A Great Loss...

Yesterday, I lost my precious grandfather to a very aggressive brain tumor that we didn't even know he had until this past December. NOTHING prepares a person for this. Even though we knew we had only a few months left with him it is still SUCH a shock that he is gone. Thankfully, we went to see him last month, and we had such a great time. I have so many pictures from this visit that I will cherish forever. One of the most special things about him was that even though we aren't blood, he loved us anyway. I was 11 and my brother was five when my parents met. From the first time we met my grandparents, we were theirs. My grandfather enjoyed his new "title" from the get-go. I remember the weekends we would spend with my grandparents, and I always had such a great time with them. Gramps could be very stubborn, but he was mostly sweet and could be goofy with the rest of us. One of my favorite pictures is from my wedding reception. We had a hat set up for people to pay for dances with us, and he paid to dance with MY HUSBAND!

That brings up another thing about my grandfather...that man could dance!!! He taught me some old-school dancing when I was growing up. There was always music and dancing when we went to visit. There was also driving. When I was first learning to drive, he used to let me drive his little pick-up around his back yard. One time, my cousin, Mitchell and I were taking turns driving, and when it was my turn I accidentally backed into the barn. I thought I was in so much trouble! It didn't even phase him. I have so many wonderful memories of my Gramps that I couldn't fit them in just one post. I will miss him so much, but I know that he is in a better place and is no longer suffering. I wish so much that he could have met this new baby that is coming in September. New baby will know about him. I thank God that I have all of the memories and pictures to share with her/him. He was a wonderful man, and I will love him and miss him always.

Third Time's the Charm...

This pregnancy is already so different from the first two. With my daughter, Gyllian, I was sick for six months straight, and didn't show until my fifth month. With my son, Sam, I was only sick for the first trimester (and that was only if I didn't keep food in my mouth 24/7), and started to show right at the end of my third month. With this baby, no vomiting yet, but I've already had to lose my belt! Now mind you I was already a little over weight when I got pregnant, but not to the point where I couldn't wear a belt! I asked Gyllian what she thought I was having. She sat there and thought for minute before replying, "You're having two babies!" I tell you...kids say the craziest things...I hope! :)

The Wait is Over...

So, I had been waiting to take a certain test, and boy were my nerves about to get the best of me. Sunday night, I couldn't sleep. I kept tossing and turning. I just wanted to close my eyes and Monday be here. Finally, the day came!!! I got up and took this certain test. I refused to look at it for quite some time, but when I did I saw this...

I couldn't believe it!!! After only one try, we are expecting baby number three!!! Three days later I turned the big 3-0. I don't think there could have been a better birthday present! The hubby of course was out to sea, so the kids and I celebrated together with a cake that my friend, Annie, bought for me.

It wasn't much, but it was fun! Then I figured since I was four weeks along exactly, I would get my first side view pic. I'm going to do them every month so that I can see the belly in progress. According to Gyllian, I'm having TWO babies!!!

Kevin returned Friday and we've been getting back into the groove of things. He won't have to go back out to sea for quite some time. Let the shopping begin!!!

Waiting...

I feel like I am always waiting. Waiting for Kevin, waiting for Gyllian, waiting in line...you get the idea. Now I am waiting for something else, and the time just drags on by. I'm trying to keep busy. I've been cleaning the house like a fiend, went to a movie last night, and today I have errands to run. I've never really been a patient person, so this is KILLING me! If only I had a time machine...

New Year, New Dreams...

I am so glad that 2010 is here! 2009 was a stinker!!! I have a lot of plans for 2010 that I can't wait to get into motion. Kevin will be home for most of the year so we will actually be able to fun things with the kids this summer! Although it started off bumpy, I am determined to make this year a great one! I just returned from a trip to Tennessee to visit my grandparents. Although it's circumstances weren't ideal, it was wonderful to see them. We also were able to visit my dearest friends! It was so great to see them!!! We got back Monday night, and Gyllian returned to school today. My mother traveled with us so that I wouldn't have to do it alone, and she left today. Gyllian did NOT want to get out of the car!!! I had to get out and physically remove her. I felt bad for her, but she could not afford to miss anymore school. Then it was off to Providence to drop my mom off at the airport. It's nice to back home and on schedule. We are VERY routine oriented and traveling messes us up. Now that we are home, it's time to start moving forward with my resolutions. A new year, a new...

Who's Afraid of the Big, Bad Santa...

Christmas is my favorite holiday, and out of both of my children Gyllian has inherited my love of Santa. From the time she was an infant she loved Santa Clause. I remember her second Christmas right after she turned one, we went to Rock City. When we got to Santa I was afraid she might freak out. This Santa looked really annoyed (he had a HUGE group of teenagers just come through). When it was our turn,I handed Gyllian over and she just stared at him. She couldn't take her eyes off of him. The first picture came out looking like Gyllian was whispering in his ear. It took us about five minutes of dancing around to get her to look at the camera for a split second. When it was all over, Santa told us she was the best child he had seen all day! He didn't want to give her back!!

Yes, I still believe in Santa Clause as does my grandmother. I believe in the spirit of giving...not just presents, but love and understanding. That being said...my son, Sam, HATES Santa Clause! He loves Christmas, but HATES Santa. He tolerates him at a distance, but if he has to get close to him he completely freaks out. This year I put up a 60 inch singing and dancing Santa Clause (yeah, I'm a bit obsessed). Sam is fine when it is off, but you turn it on and he bolts! Don't believe me??? Check this out...

I know it was probably mean, but come on...you know you're laughing!

Let the Stress Begin...

My husband is back out to sea, and things couldn't be worse! This has been the hardest underway so far...even harder than their deployment! From the time my husband has left, my kids have turned into strangers. Sam was pretty much potty-trained, and now he has been peeing in his pants. He knows what he's supposed to do, but just hasn't done it. Gyllian has started crying at the drop of a hat. She'll be laughing and playing one minute, and crying the next. I am trying to hold on to my sanity, but it's getting harder by the day. I know it's because they miss their dad. Before the deployment they were used to their dad being gone all the time. He would be home for about a week at a time, and then be gone for 2-7 weeks at a time. They've had the past almost four months straight with him home every day, and now he's gone again. It's been hard on all of us. To take our minds off of everything we are going to decorate the house for Christmas. We are cleaning from top to bottom and putting out everything that puts us in the Christmas mood, and brings back previous Christmas' memories.

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2007

Christmas 2008

I know this Christmas will be great, and my hubby will be home to celebrate it with us once again.