Happy, & excited, but stressed!

• My husband has been a police officer for 26 years, and will be retiring in June. {Just 12 weeks away!}
•  The past few weeks we have spent hours at night sorthing through real estate listings online.
• Seems like everytime we find one we LOVE, someone buys it before we can even go look at it.
• I know God has a plan for us, and I guess those other homes just weren't meant to be ours.
• Today I was so stressed out over it I felt excited, worried, stressed, freaked out, hyper, scared, worried, and about to vomit all at one time! Worst feeling ever!
• I've already started packing the non-essential items. I just can't believe we are about to move.
• We talked about it for so long and it always seemed so far away, and now its so close to happening that it's like I feel like a child waiting on Christmas to arrive!
• Any tips/suggestions do's/donts on the subject are greatly appreciated! Please feel free to post them!

Unexpected Blessings

I haven't been able to post anything in a while, or even read my friends blogs. I just felt like I needed to take a moment to remember all of the blessings God has given me. Seems like I've lost track of all reality since my beautiful grandmother passed away, and in that I have forgotten to be thankful for my blessings.

I had been working at an awful job where I would go into work at 4 in the afternoon, and if I was lucky I would get off at 1am. Most nights it was closer to 2:30 or three before I would get off work. Then I would have to get up the next morning and get my son ready pack his lunch and take him to school. I just felt awful all the time, drained, no energy what so ever!

I finally decided to just quit. I went two months without a job. I applied anywhere and everywhere I could. Then one day I was on Facebook scrolling through my news feed I saw a  post from 24/7  Health & Fitness saying they were looking for Kidz Zone attendants, and to email to schedule an interview.

I went for two different interviews, hoping to just get a job as an attendant. They shocked me when the gave me the coordinator position! God is so good! I had prayed and asked him to help me find a job and its like it literally fell into my lap! (literally on my computer screen)

I started on November 5th, and I enjoy it so much. I work with babies three months old to children twelve years old. I have great hours for a mom who still has to tend to kids, keep up with a house, make dinners etc.

 I am just so thankful for all the blessings I have been given.

Thankful for my blessings

Today I am thankful for God, my husband and my children. Without them I wouldn't be where I am today.

My husband has been by my side for over seven years, through thick and thin. I can't put into words how wonderful he is to me and our children. I'm thankful for his good work ethic, and determination to always provide for his family.

I'm thankful for my son, and my daughter. They are my little miracle babies, the ones I thought I would never have. God is so good, he always knows what we need and exactly when to give it to us. His timing was perfect. These two little bundles of joy bring me so much happiness and love. They fill my life with laughter and good memories. I would do anything for them. Some days they can be more than a handful, but still I wouldn't trade a single second of our time with them for anything in this world. Each day goes by and I feel like there is no possible way I could love them anymore than I do, yet they always find away to make sure my heart is overflowing with love for them and from them. There is nothing comparable to the love of a child.

I am forever thankful, because I know at any moment any of these things could be gone. I cherish every second of every day that God lets me share with my family. 

Day 25 {A first}

As a child I often dreamed of going to the beach. Our parents hated the beach so they would never take us there. I grew to hate going to the mountains, always the same old boring vacation. It was so predictable. I do enjoy the mountains, but not  all the time. I like to see new places and new things, new adventures.

When my husband and I were dating he wanted to take me to Mobile to meet his family. It was Thanksgiving, and I had many reasons to be thankful that year. I was thankful to have him, and to be out of a bad relationship. I was thankful to be going on my first trip to the beach.

So we got into his car and left his parents house. I may have been 20 but I was just as excited as a child. It was only a twenty minute drive from his parents house but it seemed like a long trip. I will never forget stepping out of that car and hearing the waves and the seagulls for the first time. I still remember how it felt to have the fresh ocean breeze blowing in my hair. I remember how the sand felt between my toes and fingertips. It was chilly but I didn't let that stop my enjoyment. I wrote our names in the sand.  I watched a cute little crab scurry across the beach into his hole in the sand. I enjoyed everything about that day. Dauphin Island will always be a special place to me, not only because it was my first beach experience but because of who I was with.

Since then we have made many many trips to Dauphin Island. One of my most cherished photos is a picture of my husband and our six week old baby boy under the Dauphin Island Pier. I have pictures of both our children there, the two of us, and family pictures. They are more than just pictures they are moments in time that meant the world to me. We have made several beach trips to Savannah,GA Amelia Island,FL, Gulf Shores,AL and Dauphin Island and D.I.  still remains my favorite place. My husband is amazing, and he has made so many of my dreams come true. I look forward to each and every day that I am blessed to share with him.


One of my favorite songs was written and preformed by a group born in Mobile, The Band Perry. The song is ''All your life'' and my favorite quote comes from the lyrics
''Would you walk to the edge of the ocean Just to fill my jar with sand Just in case I get the notion  To let it run through my hand ???? Let it run through my hand''
My husband did just that. My little sand jar collection sits proudly on a shelf in our living room.

We will never forget

The alarm goes off, the tears begin to flow uncontrollably. I hit the snooze button.

That is how my day started.

After hitting the snooze button more than a dozen times I dragged myself out of the bed. Not because I was still sleepy but because I feared the unknown. My husband and I got up, showered, dressed and off to the funeral home we went. Walking in the door, I recognized so many familiar faces. Some I have known for a while, others whom I have only come to know and love in the past few days.

I took a deep breath and walked into the room, there sat the family. I hugged all of them and told them how sorry I was and that I love them. It was then I looked to the far end of the room. There laid this beautiful tiny baby girl, surrounded by beautiful pink blankets and flowers.

I cried and cried and even cried after I thought I had no tears left.

Her coffin wasn't much bigger than a shoe box. It was the saddest thing I may have ever seen.

We went and sat in another room. Later on my friend's sister came and sat down beside me. I put my arm around her. I had no words. I don't even know what to say to them anymore. I know ''I'm sorry for your loss'' just doesn't get it. I honestly didn't know what to say to her. She sat there, and I could see her whole body trembling. I feel like I failed her today, not even being able to speak. Searching for words and nothing coming out. I was speechless.

Her graveside service was beautiful. Each family member was given a pink balloon, and they all released them at the same time. The wind quickly took them away. Afterwards everyone was asked to join the family for a meal at Ryan's. So we all headed over there. I'm happy that I was able to be there for my friends during their time of sorrow. If I have learned one thing from this sweet baby passing away, its the fact that she brought two families together. She made friendships grow closer, stronger. She has created a bond between strangers. There is no greater love than that of a child. She was loved and in return she gave everyone who knew her love and friendships that will last a lifetime. I am so blessed to know this family, and to have had the chance to meet this baby and be a part of her life.

Day 11 {Your Children}

My children are my life.......my world. They are my inspiration. The source of all my happiness and at the same time the source of insanity. Most of everyone already knows everything about my babies. So I will write about their births.

 I was a very happy pregnant woman. I dislike hearing pregnant women complain ALL the time. I was so in tune with my son when I was pregnant that I actually  had dreams about him before he was even born, even before I found out that he would be a boy. Some of those dreams were exact right down to every detail. I don't know how that happened either, maybe hormones. I also had nightmares when I was pregnant with him.

There is no deeper connection in this world than that of a mother and her child, especially  while she is pregnant.  I dreamed once about my son's birth, before we knew he was a boy. I dreamed that he wasn't breathing when he was born. When the time really came for me to have him, by dream became a reality. He wasn't breathing. I was panicking.

I couldn't even imagine loosing him. The doctor worked on stitching me up and I was trying my hardest to get my half numb body off of the table to get to my brand new baby boy. The doctor told the two nurses that were already in the room to get the NICU nurses. Within seconds the door flew open and there was a combination of ten nurses and doctors trying their best to get  my angel to breathe. I didn't even get to hold him, he was taken to the NICU. He was only tree weeks early, so I never imagined it would turn out that way.

They took me upstairs to my room and I started throwing up and having the worst chills and I was itching from head to to clawing at my skin. They gave me a shot and it knocked me out. Three hours later I woke up in pain, and the nurse come in to take care of me. She asked if I wanted to see my baby. So more than three hours after he was born. I was able to hold him for the first time. It was so much better than I ever imagined it could be he was perfect.


About two months later I found out we would be having our second child. It was unexpected but more than welcomed. I was at work one night and felt like my pants were wet. I looked and it was blood. I immediately went to the hospital. This happened several times with no explanation. My doctor told me it was time to stop working and just stay at home. I had no problem with that. I hardly ever felt my baby move, which concerned me all the time. With my son he moved all the time, and I could always feel it. She always checked out fine at the doctors office though. She came two weeks early.

It was shift change when we arrived at the hospital, which meant I didn't get seen right away. I had to wait in the waiting room. By the time I got to see my doctor I was at 8cm, and still had nothing for the pain.My Dr suggested an epidural, so I agreed. She came back an hour later and it was time to start. She however had to leave to do an emergency Cesarean on twins.

So there I was with my husband and the nurse. I pushed for over two hours. When the doctor came back she said this baby hasn't even moved. I then laid down and just gave up. I told my husband I was tired, and I couldn't do it anymore. I was physically exhausted. The doctor said I needed a Cesarean, so off we went to the OR.

Turns out our little princess was well over 8lbs and that's the reason she had gotten stuck inside my pelvis. She has been mischievous ever since! I actually would prefer  a Cesarean rather than the natural way any day. It was so much easier, I was back to normal the next day.

I love my babies with everything I have. I have been blessed beyond anything I ever imagined. It's bittersweet watching them grow up. I love watching them grow and learn and achieve new things, but at the same time it makes me sad. It goes by all too fast. I try to take lots of photos so we never forget anything. I keep up with the little moments by writting them down and making scrapbooks. There is nowhere in this world that I would rather be than right here with my family.

Gatlinburg,TN

Our friends invited us to go to Gatlinburg with them, they completely paid for everything. The hotel,food, and attractions. The only thing I paid for was a few things for the kids and having a few ''Old time photos'' made. Such a blessing that we were able to go and that we have such thoughtful friends!




a train at the Chattanooga Choo Choo museum

 Saturday October 8th was the day we left. We stopped in Chattanooga. First we went to the Chattanooga Choo Choo and toured the museum, went on a trolley ride, then visited the gift shop. It was a lot of fun and my little conductor had tons of fun!


After that we took a trolley over to the Creative Discovery Museum it was a blast for all of us. We spent several hours there. I would love to take the kids back again sometime.

We stopped and got something to eat then made the rest of the trip to Gatlinburg. The weather was beautiful there, mostly in the 70's. The tree's were beautiful! We spent an entire day at Over Gatlinburg, we did the chair lift multiple times. We did the alpine slides, the water slides, the animal exhibit,the playground, the maze, and the train.                                                                      

We visited Fannie Farkles multiple times when we were there. The kids loved it, I loved it, lol everyone loves that place! The babies got airbrushed t-shirts, lil man picked Angry Birds, and Miss Priss picked out a ballerina one. She had her photos made at Ole' Thyme Photo. I think they turned out really cute despite the fact that she had a boo boo under her nose due to her runny nose that started Saturday.

One night we were standing outside of a candy store, watching them make the taffy. All of a sudden there was a man dressed up as Captain Jack Sparrow! Not only did he look like him, he talked like him, and his movements were exactly like they are in the movies! We were quite entertained by him. My sweet angel said ''don't let him shoot my mommy'' gotta love the way little ones think! We explained to her that it wasn't a real gun, and that he was only wearing a costume sort of like Halloween, only it wasn't Halloween. She was happy with that and wasn't afraid of him anymore.

We went to eat at Texas Roadhouse, which has great food but poor service. The police were called there because the waitress added gratuity to a check, probably because she knew she wasn't going to get a tip. They wanted her to remove the gratuity, and so they called the police. There was a lot of yelling involved. Anyways I was amused by their high-chairs for the little ones! They are made out of old saddles! Cute idea if you ask me!

We had a wonderful time with our friends. I'm glad that my step-daughter was out of school for fall break and got to go too! I enjoyed spending time with her and the babies.

Monday we ate at the Pancake Pantry, lil man fell asleep waiting on his food. Out of the dozens of times I have been to Gatlinburg it was my first time eating there, I absolutely loved it.



Chocolate chip pancakes

 After breakfast we made another visit to Fannie Farkle's. We all played then cashed in our thousands of tickets for prizes. We walked the strip in Gatlinburg one more time, then started the trip back home. We stopped to see a small waterfall.

We stopped at a train museum in Townsend, it was closed but we still took photos of the kids with the old engine outside. Later on we took the Foothills Parkway, we wanted the scenic route home.

Along the parkway there was a place to stop and park. Then we had a half a mile walk up the mountain to get to what is called Look Rock. I managed to get a cramp in my calf during the walk up the mountain. It was well worth the view once we were at the top though. We could see Maryville, Cades Cove, Clingman's Dome and several other places from this one place. We got to see the sunset while we were up there, and it was absolutely beautiful!

Beautiful view from Look Rock

sixteen days

Today was a very exciting and special day. I had the honor of going to the NICU with Rachel to visit her baby girl. The hospital is about five minutes away. We had just enough time for a little chit chat. She told me that she just wanted to give me a warning in advance that the baby is small. I was thinking this whole time and trying to imagine for the past two weeks just how small she was.

Once we got to the hospital it took a few minutes to find a parking space. Then we went inside to the NICU. We washed our hands and headed in the direction where she was. The blanket was lifted off of her incubator and I stepped closer to get a better look. I thought I knew but really I had no idea at all, about just how tiny she would be. I really wasn't prepared at all. I never in my life imagined a baby could be so tiny. It really caught me off guard and shocked me. I began to cry, and Rachel told me to stop before I made her cry too. Just to try and give you an idea of how tiny she is, make a fist with your hand. Her head is smaller than an adults fist.

She is the smallest most beautiful little girl, she is just perfect.  She has the tiniest hands and feet, everything about her is so adorable. I wish I could just hold her and kiss her! I am completely amazed at the work of God, HE is so awesome! I could even feel his presence in the room. I stared in awe over her, she is truly a blessing! Today she was 16 days old!

The nurse asked Rachel if she would like to change her diaper. I think she was shocked because her answer was ''can I''? She did a fantastic first diaper changing! Even the diapers are so stinking cute, I should have stolen one lol! They are smaller than baby doll diapers! She forgot her camera, so I used mine to capture her first diaper change from her mommy! I will ask and see how she feels about me adding photos, so maybe later on I will add them but not for now.

I have prayed for her multiple times since she was born,but to finally be able to meet her was just an honor. She has already found a place in my heart. I will continue to pray for her and her family. Today was a wonderful day!

I also got news that my step-daughter will be induced at 5am. So I went to a local crafts store to purchase items to make her a wreath for her hospital door.

the letter ''n'' in the center of the wreath

the wreath I made for tomorrow

While I was at the craft store I came across a wooden cross. I immediately knew I had to buy it for Amaya Faith's mommy!

I don't think I could have found a better gift to buy her than this today! I'm so happy that I found it. I came home and made the wreath for my step-daughter's door. Later on I even made a special gift for Amaya. I took a regular sized baby stretchy headband and cut it and made it into one that will{hopefully} fit her. Its pink and ever so cute! I took a photo of it next to a regular sized headband, to show the difference in size.



Isn't it cute????

 Hopefully the nurses will allow her to wear it just long enough for photos! I already can't wait to see her again! But until then I will continue to pray for her! And I'm looking forward to our new family member arrive tomorrow.

annual Fall cruise-in

The past several weeks I have been running around like a chicken with i.............(you get the idea) collecting items to stuff the goody bags,working with vendors and local businesses to collect door prizes. I absolutely loved it!


Yesterday has come and gone, I can finally say I did it. My first event as president was a success! We work with a local Ford dealership, to have an annual fall cruise-in. Its basically like a car show, only the cars  aren't  separated into judged classes. Instead we give out specialty awards and sponsor's choice awards. Proceeds benefit the Madison County Veteran's Memorial here in the Rocket City.

Everyone arrived Friday afternoon at 5:30 @ WAF to start stuffing the goody bags and setting up everything for the show. I slept a total of four hours Friday night. I got up at 5am Saturday to get ready to go back to the dealership. I arrived there at 6:30 am along with other members and WAF employee's to start setting up the registration tent, the t-shirt sales table, and the PA system for announcements and music.

Last year was a huge flop because of all the rain, we only had 53 entrants. This year we had a beautiful fall day, it was warm in the upper 70's and thankfully there was no rain. We had 89 registered entrants this year! Which is such a blessing! We had loads of fun. There was really only one thing that went wrong, and that was the fact that our microphone decided to quit shorty before our awards presentation.

There were several vendors on site, one selling lemonade, another selling coke and BBQ sacked lunches, a toy car guy, and several automotive vendors. After the show there was plenty of food leftover so it was donated to the local food bank.

I had a blast meeting new people and making new friends. Last year Sharon {who is our MCA director} brought her niece Karen along with her. Since it rained she decided to get into a water fight with one of the members named Skip. So it was only natural for me to help her keep the tradition alive.

I asked Skip to come over to where I was, luring him into our water fight trap. Karen soaked him, which was followed by a desperate attempt of retaliation. I unexpectedly got a TON of ice cold water poured over my head. It felt nice actually since I was so hot after being up on the roof. {myself and two others went up there to get an aerial photo of the car show, the roof is white and reflected the sun right onto us & goodness it was hot}

Tomorrow I go back to the dealership to hand off the money to be donated to the local Veteran's Memorial. Its still a work in progress. It feels good to be a part of something big, and to know we are making a difference in our community.
You can find out more about the memorial at this link Madison County Veterans Memorial

I can't wait for our annual May car show now! I'm already starting a notebook of ideas!

faith hope love prayer

Today I was cleaning my son's room. I thought I heard someone at the door, but then it stopped. I assumed it was my daughter since she was in the living room. Then my phone began to ring. It was my sweet neighbor and friend, who is like family to us. She was expecting a package and needed us to watch for it. She was leaving to take her father to visit someone at the hospital.

Her sister was pregnant and due December 26th. She has been on bed rest for the last several weeks. She had been taken to the hospital at 4 am because she had gone into labor. She has already lost two babies in the past due to premature births. So this has had everyone on edge for a while. I have sent many prayers for her and her baby. (as well as many tears)

She was given a drug to help develop the baby's lungs, so that it would have a better chance of survival. She was taken to the operating room for an emergency Cesarean.

They hadn't even announced the sex of the baby yet. Nor had they even made a final decision on a name.                                                                

                                                                                      

She was born today by cesarean, and weighed in at two pounds. She is 13.5 inches long. She was transported to another hospital with a neonatal intensive care unit. It's known as one of the best in the state. She will be in good hands there.


So now everyone knows that she is in fact a sweet baby girl. I have sent out prayers as well as prayer requests to family and friends throughout the day. Prayer is a powerful thing. I received a message late this afternoon letting me know that she was breathing on her own. Something the doctors say is extremely well for a baby her age. She is big for her gestation period too, thank goodness because that will help her grow and develop faster.

                                                                                     

Her mommy has been worried sick and in tears all day and wasn't up for visitors. So tomorrow I will be going with her sister to visit her at the hospital. The  baby is so tiny so she is on a restricted visitation schedule. I hope we can make it by her hospital too, I would love to see her. I know I won't be able to touch her or hold her but seeing her will be a blessing.


They picked out the sweetest name for her, but I won't say it on here since she isn't my child. It's a perfect name, and very well chosen for the situation. She isn't out of the woods yet and will need prayers for weeks, maybe even months to come. So please keep this sweet angel in your prayers.


Love,
Jaybee

A surprise homecoming

This afternoon Sissy texted me. She wanted to know if we were going to be home. My husband was in the bed sleeping because he had to wake up at 8pm to take a shower so that he could go to work at 9pm. Our son crawled in bed too,but never went to sleep.

 I proceeded to finish cleaning the house. So later on my daughter and I decided to go sit outside. We hadn't been out there long at all. Maybe 5-10 minutes at the most. She had just reached for her bucket of sidewalk chalk so that we could draw pretty pictures together. I was focused on her at ground level. I noticed someone walk up behind her and just stop & stand there. A man obviously due to the clothing. I said  to my daughter ''baby move so he can get by''.

 It wasn't until she got up to move that I looked up at the guy. I thought it was someone going to see our neighbor. I looked at his face. I stared at him. It took several seconds for it to sink in. It was my step-son Mickey!!!! I was in shock!

I reputedly said OMG OMG OMG!!!! He gave me the biggest warmest hug ever. One of those really good ''I missed you hugs''

We haven't seen him in months! In fact I think January was the last time he was home. He is in the Air Force & in stationed on the west coast.

Since my husband was sleeping I didn't want to just go open the bedroom door & say hey Mickey is here. Instead I made it interesting!

I opened the bedroom door.

I walked over to the bed.



 ME- ''hey babe, wake up. There is a police officer at the door and he needs to talk with you''.

Hubby-What? A police officer? Well what does he want?

ME- I don't know he just said that he needs to speak with you.

Hubby- quickly gets out of bed and puts on a shirt

I had walked back into the living room. My husband and son then walked into the living room. He too was in shock. It took him a few seconds before he let out a loud MICKKKKKEEEEEEEEEEEEYYYYYYYY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! 

Which was followed by a really awesome hug!

Haha! Sissy tricked me, I tricked my husband. I tricked Nessa.

We all sat down & started to catch up on everything. It was so great to see him. it was almost unreal.

I know how much my step-daughter Nessa has been missing him and wanting to see him.

I then called Vanessa's mother & told her what was going on. I told her to tell Vanessa to get ready & I was on the way over to pick her up.

I drove over there and she got in the car. 

Vanessa- Why does Dad want me to come over there?

Me- I don't know he just told me to come and get you

We get back home and I put my hands over her eyes so that she couldn't see in the windows.

Shelby opened the door. I then took my hands away from Nessa's eyes.

She stood there looking at him for a few seconds. She then ran over to him and screamed MICKEYYYY!!!!!

She was a very very happy girl. It seems that all of us had a delayed reaction & it had to sink in. It was so awesome getting to see him. We are all thankful for this day & the time that we shared with him. We have missed him so very much!

The text after I realized how sneaky she was : )

Mickey & Nessa