I've been tagged. Here it goes.....
Five things on my to-do list today
1. Get Mary Ellen changed, fed and dressed for Grandmother's, all in 30 minutes
2. Get myself ready before I wake Mary Ellen
3. Make copies at work for a presentation I have to do today at school
4. Feed Mary Ellen prunes (I don't know why she likes them...but whatever)
5. Bathe Mary Ellen, have some time with Brannon, and eventually go to bed so I can do it all again tomorrow!
Five snacks that I enjoy
1. Popcorn
2. Apples
3. Anything with Peanut Butter
4. Nuts
5. Cereal. I love it!
Five things I would do if I were a billionaire
1. Build our dream home...Brannon would say in Tuscaloosa. I'm gonna say at the beach. So we'll meet in the middle and say Dothan!
2. Travel
3. Take care of our family members
4. I have to copy Denise and say tithe, lots and lots.
5. I don't know if I would quit my job. I'm a worker, but Brannon might. Ha
Five bad habits
1. Nail biting and eye squinting
2. Cutting people off mid-sentence or talking over them. I just get so excited to talk and comment, plus I think I'm going to forget what I was going to say if I don't say it right away.
3. Micro-managing my home...and everywhere else. I love being bossy
4. Worrying about things that I have no control of
5. Making corny or inappropriate jokes at inappropriate times. I think I'm always hilarious. Others say not-so-much.
Five places I've lived
1. York, Pennsylvania
2. Lancaster, Pennsylvania
3. Lakeland, Florida
4. Tuscaloosa, Al
5. Dothan, Al
Five jobs that I have had
1. Food service manager (twice)
2. Waitress
3. Orthodontic Clinician
4. Florist's assistant
5. Journalist
Five of my favorite things
1. My Family
2. My Friends
3. The Beach
4. A Good Book
5. A Good Breakfast
Thursday, April 24, 2008
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Dog Bites!
I had the weirdest day today. I just got bit by a dog! It was so random - I think I'm still shocked about it.
As most of you know, I love to run, and I love to run everywhere! I get bored just running around the neighborhood so I sometimes venture out into the streets of Dothan and check out the city. I figure this is a bit safer than running Westgate Trail because at least I'm not alone with people and "things" lurking in the wooded shadows. Anyhoo, so today I ran up Fortner and turned on Earline. Several minutes into my run a dog comes running out barking at my heels. Other runners can attest that this is very normal. I can't count how many times a dog has chased after me, barking as if I'm a big red fire truck or squirrel or something other dogs like to chase.
Well this dog did more than bark at me, it BIT me! The little turd. And it wasn't a little snip. The dog took a chomp and left a nasty ring of teeth around my calf and a chunk of me missing. I flung the little turd off my leg as the owners came running out to the street to call their turd back. I just stood there, too stunned to say anything. I think I was waiting for the owners to say something - to come running to me with bandages and ointment and a jug of whiskey and a stick for me to bite into. Okay, I was at least expecting an "are you okay?" I didn't get anything. They retreated to their yard and stared at me. I just ran back home, with blood running down my leg.
I washed the wound, grabbed a band aid and drove to the doctor's office because I had not had a tetnus shot in who knows how long. Well, the clinic had to call the po-po (police) and I had to give a report so the po-po can check out the dog and make sure it wasn't rabid. I hope it's not. I would have to call the dog something nastier than a turd if that's the case.
I gave my report, the doc put me back together, prescribed some meds to ward off infection and said I would live. Yea!
The worst part, however, is when I had to say what type of dog bit me. It was a little brown dachshund! You know, a little hot-dog dog. I told you it looked like a turd! I couldn't help but laugh at the doctor's office when I recalled the actual dog. At least it could have been a big, bad, scary dog named "Zeek" or "Killer" that I bravely fought off with my own bare hands - maybe even while trying to save an innocent child or little old lady. But noooooooooo, it was a little doggy named Susie.
Susie!
When I told the doc this he said I need a new story - to just make one up like I did about the big scar on my leg. Those who know me best know that I have a scar (two actually, one on top of the other) on the outside of my right thigh, starting at the top of my hip all the way down. Everyone always asks me about it when I wear shorts. I've gotten used to it, really. I'm kinda proud of it. It's a part of me. It's a part of my life story.
Anyway, I sometimes tell people I was bitten by a shark when they ask me about it. You don't wanna know how many people believe me when I tell them that (sorry if you were one of those people). I was not bitten by a shark folks. I broke my hip (running of course) and had to have some surgeries and many therapy sessions to fix it. I bet many of you don't know that I used to walk crooked - I kind of teetered back and forth - until therapy eventually corrected it. I still can't resist telling people the shark version sometimes. It just sounds so cool and so far-fetched that they think it must be true. Hence, the doctor telling me to come up with a better dog-biting story than the real one about little turd Susie.
All I know is, at the end of the day, I'll never look at a hot dog the same.
Turd!
As most of you know, I love to run, and I love to run everywhere! I get bored just running around the neighborhood so I sometimes venture out into the streets of Dothan and check out the city. I figure this is a bit safer than running Westgate Trail because at least I'm not alone with people and "things" lurking in the wooded shadows. Anyhoo, so today I ran up Fortner and turned on Earline. Several minutes into my run a dog comes running out barking at my heels. Other runners can attest that this is very normal. I can't count how many times a dog has chased after me, barking as if I'm a big red fire truck or squirrel or something other dogs like to chase.
Well this dog did more than bark at me, it BIT me! The little turd. And it wasn't a little snip. The dog took a chomp and left a nasty ring of teeth around my calf and a chunk of me missing. I flung the little turd off my leg as the owners came running out to the street to call their turd back. I just stood there, too stunned to say anything. I think I was waiting for the owners to say something - to come running to me with bandages and ointment and a jug of whiskey and a stick for me to bite into. Okay, I was at least expecting an "are you okay?" I didn't get anything. They retreated to their yard and stared at me. I just ran back home, with blood running down my leg.
I washed the wound, grabbed a band aid and drove to the doctor's office because I had not had a tetnus shot in who knows how long. Well, the clinic had to call the po-po (police) and I had to give a report so the po-po can check out the dog and make sure it wasn't rabid. I hope it's not. I would have to call the dog something nastier than a turd if that's the case.
I gave my report, the doc put me back together, prescribed some meds to ward off infection and said I would live. Yea!
The worst part, however, is when I had to say what type of dog bit me. It was a little brown dachshund! You know, a little hot-dog dog. I told you it looked like a turd! I couldn't help but laugh at the doctor's office when I recalled the actual dog. At least it could have been a big, bad, scary dog named "Zeek" or "Killer" that I bravely fought off with my own bare hands - maybe even while trying to save an innocent child or little old lady. But noooooooooo, it was a little doggy named Susie.
Susie!
When I told the doc this he said I need a new story - to just make one up like I did about the big scar on my leg. Those who know me best know that I have a scar (two actually, one on top of the other) on the outside of my right thigh, starting at the top of my hip all the way down. Everyone always asks me about it when I wear shorts. I've gotten used to it, really. I'm kinda proud of it. It's a part of me. It's a part of my life story.
Anyway, I sometimes tell people I was bitten by a shark when they ask me about it. You don't wanna know how many people believe me when I tell them that (sorry if you were one of those people). I was not bitten by a shark folks. I broke my hip (running of course) and had to have some surgeries and many therapy sessions to fix it. I bet many of you don't know that I used to walk crooked - I kind of teetered back and forth - until therapy eventually corrected it. I still can't resist telling people the shark version sometimes. It just sounds so cool and so far-fetched that they think it must be true. Hence, the doctor telling me to come up with a better dog-biting story than the real one about little turd Susie.
All I know is, at the end of the day, I'll never look at a hot dog the same.
Turd!
Thursday, April 17, 2008
Quick Update
I haven't been able to post anything new this past week because I have been so busy with school. I'm taking an 8-week course this semester, which means we have to cover 16-weeks worth of material in half the time. Totally worth it, however.
Mary Ellen is growing so much! Brannon and I were talking the other day about how fast they grow and how fast time goes by. Mary Ellen still loves to practice her new sounds - any new sounds. Her latest talking voice is a loud, high-pitched shriek that she finds entertaining. Just tonight I put her to bed only to hear her 20 minutes later singing in her high-pitched voice. It was hilarious! She also still loves to gnaw on her right foot. Every morning I find her right sock soaked with saliva.
Brannon and I are expecting some good friends from South Carolina to visit us in two weeks. I am very excited. This is my old roommate from Florida and her husband. I feel so blessed to have such good friends who are willing, and want to, drive all the way from South Carolina in one weekend. I hope everyone gets to experience such good friendships in their lives. They are sometimes hard to come by so when you get them, hold tight. Friends are very much needed and very much a gift from God. Thank you Jesus!
Until next posting...I still love you!
Mary Ellen is growing so much! Brannon and I were talking the other day about how fast they grow and how fast time goes by. Mary Ellen still loves to practice her new sounds - any new sounds. Her latest talking voice is a loud, high-pitched shriek that she finds entertaining. Just tonight I put her to bed only to hear her 20 minutes later singing in her high-pitched voice. It was hilarious! She also still loves to gnaw on her right foot. Every morning I find her right sock soaked with saliva.
Brannon and I are expecting some good friends from South Carolina to visit us in two weeks. I am very excited. This is my old roommate from Florida and her husband. I feel so blessed to have such good friends who are willing, and want to, drive all the way from South Carolina in one weekend. I hope everyone gets to experience such good friendships in their lives. They are sometimes hard to come by so when you get them, hold tight. Friends are very much needed and very much a gift from God. Thank you Jesus!
Until next posting...I still love you!
Monday, April 7, 2008
Hold-Me Baby
I love cuddling with Brannon and Mary Ellen, and even my furry little Benny (whose nickname is "killer" now because he finally caught and killed a squirrel and brought it as a present to my mother-in-law). I love holding my baby. I like walking around with her, sitting with her, laying with her and playing on the floor with her.
But I would also like the option of putting her down to entertain herself so mommy can do laundry or cook dinner or do whatever.
Nope. No such luck. At least not anytime soon. What we have here is what I like to call a "hold-me baby." I used to take care of these babies all the time in the church nursery. You know what I'm talking about. These are the babies that wince and cry the moment you try to place them somewhere - anywhere!
You can try the swing - cry.
You can try the Bumbo seat - cry.
You can try the infant seat - cry.
Excersaucer - cry.
Toys - cry.
You get the picture. Some babies won't even let you bend at the waist because they know in their little baby minds that next comes the possibility of being placed somewhere - anywhere! I have this type of baby. Mary Ellen loves to be held and walked about. It wasn't such a big deal when working in the nursery because in 45 minutes Mommy and Daddy were coming to pick up their hold-me baby. Now I'm the mommy that the nursery workers wait on!
I knew we were in trouble when Brannon and I picked up Mary Ellen at the nursery two Sundays ago. I was well informed that Mary Ellen liked to be walked and that putting her down was not an option. Uh-huh. Well, I just thought they didn't know what they were talking about. I was wrong. Mary Ellen bores easily and will fuss if you walk away from her for too long - or at all. I'm now starting to let her fuss some before I run to her because girlfriend is going to have to learn to occupy herself, at least a little. I'll take 10 minutes. Okay, 1 minute.
All joking aside, I wouldn't trade my "hold-me-baby" for anything in the world. I love her fussiness and all the other personality traits that are developing little by little. I love Mary Ellen because she is who she is and she is developing into her own person. She may take on traits from her Daddy and me, but she is who she is and some things are all her own. It's wonderful to witness. I can't wait to see who she will be later on.
But right now, I'm just going to enjoy walking and holding my baby.
Till next posting, I love you all!
But I would also like the option of putting her down to entertain herself so mommy can do laundry or cook dinner or do whatever.
Nope. No such luck. At least not anytime soon. What we have here is what I like to call a "hold-me baby." I used to take care of these babies all the time in the church nursery. You know what I'm talking about. These are the babies that wince and cry the moment you try to place them somewhere - anywhere!
You can try the swing - cry.
You can try the Bumbo seat - cry.
You can try the infant seat - cry.
Excersaucer - cry.
Toys - cry.
You get the picture. Some babies won't even let you bend at the waist because they know in their little baby minds that next comes the possibility of being placed somewhere - anywhere! I have this type of baby. Mary Ellen loves to be held and walked about. It wasn't such a big deal when working in the nursery because in 45 minutes Mommy and Daddy were coming to pick up their hold-me baby. Now I'm the mommy that the nursery workers wait on!
I knew we were in trouble when Brannon and I picked up Mary Ellen at the nursery two Sundays ago. I was well informed that Mary Ellen liked to be walked and that putting her down was not an option. Uh-huh. Well, I just thought they didn't know what they were talking about. I was wrong. Mary Ellen bores easily and will fuss if you walk away from her for too long - or at all. I'm now starting to let her fuss some before I run to her because girlfriend is going to have to learn to occupy herself, at least a little. I'll take 10 minutes. Okay, 1 minute.
All joking aside, I wouldn't trade my "hold-me-baby" for anything in the world. I love her fussiness and all the other personality traits that are developing little by little. I love Mary Ellen because she is who she is and she is developing into her own person. She may take on traits from her Daddy and me, but she is who she is and some things are all her own. It's wonderful to witness. I can't wait to see who she will be later on.
But right now, I'm just going to enjoy walking and holding my baby.
Till next posting, I love you all!
Tuesday, April 1, 2008
Becoming Complete
When Brannon and I first spoke of becoming parents, we did not know the long - and often curvy - road that awaited us. We did not know that it would take so long to become pregnant. We did not know that we would be traveling to Birmingham and Montgomery to try to become pregnant. We did not know that we would blame ourselves for "not being pregnant." And we certainly did not know that we would experience losses in our journey to become Mom and Dad.
We simply did not know that we weren't the ones in control.
I think back on our trials every time I look at Mary Ellen's beautiful face, and I am so thankful of her arrival. Someone asked me recently if I now felt "complete." I wasn't quite sure how to answer the question and I hesitated. I didn't want to be weird or rude, so I eventually nodded a yes and went on. I couldn't help feeling a little confused by the question, however. I know it was meant to be a sweet question and the person was being sincere, but what did she mean by being "complete." Was I incomplete before I had Mary Ellen? Was I less of a person? Did my life not mean anything? Does this mean people who choose not to have children, or cannot have children, are incomplete?
No. I was complete. I was complete because I had the Lord with me.
At times, I often felt broken and less of a woman because I couldn't get pregnant. I remember crying and being horribly jealous of other women who were pregnant. They were awful feelings and I knew I couldn't live like this. I knew I had to change my view and my attitude. I knew I had to relinquish control and hand it over to God.
After praying (continuously) it felt amazing to have that burden lifted off my shoulders. I knew that God had plans for Brannon and I and we just had to let Him map them out. He would reveal His plans when He was ready. I did not feel incomplete after that. I felt whole. He let me know that I was and always will be a whole person.
I am a whole person who helped to bring another whole person into this world. What a beautiful gift and privilege He has given me. I imagine Him looking down from Heaven and smiling at me saying, "Okay, finally she gets it. Give that girl a baby!" And I am so glad He waited to give me my daughter because I truly needed to be taught this lesson. Now I am better equipped to teach Mary Ellen about being whole in Christ. How awesome is that!
To all my loved ones (and some of you are feeling broken right now), you are COMPLETE and WHOLE and BEAUTIFUL in Jesus Christ. Give the control, the burden, whatever it may be, over to Him and believe that He has the strength to carry it.
And then praise Him for it!
Love You!
We simply did not know that we weren't the ones in control.
I think back on our trials every time I look at Mary Ellen's beautiful face, and I am so thankful of her arrival. Someone asked me recently if I now felt "complete." I wasn't quite sure how to answer the question and I hesitated. I didn't want to be weird or rude, so I eventually nodded a yes and went on. I couldn't help feeling a little confused by the question, however. I know it was meant to be a sweet question and the person was being sincere, but what did she mean by being "complete." Was I incomplete before I had Mary Ellen? Was I less of a person? Did my life not mean anything? Does this mean people who choose not to have children, or cannot have children, are incomplete?
No. I was complete. I was complete because I had the Lord with me.
At times, I often felt broken and less of a woman because I couldn't get pregnant. I remember crying and being horribly jealous of other women who were pregnant. They were awful feelings and I knew I couldn't live like this. I knew I had to change my view and my attitude. I knew I had to relinquish control and hand it over to God.
After praying (continuously) it felt amazing to have that burden lifted off my shoulders. I knew that God had plans for Brannon and I and we just had to let Him map them out. He would reveal His plans when He was ready. I did not feel incomplete after that. I felt whole. He let me know that I was and always will be a whole person.
I am a whole person who helped to bring another whole person into this world. What a beautiful gift and privilege He has given me. I imagine Him looking down from Heaven and smiling at me saying, "Okay, finally she gets it. Give that girl a baby!" And I am so glad He waited to give me my daughter because I truly needed to be taught this lesson. Now I am better equipped to teach Mary Ellen about being whole in Christ. How awesome is that!
To all my loved ones (and some of you are feeling broken right now), you are COMPLETE and WHOLE and BEAUTIFUL in Jesus Christ. Give the control, the burden, whatever it may be, over to Him and believe that He has the strength to carry it.
And then praise Him for it!
Love You!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
Reflections...
I wonder what they are deep in thought about!
Sweet Baby
Mary Ellen wore this dress for Baby Dedication. She also wore this the day she came home from the hospital.
