The Best Decade of My Life

There have been lots of the "Best of the Decade" lists and blogs going around.(Even though Adam points out it is not actually the end of the decade, that would be 2010) It made me think about this decade in my life. It has certainly been an amazing one. This has been the decade where all my little girl dreams have come true...

I went off to college.... made amazing friends, traveled, went to Kanakuk, led D-groups, made amazing memories, fell in love with a place (Auburn).

I met, fell in love with, and married a man that loves me much more than I deserve.

I traveled to amazing places. 2 trips to New York, Rome and London and numerous trips to the beach with great friends and family.

I got my first teaching job.

We bought our first house.

I added a brother in law and two nephews to our family.

I witnessed many answers to prayer and miracles.

I stood with my closest friends as they married the men of their dreams and witnessed as they became mothers.

I became a mother, twice.


And who could leave off Charlie.....

Of course the decade came with pain...the loss of of three grandparents, losing touch with friends, a struggle with depression, consequences of bad decisions.

The best part of this decade was the way God showed me who I really am. He stretched me physically (and I don't mean the thirty plus pounds I've added) through fatigue and illness where I thought I couldn't take anymore.. but I did. He stretched me spiritually and showed me how to lean into him and find my strength in His love even when I couldn't feel it. He stretched me emotionally by showing me what the bottom feels like and what the top feels like. He has shown me how to forgive those who wound, how to love those who seem impossible to love, how to be thankful, how to be patient, how to be kind, how to practice self control. And the best lesson is that I fail at all those things daily and He shows me how to forgive myself and try again.

I am not really sure what the next ten years will hold.Or how they could come close to topping these past ten years. But I am sure God has joy and more life lessons in store for me!

So tonight I will not only be toasting an end of a year but a fantastic decade full of memories! (Don't worry, it won't be champagne in my glass... Baby and I are having sparkling grape juice!)

A note about the pictures.... This post just started forming in my head yesterday and I didn't really have the time to find ,scan and upload all the great pictures that would have really made it complete (like college, dating Adam, sister and friend's weddings) so I had to rely on other people's Facebook Albums. (Thanks Emily and Susan for the "Way Back When" Albums!) I should have put them in a slide show. But I got frustrated and I was short on time. So it is what is, sorry!

The Meaning of the Word, "Pregnant"

Several weeks ago our pastor told us in a sermon that we were all pregnant because when you look up what pregnant means it means full of potential. He went on to discuss how Christ longs for us to and helps us reach our potential. I got stuck on that phrase... full of potential. Not full of fluid and a growing baby... but full of potential. When I look at Noah's adorable face I often think about all the things that he could be, all the things he will see, all the love he will feel, all things he will be able to do. But rarely do I think of the potential I have... I mean I'm grown up. But I do have potential to change things for the better through my actions and words. Through my children. Through my husband. Through my job.



The sermon also struck a cord with me because the day before I had found out that Adam, Noah and I are expecting an addition to our family in August! We are thrilled and a little nervous. The potential this little one has is overwhelming. I look forward to experiencing the joy and miracle of pregnancy without the shock value Noah brought and hopefully without the sickness. I tear up every time I think about Noah and this baby playing together and running around the house. I want the bond between them to be strong.



Today we went to the doctor and so far everything looks fine. We will have an ultrasound Monday. I look forward to seeing a sweet little heartbeat and be more assured that things are okay. As far as the pre eclampsia/ Toxemia she said it was pretty certain I would have it again but probably not as serious. Hopefully the third trimester being in the summer should help.



I have been a little bit sick. Not an all day nauseous can't keep food down kind of sick but little pockets of sickness usually brought on by smells. I have been super tired but no more than the average working mother of a two year old. Mostly I am feeling this unquenchable urge to organize my whole house top to bottom. For example... Sunday after getting back from Birmingham ... I brought all of Noah's toys from all over the house and sorted them, organized, added the Christmas toys, and put them away. Yesterday I took down Christmas, washed all the sheets and duvet cover, did three loads of laundry, uploaded Christmas pictures, and unpacked us all.



I have vowed not to eat any Swiss Cake Rolls esp. a whole box at a time! But a grilled cheese sandwhich sounds pretty good. My neighbor has promised me after the first of the year to walk with me everyday. And water and prenatal vitamins are getting along with my stomach this time. So I am really looking forward to and praying for a healthy pregnancy!

The Three Days of Christmas

I hope that everyone had a joyful Christmas. I hope you had the chance to experience the celebration of Christ in your heart! We had a great time celebrating with our families! This Holiday season has been a true roller coaster, from the loss of my grandmother to the joyful early arrival of my nephew we were all emotionally spent and we enjoyed just being still. Noah was an absolute joy to watch. He really understood what was going on... esp the birthday cake for Jesus and present parts! I love tradition and Christmas is full of them. I really want to establish holiday traditions for Noah that emphasis the importance of the season and reflect its true meaning. So this year we added and advent wreath to our table and did devotion every Sunday. I hope next year to add a daily something and some service projects as Noah gets older. We also continued the Birthday Party for Jesus at both Nana's and Mimi's. Santa also brought Noah three presents to represent the three gifts the Kings brought to Baby Jesus. We also give him two presents from us one sentimental and one not so much. Noah did grasp what we were celebrating... I think. At least he could tell me it was Jesus' Birthday. The first day of Christmas was the 23rd and at our house. Noah woke up to presents and stockings. I made us a home cooked breakfast and we lit the last advent candle and read the Christmas Story. We packed up and headed to Birmingham. Christmas Eve was spent with Nana, Puddin, Robin, Chris and Baby E. We played Beatles RockBand, ate a yummy meal, opened more presents and had a birthday cake for Jesus. We missed the Christmas Eve service at Lakeside because Noah had a major allergic reaction to something. I was sad... the service is always a highlight for me. Christmas Day was spent at Mimi's with Mimi, Papa, Xander, Emy, Griffin, Whawoo, Jason, Michael and Baby Neal. We opened more presents, ate more yummy food, played Wii, games, and watched movies. More important than three days of presents and food was the moments that turn into memories. Noah is growing up so fast. I was touched by his joy and innocence this holiday. I delighted in his delight. He was a pleasure to watch. I am thankful for the time I got to spend with each of our family members and for the simple act of just "being" in their present. I pray that this year I will not take any of them for granted and will do a better job of showing my appreciation for each of them and showing them God's love through mine.

Christmas Morning at our house!

The Christmas Craftiness

I love kids crafts! I guess it is working at Edgewood Extended Day for so many years. I am excited that Noah is getting to the age where he can do more crafty things. I want him to be a creative problem solver, to practice hand eye coordination, practice fine motor skills, do something else besides watching Diego, and to have some fun. I think I might have more fun than him! We went to the library and picked out some stories and then did crafts that went a long with them. He really enjoyed the glue, glitter and sequins.

The Christmas Lights

I have told you before that our neighborhood loves holidays. Just in case you think I was stretching the truth I am taking you on a Christmas light tour of Clear Creek. Enjoy. And excuse the bad videography. Don't get sick watching it!

The Birth of my Nephew

I woke upWednesday morning at six to see that my phone was on silent, I had a missed called, and a text message. Emily was in labor. I immediately burst into tears knowing that I wouldn't be there for his birth!(I had used all my personal days to be with my family when my grandmother died.) I called and talked to mom and Em. I would be there as soon as I could after school. I was so excited! I stopped by the office to tell my secretary about trying to get someone to watch my fourth period. She asked me if I wanted to be there... well of course. Let's see what we can do. And then right then the phone rang. It was a sub looking for work. I jumped on it and was soon on the road. I couldn't get to St. Vincent's fast enough. (Don't worry, I stuck close to the speed limit!) Em was surprised. I was just happy to be with her. An hour or so after getting there Em and Griffin needed some rest. So Melanie (Griffin's wonderful mother), Dad, and I went to the waiting room. Just a little bit later she was 6 centimeters! Wow. Dad and I decided we had time to visit a friend of his who had a clinic in the complex. We were gone maybe twenty minutes when we got the call she was about to start pushing!!! Wow. We sped across the hospital to get back in time to hug and kiss her. An after probably the second longest hour of my life, we had a baby. Then it was another forty minutes before my mom came out to update us. As she walked through the doors she said, "Emily wants her Carrie." I didn't hear anything else. I dropped everything and practically ran to her room. She was amazing. Xander is amazing. He even started feeding well. Just a little bit later Jenny made it in from Georgia. And then Adam brought Noah to meet his new cousin. He wanted to touch him and hold him. He offered him toys, juice, and books. He didn't really mind it when I held Xander or even when Mimi did. I was relieved. It was a great birth day! Welcome to the world my precious little Xander. I love you very much. Almost as much as I love your mommy. Almost but not quite!

What a great experience becoming an aunt is! I am sad to have missed this part of Michael's sweet life! And I look forward to repeating the joy with Baby Neal and Baby E!