he fusses till it starts to kick in, poor baby. He has also recently decided he does not want paci, not that I mind about that. He is still however fond of his bottle. We have tried everything but there is no substitute, I figure if that is all he is holding onto I really shouldn't worry. Yesterday I had to take him to work with me to the back up daycare where they sent a kind in his room home with hand, foot and mouth virus. We have prayed over Corban and he is showing no signs of it. The daycare did a good job and cleared the kids out of the room and bleached and sanatized everything, but it still puts my nerves on edge.

I am starting something new at work. I have been asked to start teaching new hires in the training class in on the job training. My hourly supervisor is taking another position which leaves me and one other guy to push for her spot, which would mean not being on the phone all the time and having to deal with difficult situations.

Changes

The past few weeks have been an emotional roller coaster for me. I blame some of it on the hormones and lack of sleep that one little man has refused to let mommy have. I have learned that some of my "friends" are in fact, not really friends, I refuse to be a "rainy day friend" maybe that is selfish of me. But I have too much going on in my life that is invaluable to me to "waste" my time. Don't get me wrong I will continue to love and pray for you but if it happens once shame on you and twice shame on me, the third time would just be stupid. So, I am done investing. I have re-learned in these past few weeks of my emotional/mental breakdown that God is of course my refuge, rest, hope, strength and way maker.

All that being said please keep our family in your prayers as we are facing some BIG decisions. There are some big changes we hope will be taking place soon. I will update as soon as I can on that. On another note we have 2 people interested in the house please pray it sells, we really need more room!!!!

I know I have not posted any belly pics I will have to take some.....

My big boy

Corban is growing so fast. This past Sat we made another trip to Ikea to take Eric's mom and visit with Eric's older brother. It was a LONG ride with Corban but he was not too bad seeing as how we were in the car forever.... After we arrived at Chris' apartment and were getting ready to leave for lunch, 10 minutes later, we had to bribe Corban with cookies to get him back in his car seat, not that I blame him. While at Ikea we were on a mision for the toddler cabinet locks because the "normal" ones will not work on our cabinets becaue we have Ikea cabinets, which are made different. We did manage to find them and it was great last night when Corban got mad and was trying to open the cabinets, because he knows this is a nono, and they wouldn't open. I didn't have to worry about him grabbing stuff :). While he is by no means a bad kid he is having to learn what are nono's. For a while he has been getting a pop on his hand or bottom for things but it has reached the point where he looks at you like, what? So last week started time out, which he has done twice at the sitter's house and a few times at home, I think that may be his button. He HATES standing in the corner for 1 minute, standard is 1 minute per year old the child is. While I am not a time out fan I know all kids have different things they don't like for some it is taking away toys, pop on the bottom, no tv, but lucky for us I think Corban's may be time out.

Mother's day was good Eric bought me a card and Corban "signed" it and now he loves pens..... so we have pulled out the crayons and he loves to color, mostly with the purple. We met my parent's for lunch at Johnny's Cafe, their home cookin is SO good.

I am still stuck working 10-7 this week and next and I am close in line at work for getting a "set schedule" I am praying that a 7-4 shift will be available, that would be awesome. On another note Eric and I are considering the name Emerson Jackson for li'lbit.

Random thoughts and facts and a little catch up

Where to start? Well this weekend I saw my husband dressed as a very convincing woman thanks to a good friend, Ann. It was for a "Dude looks like a lady" beauty pagent. The wo-man with the most money in donations from the audience won the entire thing. While it was quite entertaining I would be ok never attending another one, there were some points, when doing the talent, seeing a man dance in a mini skirt was revealed a little more than my little eyes wanted to see. But they raised over $1,200 for cancer.

I am applying for a teaching position this week, keep that in your prayers, I am so tired of working till 7pm every night. Sat I was ablr to go order new glasses :) they will be the transition ones so they go to sunglasses when you go outside, seeing as how I have not had sunglasses in over a year I am SSSOOO excited about that. While strolling through the mall yesterday Eric and I wondered through Sears only to find an Eddie Bauer edition double stroller in the box for $59.99, seeing as how it was last years model, it was something we couldn't pass up.

Out of the 6 people that I know are preggo 5/6 are expecting boys.

Old lady Jetta say what?!?!?!?! Squish!

So yesterday Corban and I ran an errand by Target and were off to my sister in law's for family lunch. Eric stayed behind to do an open house. As we approached the Kingwood (church) intersection at Industrial and 95 I was turning right and had a red light. Traffic was appraoching so I had to hit my breaks. I had just long enough to think "Oh, good thing I didn't go there's mom." At that moment I lunged forward and could hear the crunch. No screeching breaks, just crunch. It was not an awful hit but it was hard enough to send me forward and have my seatbelt stop me and my glasses end up sideways on my face. I had just long enough to think "Wow, Corban is doing really well" as I pulled up and over onto the grass. But then it started, it was one of those terrified deep breath screams and big tears. At this point in time I had no idea what had hit us or who and I didn't care, I figured that it was hard enough that it did some serious damage to the explorer. I jumped out of the car and the lady was already out of her car with her wallet asking if I was ok. I smiled at her and went to get my screaming baby out of the back seat. She felt so bad and begged me to let her pay me for the damage. I told her I had to have a police report she was nice about it but I could tell was irritated, but she was a nice lady. Mom, who was able to hear the entire thing got down to a street and turned around and came back. It didn't take Corban too long to calm down once he was out of the car.

There was some damage done to the explorer but nothing like her car. She drove a 2007 Jetta and the front end was smashed. She let it run a few minutes and it started smelling so she cut it off while we were waiting on Alabaster police to show up. The cop who did the report was nice and fast, he is a keeper. He actually tried to talk the lady into towing her car because it was so smashed, I am taking headlight hanging, squished up hood, hole in the front bumper, I was suprised her radiator was not smashed. The cop jumped under her car, couldn't raise the hood due to it being so smashed, he said it looked like the car would work but didn't recommend it but she drove it home anyway, well I guess, I turned off so she didn't see what house I was going to. I have felt the baby move since then but I am still thinking of going to the doctor.... also thinking of taking Corban too, it is not like he can tell me if something is bothering him and I wouldn't know where to touch to see if his neck or anything was sore.......

Masters

So, I have decided I must go back and get my masters. I don't hate my job but I don't like it either, but it pays the bills for now. I am currently researching my options of schools and it looks like University of Phoenix is my only option. Since my schedule changes from week to week and most universities do not offer online classes it is really annoying. It will take 20 months for me to complete my degree but it will put me back into the field that I feel as though God has called me to in the first place. The cool thing about Phoenix is you only take one class at a time and you don't take it in the semester format. Class one my be 3 weeks and class 2 may be 8 weeks. I can also take a break when lil bit gets here, this also helps because I don't have to wait till Jan to start classes. I am still doing a little more research on schools though. I would like to get on here in Calera though.

Should we stay or should we go? Eric and I listed the house with a MLS number and have been house looking. While we can make it work with lil bit, we don't necessarily want to. We saw a house yesterday that we really liked and spoke with the agent who looked our house up. She told us we would have to drop the price of our house to under 100,000 if we wanted to sell it. I think I may have looked at her like she was crazy. I told her that we would add on before we went below what we paid for it. So in the mean time we just wait and pray. God will either bring the perfect buyer or, we will add a den and master to the back of the house, we will still have plenty of yard.

On another note we find out what lil bit is on April 28th. Any guesses?

Tears of sadness, tears of joy

This past 2 weeks have been a rollercoaster for me. Corban and I spent last Sunday at my grandmothers, along with my dad, great Aunt Jan, Brittny and Connor. I am so glad we spent the day! Corban was his very animated self and cracked grandmother up, playing with her curling iron, waving both hands at her and we can't forget the chater box he has become. Grandmother went down hill fast and last night went home. Dad was there and I got the call around 9:30 and was off to mom's to take her to Clanton. When we arrived the sweet hospice nurse was there and we were waiting on the funeral home to come. I had not decided on the way down there if I was going to see her or not, but curiosity got the best of me. I walked in her room and there she was all cuddled up under the covers with a smile on her face. We all cried tears of sadness and I am sure there will be many more to come, she was my only grandmother and we were pretty close. My parents and I had already been at the funeral home on Friday to make arrangements, the only person missing is Aaron, who is in Texas, and will be home Thursday night. So, we are holding the funeral till Friday, I know that is a long time but it is the only time he could get leave and since Aaron and I are the only grandchildren (dad is an only child, except for his half brothers and sister) the funeral waits.

When people speak of their visions of heaven they often say there are people there waiting to welcome you. I can only imagine my grandmother being reunited with her parents, brother, my granddaddy and my mom's mom standing there thanking her for being her daughter's "second mom." My mom has called my grandmother, mom, my entire life. My mom's mom died from cancer when I was 2. We were also thinking what an awesome first day in heaven she arrived just in time to celebrate resurrection Sunday. Seeing as how if Christ had not died on the cross she, nor the rest of the family would even be there. Please keep my parents in your prayers things have been tough, and to top it all off, next Sunday is dad's birthday and grandmother made him a carrot cake every year. Eric has been super great esp. since I didn't get home till almost 2 this morning......

My Rant......mostly hurt feeings

Ok, so this has been stewing in my head for a long time and I just have to get if off my chest. Yesterday we attended my nephew's 1st birthday party, my sister in law did an awesome job on the train cake she made, if Eric took a pic I will post it later. Here is my beef, my mother in law works for Honda and has to work every 3rd Sat. so it is not like it is unpredictable. My sister in law, knowing this, still decided to have Will's party at 11am on the Sat that my MIL has to work, so she misses the party. This really makes me mad!!!!!! She wouldn't have scheduled a party when her mom couldn't make it now would she? I understand why the party couldn't be later in the day because they had a wedding to attend at 6. Here is my question. What is wrong with Sunday? I'll tell you, my brother in law is a youth pastor at a church. I get Sunday's are busy but when "church" becomes more important than your family you have bigger problems. Don't get me wrong, I know it is imoprtant but "church" is not going on between 2-4 on a Sunday afternoon. I would also like to point out that they skipped Corban's dedication, because why? Oh, I know, "church." I am pointing out they he was not preaching or anything that Sunday they just didn't want to miss being at their "church."
But wait it gets better! As the party was winding down I am standing there holding 7 week old Addy and talking to Eric's sister. My SIL runs up to us and says, to my other SIL, "Katie isn't going with me to Sweet Repeats did you still want to go?" Eric's sister replied "Yes, when do we need to go?" Then the reply "Now" and she walks off. I am left standing there as though I am invisible. I told myself that maybe this was the pre-sale and you had to have a ticket to get in, which I would have understood had I been told, but noone bothered to even acknowledge my existance. So Eric and I left to get me some lunch and Eric asked if his sister and I had made any plans because we had talked about going to the mall. I told him no that I thought Kaci and Amanda were headed to the Sweet Repeats sale. Eric then asked "Did you not want to go?" I gave a weak reply of "I was not invited" while trying not to show that my feelings really were hurt. Later that night after Eric's sister arrived at his parents Eric asked his sister if this sale had only girl stuff. She said no and explained it was the pre-sale and the sale starts today (Sun) and that you did have to have a ticket and Amanda only had 2, because she had stuff in the sale. I understand this, I really do but had it been explained up front and had I been treated as though I was invisibe we could have avoided this all together. So, here is my question. Is this all preggo hormones or would this have hurt you feelings too?

Is it really almost Easter?

So much has happened in the last month or so it has been a madhouse around here. My baby boy turned 1, my brother has bee in SA, Texas for basic, merely miles away from the house I lived in, my sister-in-law has had samanilla (sp?), and we are trying to sell our house.
Aaron graduated this past Friday and I am so proud of him! He was picked to be one of 4 leaders in his flight, 80 guys, his dorm leader (the big boss) got sick and they told Aaron if he had to leave that Aaron was in charge. He won best marksman. While on "The Beast," where they go out and have to survive on their own in the wilderness for a week, one of they guys under Aaron managed to get part of his finger pinched off at a not labeled pinch point while they were putting tents up. Aaron had to pick up his finger put it in a baggie and take care of they guy till they transported him out, and no they could not re-attach it was completely severed. The good news is they guy still got to graduate. Aaron's flight "The Panthers" was named "Warrior Flight" they scored higher than any other flight in the camp in all their training exercises, here were 12-13 flights. Not only that, but at graduation they announced Aaron's flight is "Warrior Flight" over the entire history of Lackland AFB, his drill seargant teared up when he thanked the flight for being the best flight he had ever had. Pics to come when I can get to my parents computer.
Corban is one!!!! Eric has the pics on his blog. He is getting way more teeth and will walk while holding your hands, he can stand by himself till he realises what he is doing...... He is hitting, in the face, and biting any suggestions to how to stop this are welcome, he gets popped on his hand first then his bottom but he fake cries......and does it again a few minutes later.
We have had some interest in the house but no solid offer yet, please pray it sells..... before Sept!
Keep my parents in your prayers they managed to get 2 feet of water in their den yesterday, the rest of the house is another foot higher but the water is sitting in the crawl space. Dad has 2 little "play cars" that he spends his "volleyball money" on and both Miatas are flooded they will have to be gutted. I feel so bad b/c he has put so much time into fixing them up. The den has typical den stuff in it, recliner, couch, my mom's, mom's china and china cabinet, tv, dvd player, real hardwood floors.......
Sorry about the long post but it has been a long time.....

I'm so dizzy my head is spinnin'

I know, I am such the bad blogger. Lets see where to start.... we did our income taxes and have paid the explorer off making our only "debt" payments being on our house and my student loans. I have been semi sick with lil'bit #2 but nothing like it was with Corban. I can actually eat, walk and function. Eric and I are aunt and uncle yet again, Addison Laken Malone was born in January. Aaron, my lil bro is in S.A. Texas training in Air National Guard. We had planned on going to his graduation but I need to save my vaca for lil'bit. Keep his wife in your prayers, while she doesn't work raising an almost 3 month old alone is quite difficult. She has also been very sick and in alot of pain they did some tests last week and discovered ulcers in her colon. Corban turns 1 on Sat. and I have to work :( . I am off today and Corban is at the sitters gotta go do my running around before it gets too crowded!

soon to come

I am currently working on a list of random and weird things people say and/or ask when I take calls at work.... there are soome good ones....

The info

Corban told his daddy he was going to be a big brother with a t-shirt that says "big brother." Corban handed a walmart sack to him with the shirt in it (Why change tradition?) Eric was more than suprised. For now my due date is Sept 14thish. We will know more after the ultrasound in about a week and a half. I had to change my doctors to one who comes to Alabaster so I see D. Hudson now, I like him alot though. He said he always comments on socks and toes.........sorry, you only get that if you are a girl. I have to be honest a girl would be nice, but we are set if we have a boy.......either way, this is it!

Corban is growing fast I can't believe he will be on next month....... his latest things are

- still loves the remote and all cell phones
- the swiffer is one of his favorite toys
- likes to bite, me mostly- he gets his little hand popped
- anything with a cord
- the vacuum cleaner
- all doors must be closed
- his toy where the little animals pop up when you push the button, must always be closed, wonder where he gets that anal retentiveness from?
- weighs over 20lbs.
- still has ear infections but no 104 temp and sleepless nights
- has decided he can sleep through the night
- refuses to eat any baby food...... except for cereal....... ssshhhhh don't tell him!
- is into EVERYTHING
- loves to dance any time there is music
- pulls up
- stands by himself... when holding on to something
- walks with help of mom and dad
- favorite word uh-oh
- loves to cuddle when sleepy

Our growing family

It will be a couple of days before I post on fb so you guys get the news first. Corban is going to be a big brother!!!!! :)

Say a little prayer....

1) We got a call this afternoon from Eric's Granny. Hospice has just left the house and they said it could be any minute for his Poppy to pass away (his Granny's husband). When Eric Gets the call he will be making a trip to Fl. If you recall Granny lost her only child, Edward, Eric's father, a year ago to cancer. This will leave Granny with her only family in Alabama (Eric) and Ga. (Chris) Eric's older brother.

2) I have an interview Monday for a different position at Regions. It will mean a pay raise in my salary and a set m-f ,8-5 position. The catch is it is not in sales and I will not get comission, so it is kind-of a wash. They recently changed the way comission pays and when I looked at my November sales If I would have done 2 itsy bitsy more things under the new pay out I would have made an additional $900 on top of my base pay for the month, with the sales I had without changing anything it would have been $600..... so I don't know if I want to move or not.... The pay will not be that much better, I don't think.

Work/ life update

-Work is good. I am top in sales on my "team" (there are 17 of us).
-My manager is cool, in another 2 months I will get to change my schedule and the latest I will have to work is 6pm, which is great!
-Eric's life has become less hectic thanks to no longer having to attend chamber board meetings or city council.
- Our house is for sale and we hope it sells soon b/c we found another one that we really like.
- Aaron, my brother, left for SA, Texas On Tues for Air National Guard- there for 8 weeks then waits 2 weeks there after training and then goes to north TX for another 6 weeks.
- We are attending church at Church on the Rock, it is two minutes from our house and the preaching and people have been great! I can also actually put Corban in nursery and not have to worry about 900 kids being in there.
- Christmas was great I need to post pics I have just been so busy and tired- read the Corban update to learn why.

Corban Update

- The past couple of months have been difficult. Corban, for some reason, LOVES ear infections, the oral anti-biotics did NOT work, he had to get shots, Sun, Mon, Tues. He was more than difficult to get to sleep then he would wake up and literally scream for 1-2 hours, like throwing his head back, arching his back screaming....... this can only be tolerated by parents for so long!
-The next Wed. we were at the ENT. Our wonderful peditrician didn't make us wait for 6 infections b/c he has had so many rounds of antibiotics (see what happend at five months with his first surgery) and the fact that they were not working. The audiologist tested Corban and confirmed our fears, Corban was not hearing fully. After using a implant on his head, that bypasses the fluid in his ears, it was determined that once the fluid was removed his hearing would return fully. PTL!
- Tubes were scheduled for Monday (this past Mon) at Childrens downtown- surgery went great! Granted he had a more than nasty infection so we are now on ear drops but no more 104 temps.
- Since Corban's tubes he is crawling faster, eating more (for the last month he put on NO weight) and standing. He is also learning more words, b/c he can hear them.
- Last week was Corban's last week at daycare. This week he started being kept by a friend from church who used to be a nanny, taught at montisory school and worked at the CDC. Not only will Corban get better care and learn more but it will save us well over $100 a month! It also helps that she was not "closed" today when we had to go to work and all the other places were.