The Willoughby Family

Adjustments

2011-11-05T16:10:00.002-05:00

So much has happened since I last posted 6 months ago (whoops, been busy I guess). I don't really even know where to begin, but so I don't draw out a long post I will bullet point the highlights.

Aaron graduated from The TX Game Warden Academy in July, so very proud of him!
We moved to Del Rio, it is where the academy thought he would best fit. The Mexico border is literally 3 miles from our front door. We have been told several times if we were to get a border town we got the best, as far as crime. So far I would have to agree, the most excitement Aaron has seen is a Mexican Black Bear in a tree by one of the Elementary Schools. Aaron LOVES his job so I will support him in whatever choice he makes
Noelle and I took our first trip to VA, to see friends and family. It was her first flight and she did well, I was very blessed to have dads next to me on the returning flights so they knew things to help keep her occupied. It was nice to see old friends and my family, I had missed them all so much!
Noelle had been a sick free until we moved then twice in two weeks we had to make ER visits. The ER was a last resort but when you live in a town with only 2 pediatricians and 1 isn't accepting new pts. and the other can't get you in for over a month, a mother does what she has to do. The first ER trip Noelle was diagnosed with a severe double inner ear infection (BOO!). The second was for a stomach bug, granted I know these must run their course but she wasn't able to keep ANYTHING down and hadn't had a wet diaper in almost 12 hours, so dehydration was the main concern.
Noelle turned ONE!! (This bullet deserves its own post, and I will do one soon. I just wanted to keep everyone updated.)
Our family started going to the FBC of Del Rio, everyone is very welcoming and kind. A huge plus is their nursery, on any given Sunday there are between 5-15 babies! Aaron and I love the fact Noelle is getting play time with kids her own age!
Lastly, Noelle and I started attending a Women's Bible Study on Tuesday mornings. I/ we really enjoyed ourselves. It's nothing but SAHM and their kiddos so Noelle had the best time playing and I got to enjoy some much needed fellowship.

Well I guess I have babbled enough for this boring and picture-less post, I can't find my camera. I will update soon with Noelle's 1st Birthday Party, and all the DIY stuff I made for it. Yes, that's right I made EVERYTHING for her party from decorations, invitations, cake, cupcakes, and everything in between.

Best Toy EVER and 6 Months!

2011-05-06T20:44:00.004-05:00

This is Violet.....

This is my daughter's reaction when she gets hold of Violet. (Insert shrieks of sheer delight with this face)

This talking dog that is programmed to say her name will calm her down in the roughest of times. Therefore I am declaring Violet, The. Best. Toy. Ever!!
Noelle turned 6 months on Tuesday (sniff sniff), she had her 6 month check-up on Wednesday.
I think she liked the paper, don't you? This visit was the first time I let her sit on the table and wait for Dr. Hubbell. Once she heard the paper crinkle it was all over. She had the paper shred to pieces in a matter of seconds. Her check up went well. She now weighs 17 lbs 3 oz and 26" long.
I will leave you with this picture. I have been wanting one of these bows for her FOREVER! Well I got lucky one night and won one in an auction. The bottle cap say "Not everyone can be a princess someone has to sit on the curb and clap as I go by" Love it!! Now I am going to order her the matching shirt, because lets face it...Noelle is my princess!

Guess who's back???....ME!!!

2011-05-02T21:59:00.004-05:00

I have come back from the dark ages of no Internet and regular computer!! My awesome husband bout me a mini laptop so now I can get rolling on some blogging. :) This post will be short but sweet.

Aaron is still kicking bootie at the Academy. Only 12 more weeks! I can't wait for him to graduate and for us to MOVE!!! Don't get me wrong I love living with my parents but I am also 27, a mother, and a wife. Things are different and people change. I am absolutely in love with being a SAHM! I am so blessed for this opportunity.

I have started a VERY small business called New Momma Creations, its where I am selling bows, tutus, and custom shirts. It is just starting out

and I am only in my 3rd week but I love having something to do besides baby stuff. Right now things are a little crazy since I agreed to help with a benefit auction for a family. I am so happy to help and I am praying God does something amazing! Well I am going to run and get some sleep. Ill leave you with a pic :)

17 weeks...The Changes Between Me and You.

2011-03-02T16:28:00.004-06:00

Noelle turned 17 weeks today. She is growing and doing so many things that make me think she is a genius. I'm going to try and update her weekly since it seems she is doing something new every week. So here it goes
- You can sit up on your own...granted it's only for a few minutes but it's a change.
- Your sleeping habits are becoming more and more defined. You sleep great at night only waking up once and sleeping until 8:30!! I'm lucky I know. :-)
- Your laugh melts my heart. You just laugh all the time and its quite possibly the cutest sound.
- You are a jibber jabber, you talk all the time. I'm wondering what your teen years will be like..ha! I can't wait for you to say da-da. When I say that to you you just grin, squeal, and jump around.
- You have your dad wrapped, and I love it!!
-You are a morning person, which is so odd, because Aaron and I aren't. But I like it because you make me smile and happy in the morning.
-You learned a while a go to roll from your tummy to your back. You have been trying to roll from your back, but the farthest you get is to your side and you just chill that way. I <3 it since you will even sleep that way...so peaceful!
- I weighed you today and you are 15 pounds!! You are wearing 3-6 months clothes and your 3 month onesies are too short.
- I know I vowed you wouldn't watch TV but your BB let you watch Spongebob one day while I was at the store and you LOVE it. We also started the My Baby Can Read DVD, you seem to like it, guess we will see how that works out. You love Wheel of Fortune which I find really interesting since that is what was on when you were born. So your nightly routine consists of Wheel, bath, bottle, book, and then I pray with you. I love you little girl!

When Dreams Become too Much

2011-02-25T05:59:00.002-06:00

First off let me apologize for another pictureless post. I update from my phone and for some reason it doesn't like to upload, and when Aaron comes home on the weekends with the laptop updating my blog isn't exactly on the top of my list. We try to cram as much as possible in in the 36 hours we get to spend together each week, if we are that lucky.

Any way to the real reason for this post. Have you ever had such a horrible life like dream that you woke up and felt like the worst person for the rest of the day?? Well that happened to me on Wednesday. I don't know if any of you know that the guy I dated before I met Aaron passed away. I'm not talking just a passing he died tragically in a car crash! Granted he was at fault he had been out drinking all evening and chose to drive home. I sometimes blame myself for that accident because that morning he called me trying to reconcile something that just wasn't there. My last words to him were we are done, leave me alone, and just move on. Horrible I know and I feel even worse that I was that mean. But back to my dream. I'm sure you figured out it involved him. He was alive and screaming at me saying his death was my fault and he couldn't believe I had moved on and was married with a child. He then proceded in telling me he would make sure I paid for his death. It was at this point I woke up, it was one of those times when you still can't tell if you were still dreaming. I was frantic I spent the rest of my day reliving that horrible nightmare. Then I decided to use my 10 min texting conversation I get with Aaron daily to tell him about my dream. He was so understanding and helped me understand it wasn't my fault and I must just be stressed about something. Although I don't feel stressed. So that's where I am trying to figure out why now, why that dream, why did it seem so real.

Ch-ch-changes...

2011-01-16T20:57:00.003-06:00

So much has happened since I last blogged. So I'll try to recap the highlights.
-The birth of our beautiful daughter, Noelle Elise on November 3. My intentions were to have a natural childbirth. I lasted 8 hours of induced labor then I graciously asked for an epidural. After 12 hours of labor she arrived weighting in at 8 lbs and 20 inches long. By far the best day of my life!
- Job changes...Aaron was accepted into the Texas Game Warden Academy. A definite answered prayer. So on January 3, he reported to Hamilton, TX for 30 weeks of intense work. So far he is enjoying it, we just miss each other like crazy. But we have set our eyes on the prize so to speak and know God has a plan for us.
- Move...since Aaron left for Hamilton I didn't feel comfortable staying alone that long, so Noelle and I moved to League City, TX with my parents. So far so good with that. I have been cooking tons for them and I'm loving all the new recipes I've been able to try.
Job changes..part 2 . I am a STAY AT HOME MOMMY!!
That's about all for now, I'm going to try and get some rest. I'll post pics next time.
Oh on Noelle's two month check up she weighed in at 12 lbs 5 oz and 22 3/4 inches long! My girl is growing up too fast.

5 DAYS TO GO!!!!

2010-10-29T12:23:00.003-05:00

This time next week we will be three plus a dog. that's still hard to imagine or think of but I am ecstatic and ready for this next journey.

This is a picture of us at what will be our last football game as just the 2 of us. I was pretty uncomfortable and I finally convinced Aaron we should leave at half time, which wasn't too hard Jasper was losing pretty bad.

This is a picture of Luke and myself. Luke is what I would call my nephew. He is my step-brothers son. Regardless he is a doll and I love him already. Plus it makes me happy to know Noelle will have a friend to play with when we go visit my parents.

This is the last ultrasound picture of Miss. Noelle, it was done at 37 weeks. I think she is perfect and can't wait to kiss all over them chubby cheeks!

3 B's of 34 weeks

2010-09-30T07:14:00.002-05:00

I titled this post 3 B's of 34 weeks because a lot has happened in this 34 th week of pregnancy and it just so happens that the majority of them start with the letter B. (How Sesame Street did I just sound?)

B #1
Baby shower! This past Saturday was my family baby shower for Noelle. It was a little weird since all of my side of the family live in VA or OH so I didn't exactly expect them to show up for that. But Aaron's side of the family all live within an hour of us and none of them showed up. I did have a few very dear friends show up along with the future grandmas and Aaron's sister. Noelle got lots of cute goodies and some much needed necessities.

B #2
Bronchitis! Yes that's right I started feeling sickly on Saturday night around 3 AM. I woke up coughing with a fever of 101. Well we stayed home from church and I stayed home from work on Monday and just rested. Well Monday night I checked my temp and our handy dandy thermometer said 103 then 102 so I knew I was really sick. So I stayed home Tuesday and made an appointment with a local Dr. (Long story there, basically I was told they thought it would be best to see my OB and that I was more than welcome to come back after I had given birth) I called my OB and he was out of the office for the week and his office recommended I go to a minor care clinic in Beaumont. So I headed to Beaumont and was diagnosed with bronchitis and given a prescription for an antibiotic and told that since I was pregnant there was no real medicine I could take for cough. Jump forward to today I still have a cough and some congestion but I am starting to feel a little better.

B #3
Braxton-Hicks contractions! I had my first ever Braxton-Hicks contraction last night. It wasn't as painful as I thought it would be but it definitely stopped me in my tracks. I guess that means Miss. Noelle will be making her appearance soon, and I can't wait!

36 Days and counting...I have a feeling it will be sooner than that. I go back to my OB on Monday so I guess we will see! :)

32 Weeks and Nesting!!

2010-09-10T07:34:00.003-05:00

Today marks my 32nd week of pregnancy!! Woo-Hoo! I am posting 2 pictures that Aaron took this morning on my phone. I decided last week that I should have been taking belly shots all along but I guess it just slipped my mind. I absolutely LOVE being pregnant and think I will be a little saddened when it's all over.

This was the first picture and Aaron said my shirt was too dark to show anything, personally I blame the photographer ;). Last night I think started the nesting stage of pregnancy. I have been waiting for this one to kick in, maybe my house will be cleaner. I spent over 2 hours sitting on my living room floor (should have thought that one out a little better) surrounded by dresser drawers and clean baby clothes. *note: I should give a shout out to my MIL for washing all of Noelle's clothes for the first 6 months. She loves doing those kinds of things so why not let her enjoy, right?* I got so excited at all of her clothes I can't wait! Aaron said he wished we could skip the whole birth thing and have her in our arms. I agree but I want to experience this entire pregnancy thing to it's fullest so I guess we can wait about 8 more weeks!

Our Little Diva

2010-08-25T15:50:00.003-05:00

Here is our little diva, as I like to call her. She had her hand in this position the entire ultrasound, it looks like she is saying "Oh just leave me alone". TOO STINKIN' CUTE!! (I must say) She still has her daddy's nose, there is no denying her. My mother said she has the lips of Angelina Jolie. While a friend said she had mine, I personally like her opinion. but any way here is the light of my world and I can't wait to hold her in my arms!

The Power of Prayer

2010-08-24T12:11:00.003-05:00

The last few weeks have been a crazy hectic time. My last post I talked about the specialist I was sent to by my OB for "high-risk 3rd trimester pregnancies, and up until August 11th things seemed to be okay. I mean there were a few concerns but nothing had prepared me for what we found out. During my ultrasound my Dr is checking the Doppler (measures the blood flow in the umbilical cord) and instantly turn off the machine and starts talking about the baby isn't getting enough blood! Um..wait back up was my thought I sat and listened as he tried explaining to me what was going on and this was the conclusion.
Side note:
I was diagnosed with MTHFR (I use the acronym because the word is about 50 letters long.) before trying to get pregnant back in January. Basically my body doesn't process Folic Acid and other B vitamins and I have a problem with blood clotting all related to the MTHFR. There is no major cause for concern with this until you try to become pregnant, and once that occurs you are out on about 8 different meds including shots.

So back to my conclusion...
Dr. Reiter said that the problem with the baby is related to my previous diagnosis and it was causing the placenta to separate from the uterus which resulted in the blood flow from the umbilical cord to the baby to be at a lower level than he liked. And we had to come back in 1 week to be checked again. I asked if there was anything I could do and his response was don't stress and take it easy (YEAH RIGHT!) I also asked what would happen if the blood flow kept decreasing and his response was that if in 1 week the blood flow had decreased significantly I would have to induced and we would be having a baby. Another side note: at this time I was only 28 1/2 weeks pregnant.

So with that news Aaron and I were sent to the front to check out and schedule our next appointment. I held myself together until we got to the parking garage where I completely lost it! I was bawling crying and my ever so sweet husband asked if we could stop and pray for the baby right there in the parking garage. After we prayed we headed to my mom's work so we could fill her in. Along the way I text our closest friends and family and asked them to just pray for Noelle. It was at that point I realized how great our friends, family, and church family was and how caring they all were about the news.

Jump forward to August 18th- Aaron, my mom, and I went to Dr. Reiter's office for the follow up appointment. i don't know who was more nervous Aaron or myself. He was shaking and sweating and didn't say a word! So during the ultrasound which seemed to take forever because he was checking growth and bone lengths then he turned on the Doppler. The blood flow from the umbilical cord to Noelle had in fact decreased but it had not decreased as significantly as it could. Can we all jump, shout, and do a little happy dance?!?! I have never been so relieved and blessed by God then at that moment. I still have to be monitored but so far so good and Noelle is still a moving and a shaking on a regular basis. I know with all my heart and soul that the Lord answered our prayers and I can't stop smiling knowing His love for our precious baby girl. I also can't help but wonder what magnificent plan He has in store for her life!

I tried uploading our most recent 4D ultrasound picture from the 18th but I was having some difficulty, next time I promise.

New look...

2010-08-05T16:29:00.004-05:00

Here is Aaron and I at our PBC's Astro's game.

I really should apologize for my absence, there is no excuse. I have decided to become a better blogger, especially since in November things will become a little hectic. I will just give a few updates since I last posted.

~We are having a GIRL and her name will be Noelle Elise. We chose Noelle for a couple of reasons. First we LOVE the name. Second it is very similar to my late grandmother and Aaron's late aunt, they were both named Nell. Aaron chose Elise...I have no idea where it came from but I am growing to love it more and more with everyday. Ms. Noelle has become quite the little acrobat and I can't think of a better feeling than that. I am still having to see a "high-risk third trimester" Dr., we were told we would only have to see him once but that has turned into three times so far. We can't really complain though, I am glad my OB is so thorough. Plus who would complain about seeing the miracle God has blessed them with every 4 weeks :).

Look at that cuteness!! I think she looks like Aaron, what do you think?

~ Aaron's 30th Birthday is vastly approaching, August 13, and I think we are going to stay pretty low key. I did happen to get him some tickets for the Houston Texans vs. Dallas Cowboys pre-season game on the 28th. We are both pretty excited about it. I just hope he enjoys it.

~Summer has been pretty bittersweet I must say. We are overjoyed with new bundle coming but then it so hard when we have had 4 friends/family members that have had miscarriages this summer. It is so hard on what to say or do so I find myself praying TONS for these women and others like them.

16 Weeks and 4 Days

2010-05-25T07:27:00.003-05:00

I am almost 1/2 way there and I can't even begin to imagine how much our lives will change. I am so excited, nervous, and just so thankful for this blessing. My pregnancy thus far has been pretty awesome I must say. I mean I did have nausea for a few weeks in the mornings and that's when I discovered how well saltines really work. I only had one real "sickness" night/morning but I am chalking that up to the baby doesn't seem to like Pei Wei or Chinese food for that matter. I have however had some cravings the one that seems to NEVER be satisfied is my absolute LOVE for this:

But this is by far my favorite kind, so I only get this once in a blue moon and I enjoy every last drop!

My other craving that I must have is this....(I thought this picture was well suited for me)

Yesterday I did get the strongest craving yet....

I don't have any idea about this lat one and they still are on my brain, I hoping to find some today after work. I am sure it is full of horrible things I don't need to eat but a 2 day craving is well deserved, right?

On another note I have felt the baby move on quite a few occasions. I checked with another pregnant friend to make sure what I was feeling was right. The best part she described it the same way I have been trying to explain to Aaron, I think that's the best part so far! Well that and seeing my baby move on the sonogram screen for the first time are probably tied for first! We do have an appointment next Wednesday, June 2nd in Houston with a Dr about be having to start up those shots again and my OB said this Dr would do a FULL anatomy scan of baby so hopefully my next post will be of our baby girl or boy. I can't wait!

Update

2010-05-10T12:36:00.003-05:00

Wow! Has it really been since February?? My life honestly can't be that busy or hectic. I just spent the last 50 minutes updating myslef with everyone elses blogs and then I realized mine.

The biggest news that has happened to Aaron and I since my last post is we are expecting (insert the biggest smile here)!!!! we found out on February 24th at about 5:45 in the morning. We had decided to keep it a secret from everyone until we were absolutly sure that things were all good. 14 weeks and 3 days later...we all good! After 7 weeks of a morning shot and 11 medications later this is what I have to show for it and it is AMAZING!!

So in honor of Mother's Day and our 3 year anniversary on May 19th I recieved these gifts along with the sweetest card that made me cry. I have been blessed with the most amazing husband and I am so thankful God brought him into my life!

Motions

2010-02-01T07:18:00.002-06:00

So most of the Godly people in my life right now have been saying God has been working in their life right now. I can actually see that, the past couple of weeks Jared, our pastor, has been preaching sermons on doing something more with your normal life. Make a difference or at least that's how I am getting it. There is this AMAZING song by Matthew West, called "Motions". Here are the lyrics, and I have to say this could possibly be my favorite song. Oh and it helps to explain where I am in my life.

This might hurt, it's not safe
But I know that I've gotta make a change
I don't care if I break,
At least I'll be feeling something 'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of life

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

No regrets, not this time
I'm gonna let my heart defeat my mind
Let Your love make me whole
I think I'm finally feeling something 'Cause just okay is not enough
Help me fight through the nothingness of this life

'Cause I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,"What if I had given
everything,instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)take me all the way ('cause I don't wanna go through the motions)take me all the way (I know I'm finally feeling something real)take me all the way

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

I don't wanna go through the motions
I don't wanna go one more day
without Your all consuming passion inside of me
I don't wanna spend my whole life asking,
"What if I had given everything,instead of going through the motions?"

take me all the way (take me all the way)take me all the way (I don't wanna go, I don't wanna go)take me all the way (through the motions)take me all the way
I don't wanna go through the motions

Hot Hearts and Some Studying

2010-01-25T07:42:00.003-06:00

Our Peachtree Crew! minus Leslie, she was sick :(

Aaron and I at like 8 am going on about 4 hours of sleep

On Friday night Aaron and I had the privilege to attend Hot Hearts 2010 with our Church's youth group. I for one had NEVER been to anything like that before so I had no idea what to expect. One word.....AWESOME!! It was so good. I got to hear some amazing music (Toby Mac and Lincoln Brewster) and some amazing sermons from a man out of North Carolina, Clayton King. I got to room with two Junior High girls which was different but I was glad I got to know them a little better.

On another note I have been doing a bible study for a couple of weeks. It has taken me some time to get into it and I L-O-V-E!!! Last night I was looking through everything I had said and refreshing my memory about a few things and I was reminded of two verses from Romans 5:6-8

6You see, at just the right time, when we were still powerless, Christ died for the ungodly. 7Very rarely will anyone die for a righteous man, though for a good man someone might possibly dare to die. 8But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.

Stop and sit on that for a minute, it gave me chills! It is so amazingly true. I love God and all He has done not only for me but for you too! Happy Monday!

What's with you?!?

2010-01-14T12:07:00.002-06:00

That was the question I was asked a few days ago and have been pondering. I didn't respond to this question right away because I didn't know how to respond, until today.
As I am sure all 1 of you that read my blog know I am a paraprofessional (teacher's aide) and I have what's called 3rd grade lunch duty (woo-hoo) one of the ladies I work with asked me this question and today I asked her what did you mean.
Her response~ "you're just so happy all the time".
My response~ "REALLY?!?, um why not be happy? Aren't you?"
Her~ "No, I hate this place."

Then we had to break so we could tend to juice spills and children that forget their sporks.

I have been sitting here and thinking about this on my lunch break and my response...
God!

Now, let me explain this a little better. I mean sure I got saved and baptized a few years ago but there was just something missing. So here in the last 4 months I have really dug in my heels and stopped to listen, pray, and read my bible. It has been so incredibly AH-MAZING!! I can't even begin to explain how I feel and my excitement for each new day. I mean don't get me wrong I am not walking around with a smile plastered on my face being all giddy and sure sometimes I get upset or frustrated but then I have to stop and remember why I am here and is this how I want to be...no! So that's my response, hopefully you get it too :)

Snow in Jasper!

2009-12-07T12:31:00.005-06:00

Yes..it happened and I got to see it! It snowed this past Friday in Jasper. It was so great and it brought back memories of VA. It started snowing while we were still in school and to see all the kids running around so excited was AWESOME!! (It made me feel like a kid again) Well when we FINALLY got home on Friday afternoon Aaron and I were SO excited to go play in our friends (The Williams) pasture. We got all bundled up and headed out on his 4-wheeler. We had SO much fun!

Aaron getting ready to put his 4-wheeler to good use :)

No I am not robbing a bank it was the only extra hat we had...but my face NEVER got cold.

I am all ready to do some redneck sleigh riding in the pasture :)

I Am Thankful For...

2009-12-01T07:22:00.002-06:00

So a lot of people went through the thing where they posted on Facebook or their blogs daily what they were thankful for, except Jared, so I am stealing his idea. Because honestly I am not a blogger everyday kind of girl. So here we go...

1. My Salvation, because I know I was SO lost before it and now I can't get enough of it :)
2. My husband, Aaron, without him I would be lost. He truly is my best friend and I love him for that!
3. My Mom, she is my hero and I look up to her for everything she has went through
4. My Step-dad, whom I call "Dad" because he found my mom and they are PERFECT together!
5. My job, because we all go to have one so why not do something you love
6. My home, because we all know living with in-laws can get a bit stressful which leads me to
7. My in-laws, even though they can be in-laws I would NEVER trade them for anything in the world!
8. My Wilma, lol she is my dog-child and even though she has a weird attraction towards Aaron I know she loves me and I love her:)
9. My Virginia Friends, they we my buds growing up and still are I just love to sit and reminisce about old times
10. My Texas Friends, they are newer in my life and they are GREAT!
11. My church, it's AMAZING!
12. My church family, they are the sweetest most caring people and are always willing to help and talk
13. My partner, Alexa, she has taught me so much about being a teacher and I think God uses her daily to remind me to stay in school

14. This is a huge one...GOD!!! It amazes me daily how wonderful and awesome HE is and what He has done for us.

A Visit Home

2009-11-17T07:24:00.002-06:00

This past weekend I was given the chance to go back to Richmond, VA for a couple days. I didn't realize how much I missed the BEAUTIFUL Fall weather they get. It was a cozy 60 degree filled day and all the leaves are starting to change. I am kind of sad I didn't take any pictures of Virginia's beauty. My best friend, Shanna, flew me up Friday afternoon for a girls weekend. Her and I had so much fun just hanging out, catching up, and of course shopping :)

Shanna and I before bowling on Saturday

My old neighborhood friend, Emily, we went to lunch and she took me to the airport on Sunday.

Sorry for the darkness, this one was taken with my cell phone. This is Ian, Shanna's 18 month old son. She had him in their familly's favoritve NFL team, the Eagles. Aaron and I decided this cutie is getting some Dallas Cowboys apparel stat!

My New Fav!

2009-11-09T12:07:00.003-06:00

Yes, I know it has been a while, a long while actually. My life just seems so busy and out of control I just can't seem to find the time to sit and write. This post will be a very short post though (at least that's all I have time for). I recently found a new scent, and if you know me at all you will know I change my scent at least 3 times a year. Right now though I am REALLY happy with my new one. It's called Twilight Wood, it is sold at Bath and Body Works. It is wonderful and I am so glad to have found it! It is a mixture of Juicy Berry, Soft Mimosa, Apricot Nectar, Warm Woods...ahhh that has Fall written all over it!

Always, Sometimes, Never (A Lighter Note)

2009-10-26T12:06:00.007-05:00

Always:

*I always check Facebook on my phone while riding in the car.
*I always eat my lunch in the classroom, just some quiet time.
*I always drink a Diet Dr. Pepper in the morning (it usually sit on my desk 1/2 full but that 1/2 gets me going in the morning.
*I always go to sleep first, in my house.
*I always have a schedule for my morning routine.
*I always have to have chewing gum, cinnamon to be exact.

Sometimes:

*I sometimes wonder what if...

*I sometimes miss Virginia.

*I sometimes think we should adopt children.

Never:

*I NEVER want to have another week last last week.

*I NEVER want to get stuck in Beaumont while the streets are flooded.

*I NEVER imagined my life being where it is today, and you know what that's okay. I actually love my life.

Am I broken???

2009-10-21T12:18:00.002-05:00

That is a question I have asked myself repeatedly since Monday about 3:45. I haven't blogged lately because I was bursting with excitement thinking Aaron and I were finally pregnant. We only told a few select people our GREAT news, and we had hopes of sharing the word Monday after my 1st real Dr's appointment(I was about 10 1/2weeks). Well here come the blow....
Aaron and I both took a half day on Monday to make the drive to Beaumont to see my OB. We were so excited and secretly hoped for an ultrasound. Well we get there and they can't find a heart beat (which is pretty common when you aren't very far along) so the nurse moves us to the ultrasound room. Aaron and I are so excited we get to see our little miracle for the first time. Then I get this horrible feeling when the ultrasound tech informs me she must do a vaginal ultrasound(I am start saying can I please see it) about 45 minutes later she has us go back to our room. And we didn't get to see a thing. I get in the room and instantly start crying. about 15 minutes later the Dr comes in and is not his usually cheery self and he says,
"I hate to tell you this but there is no baby"
my response "Excuse me, what do you mean"
He says " Lets just say this like another miscarriage(I had one last April) he said what this is called is blighted ovum. Its where an egg is fertilized and attaches to the wall but no baby ever grows, but the sac does. You experience all the signs and symptoms of pregnancy down to the
After that point I toned him out and tried controlling my sobs. Aaron later informed me that the Dr gave us an option of letting my body naturally miscarrying the sac or we could do a D and C.
after much talk and consideration we decided for the the D and C, I have that scheduled tomorrow at noon. Please pray that things will be okay and Aaron and I both can move forward in this.

Happy Fall!!

2009-10-02T07:21:00.003-05:00

(I read this and thought it was cute!)

A woman was asked by a coworker,
'What is it like to be a Christian?'The coworker replied, 'It is like being a pumpkin.'
God picks you from the patch, brings you in,
and washes all the dirt off of you.
Then He cuts off the top and scoops out all the yucky stuff.He removes the seeds of doubt, hate, and greed.
Then He carves you a new smiling face and
puts His light inside of you to shine for all the world to see.'

SYATP

2009-09-24T07:13:00.003-05:00

Yesterday was See you at the Pole, our youth group attended the rally that evening here is our pic. Our actual Youth Minister is on vacation in Hawaii(lucky) so Aaron, Justin, Leslie, and I went and hung out. I personally LOVED it! I had never been to anything quite like that. I wish I would have been involved in a church growing up so I could have participated in something like that. I also understand that I probably understand it more now than I would have back then.

The Rally started at 6 o'clock at the FUMC Wesley Center. There were other churches around the Jasper area that participated as well. Aaron and I had to pick up 2 of the youth while the rest met us there. They served hamburgers and chips, there was a band, and our Pastor Jared was the speaker. Of course he did a phenomenal job and Aaron and I kept talking about how great he did on the way home. The band was good too, I had never heard of them, Aragon, they were from the League City/Kemah area. I of course gave a whoop-whoop to that. Jared challenged the Youth to "What am I doing?", he read from John and 1 Timothy, he also showed them pictures of kids all around the country that are "doing something" with their faith, because faith with no action is dead. It was AWESOME!! And I would do it again in a heartbeat. I am so thankful to be apart of a great church and being able to help out is the best feeling in the world!

Tell me what you think....

2009-09-22T12:15:00.003-05:00

This is Kris Allen's new single titles "Live Like You We're Dying". What do you think??

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

On another note how in the world do you just load a video on here?? I keep getting an error message :(

Off to a Jumpy Start

2009-09-01T07:21:00.002-05:00

So today was a typical Tuesday at my house at 5:30 in the morning. That is until I discovered I wasn't alone in the bathroom....

I went into the bathroom after Aaron got out of the shower to put in contacts, make-up, and dry my hair when something in the toilet (yes the toilet) caught my eye. I saw this huge black spot and my first thought man I just cleaned that on Saturday. That is until I got a real close look. Sorry I was too freaked out to take a picture but there it was having a pool party in my toilet..a frog!! I immediatley scream and yell for Aaron who thinks it's funny me not so much. Well then we spend the next 10 minutes trying to figure out how to catch it. I give Aaron a Wal-Mart sack and a fly swatter and close the door. Well a few minutes later he comes out with his supplies I sent him in with. No he didn't kill the frog he just used the fly swatter to manuver him into the bag (or at least that's what I wanted him to do). He did catch the frog and release him back into our yard.

My thought is how in the heck did it get in...

*Aaron's thought threw the front door

*My thought threw out pipes, which would mean we have a broken one somewhere

What do you think?

Thought this was a good story to share

2009-08-25T07:12:00.001-05:00

The 5th Grade Teacher

As she stood in front of her 5th grade class on the very first day of school, she told the children an untruth. Like most teachers, she looked at her students and said that she loved them all the same. However, that was impossible, because there in the front row, slumped in his seat, was a little boy named Teddy Stoddard.
Mrs. Thompson had watched Teddy the year before and noticed that he did not play well with the other children, that his clothes were messy and that he constantly needed a bath. In addition, Teddy could be unpleasant. It got to the point where Mrs. Thompson would actually take delight in marking his papers with a broad red pen, making bold X's and then putting a big 'F' at the top of his papers.
At the school where Mrs. Thompson taught, she was required to review each child's past records and she put Teddy's off until20last. However, when she reviewed his file, she was in for a surprise.
Teddy's first grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is a bright child with a ready laugh. He does his work neatly and has good manners... he is a joy to be around..'
His second grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is an excellent student, well liked by his classmates, but he is troubled because his mother has a terminal illness and life at home must be a struggle.'
His third grade teacher wrote, 'His mother's death has been hard on him. He tries to do his best, but his father doesn't show much interest, and his home life will soon affect him if some steps aren't taken.'
Teddy's fourth grade teacher wrote, 'Teddy is withdrawn and doesn't show much interest in school. He doesn't have many friends and he sometimes sleeps in class..'

By now, Mrs. Thompson realized the problem and she was ashamed of herself.. She felt even worse when her students brought her Christmas presents, wrapped in beautiful ribbons and bright paper, except for Teddy's. His present was clumsily wrapped in the heavy, brown paper that he got from a grocery bag. Mrs. Thompson took pains to open it in the middle of the other presents. Some of the children started to laugh when she found a rhinestone bracelet with some of the stones missing, and a bottle that was one-quarter full of perfume. But she stifled the children's laughter when she exclaimed how pretty the bracelet was, putting it on, and dabbing some of the perfume on her wrist. Teddy Stoddard stayed after school that day just long enough to say, 'Mrs. Thompson, today you smelled just like my Mom used to.
After the children left, she cried for at least an hour. On that very day, she quit teaching reading, writing and arithmetic. Instead, she began to teach children. Mrs. Thompson paid particular attention to Teddy. As she worked with him, his mind seemed to come alive. The more she encouraged him, the faster he responded. By the end of the year, Teddy had become one of the smartest children in the class and, despite her lie that she would love all the children the same, Teddy became one of her 'teacher's pets..
A year later, she found a note under her door, from Teddy, telling her that she was the best teacher he ever had in his whole life.
Six years went by before she got another note from Teddy.. He then wrote that he had finished high school, third in his class, and she was still the best teacher he ever had in life. Four years after that, she got another letter, saying that while things had been tough at times, he'd stayed in school, had stuck with it, and would soon graduate from college with the highest of honours. He assured Mrs. Thompson that she was still the best and favourite teacher he had ever had in his whole life.
Then four more years passed and yet another letter came. This time he explained that after he got his bachelor's degree, he decided to go a little further. The letter explained that she was still the best and favourite teacher he ever had. But now his name was a little longer.... The letter was signed, Theodore F. Stoddard, MD.
The story does not end there. You see, there was yet another letter that spring. Teddy said he had met this girl and was going to be married. He explained that his father had die d a couple of years ago and he was wondering if Mrs. Thompson might agree to sit at the wedding in the place that was usually reserved for the mother of the groom. Of course, Mrs. Thompson did. And guess what? She wore that bracelet, the one with several rhinestones missing. Moreover, she made sure she was wearing the perfume that Teddy remembered his mother wearing on their last Christmas together. They hugged each other, and Dr. Stoddard whispered in Mrs. Thompson's ear, 'Thank you Mrs. Thompson for believing in me. Thank you so much for making me feel important and showing me that I could make a difference.' Mrs. Thompson, with tears in her eyes, whispered back. She said, 'Teddy, you have it all wrong. You were the one who taught me that I could make a difference. I didn't know how to teach until I met you.' (For you that don't know, Teddy Stoddard is the Dr. at Iowa Methodist in Des Moines that has the Stoddard Cancer Wing.)

Back in the Swing

2009-08-20T07:53:00.007-05:00

First off let me start by saying I have two apologies, first being for a sorry blogger and second for this being a picture post. The first apology is a valid one I have not been around a computer at all this summer but now I am back at work I can blog on a regular basis. My second apology is only for your sake. SO much went on this summer I thought it would be best for me to put up pictures instead of me talking about what went on.

So I will start with this ever so small picture, it's from our Galveston Mission trip one day we went to the beach and picked up trash. Galveston is still a mess from the hurricane.

This next picture is also from our Galveston Mission trip in the morning while we were there we had VBS, it was so much fun and the numbers tripled by the end of the week!

Our last day of the Mission Trip we went to Schlitterbahn, enough said. This is only part of our youth that was able to go on the Mission Trip.

Ah...wedding bliss. This is Aaron and I at our very dear friends, the Williams, rehearsal dinner. We were so happy for them and still are they are perfect for one another and we were so blessed to able to participate in their special day.

These last two pictures are combined. Last Saturday night we came home to find this precious puppy under our stairs. Full of fleas and ticks, well my tender heart kicked in and Aaron's too, we took her in, named her Peanut. (Aaron loves that name) But after much consideration we decided we did not need another dog see our Wilma in front, so we went to church Sunday with hopes of finding her a home....we did! A sweet lady, Mrs. Smith, takes in strays and adopts them out. So Sunday night we went to her house before church and dropped off Peanut. Sad but we know she is loved and well taken care off.

Well that is a long enough post, to is Open House and that starts in about 25 minutes so off to work I go! Oh and how could I forget our good friends and the pastor of our church had a precious baby boy, Sam, on August 13 (Aaron's birthday too!). We are so happy for them! You can see their family here http://www.thehollierfamily.blogspot.com

Better Late Than Never

2009-07-22T09:41:00.002-05:00

So I have been a slacker in the blogger world lately. But I guess I have some pretty good excuses school, work, Student Life Camp.

I'll start with school, not too much to say there except I passed. WOO-HOO! I took Algebra (for a 2nd time) and Biology. Enough said there.

Work....well it is work and extra money so no real complaints there. I am done as of 8:40 this morning. Yes I drove from my house to work "in town" for an hour and ten minutes.

Now the best and most awesome thing....Student Life Camp in Daytona Beach! Our speaker was Louie Giglio and the music was Chris Tomlin!!! Well we did have 2 late nights where Leland and David Crowder Band performed too. Our youth group left last Sunday morning (11 students and 5 adults) and headed to our destination. Aaron and I took his dad's Tahoe so we would have enough room for some of the students. We had 4 of the 5 boys with us. They were VERY quiet, it was interesting. We spent Monday afternoon through Friday morning in Daytona. Our mornings were what was called Celebration and our evening were of the same. It was the most amazing thing I have ever experienced. Let me repeat the MOST AMAZING THING!! God was there and students were saved. I had NEVER been to anything like that before and I am sure I will never have that experience again. Wow! Seems to be all I can say. Things got changed up on the way home we had 4 girls and 1 boy, it too was interesting.

Now for next week we are going with the youth on a mission trip to Galveston. Again I have never been to something like this and I am sure it will be just as amazing.

Through the experiences I faced and have yet to face this summer, I believe I have a new understanding of my life and the life I want to lead through God!

Winding Down

2009-05-29T07:29:00.004-05:00

Well today is officially the last day of work with students. I am a little saddened by it but happy to see all the progress the kids made this year. I am so glad I made the decision to come to Parnell and work in the lab, I don't think I could have been happier any where else. I just can't wait to finish school and actually become a teacher myself! Every time I think about it I get discouraged because it seems like it is so far away, but I have to do this and keep pushing on. So until then I will be happy as an aide.

On another note I finished this book last night titled Love The One You're With, by Emily Giffin. I bought the book at the Houston Hobby airport on my way to Richmond a few weeks ago. I absolutely loved it! I am not usually one to go and buy books with out recommendation but this caught my eye. So now I am recommending it, although it does have the f-bomb in it approx. 4 times (didn't too much care for that) it was an overall good book. It's about a woman named Ellen who is married to Andy but run into her ex (Leo) in a crosswalk in New York. Well I wont ruin it but the story is told from Ellen's view and she talks about the what-if and should I of seeing him and being friends and if it should be more. I was literally glued to it last night crying my eyes out. I am sure everyone has said at some point wonder what if and you can just feel her story, too bad it's fiction.

Sorry this is a lousy post, guess nothing too exciting has been going on. But hallelujah summer is here at 1:30 today!

Our Day In History

2009-05-19T07:32:00.002-05:00

That's right 2 years ago today Aaron and I got married!!! I can't hardly believe it has been two years, it seems just yesterday we said our vows. Guess that is a good thing. I am so blessed to have a husband like him, and like our invitations said "As my walk brings me closer to Christ it is your hand I reach for along the way." Our relationship has grown and improved so much since we brought God into our homes and hearts. As many of you know I was saved our first pre-marital counseling meeting with Brother Brian and it was Aaron's hand I held that day. Then on May 19, 2007 we said our vows in front of our family and friends and it was his hand that got me through that day. Then almost a year later on February 24, 2008 I was baptized and it was Aaron's hand I held. And to this day whenever Aaron and I are at church and we feel moved by the sermon, we hold each others hand! I don't think our invitations could have said it any better. Though Aaron and his hands I have found God and life just couldn't be any better. So today I am thanking God for blessing me with such a wonderful husband/companion/ and best friend.

Finales, Hospitals, And A Leak....Add Up To An Okay Week.

2009-05-15T07:25:00.002-05:00

First off this is the time of year I love and hate at the same time. Love ~ Summer almost here, school almost out which means no work for a while. Hate ~ ALL my favorite shows are ending...for the season. The Biggest Loser, The Office, American Idol....what will I do with my time?!?! On the finale of The Biggest Loser I was totally surprised at who won, Go Helen! I NEVER saw that I thought Tara had it in the sack, so to speak. The Office, well I was also SHOCKED and excited for next season. I just <3 Pam and Jim and their sweetness. American Idol isn't exactly over until next week but I am not too upset about the final two, I have grown to L-O-V-E Kris Allen and I hope he actually gets it. I know I know I have been a total Adam Lambert fan all along but like I have said Aaron and I just wanted to hear him sing Cryin' by Aerosmith, well we did and ummm it was okay. I don't think that woman should have been singing in the background (off key). So I would like to think it is any ones game.

Now for hospitals, Aaron's paw-paw is back in the hospital for the second time in about 2 weeks. He is having some gestational issues. He is not able to keep things down and it's just a whole big mess of things I would rather spare you bloggers. Also last night we get a phone call that Aaron's dad had to be taken to the emergency room...again! He is fine but his heart just started fluttering and sputtering and he was afraid his defibrillator would go off, but it never did. Better safe than sorry, so he is home.

Update on our leak of destruction, as I like to call it. On Wednesday we took down the wall or let is crumble to the ground from where is had been so wet it was soggy. About a foot of the wall is in crumbs on the bathroom floor. Our bedroom wall (that runs along the bathroom wall) is a light greenish blue shade, the good news it's only about 1 1/2 inches and our carpet in our room is a bit damp along that wall. Justin came over that night and helped Aaron because we thought our tub was cracked but we were wrong and it looks as though our crooked wall is to blame. The crooked wall makes it difficult for things to be flush so (please don't mind my lingo) the thing where our hot/cold knobs wasn't flat against the wall so water from our shower head was dripping onto that and then water was leaking into the wall/shower therefore causing the leak. Woo-Hoo fun stuff, so Aaron put in a call the McDonald's (not the food chain, place we go our trailer from) and they are contacting Clayton to see if they will send someone to fix the wall and all the other problems or if McDonald's need to do something to fix it. We are still waiting on that call back. I will keep you posted.

We Sprung A Leak!

2009-05-13T07:05:00.002-05:00

I find if funny how things happen. Just last night at bible study I was complaining about problems we have had with our house. Granted they aren't major thing but just things. Like our master bath wall is slanted which causes water to spray out of the doors, our back door has NEVER quite closed right, we still have a white vent-a-hood after countless attempts to get a black one, then our house isn't level everything seems to slant to the right once you get on my kitchen. So like I said nothing major....until 1 am this morning!

I was asleep, of course, and Aaron comes in the room ans says hey Jess you asleep? My response huh, yeah why what's going on you okay? He says we have a leak. I, still half asleep, say okay well fix it. Well it's more than just a quick shut off the source until morning. Our crooked master bath wall I mentioned earlier, yeah you guessed it, there is a leak in the wall!!!! So water has started to run into our bathroom floor but oh yeah guess what else it has seeped through to our bedroom wall and now soaking our carpet!!! When we realize this Aaron of course says a few choice words and we start to come up with a strategy.

Well come to find out you have to take the whole wall down to get to the leak, oh and here is where it gets fun....we don't have the tool to remove these oddly shaped screws!! On the up side we believe it only leaks when you shower so we are avoiding that at all cost. (Don't fret we have another shower we aren't walking around shower less.) So my afternoon will most likely consist of taking down a wall, fixing a leak, and hoping our carpet or wall aren't messed up. Oh what a fun day it will be in the Willoughby house today :)

Update!

2009-05-08T07:11:00.003-05:00

Wow it's been a while, either my life is SUPER boring or I have been SUPER busy. I'll take the happy medium. Last week I went home, well the town I graduated high school, for the first time in 7 years for a dear friend's wedding. It was good and bad, but aren't all trips? I tried to make it a point to see everyone I could, which became very difficult. I always say how much I miss Richmond but once I got there I missed Texas....well mostly Aaron. He didn't get to go with me because of work. Emily's wedding was beautiful! It was outside at a boat club on the lake. Even though it rained, a lot, it could not have been nicer. I cried of course! It was so great to see her and her daughter Taryn who I haven't seen since my wedding almost 2 years ago! She was so big and cute, I love her! Plus the fact that she told her mommy and daddy "I want to to Tesas to see Jeca"(she is almost 3) My heart melted! When they said you do so you know that means you have to wear cowboy boots and a cowboy hat, is that okay? She puts her little hands on her hips and says "I go like this". She was wearing her flower girl dress and crocs....so cute!

Relay for Life

2009-04-27T07:27:00.003-05:00

Friday was the Relay for Life in Jasper. Our school started a team about 3 weeks prior so it was a major time crunch, but we succeded in more ways than one. First and foremost we reached and exceeded our team goal of $2000.00!! YEAH!!! All our hard work paid off and it was for an awesome cause that touched all of our team on a personal level. The first picture is of the 1st lap where survivors and care givers to people with cancer walk, very touching. The second picture is of our team (excluding Mrs. Brown) at school before the walk. I must say our shirts and flip flops turned out to be SUPER cute and everyone at our school at least wants a shirt like ours...sorry. Any way the Relay got rained out about mid-night on Friday/Saturday but the few hours we spent there as a team brought us all closer and unified us in the end for what the cause really stood for.

These Are A Few Of My Favorite Things

2009-04-23T07:43:00.006-05:00

I always see post about my bloggers favorite things and here are a few of mine.

I joined our school's Relay for Life team and we are walking for the cause tomorrow, and even though it has been a stressful few weeks I am SO glad I am apart of something that can change so many lives. And above all that I am doing this for two very special my beloved grandmother who passed this past February with colon cancer and her husband, my grandfather, who has been battling lung and brain cancer for 5 years!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Br_-nxiNZw
On this fav I couldn't figure out how to post the video so here is the link and a picture of Monk and Neagle, my newest favorite artist! I feel in love with them after the pator and music minister at Peachtree sang the song the 21st Time on Easter Sunday and I have listened to this songe EVERY day since.

I started a bible study with a group of Godly women about 3 weeks ago, and I love it! I am a newer Christian and these women are pros as I like to put it. I am learning so much about God and Idols but also my marriage! I love it and am so glad to be apart of such a great learning experience!

Lastly is pretty much the entire Clinique collection! I have issues with my eyes, they are very make-up sensitive, and Leslie told me about some cleansers. Well I purchased the 3-step set and low and behold if you waited 3 days you recieved a free gift! So of course I did, who doesn't like SWAG, right?? Well when I went back a couple of days later I got the facial wash and my free gift but then I also purchased a moisturizer for my eyes and eye shadow and mascara which oh my goodness gave me ANOTHER free gift! So I have been using Clinique products for about 3 weeks and I am in love!

Happy 83rd Birthday Pawpaw!

2009-04-20T07:25:00.004-05:00

Yesterday we celebrated Aaron's pawpaw's 83rd Birthday! Look at how CUTE he is! Of course I got asked the same question as every year! (When you gonna make that boy to carry on the Willoughby name?) Which is always then followed by you know Aaron is our last hope and y'all better get on that! Okay pawpaw give us 2 years. Well 2 years is apparently too long for him he stomped his foot and left the room. But later he came back gave me a hug and said I love you. Well I love him that is why I am dedicating this post to him!

How could you not love that face!! I can't seem to get my other pictures to post right so that will be tomorrow's post.

As Promised....Our Easter Pics

2009-04-13T07:33:00.003-05:00

So yesterday was AWESOME!! We got up about 5:20 AM for the Peachtree's Sunrise Service it was windy and chilly but a-mazing! After that we went to my in-laws house until it was time for Sunday school and church. but the bad news was I forgot my camera when we left the house so these pictures were at 3 PM! Almost 12 hours later and after we had to run through the rain! But here they are.

Happy Easter, to Aaron

2009-04-09T07:26:00.004-05:00

Easter is a very special time for Aaron and I, it was when we got engaged! Three years ago this Easter Aaron asked me to marry him, in the sweetest way! He talked to our boss at the time and asked for me to get off early that day (it was actually the Saturday before Easter). So what she did was tell you me you need to leave and go to Aaron's house...hmmm I instantly think something is wrong. Well I got there and he had me an Easter basket filled with those plastic eggs with a note that said, "Happy Easter, I love you so much here is a gift and game for you. Each egg is filled with something from candy, money, to special things so be careful!" So I instantly start to wonder and start opening eggs. I found lots of candy (no money) and then I open one egg and it is filled with cotton balls and a ring! I look at Aaron who is all teary eyed and he is on the ground asking me to marry him!! AHHH!!! I couldn't believe it! We both hugged and cried and of course I said yes! So with that said I try to get Aaron a basket every year with something special. So yesterday after my dreaded doctors appointment I went on the hunt for him a gift. Well I never found him a basket just this:

And instantly my craft side kicks in and I go home and get to work on this....

It has a Polo shirt, golf balls, a putter practice thingy, and candy! I love my husband!

It Azalea Picture Time Again..

2009-04-06T07:40:00.003-05:00

As you may know every year around Easter we get together in my in-laws back yard to take our pictures in the azaleas. Well this year they were taken earlier than usual, thanks to random storms that came through Jasper and practically destroyed thier bushes. On this Sunday inparticular I don't know what was going on but we didn't really get a "good" shot but here are the best of the bunch!

This picture I don't know what happened it was in color but when I loaded it on my computer we got gray patches on our faces so I changed and saved it to black and white.

Yes, I know this is NOT an azalea picture it is actually from December 16th, 2008 before our work Christmas party (and the day before my birthday) Aaron decided to give me my new camera and this is a self picture. Not too bad, huh??

This is actually the last picture and if Aaron didn't have a log coming out of his head and if I didn't look H-U-G-E I might actually like it. Oh well can't always have the best pictures. Hopefully I will have some awesome Easter pictures after Sunday to post.

Spring Break And A Little Advice....Please?!

2009-03-27T08:01:00.003-05:00

Since the batteries in my camera died over Spring Break and I was pretty lazy these pictures from my phone will have to do. We did nothing spectacular over Spring Break but Aaron got to play golf 3 or 4 times! (I lost count) He did however get me to tag along one day, so here are a couple shots.

FORE!!

Shhh....Chase is concentrating

This is what I did....drive the golf cart it was a bit chilly that day

I love this one.....we look so happy :)

Now for a little advice if you please.....I decided this morning I would like to plant a flower bed. The bad news I have never done this but tomorrow is supposed to be beautiful! So why not, but what should I plant??? So if anyone reads my blog your advice would be GREATLY appreciated!

Why Is Good News ALWAYS Followed by Bad ?

2009-03-13T08:10:00.004-05:00

This is a question I have begun to ask myself a lot lately.
My good news is my grandfather got he test results back and he got a good report. If you didn't know my grandfather was diagnosed with lung cancer about 5 years ago. He has been battleing this for a long time, with it spreading everywhere, but within the last year he has been in what Doctors call "remission" but he still has to go back every 6 months and be checked to make sure it isn't spreading or growing. So that is b;essing not only for him but our family as well, with just losing my grandmother I don't think we could handle my grandfather too.
Now for my bad news....last night we recieved a call from Amelia (Aaron's sister) saying his dad's defibrilator kept going off and they were taking him to the hospital. So we jump up Aaron heads to the hospital and I go to sit with his sister and her baby. The hospital decided to transport him to Beaumont hosptial, St. Elizabeth's, last I heard about 7:00 am they were there and waiting on a room and the cardiologist. Why is it Dr's/hospitals are slow but quick to send a bill. I know these people have lives outside of work but we are all just sitting and waiting and that makes for a L-O-N-G night which has now turned into day! I will keep everyone up to date on this situation.

And the best news is at 3:40 today Spring Break officially starts....YEAH!!!

Under Construction......

2009-03-11T07:20:00.001-05:00