A new baby!

Abigail Jennifer was born Nov. 6th at 1038 pm. She was 6 weeks premature and weighed 4 lbs. 10 ounces, and was 19 inches long. I experienced a placental abruption and hemorrhage (and pre-eclampsia) and underwent an emergency C-section.... praises to GOD alone that we are both here and alive. Our sweet girl is in the NICU, but is doing well. She is now in an open crib, holding her temp, on no supplemental oxygen, and is taking breastmilk from a bottle. We are just waiting on her to gain a little more weight before we can bring her home! I can honestly say that leaving her there is one of the HARDEST things I've ever gone through, but my heart is so full of thanksgiving and praise, it outweighs some of the sadness. Please keep her (and our family!) in your prayers as we continue to heal (and for my blood pressure to continue to return to normal... yikes). Soli Deo Gloria.

Much Love,

Jennifer

Catching up...

Hello to blogland! It's been awhile, but things have been SUPER busy (and fun!) around here. Andrew started kindergarten (please, someone, ANYONE, tell me how I can have a child old enough for kindergarten!!)

Anna Kate is my little constant shadow every day... I'm trying to do lots with her now especially with the baby coming soon. It has been so much fun! She has started dance class, and is just about one of the sassiest little ballerinas you will ever meet.

We are in the midst of fall basesball, AWANAS, playdates, AND I am taking a big (ger)load than anticipated in the good ol' PTA this semster, but life is wonderful and beautiful and good and full.

..Speaking of the baby... We are having another GIRL! I am just estatic about it, and so excited that AK will have a sister! I know Andrew will do a great job of being big brother to 2 little girls. He is already taking the responsibility very seriously indeed! Little Abigail (yes, that is going to be her first name for sure... middle name?? Still a source of debate) will make her arrival on December 8th. The C-section is scheduled, OR booked, and doctor reserved! I am at 27 1/2 weeks now, and am still feeling pretty good! I definitely have not slowed down yet, but am sure I will start "feeling" it more in the days and weeks to come!

Hopefully soon, I'll get busy on getting this template fixed (on my "to do" list for the next 2 weeks), and things will look a little more "normal" around here... looks a little icky at the moment!

For now, I am celebrating the arrival of fall, cooler days (!!!), my new iced pumpkin candle, and the many undeserving blessings God bestows upon us everyday.

His mercies truly are new every morning.

LIve blogging.....

Live Blogging from the DEEPER STILL event in Atlanta!! Woo HOO!! I know it's going to be awesome, and we are anxiously awaiting the beginning! Pray for hubby who is running "daddy day care" for the littles!
Much Love,
Jennifer

Up and Down and In Between

Up- Keeping most of my food down yesterday, and entering my 2nd trimester.
Down- My supper that did not stay where it was supposed to tonight, and charting a 12 lb. weight loss at my doctor's visit on Thursday. Yikes.
In between- The state of my wardrobe. Most all of my regular clothes are too tight (all in the waist, mind you!) despite the weight loss. I guess our little one is (thankfully) growing up a storm anyway. I finally got down the maternity clothes from the attic... and then decided to go on a shopping trip for some new things- lots of sundresses (all COTTON in this heat and humidity!) and flip flops seem to on the menu for the summer.

Happy Monday and Much Love,
Jennifer

The Sickies

Whoever coined the term "morning sickness" was apparently a little misguided- or perhaps just fortunate. Unfortunately, I have not been among that lucky throng that simply experiences "morning sickness". It HAS, however, been..... Morning, noon, night sickness, and all hours and minutes in between.
I have to say that I am not all THAT surprised as I suffered a little with our Andrew, and QUITE ALOT with our little Anna Kate. I venture to say, however, that this time may be a little worse. I've had to resort to lots of meds to keep anything at all down lately, and still the weight loss is creeping up there.
Today has been, well, better (I am hesitant to even type it). After the threat of being hospitalized yesterday, I had a little talk with God and the "little star" growing inside me, and things calmed down a little last night ( the chicken broth and crackers did not star in a repeat performance)!!! Today the sun is peeking through a bit, and I feel as if I can at least see the shadow of my old self beginning to appear. I miss playing with my kids.... Daddy has taken over cooking (as the sight of food just about sends me over the edge) as well as laundry (at least the clothes are clean!) and we have hired someone to do the cleaning for the next few weeks. Hopefully today is the start of feeling better, and leaving the YUCK behind !!!

Newsy news

I haven't been around much lately because... I have been quite QUITE under the weather the past few weeks thanks to this little gem .....







That's right... it is a POSITIVE test!
We found out a couple of weeks ago, and are excited as can be (and happily surprised !!!) I just want to feel a little better and for my food to stay where it is supposed to. I've been through this twice already, but had forgotten how NOT FUN this part is. This too, shall pass though, and I can't wait to hit that feel good second trimester! YAY!!

Happy, happy, HAPPY Monday and Much Love

Spring things...

My own version of a "garden" this year... baby tomato plants (better boys!!), squash and green onions.

















Flat of petunias in a yummy pink ready for planters on the patio




A new rose (Knockout!) that will (hopefully?!?) climb and spill over my back fence... and produce the "showers of blooms" promised .




And, finally, a shiner that is healing quite nicely from an overactive 4 year old in the back yard... The joy of a boy!!!
















Happy Thursday!

"Southern-ness"

We had so much fun this past weekend doing this ....

I even got to dress up like this (thanks to Andy's AuntE and some vintage family dresses!!)

...Which almost made me feel like I was living in this !!

7 things meme

I was tagged by Michelle for this meme.... It has been awhile since I've done one of these, so I decided to play along!


Here are the rules:
1. Link to your tagger and post these rules on your blog.
2. Share 7 facts about yourself on your blog, some random, some weird.
3. Tag 7 people at the end of your post by leaving their names as well as links to their blogs.
4. Let them know they are tagged by leaving a comment on their blog.


1. I love to iron, and I iron (and starch) EVERYTHING... ALL of my kid's clothing, mine (Andy's goes to cleaners!!), and Andy's knit pullovers and jeans. I also ironed each individual knife pleat in the skirt of the dress I wore on Easter the night before (don't EVEN ask how long it took, but I am obsessive!!) One of my pet peeves is wrinkled clothing. I.cannot.stand.it. ... Drives me nuts!!

2. I cannot have anything out of place before I go to bed. This means all pillows on couch straight, no toys out anywhere, nothing dirty in sink, etc. Believe me, I have tried and tried to stop doing this, but if everything is not in its' place, I lie in bed and obsess about it, and don't get sleep anyway, so I figure I might as well stay up and do it!! *Sigh* !!

3. I adore children's boutiques and cute kid's clothing. LOVE it. One of my favorite things to do is shop for my kiddos.. just ask my hubby *Wink*...

4. I love history, and old homes and vintage style clothing... love it!!



5. I do NOT like to watch/follow any type of sport. Boorrrringgg...



6. There isn't much that grosses me out... blood, guts, gore, etc.. I think during those years of being a nurse in hospital/ICU, (and as an NP) I have seen IT ALL. Believe me.



7. I also like words and doing "wordy" things.... Crosswords, unscrambling words, seeing how many other words I can make out of one word, learning new words, etc. My husband thinks I'm a nerd!

I tag... anybody that is interested to play along!! Leave a comment if you do!

Zoo Crew

Our trip to the Big Easy to visit the zoo was GREAT, but very exhausting!!

There is so much to see that it really does take *ALL DAY*! Aaannndddd, to top it off, Andrew had a teeball game to be back for at 530.... let's suffice it to say that after that - everyone crashed.

Great fun and great memories!

This is TYPICAL Andrew... he was just about beside himself with excitement, and was dancing around like crazy!!

Engrossed in watching the camels munch their lunch...

I can't believe they both actually looked at the same time... not both smiling, but we'll take it!

Happy Wednesday and Much Love,

Jennifer

Happy Easter!

Hope your Easter was wonderful!! We had a great day to top off a great (but extremely busy and hectic!) week. We went to church and spent and beautiful lunch/afternoon with relatives (and even took pictures by their beautiful azaleas, along with managing a family shot) Rare!
I have been so busy sewing new curtains, remodeling both children's rooms and making holiday preparations, that I haven't been around much lately. Thankfully, my plate is much less "full" this week, and life is settling back into its' normal pattern. Hooray! Tommorrow we've even planned a FUN trip to the Audubon Zoo. The kids are super excited and we can't wait either!

Happy Easter and Much Love,

Jennifer

Signs of spring !

Spring is definitely in the air around here !!

From a little boy making a birdhouse (with a little help from daddy of course!)...

to fat bunnies sleeping on a bed of moss....

to glittery eggs AND robin's eggs adorning the dining room....



Oh, and for a little eye candy, click here to see what Katie has done to decorate for Easter.... just gorgeous!

Dahling, you look mahvelous!

One can only HOPE that practice will make perfect....

Who? Me???

Gracious Sallie at A Gracious Home kindly interviewed me for her blog, and posted it today.
Check it out !

Happy Wednesday and Much Love,
Jennifer

Wanted: Self back.

This is just one of those weeks where I feel SO overwhelmed, and just like I don't have it all together... Can anyone relate?
This is a difficult thing for me to admit. I am ALWAYS organized, on top of things, and I don't like to admit it when if I am not. So There. I admit it, confess it, claim it, OWN it. Thankfully, this doesn't happen very often, RARELY actually, but this week?? yikes.
Case in point....
Monday- Go to jewelry store and pick up bracelet. This was on the TOP of my list. I drove all around downtown and essentially danced around the jewelry store, and what did I come home without?? You guessed it. Bracelet.
Needed jump drive out of computer for something I was working on before I left house. Left self note to remember. Double checked everything except for... jump drive.
I felt like Cathy in the cartoon strip . AAAACCKKKK!
Tuesday- Decided to take nap with kids this afternoon. Oversleep and leave house late to take Andrew to tee ball practice. Get almost all the way to ballfield. Realize don't have baseball glove or batting helmet. Make preschooler cry. Beat my head against steering wheel.
Forget to take meat out of freezer for supper. Am faced with frozen block to try and cook at 4 p.m. AAACCCKKKKKK!
Also, forget to take drycleaning by. Sheesh.

Let's just say my to do list this week???? ... has become my to DON'T list.
For someone who has a little (lot!) of OCD, these past 2 days have been a struggle.
I think I'll pray for my memory to show up again in the morning!!

Apparently

Yes... apparently disciplinary action taken against her older brother made quite an impression upon the little miss today.
This is the scene I found upon walking by our little foyer (where the "naughty corner" is located!)




Ahem.

When questioned about what transgression her tiny charge committed, her reply (without a moment's hesitation, or even looking up from her play), was
"she Not OBEY SHE MAMA!!!!"

Indeed.

I Wish....

A while back, PandaMom thought it might be fun if I played along with the little "I Wish" game. I have finally had time to actually follow through! So, without further adieu.... my "I wish" list



-I wish my children weren't growing up so fast

-I wish I had paid attention and tried to learn tatting and how to make those beautiful handkerchiefs from my great aunt G. before she died

-I wish I had a laundry fairy

-I wish I didn't automatically assume "worst case scenario"

-I wish I didn't worry so much

-I wish I had more scripture memorized

-I wish (and hope and pray) my children would grow up to walk in the TRUTH and in the light

-I wish I didn't have post-pregnancy stretch marks

-I wish for my children to have as wonderful a childhood as I did

-I wish people weren't so mean

-I wish some of my closest friends lived closer

-I wish my eyelashes were as long as my daughter's

-I wish our nation would turn to God

-I wish to be more bold in sharing my faith

-I wish I could be disciplined enough to wake up at 5 a.m. everyday

-I wish I were more disciplined about going to bed before midnight!! (Might help with above!)

-I wish I could visit New England every fall

-I wish I could go on a mission trip this year - even something really small

-I wish I didn't struggle with contentment- not just materially, but with myself, circumstances, family, etc.

-I wish I had a vegetable garden

-I wish I didn't crave chocolate and have a sweet tooth!

-I wish I were more patient with those who don't share the same viewpoint as I do

-I wish I had more time to read

-I wish I could bottle up the smell of my littles after their baths and save it forever

-I wish I had a photographic memory

-I wish I didn't cry so easily

-I wish I understood how some men can leave their families

-I wish I had a deep, wrap-around front porch

-I wish people didn't automatically have misconceptions about Southerners, Mississippians, etc. when they really don't have a clue that most of us really are educated, well-read and actually wear shoes.... we just speak a little slower than everyone else.

-I wish my children will be as fascinated by history and geneaology as I am

-I wish I could live in a past era for just one week.

-I wish people would use the word "perhaps" more- (it's one of my favorites)

-I wish people would take more pride in their appearance

-I wish our dog wouldn't dig holes in our grass and flowerbeds

-I wish getting a tan wasn't bad for you

-I wish I hadn't spent so much time in tanning beds when I was younger

-I wish everyone could experience the joy of knowing Christ

-I wish people really prayed for each other more, instead of just saying they are going to

-I wish I could meet so many of you in person and give you a big hug



What do you wish?? If you do a "wish list" leave me a comment and let me know! I'd love to read



Happy Thursday and Much Love,

Jennifer

Fabulousness....

.... IS that even a word?? Even if it doesn't grace the pages of Webster, it is perfect in describing how our little weekend getaway went! After a quick drop off of the kiddos at Daddy and Mama's we were OFF! Several stops, a cappuccino and lots of road trip music later, we arrived in the Delta.

Here to be exact.

We checked into our fab-u-lous digs, got mugs of real hot chocolate (seriously, real melted chocolate); I dove deep into the amazing linens, while Andy went to "explore"- (Such a MAN thing, don't you think?) I stayed contented there until time to cross the street for our 1 hour massages. Bliss. BLISS, I tell you. After I lifted my wet noodle of a body off of the table and sat in the steam room, I forced myself to get dressed and met A. to go back across the street to prep for dinner.

Dinner=divine. Dining at a former speakeasy with curtained booths and a buzzer to summon the waitress was a different experience to say the least! After a feast on Mississippi farm raised catfish (with the special sauce) and steaks, it was time to summon the shuttle back to our quarters. While we were gone, a good fairy had turned down the beds, and even left chocolate on our pillows to ensure sweet dreams!

Can I just tell you how amazing (did I mention wonderful) it felt to sleep in until AFTER 9 O'clock in the morning. Sure, I did crack my eyes at 7, but it was short-lived. My adventures in dreamland lasted 2 more good long hours. Showers and a lazy pace of getting ready followed. Then came the Southern breakfast buffet by the fireplace. Eggs, cheese grits (my FAV) accompanied by all manners of pork, fruits, frittatas, cereal, muffins, and juices were there for the eating. O.my.WORD. (!!!!)

After all the exertion of morning (HA!) I decided I needed a little rest, and perched myself on the bed with a book and my mandatory second cup of coffee. Andy.... wellll he went to the gym (Just HAS to make a girl feel bad!)

Checking out was followed by perusing small shops, a loooonnngg stroll through a bookstore (with a fabulous selection of southern lit- a favorite of mine!), antiques, jewelry and a children's boutique, and then time to head back to reality.... ALREADY? By this time the afternoon was marching on toward evening, and I began to feel just a wee ( I said a wee) bit sorry for my parents, and began to miss my littles (a bit more than a wee), and we headed south.

More gas, more diet cokes, more road trip music, and a quick stop at my sister's house in the capital city, and we arrived back in home territory, though it was way after dark!

After kisses and numerous hugs and squeals, we discerned that Anna Kate was on hairstyle #452 for the day, (her current phase) and that Andrew had been "hunting bears" with Papa in the woods (numerous times)! All had roasted marshmallows, gotten new toys, and been thoroughly and absolutely spoiled. And to top it all off, Mama had a nice, hot, homecooked meal waiting.... perfect ending, don't you think?

I can't WAIT to go back... and I'm thinking SOON!

Bliss

My crystal ball tells me that a trip here
and here is in my future! I. can't. WAIT!!
Anyone ever been? Comments? My parents and siblings swear it is the best thing EVAH!
I'll definitely be sharing details and photographic evidence!

Happy Thursday and Much Love,

Jennifer

4 things

I was tagged for this by my sis-in-law (via email) and decided to join in on the fun!! If you decide to do it, let me know in the comments- I'd love to read!

Four jobs I have had in my life:
1. Nurse on cardiac floor
2. Nurse in neonatal ICU
3. Nurse in Cardiac ICU
4. Nurse Practitioner

(B) Four movies I would watch over and over (or have
watched over and over)
1. Steel Magnolias
2. Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
3. Sweet Home Alabama
4. Gone with the Wind

C) Four places I have lived:
1. My hometown, MS
2. Jackson, MS
3. New Bedford, MA (while on travel nursing assignment)
4. Current town, MS

(D) Four TV Shows that I watch:
1. Jon and Kate plus 8
2. Dancing with the Stars
3. What not to Wear
4. Supernanny

E) Four places I have been:
1. Paris, France
2. Venice, Italy
3. Luzern, Switzerland
4. Munich, Germany

(F) People who e-mail me (regularly):
1. Sister
2. Friend M
3. Friend J
4. Friend C

(G) Four of my favorite foods:
1. Homemade biscuits
2. Chicken and Dumplins
3. Queso Dip
4. Plain Hershey’s bar

(H) Four places I would rather be right now:
1. Beach
2. Getting a massage
3. Getting a pedicure!
4. Nowhere??- (sounds silly, but pretty happy where I am at the moment!! )


(J) Four things I am looking forward to in 2008:
1. Becoming more involved in our new church
2. Summer
3. Vacation
4. Continuing to be entertained by my little lambs!!

Happy Monday and much Love!
>

Sillies

Apparently (or unfortunately), this attire is entirely indicitive of the weather we've been having in the past couple of weeks....
From the 20s to the 70s and back again, one is not sure whether to dress for the sunshine or the snow!

I guess a bathing suit top (OVER the cover up) paired with the hat and mittens is just the trick. Great job my little 2 year old fashionista!

I laughed until I almost lost my breath over this one. The 4 year old has become increasingly territorial with his, ummm, "art" lately. I guess when you have a Tasmanian devil for a little sister, you become a little protective of your property. At any rate, I found this "sign" attached to his latest masterpiece tonight. Phonetically speaking, I guess you can tell where we are from. (The accent even comes out in the writing.) He really did a great job of "sounding out" the words to spell them, and subsequently marked his sign with his name. Guess we need to work a little on the punctuation! Cracks. me. UP!!!

Happy Sunday and much love,

Happenings.....

F i n a l l y, this (after much deliberation and gnashing of teeth over the overwhelming amount of choices available)...

has been the scene in our living room (and hallway). Buh-bye, carpet.... hello, beautiful wood. I have been sooo excited for this, and as of yesterday, the project is COMPLETED! Now I have an excuse to look for an area rug!!

These (!!!!!!!)

...were for Valentines Day, along with some other sweet happies....

The sweetest of all being this...





Heart=full.

Happy Friday and much love,

Favorite Randomness (Abbreviated!)

Favorite kid quote of the week- "I not bad, I just wyy-uld"



Favorite new obsession- These candles (Especially "High Maintenance"!!) Oh my WORD!! Do your senses and favor and get one please.



Favorite soundtrack of all time - Yeah, THAT would be This



Favorite color for decorating- yummy chocolate/espresso brown- especially since our bedroom and bathroom just got makeovers in shades of this color mixed with gold- ummm, ummm, UMMMM



Favorite nail polish (current)- "Have you seen my Limo?*"- by OPI* of course! I am loving the aubergine tones now...



Favorite new store- Plantation* Interiors- FabuLOUS!



Favorite feeling- 2 chubby little hands on either side of my face and a wet sloppy kiss planted firmly in the middle.



Favorite indulgence- Bath-so-hot-I'm-about-to-pass-smooth-out (and the obligatory bubbles, of course) with above mentioned candles and soundtrack--- bliss....!!



Favorite new restaurant- Bonefish*Grill- Yumm-eeee.


Okay, now...What about yours???


Happy Wednesday and

Much Love,