Our Journey...Our Life!!!

More alike than Different...

2012-01-19T22:30:00.001-05:00

My face might be different

But my feelings the same

I laugh and I cry

And I take pride in my gains

I was sent here among you

To teach you to love

As God in the heavens

Looks down from above

To Him I’m no different

His love knows no bounds

It’s those here among you

In cities and towns

That judge me by standards

That man has imparted

But this family I’ve chosen

Will help me get started

For I’m one of the children

So special and few

That came here to learn

The same lessons as you

That love is acceptance

It must come from the heart

We all have the same purpose

Though not the same start

The Lord gave me life

To live and embrace

And I’ll do as you do

But at my own pace.

Author unknown

Special Time with Logan!

2012-01-11T22:28:00.000-05:00

One of my goals for the year is to spend some one on one time with Logan doing some special projects at least once a week!!! I didn't get a chance to post last week so I will post pics from it and this week!!

Last week we made Jello Jigglers and he loved it

This week we made a rainbow cake!!!!

We worked on a few learning skills without him even realizing he was doing any kind of school. He of course knows all his colors but we worked on adding different colors together to make certain colors. We even worked on some counting when we put the food coloring into the batter.

We didn't have a white cake mix so we just went with what we had in the pantry it turned out pretty yummy

he was soo proud

our finished product and it was o so yummy!!!

New Year!

2012-01-09T17:09:00.001-05:00

A new year full of new beginning!! Some changes have happened over the last 6 months in our Journey. We became a family of 4. Our family is in 2 different states (while Daddy is in school). We will be moving to a new place in March.

My goal for this year is to make time for the little things in life. Slowing down and making special memories with my children.

Our first buddy walk!!

2011-11-22T17:54:00.002-05:00

Thank you to everyone who came out and donated for our special little girl!!!!!!

alil catch up!

2011-11-17T14:01:00.012-05:00

oops things got alil busy!!!

My LiL Man turned 4

My LiL Princess turned 3 months

We took a trip and saw Daddy in Elizabeth City, NC

Visited Nathan, Bethany, Jonas, and Anna in Maryland

Got to see some great friends that we have not seen in over a year

2 months

2011-09-23T10:46:00.012-04:00

5lbs 13oz. 19 1/4 inches

you have become more alert when awake

Staying awake for longer periods

Nursing about every 3 hours during the day and taking 2oz of your supplemented bottle at night

Sleeping 6-7 hours stretches at night

Starting to have a few responsive smiles

Loves to be to to rocked

I can't believe that 2 months have gone by. My hearts grows more and more as each day passes.

Wordless Wednesday

2011-09-15T10:07:00.004-04:00

Our Tiny Little Blessing!

2011-09-14T15:44:00.029-04:00

Emilee Marie

3lbs 9oz 17 inches

We dont always know where our Journey is gonna take us. It may not be somewhere we hope or plan for, but God never makes mistakes and he knows exactly what He is doing even when we dont understand it.

We were not suppose to be expecting our lil bit til August 22, 2011, but from the time I was 20 weeks we were being monitored much more closely because she was not growing at the rate she should be. I was seen by a high risk Dr who would do growth checks on baby girl every 3-4 weeks to makes sure she was continuing to gain weight on her curve. The weeks got closer and I would also be monitored every week and have an ultrasound done. Stressful as it was to be going to the Dr every week at least we got to see our precious baby kicking and squirming inside. On Mon, July 18 after a routine growth check the Dr finally said those dreaded words I was hoping not to hear, "I feel that it is best that we induce, your baby is now measuring 5 weeks behind." SO many emotions, We finally get to meet our baby girl but coming 5 weeks early is she going to be ok. We set the induction up for that Sunday evening.

We had our last Dr appt that Friday and since she had not been as active as before the Dr went ahead and hooked me to the monitor. Everything was great up til the end when there showed a drop in her heart rate. My Dr was going to have to send me to labor and delivery to be monitored over there, after talking with the Dr on call she came back in and said she just felt that it was best if we go ahead and set up the induction. Well, ok, lots of thoughts going through my mind. Gotta call Josh and Mom. What about mom? She is in Mexico Beach, FL on vacation. I got on the phone with mom as soon as I could and told her what was going on and she jumped in the car and headed this way. It was a 8 hour drive from there to Savannah. Josh had been on nights that week and he was home sleeping and his phone was on silent. Talk about stressed. They wheeled me over to labor and deliver and got me set up in a room!!! So thankful that one of my good friends who is a labor and deliver nurse was working this day and was a life saver the whole time that Emilee was in the NICU!

They started my induction. Around 3:15pm the nurse placed the cervidil and I was 1cm. It didn't take long and the cervidil started doing its job and I started having more contractions. Everything was going good and Emilee was looking great on the monitor. I was so worried that I might end up having to have a c-section because at my last growth check they were thinking that she may have a 2 vessel cord and the Dr had told me that she may not handle labor well because of the intrauterine growth restriction. Her drop in heart rate on my monitoring earlier that day also had me worried. I kept asking the nurses and they kept reassuring me that she was doing great. I was feeling great and breathing through my contractions and then my back started bothering me. I was able to stand it til around 8:00pm and then I was getting to the point that I was ready for something. My mom had gotten there around that time and I waited alil longer and then decided to call the nurse and ask for something. She finally came around 9:00pm and told me that the Dr said to go ahead and take the cervidil out. (It wasn't suppose to come out til 12:00am, but since I was responding so well they went ahead and took it out) They then told me that I could get my epidural if I wanted it. I was then 3-4cm. The Anesthesiologist came in around 10:00pm and gave me my epidural. Things were feeling much better, although I could still feel some contractions in my back and my leg was not all the way numb on my right side. At 11:00pm or so the Dr came in to check me and break my water only to their surprise I was 10cm and ready to go. Talk about shocked. 3-10 in only a hour. They rush off to get everything ready and all the while I am now fighting the urge to push. They finally come back in and I start to push around 11:15pm and 3 sets of pushes and our baby girl was here!

On July 22, 2011 at 11:24 our beautiful lil princess was welcomed into this world. She was born at 35 weeks 4 days and was taken right to the warmer. I couldn't believe it my baby was here. I was scared and worried. I just wanted to know that my baby was OK. I saw her as she came out and my heart sank. So many thoughts were going through my mind as I looked at her. After the nurse brought her over, the thought just kept going through my mind, "Is my baby ok? why does her face look different?" It was almost like I knew it as soon as I saw her. I kept asking everyone if she was ok and their response was, "She is doing great. She is fine." I just needed someone to clue into what I was asking without me having to come right out and say it. You never wanna hear the Drs tell you that something is wrong with your baby. I felt like my world was spinning out of control! After being able to hold her for what seemed like less than 5 mins, she was taken to the NICU. Then began what seemed to be the the longest 30 min wait of my life for the Dr to come back in and tell us how our baby girl was doing.

The neonatologist came in about 12:30am or so and told us that Emilee had some of the characteristics of Down Syndrome and they would be doing some blood work to test for it. I felt like my whole world was coming crashing down. I could barely take in what he was trying to tell us and to tell the truth, I can't even remember half the stuff he was saying. I was cold and shaking from my epidural and now this news. I just felt like I wanted my body to shut down. He left and took Josh and Mrs. Shelly to the Nicu and my mom stayed with me. I just broke down in tears and looked at my mom. How could this be happening? I just want my baby girl to be ok. Little did I know at the time my baby girl was ok. She was a very strong, fighting little girl. The nurse came and helped get me in the wheel chair to go see her. I knew I had to be strong for her but it was so hard.

The next few weeks were some of the hardest of my life. At times I just wanted to crawl up in big deep hole. I couldn't sleep at all that night. My mind was going 90 to nothing. I tried to sleep but couldn't. I cried and kept questioning why this was happening to us. Tons of things went through my head. These thoughts now, I look back on and wonder why I thought them. I was scared of the future. Was my baby pretty?? Would I love her just as much as I love Logan?? Was she going to be able to do the things her brother could?? Will I be the kind of mother she needs me to be? The thoughts, questions, and worries went on and on!! I was numb and didn't know how to get past it. I wanted my old life back and didn't know how I was going to handle this new life that God had given me. I know that God does not give us anything that we cannot handle. However the thought, "How could this happen? How can I handle this God?" I had to pick myself up out of the hole I was in and carry on. My baby was in the NICU and she needed me.

God began to show me that this was not the end of the world. My princess was a strong, healthy baby. She was breathing on her own and was eating on her own. She never had to have oxygen or a feeding tube. She was in the NICU/ISN for 2 weeks because she had Jaundice and had to be under the bili lights. We finally got past that and was able to go through the next steps of being able to get home!!

look at all my hair

working on my tan

going home YAY!

meeting big brother for the first time

I dont know where I would be in this journey right now if it was not for God, my wonderful husband, and the family and friends that we have. They were pouring out prayers over our family! Two months into our Journey and I still have some days were I am down in the pits but all I have to do is look at my sweet, precious, tiny princess and I remember how much she needs me to be strong for her. She has given me a new perspective on life. God is showing me so many things through this and I pray that I will look to Him every day for the strength our family needs. Our family is COMPLETE and I thank God every day for the precious blessing He has given our family!!!

I know the plans that I have for you, declares the LORD. They are plans for peace and not disaster, plans to give you a future filled with hope. Jeremiah 29:11

Mr Water Bug!!

2011-09-06T08:07:00.004-04:00

Looks like we may have a future Coastie on our hands!!! It took most the summer but he finally took off and is swimming all over the place by him self!!

Our family of 4!!!

2011-09-05T21:41:00.012-04:00

Josh's cousin Amy was able to come down and visit and take some amazing pictures for us here are a few of our family ones!!

1 Month already!!!

2011-08-21T23:11:00.008-04:00

Our tiny little princess is already one month old!!! The first 2 weeks were spent in the NICU and ISN. We were sooo happy to finally bring her home on August 5th and was finally able to meet her big brother who was super excited to see her. The last 2 weeks have been an adjust, we have been blessed with such great friends, that have prepared meals for us while trying get into a routine!!!

In your first month home:

Gained up to 4lbs 15oz

still in preemie clothes

sleeping 5-6 hours at night

a brother that loves her to pieces

Giving it another try!

2011-08-21T22:34:00.004-04:00

It's been a while since I have posted, soooo I am gonna give it another try!!! We have a new addition to the family Emilee Marie stay tuned for more information! Our lil man is now 3 1/2 and so full of personality!!! We have lots of changes taking place the rest of the year with Josh getting ready to go to A-school in Oct, will be a huge adjustment for our family til March of next year!!! Can't wait to see where God is leading up in our upcoming Journey!!!

Dinner Cruise

2009-09-07T23:43:00.004-04:00

Josh and I won tickets through our apartment complex for a Dinner Cruise on the Savannah River!! We were finally able to use it the weekend before last while Josh's mom was here for a visit!! It was soo nice!! Probably the first date Josh and I have had just the two of us since we have moved here in Dec!!!

The Boat we were on for 2 hours!

The BEAUTIFUL sunset!!

We even saw a dolphin!!

Chilling out on the deck of the boat enjoying the weather and watching the sunset!

My babies world is turning upside down!!!

2009-09-07T23:29:00.007-04:00

Bring in the big boy undies and throw out

the bebe's (well pack up)

Soo about 2 weeks ago we start potty training when Logan came to me and told me he needed to poop in the potty and did I thought that it was the perfect time to go ahead and go all the way and get out of the diapers!!! He has been doing really well, only been having maybe one or 2 accidents a day and is DOING EXCELLENT when we are out and about has had NO accidents so far when we are out running errands and he stays in his big boy undies!! Soo then this past thurs I decided that if he was big enough to go potty like a big boy and wear big boy undies then it was time for the bebe (pacifier) to go bye bye also!!! SOOO for the past 4 days he has totally been without the bebe and seems to be doing fine he only asks for it maybe once or twice a day now!! Yah Logan man!! Kinda makes mommy said that her baby is growing up but I know that it will be best in the long run!!!

Look at that HANDSOME NO BEBE SMILE!!!

YAH!!!

2009-08-22T12:11:00.003-04:00

Logan went pee pee in the potty last night!!! Yah LOGAN!!! Only after sitting there 30 mins and 8 books later!! He would cry everytime I quit reading soo I kept right on reading as long as he would sit on his potty!!! We are making alil bit a progress soo we shall see!!

4th of July

2009-07-06T12:56:00.009-04:00

Our first 4th of July in Savannah and Josh was on Duty!! Logan and I did alot of things over the weekend with our friends Abby and Tyler so we were not by ourselves. We went on Friday night to Tybee to see the fireworks on the beach!!

Logan and Tyler he didn't want his picture taken at all!!

On Saturday we went to the station later that day for a cookout so at least we were able to see Josh for alil while!! Then Abby, Tyler, Logan, and I went to Tybee and drove around for alil while and then headed to downtown Savannah for the fireworks!!

They were soo tired

Watching the fireworks downtown

Aren't they soo cute, Logan was actually smiling and saying CHEESE

Surgery

2009-07-06T12:40:00.005-04:00

BEFORE

A few pic from Logan's surgery in June is is doing really well and will be getting his cast off this Tues. I will be sooo glad when he gets it off he is going to be soo excited to get back in the water and just be able to play and not have anything on his leg!!!

AFTER

MR BIG STUFF!!!

2009-05-24T21:59:00.005-04:00

So while Nona and Nanny were here this weekend Logan got spoiled more than ever!!! Nanny got him all kinds of new outfits, that are super cute and a small magna doodle thing, he loves to draw!!Nona brought a new outfit she had bought and then a big ball that he loves and she also got him his own recliner that is just his size!!! He loves it he thinks that he is something else and does not want anyone sitting in it either!!

First trip to the ER!!

2009-05-24T21:31:00.003-04:00

Soo Logan had his first trip to the ER on Friday, it was nothing life threatening though thank goodness!! He started running a fever the night before that got up to 103.3 throughout that night and his Dr's office was not open so we had to take him to the ER!! He has a throat infection my poor baby if it is not one thing it is another!!!

my lil water bug!!

2009-05-17T15:46:00.004-04:00

Soo our summer this year is going to be a busy one!! Logan loves the water so when the sun is shining we will either be on the beach or in the pool!! We went and got him some more floats today but he is not a big fan of either one of them!!! So we went back to his lil turtle he loves floating around in it!! Then when is he ready to be out he likes just walking around the side of the pool playing in the the puddles of water or throwing the ball to daddy!!!

Sesame St Live

2009-05-17T15:10:00.011-04:00

Yesterday we took Logan to Sesame St Live he was soo in awe!!! It was a pretty nice show and he didn't fall alseep or get crabby at all soo happy about that, I thought he might be alil scared

cause we have not taken him to anything like that yet but he was great and loved!!! When we got home and I put the pic and video up he kept saying big bird..big bird and I had to play the video for him like 5 times

SOOO

2009-04-02T00:05:00.002-04:00

Well I got all excited and ready about keeping up my blog and then guess what happened?? My computer's hard drive crashed soooo we had to get that fixed!!! I am just sooo thankful that I had most all my pictures and stuff backed up on my external hard drive cause we lost EVERYTHING!!! Sooo now when I get all my new pictures back on my computer and all that good stuff I will try my best to keep things up to date!!! So other than that things have been going pretty good!! Logan is getting bigger by the day, he is such a sweetie when he wants to be!! We will probably be making a trip to the BIG LIVE OAK this weekend!!! Soo all ya'll peeps get ready for us!!!

Savannah!!!

2009-03-29T15:02:00.004-04:00

Soo we have been here in Savannah, GA since Dec 08!! We are pretty much getting use it it around here tons to do and the great thing is at soon as summer rolls around we are only about 10 mins from the beach YAH!!!

SOO it's been a while!!

2009-03-29T14:51:00.002-04:00

Okie soo I know it has been a while since I last posted, but I soo need to get better at this slowly but surely I will be back with some more post!!!

Different things from the past week!!!

2008-11-14T11:06:00.006-05:00

He is such a little HAM!!

Just love taking pictures with my LiL Man

He is sooo HANDSOME!!!

First 4-wheeler ride!!

Standing in up in a rocking chair...

and climbing onto the couch!!

Underneath Nona's table!!! GETTING INTO TROUBLE!!!

Learning to eat with a spoon!!

2008-11-14T11:00:00.002-05:00

Still not the best at it but at least he is making some progress from just using the finger!! He puts the spoon in his mouth upside down for the most part but he can get it in the right way also!!

THANK YOU LORD!!!

2008-11-08T11:25:00.002-05:00

Well Josh received his orders on Thursday!!! He was able to call me last night and let me know that we are going to be stationed in Tybee Island, GA!! For anyone that does not know where that is it about 10-15 miles from Savannah, GA!! We are thankful to the Lord that he answered our prayers for somewhere not very far from home!!! Thank you for all your prayers!!!

Special Message we sent to DADDY!

2008-11-05T12:36:00.001-05:00

Watch out here I come!!!

2008-11-05T11:50:00.002-05:00

First Steps!!

2008-11-05T11:47:00.002-05:00

Logan took 2 1/2 steps on Sunday Nov 2nd!! I have not been able to get on to post to much lately cause at moms the dial-up is way to slow!!! I didn't have my camera with either so I don't have a picture!! I will try to get some up soon though!!!

My lil PUPPY!!!

2008-10-31T22:02:00.003-04:00

I took Logan to my Mom's work for there Fall Festival. There really was not much there that he could do, because he is til young but at least I did get to dress him up in his outfit!He was a dalmation puppy....NOT A DAIRY COW!!! He was soo cute!!

Pumpkin Patch!!

2008-10-25T16:54:00.010-04:00

Logan's 1st trip to the Pumpkin Patch

Which one is the Perfect one hmmm??

I think we found the perfect one!!! Nona thought he needed the bigger one!!

We all had a great time!! The weather was not the greatest but at least it did not pour down rain on us it would just mist alil here and there!! Logan was not to sure of the goats or the chickens up those, he just wanted to watch from afar off!! Most of all we picked out the perfect pumpkin to bring home!!!

Letter to Daddy!!

2008-10-25T16:51:00.003-04:00

Last night before we went to bed Logan drew a special picture for his daddy!! I am going to get this picture printed and send it with his picture!! Look I think he is going to be a lefty like his Mommy!!!

For anyone who want to check in on Josh!!

2008-10-25T01:04:00.002-04:00

Sooo Josh sent me a link before he left that I could look at while he is gone that the commander's post journals and pictures!! If anyone is interested in checking it out. They do new updates every Tues and the company Josh is in is Oscar-180!! The first post I was actually able to spot him in one of the pictures!! The link is uscgbootcamp.blogspot.com!! It makes me feel alil better knowing that I can check out all the updates and somewhat know what he is doing!!

Still not walking but almost there!!!

2008-10-25T00:18:00.004-04:00

Special Delivery

2008-10-25T00:05:00.006-04:00

The day after Josh left for boot camp he had roses delivered to me!!! It was very special to me that he thought of it!! I so was not expecting that, it made me cry!! I am soo thankful for the husband that God has blessed me with!! It made me miss him sooo much more!!!

Climbing....Climbing...Climbing!!!

2008-10-24T23:57:00.004-04:00

Logan has figured out how to climb on things now!!! If its low enough for him to climb up on he is climbing on it!! He still has not quite figured out how to get down soo if you are not watching He will tumble off!!!

Eating like a big boy!!!

2008-10-24T23:50:00.002-04:00

So this morning Logan decided that he wanted to eat his grits by himself!! While I was getting his juice ready he grabbed his bowl off the table and put it on his tray and started eating the grits with his hands and trying to use his spoon!!! He made a huge messed but he had a great time!!!

One of the hardest days of my life!!!

2008-10-24T17:32:00.001-04:00

October 7th was one of the hardest days of my life!! Josh left for Coast Boot Camp and will be gone for 8 weeks!!! Things were going ok until right before he left and Logan broke my heart. Josh gave us all a hug and a kiss goodbye and walked off and as he walked off Logan started reaching for him and crying and then I lost it!!!! It is going to be a hard 8 weeks!!!

Rock Climbing

2008-10-24T17:09:00.000-04:00

The week before Josh left Adam was actaully visiting the big Live Oak!! So we wanted to spend some time with him and his fiance Amanda!! We decided that since there is not much to do in our little town that we would go to Gainesville and go Rock Climbing!! We had a blast and enjoyed the time we were able to spend with them!!

Logan's 1st Haircut!!!

2008-10-24T16:50:00.000-04:00

Sooo Josh kept telling me and telling me that I need to give Logan a haircut sooo I finally gave in and a couple days before his birthday we had Meme give him his 1st haircut!!

Logan's Birthday!!

2008-10-24T16:34:00.001-04:00

Ok so I am alil behind on my posting but I am going to try and get all caught up!!! Logan's Birthday was on October 5th. He turned the BIG ONE!!! I little baby is growing up into a big BOY :( We had his birthday on the 4th and he got tons of things he is sooo spoiled!!! It turned out really good though!! My Meme and I made made his caked I was so excited it turned out soo cute!!!

Beautiful!!

2008-06-23T00:00:00.000-04:00

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QeDlwtNZR3I

This song has a very powerful meaning to me and the video with it is good also! This song speaks to me each time I hear it!!! Hope someone is as encouraged by it's message as I was!!!

Psalms 118:1

2008-06-15T23:19:00.000-04:00

This was the verse in my devotional for today!!

Ps 118:1 - Oh Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; for His steadfast love endures forever!

I do not thank God enough for the steadfast love that He has for me!! This verse is an awesome reminder that God is there for me and that He will love me forever!! Thank you Lord for this reminder help me to be more mindful of this in my day to day walk with you!!

Our 1st family vacation since Logan was born!!

2008-06-12T00:00:00.000-04:00

Our 1st family vacation was to California!! Logan got to visit his Uncle Nate & Aunt Beppy!! We had a great time!! Logan did very well the whole time that we were gone even though we were all the way across the United States!! We went and did alot of cool things while we were there!! We went to downtown San Francisco to Pier 39, went to the Golden Gate Bridge, Monterey Bay Aquarium, and quite a few other things!! We had a great time and are very thankful that we got to spend time with Nathan and Bethany!! We miss you guys already!!

New at this!!!

2008-06-11T22:24:00.001-04:00

Soo I have had this for a while now but I have not really spent the time to actually figure out how to use it and everything so I am going to give it a try!!!