My Battle with Excitement!

Ever since we had a miscarriage in 2008, I sometimes feel guilty for being excited about things like being pregnant, or being excited about things that Emrick is doing. I was always the one that struggled so with not being pregnant when others were; I was always happy for them, but so sad that it couldn't be our "status" as well. When others would complain about being sick, or being tired, or complained about anything related to pregnancy, it really angered me (even after I found out I was pregnant with Emrick). I tried really hard to be excited about the baby growing inside of me, but to not overly talk about it or complain about it. I never wanted to cause anyone the pain that I felt after our miscarriage. Even then, I had to tell myself and my pregnant friends that it was my battle, and something that I needed to deal with, and they couldn't possibly feel responsible for every little thing that they said and worry about whether I was going to struggle in some way because of it.

Since Emrick, I have learned of so many friends that have struggled way harder and longer than we ever did. And truly, they inspire me. Each of these friends has impressed me with their unwavering faith and comments like "We just keep trusting" and "God is doing something." But I still struggle to share....

That we are expecting again in July 2011! I'm twelve weeks today, and things seem to look good!

I struggle because I am so excited, but I hurt for some of my closest friends that can't feel this joy. I worry that they will be sad, not jealous, just sad. I've been there...and, its pretty uncontrollable when you want something, but it seems out of reach. I don't want to throw it in anyone's face, and I feel like this is harder now than it was when I was pregnant the first time.

I hope that in all this, my friends can find hope. Maybe they can see that we struggled, but that God remained faithful. Maybe my friends don't struggle the way I did. Maybe their desire for the Lord, is stronger than their desire to be a parent (unlike mine, before Emrick). I know that they will be happy for us, and I don't know why this is such a hang up for me, but its just one of those things I guess.

Please know, all my dear, sweet, and faithful friends: We are praying for and with you! I love each of you dearly. Thank you for being such an encouragement to me, even after we had Emrick; you're unfailing faith has strengthened me!

PS - In this holiday season, our family prays that you feel the blessing of all that this season really means. May you spend great time with family and friends, and truly experience that God, became flesh for us, and that is what we really celebrate. And, that He did this to eventually go to death for us. Take that in completely, and celebrate all that He continues to do for us!

Happy Birthday Nana!

Before I actually start this post, let me say if you read my last post, I am not in despair! Nor, did I mean to give that impression! I've simply been in a funk...that's all! But, it does get better everyday.

Okay, onto today's post. Its actually a post for tomorrow, but we have a crazy day tomorrow, so I am writing today. My nana is my mom's mom. Growing up we went to see her often, holidays, summers, and all through hunting season. She cooked for us, she quilted for us, and she loved us. I have so much admiration for my grandmother as she raised 4 children after the death of her husband, and I am sure that her children would say that she didn't DO everything perfectly, but she herself was all I could ask for in a NANA. In 2005, she started declining in health, and for the next couple of years, she was sick and just not herself. However, when she passed away, I still wasn't prepared...I miss her, the real her deeply!

Dear Nana,

I just need you to know that although I probably never showed it properly, you were one of my heros. There is so much that I miss about you, and that could never, ever be replaced. I wish that I would have been older, or at least paid more attention when you cooked, and when you quilted (its pretty much a lost art now - quilting, and you could argue the same thing about cooking ;P). I don't think I recognized then how talented you were, or how much you loved me. I will remember random things like going to Krogers on Saturdays and sitting in your hot trailer as you cooked dinner. My quilt you made me when I was a little girl is still one of the most comforting items I have (its made it through two hospital stays - Emrick's birth and Emrick's seizure). There's nothing like it! I know that today, you are in a better place, and you are whole, and no longer sick. For that I am so thankful...your last days were not how I want to remember you. But, I still miss you, and I still love you, and I still think about growing up with the best NANA ever! Happy Birthday! I love you so much!

Your granddaughter,

Bailey

May my life impact someone watching me the way my grandmother has impacted mine!

Give Me Faith

So this is THE song that has been referred to a couple of times in the last couple of blog posts. It was the song that was sang at church the morning before Emrick's seizure, and its the song that God used during all of that to encourage Jonathan so much. We have sang it every Sunday since then (I think). And, God has definitely been using it to work on my heart. This has been a rough week for me, and my spirit has reveled all kinds of evil in my heart this week...I could go on and on about all the things that have made this a rough week for me, but really, they're are just excuses for me to act immaturely, and with a hard, hard heart. So, in my attempts to be vulnerable, here are the lyrics with my own little side notes of what I am thinking when I sing it....

Give Me Faith
I need you
To soften my heart (Lord, please do this, cause right now its pretty hard in so many ways)
To break me apart (ok, don't break me apart though...that part may hurt, and well...not really up for hurting)
I need you
To open my eyes
To see that You're shaping my life (sometimes I need to be reminded that You have this...You've got it...all of it)

All I am
I surrender (Well, see, can't really do that...my family, and my work??? are You really sure that You can handle that for me?)
Give me faith
To trust what You say (why do I struggle with this so?)
That You're good and Your love is great (sometimes I know and believe this, and other times, I just know, but can't really believe it, and sometimes I'm not sure, but I just have to believe it, oh, and I tear up every single time I sing this line)
I'm broken inside
I give You my life (okay, yes, I am broken, You can have me)

This is true, I go through these thoughts everytime! There is another verse, and then the chorus again, and then the bridge:

I may be weak, but Your spirit's strong in me
My flesh may fail, but my God You never will (Lord, I am so weak, and I am so thankful that You are strong, can You please just continue to prove that to me until I can't question it anymore - I SO need You)

I cannot express the thankfulness I have for a church that seeks truth, and a church that desires to teach biblical truth. It reaches our family in so many ways. On top of that, we have family, friends, a community group, work places, and so many others around us that continue lift us up, speak truth to us, and encourage us daily. There is no denying that I am somewhat struggling this week (and I don't really even have a reason), and if I am honest, have been struggling in different ways for a while. So, its overwhelming really to think about all that God has placed around me and my family to help us through...He continues to move me closer to Him, and I am thankful for all I learn in the process!

God's Hand

Wow! What a week it has been! My last post told about how terrifying our last week was, but only gave minimal detail to the ways in which we saw God's hand over the whole circumstance. Can I just tell you how awesome He is, and what grace He showed us through this experience! If you haven't read the last post, you might want to start there, and then read this one!

1.) Jonathan's parents were in town visiting for the weekend, and were getting ready to hit the road, but they hadn't left yet

2.) Donald and Mary Beth Spann (some of our closest friends) live across town, but had come by to borrow our bikes and our "child trailer" (as I call it) to go on a bike ride; they were still on our side of town riding when we called

3.) Our small group was about to begin, but our leader (Wes) had time to come by and pray with us, then go to small group with an update

4.) I work with an amazing Christian friend that was able to get my sub, and help her with plans all day, both days, and update my school, and ask them to pray for us as well!

***This is an addition: Jonathan's work was also encouraging, understanding, and flexible. His boss even sent us a text that said there was a team praying for us!

5.) The nurse at the TR hospital keep telling us to pray, we tried, but were so afraid that it was hard...we both think in song most of the time. We had sang a new song at church on Sunday, and all Jonathan could do was sing parts of the song in his head.

6.) Rebecca and Charity (more good friends) were able to bring our car to the hospital for us, and encourage me for just a minute at the hospital

7.) When Jonathan was telling Wes about hearing the song in his head, Wes pulled the song out, and said, "This one, that I printed for you."

8.) Our small group was able to join us at the hospital, pray with us, and get us dinner (for many days and nights to come)

9.) Jonathan's parents were able to stay at our house Sunday night, and take care of Bristol. They were willing to take Bristol home with them on Monday night, and Jonathan's dad was able and willing to come back on Tuesday, and stay as long as needed him to to watch Emrick, so that we could go back to work.

10.) Our sweet community group has been feeding us, and has even made trips to get various things that we needed this week so that I wouldn't have to...

11.) We go to church with our peditrician, and he was so sweet to call and check on Emrick yesterday (we kind of feel bad for him because he was out of town, and he is hearing the story on so many levels - being filled in from our church members, and from the hospital too...poor guy!)

12.) So many others have asked, called, prayed, posted on Facebook, and just simply loved us through this last week.

I am still so emotionally overwhelmed at all that God placed around us to protect and comfort us. Amazing, really!

If there is one way that you could still pray for us, it would be that we rest, physically, mentally, and emotionally. I think that it took so much more energy than we even really knew or expected. We are so incredibly thankful for a God that loves us dearly and personally, and uses others to love us that way too! Thanks for being a part in the way God has shown himself to us this week! We love you all!

Scariest.Day.Ever.

So, Sunday, October 3, 2010 is a day that the Edmonds family won't be forgetting any time soon!

Let me start at the beginning. Over the past week, Emrick hasn't felt terrific. He has had cold symptoms, has been teething, and his temperature has been running 100.2 or so. Nothing terrible, and nothing really out of the ordinary for him. I picked him up a little early from daycare on Friday.

And, since his fever was a little elevated and he felt bad, I decided to take him to the doctor on Saturday morning (Jonathan's mom came with me since they were in town). They treated a sinus infection, and said the elevated temperature was probably due to a viral infection. We went home, and tried to have him rest. He spiked once on Saturday to 103, but we kept alternating motrin and tylenol like we usually do.

Sunday, he seemed to be feeling a little better, but still felt a little feverish. We went to church, but I just kept him with me. I checked his temperature in the middle of service because he felt a little warmer. His temperature was 101. I gave him tylenol.

After church, we went to eat. He seemed fine, didn't eat great, but also didn't act like he felt all too terrible. We then went to the Greenville Zoo. He seemed fine, just a little tired due to not having a nap.

When we got home around 4:30, I noticed he felt really warm all of the sudden. Then I noticed he was shivering a little. Jonathan advised me to take his temperature, 103.6. Jonathan noticed he was somewhat unresponsive and focused on the fan in his room. We both knew something wasn't right. Susan (Jonathan's mom) is the first one that said it looked like he could be having a seizure. At that point we decided to head to the closest ER. On the ride, Emrick became completely unresponsive.

At this point, I am just going to write in bullets because so much happened so quickly:

-arrived at ER in Travelers Rest around 4:45

-they formally diagnosed a seizure and started medicating to try to get it to stop

-we move to a larger treatment room, and they continue working

-they start preparing us for the transport to Greenville Memorial Children's PICU and explain that the ambulance's sirens are precautionary

-Jonathan at some point leaves and Donald Spann is at the door, which Jonathan needed at the time

-around 5 they start talking about how this seizure is lasting longer than most febrile seizures (caused by fevers)

-spinal tap is performed to test for meningitis (at which point I'm freaking out inside)

-they asked us to step out while they did the tap, and our community group leader (Wes Cavin) was there, and I pretty much broke down while he prayed for us

-they let us back in and he calms down, and basically goes to sleep (a deep drug induced sleep)

-ambulance arrives and we make our trek down to Memorial (we actually didn't drive with sirens and lights since he wasn't seizing anymore)

-arrived at Memorial around 7 pm

-by 8pm our community group was here, as well as our community group pastor, some other close friends from church, the Spanns and Jermile were all at the hospital with us (we prayed, cried, and felt so extremely blessed by this)

-Sunday night he was out until about 11:30

-at 11:30, he woke up and came to enough that I felt like my baby was back

-Sunday night was pretty restless, with at least seven cords hooked to him, he just couldn't get comfortable

-we were moved into a regular room (out of ICU) on Monday afternoon

-we had a couple of more meaningful visits

-Monday was somewhat frustrating because he was so sleepy and has absolutely no idea what he wants...and extremely fussy (but we'll take that over what we had Sunday afternoon for sure)

Our hope is that he will be able to head home Tuesday at some point. Such an emotional and scary experience, but once again, God was able to use it to remind us that we are loved and that we have such an amazing support group. I can't not thank, you, everyone that was praying with and for us the past two days. Even as I type this, I am overwhelmed at the blessing that we have received. God is good, and He was good on Sunday, and we will continue to praise Him.

*I'm sure when I'm a little more coherent, I'll be editing, but just wanted to write what I could remember while it was fresh.

Back 2 Life

As some "professional" bloggers might say, here is my *stream of consciousness to catch

everyone up on how we've been:

Well, life has return to normal in our house. It all started around August 9. I went back to school, Emrick went back to daycare, and Jonathan started his new job at Chick-Fil-A. This creates a very busy life for us. Since we've been back, Emrick has had a fever virus, shared it with daddy, and had an ear infection/sinus stuff. Thankfully though, the tubes seem to have done their job, and he only missed 1/2 a day of daycare. Honestly, we've been doing really well, fast-paced, but really well.

Labor day weekend, Jonathan and I traveled down to Atlanta to watch the LSU Tigers play UNC. It isn't very often that I get to watch them play in person, so it was much anticipated. It was a tiny bit interesting because our house is a Tiger house in the fall, and a Tarheel house in the winter (just the agreement we had to make)...so everyone wondered if there would be any arguing or division, but we managed to remain on the same team even if the Tigers almost lost it....In the end, all that matters is that LSU won, and we had a blast! On Sunday, we went to SkyTop Orchard. I don't really go to pick apples (although, we did pick a couple). I go to get the apple cider slushies and the apple cider cake doughnuts. I mean, it really is enough to convince anyone that they should go once a year (at least)!

Last weekend, Jonathan's buddy, Colt, got married in Montana, and we decided to go. Just Jonathan and I. We left Emrick in the care of his Grammy and Poppy, and went to Missoula for a few days. We had a great trip, and I loved seeing that part of the country for the first time. The wedding was beautiful, and we enjoyed being able to catch up with Colt and his sweet bride, Ericka, just a little. On Sunday, we headed up to Glacier National Park to take advantage of being so close. It was really neat...so incredibly beautiful.

Emrick is growing like a weed, and is learning to walk. He is walking about as much as he is crawling (if not more), and he is getting into everything. He is talking some, saying pretty much the same things that he's been saying for a while. He has been signing "please" since about 9 months old when he was prompted to do so, but has recently gotten decent at asking without whining, and without being prompted. One of his favorite things to do is to pull pillows of the couch or pull books off the shelf. Oh, and he LOVES Bristol's water bowl too...unfortunately. I think that's about all, enjoy some photos:

*Warning: Unless you REALLY love our family (and possibly even if you do), picture OVERLOAD below!

See he really does LOVE the washing machine

He also likes "naked-time" after bath-time

This is what happens when we don't have a nap before lunch

Trying to get the annual, "How tall are you?" picture

My favorite of the day:

Little Scarecrow

Love this, too

Missoula, Montana

I have a love-hate relationship with this one, but I love that you can see Jonathan and his expression in the reflection.

Don't we look like a little "honey-mooning" couple

Long-horned Sheep at Logan's Pass in Glacier Park

Such a gorgeous day!

This video depicts what we did just about every night for about two weeks as Emrick was learning to walk. We don't always bribe him with food, however, just so you know ;)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rWDZ4dBiw0k

This video was taken one night while we were waiting for daddy to get off of work. It is mainly for my parents that don't get to see Emrick much, because it shows so much of his personality...except the very end, that parts rare, and I have no idea why he started...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LM5ZMrx9erM

PS - I have got to find a quicker way to upload our videos...that took way too long, any ideas?

Challenging Topic

When I shared with Jonathan that I wanted to do a post about one of our family's journeys, he asked what made me want to. My response was that I know that there are others that are struggling with similar situations, or that have friends that are struggling. So, if me sharing can help anyone then I think it is so worth it. Not to mention, it is a story of God's hand restoring me, and redeeming me, so it is again, worth sharing!

Its taken almost two years to be this open with our journey, not because we're private people (I am definitely the opposite), but because it was really hard at the time. We now understand that God gives grace that we are so desperate for, and that He loves us bigger than we can imagine. Even in the midst of struggles! Here are the events of July 2008, straight from a journal I have:

While visiting family in Mississippi that summer, I decided to take a pregnancy test. Lo, and behold, I was pregnant. I couldn't wait to get back to South Carolina to tell Jonathan. When I got home on July 14th, I told Jonathan that I had an early anniversary present for him. We were beyond excited! Over the next two weeks, our house overflowed with joy...in two weeks we would celebrate our first anniversary in Nicaragua while on a mission trip, and we were PREGNANT!

On July 25, we would leave Greenville, SC for Villa del Carmen, Nicaragua. When I woke up that morning, I noticed I was spotting. It didn't overly frighten me, as I had been told, this could be normal. We continued getting ready, and headed to the airport. My concern grew as I began to feel cramping in my abdomen (like menstrual cramping). The realization of what might be happening began to set in as we arrived at the Atlanta airport. I was almost frozen in an emotion that I can't explain, while Jonathan had to search the airport for what I would need physically (I wasn't prepared-at all). All this time, it was just us (me and Jonathan) and we were just trying to figure out what to say, what to do, who to tell, etc.

When we finally reached Managua, Nicaragua, we decided we needed our team leaders to know what was going on (one of which is a doctor). Although it was very clear that this could be the end of our pregnancy, we left that conversation feeling blessed and at peace. And, we left asking that the circumstances not be shared with our team.

The week in Nicaragua was incredible...peace, blessing, and comfort are the words that I would use to describe it. The pastor's wife at the church that we worked at even blessed us. During their Wednesday night service, she touched my tummy and said something in Spanish. I was able to catch "baby" and "Jesus," but that was it. Later through translation realized that she had said that Jesus can work miracles, and she had blessed my uterus. It was a truly incredible experience, lesson, and blessing I will forever remember. We finally told our team what was happening during our debriefing session. Their love, understanding, and prayers surrounded us immediately. We were not ready to leave Nicaragua. It was so easy to see, feel, and serve God there. Coming home meant distractions and facing the facts: our baby was gone.

We went for an emergency ultrasound on Monday when we got back into the States. It was true, we had miscarried. The good news (if there was any) was that I wouldn't have to have any follow up procedures to correct anything. Being back at home, and back at work it was easy to get caught back up in life. It didn't take long to forget all that God did and all that He gave while we were in Nicaragua. I soon forgot the lessons of peace and comfort He had given. By September I was beginning to recognize that I longed for a baby more than I longed for God. While somedays I was able to recognize God's hand drawing me nearer to Him, others were scorched by disappointment, bitterness, sadness, and a multitude of other negative feelings.

Finally, I talked to a friend that had her own struggles with conceiving. I told her I felt like I was having to lay my desire for a baby down every single day, and often more than once a day. She suggested that I stop focusing on putting it down, and start focusing on reaching up, start reaching for Him. Despite when our next pregnancy would occur, I recognized in that moment that God was at work. He was in fact, redeeming and restoring me to Himself. He would make me whole. He would be the desire of my heart if I let Him.

Jonathan and I decided to begin "trying" again almost immediately. On election day (Nov. 2008), I took another pregnancy test-it was positive. We were grateful and we rejoiced. And, Emrick just turned a year old!

God did a mighty work, on my body, and more importantly, on my heart.

There are many friends that are not as blessed as we are. We have friends that have been faithful for years as they have prayed for children. What we endured was so short to the time span that some of our friends have remained steadfast in their prayer to conceive. Others are plagued with sadness with the lost of multiple pregnancies. My heart hurts for them. Yet, so many of them are true examples and encouragements in our lives. They inspire us as they continue to trust in the Lord.

If any of our family or friends read this, and think, "You never shared this story with us." Please know it was only because we were waiting to tell everyone our exciting news until we got home from Nicaragua, and then we struggled with knowing how to share what saddened us instead. We just weren't sure of what or how to say anything.

We are thankful for the journey God has taken us on the past two years. Its been nothing short of miraculous, and He deserves all the glory!

View on Educational Funding Cuts

Okay, so I am risking a little by writing this post, and want to place a few disclaimers:

1. I by no means, am intentionally making this a political post (I know very little about politics, and would not choose to go in that direction).

2. I am also not saying that every educator feels this way, or that I am right...

3. This post risks the potential to be a little all over the place, as I have tried to organize it in my head, it hasn't really been willing to follow any organizational format!

So without further ado, here are my thoughts:

As, an educator the continual cuts in education are very frustrating. By March, of each year, my teammates and I begin to get nervous about the number of teachers that will be excessed (meaning, forced to move schools) or like this year, when they let three of our teachers go all together. We never truly feel safe! Additionally, the more teachers that are let go, the higher the student to teacher ratio gets. *And this is probably where I am the most passionate. For example, when we left in June, I had 27 students on my class roster. That's 27 10-11 year olds! I am responsible for knowing and understanding specifically the needs of those 27 students; how well they read, how well they can do their math, being able to maintain a safe and healthy (emotionally and physically) environment, and so much more for all 27 of those students. Now, don't get me wrong, I enjoy these challenges, that's why I teach. However, if you ask me about the reality of me missing something, the potential is pretty high. There is just no way, that I, one person, can focus that intently on 27 students. I would love to cap at 20 students...that just seems so much more doable. As you think about this, please realize that I am not saying these things because its "too much" for me, or that I doubt my abilities to do what I am hired and trained to do. This is about the kids in my room...its better for them if there are less students...they get more of me, if there are less kids in that room. I realize that class size has always been an issue, and that at some point in my education I probably had just as many if not more in my class. I guess I am just wishfully hoping. So, job security and class size are definite issues with me.

Next, I have an issue with the amount of money that we get to spend in our classrooms. Last year, I was given $275 to supply my classroom (which is ample, I'd be good with anything over $100), but this year I got $0. In previous years, I would buy my students binders, markers, color pencils, notebooks, etc. This year, I have none of that stuff on hand, and do not have the funds to help my students that can't afford the supplies. We try to be really mindful that some students can't afford our supplies, and keep the supply lists simple, but sometimes that isn't enough, and I like to have enough supplies in my room that we can make it work. I simply can't stockpile supplies when I don't have the funds to do so.

So, "America" wants the economy to improve...How in the world will our students of today be able to help our economy to get better, when they can't do simple multiplication and division (because they sat quietly on the second row in fifth grade)? I guess this is my biggest fear. Students that will fall through the cracks, because they are well behaved, or at least quiet. If we have less students, it will be easier to catch these students and help them the way they need to be helped. America can't risk our future, by continuing to discount the education of those that will be in charge in the future. If we don't properly educate our students, then our future, doesn't really hold any real hope for improvement.

Then, I didn't even touch the accountability system in place. Don't misunderstand me, I appreciate the accountability...I think most teachers need it (including me for the motivation), but I don't necessarily think it is the most valuable or reliable. Just saying...

At the risk of looking a little foolish, these are just my thoughts. You don't have to agree, and you can even say, "What is she thinking?" I just needed to get it out there, and off my chest...so DONE!

Anniversary Stats

Just a quick little update about our 3rd anniversary, and then a little about Emrick's stats from his 12 month check-up!

Because I was in a post-delivery fog last year, we didn't really celebrate our anniversary, so this year, we celebrated enough for both anniversaries. Our faithful babysitters, the Millwoods, kept Emrick for us, while we headed to downtown Greenville. We dined at Rick Erwins, and had a good time talking and eating. We even have dessert to share tonight, as we ate too much to enjoy it last night. I even managed to surprise Jonathan with a little gift. He does, and gives so much to Emrick and I, so although there were rules in place to not exchange gifts, Jonathan will now be able to enjoy NCIS season 6!

Jonathan, you are amazing, and I am humbled each day to be your bride. I have loved these three years, and look forward to all our lives. Thank you for loving me, and always being willing to celebrate us a little bit! I love you!

(PS-Our first anniversary was spent similarly-nice restaurant, downtown Greenville)

Emrick had his 12 month check-up today, and I would consider it a success. Our little monkey is finally higher than the first percentile in weight, he's in almost the sixth, weighing in at 19lbs, 3oz. He's 29 and a half inches long (42%), and his head is in the 50%!!! It is comforting to know he is getting bigger! He had a couple of shots today too, and although he cried some, he got over it pretty quickly.

Soooo....all is very well at the Edmonds' house. I do have two blogs that I have been thinking about writing for a while. They're a little more serious in nature. One is about my thoughts on the continuing cuts in educational funding...it should be interesting! And, the other is about a journey our family took just before we had Emrick, that I never shared on the blog! It should be a fun two weeks in the blog world of the Jonathan Edmonds family.

Our Summer and Emrick is ONE!

Can I go on record to say....I.adore.this.summer! I've had so much fun, enjoying being with Emrick, and we've had a great deal of time with Jonathan at home some too! It's been great! So, what have we done?

Well, we spent a week in Gatlinburg, TN with my entire family...17 people in one 4 room house, and we survived. See...we're all smiling (don't worry everyone, I won't tell any of our family secrets here on the blog)!

One big HAPPY family!

We also celebrated Jonathan's first Father's day at Bear Bottom with the Rowells. It is always so relaxing up there. And, although we didn't get a single picture of all the boys, we got both of the dads with their son!

Daddy and Me

Jonathan and his dad

*Look at that view!

A little fawn that we saw while up there...had to share!

Fourth of July we caught up with the Jacobs', the McKee's, and the Brooks'! *We did however, miss the Spann's! We didn't take many pictures, but here is one I stole from the McKee's blog of Emrick swinging.

Wheeeeee....

Then, Emrick and I went to Nashville, to help Nikki become, Mrs. Jones. Mimi met us there, and babysat so I could fulfill MOH duties. It was a lot of fun, and I had so much fun catching up with both of my Strode buddies.

*Coming soon...a picture from the wedding! I took none~

And, last but not least, this past weekend we celebrated Emrick's first birthday with lots of good friends and some family. We had one friend in particular that is extremely talented with a lens in her hand, and she captured several special moments throughout the day. Most of those are on facebook, so head over there to check them out!

This face makes Mommy melt

I've also tried to spend the days with friends, and having playdates as much as possible with those we don't normally get to play with often. We even were visited by some great friends, the Byrd's. So, we've been busy, but it has all been so much fun! I am a little exhausted, but I am not really going to be happy about not spending everyday with Emrick. I am however, in need of a regualr schedule! I don't have much discipline to exercise, or do much else without one! (Maybe not with one either, but, it sounds good right!)

And, here are some things Emrick is up to these days:

-crawling (right after the last post, he decided he'd prove me wrong)

-walking around furniture, and with push toys (I think he's close to being able to do it himself, but he isn't a believer yet)

-talking: dada, all done, outside, and possibly "Poppy" (he's not interested in saying mama, and most of his words are pretty inconsistent - other than dada, of course)

-drinking from a sippy cup: he's had no more bottles since the day of his birthday (this is a big feat, because I wasn't convinced he would make the switch easily)

-clapping constantly (If you're happy and you know it, and Patty cake are favorite songs right now)

-waving (only after people are out of sight)

-blows kisses (this has become way more consistent than waving)

-eating pretty much everything in sight

-loving Bristol (he follows him everywhere and can often be found leaning his head into him to "give him sugar", Bristol doesn't always return the love)

-swimming: he's a big fan of the water

-washing clothes...okay, so maybe he isn't washing them, but he is fascinated with the washing machine

*I'm sure I'll be updating for a week as I remember other things as well!

PS - Jonathan said that our blog was dead...its not, right????

Facebook: 1 - Blog: 0

***UPDATED***

-Scroll to the bottom to watch the video that my talented hubby put together!

So I have almost given up on the blog for a couple of reasons, but most of them surround facebook. It just seems that more people read/see facebook, than that actually come to the blog. And, if I'm honest, I spend way more time on facebook. But, I have also realized that I don't get to put all the details of life's happenings on facebook...its just a quick line or two. But, here, I can go picture happy, and I place the cute little stories behind each picture. I can also be a little bit more open and vulnerable here as well....

With all that said, this post promises to be one full of updates, picture blissfulness, and maybe even a couple of videos.

The biggest update for Jonathan and I is that Jonathan's last day at Furman will be April 27. We've been thinking about this change for a while now, and have been preparing for this change as well. However, in our preparation, we haven't yet decided what's next. Our plans are that Jonathan will take some time to search out some options. We share a faith we are following God's direction, and that He indeed will provide, and show us what's next! It is an exciting time, not really a fearful one (check back in a while to see if we are in the same spot, and on whether I still think its exciting...I hope so, but I am sure at that point, it will be harder to remain positive). You can be praying for God to give us clarity and direction as we are really unsure what way we might go! **There's some of that vulnerability I was speaking of earlier!!!

Since January, and really before that, Emrick has learned so much, so on to his updates (they are way more interesting anyway).

One thing that somewhat kept me from posting was the fact that we have pretty much constantly had ear infections, and I didn't want to post about them constantly, or show the frustration I felt through the past four months as we have struggled through them. Since December 12, the closest that we have gotten to having completely healed ears was, "There is some slight residual fluid in his ears, but they are getting better." Other than that, his poor ears have had some type of infection or fluid in them. We recently visited the ENT, and are praying through removing his adenoid, and placing tubes in his ears. I know there are varying views, and while we understand that, we are trusting in our doctors and their care, and will likely follow through with the surgery. Right now, it is scheduled for May 3. Please be praying that it will go smoothly without a hitch, and that if this isn't what God has in store for little E that He will certainly make that clear to us as well.

Other than his ears, Emrick is awesome. Even with his ears, he is such a good baby...not that I have had any others to compare to, and yes I am biased, but he is happy, and a definite free spirit most of the time.

*These days he is sitting up well, and playing independently for pretty long spurts of time, which makes house chores more realistic these days.

*He recently learned to clap (complete with sound), and impresses himself with the talent. If he is crying or upset about something, I can sing "If you're happy and you know it, clap your hands," and usually he will stop crying and start clapping. Its pretty cute.

*He's also scooting around. I've had bittersweet feelings that Emrick isn't yet crawling (I'd like him to be there because I feel like he should, but I don't mind that he can't yet get into everything). But, the fact that he scoots, cracks me up. He will spin in circles while sitting up, or on his belly. And, if he can't reach something, he goes to his belly, and spins in a circle until he is close enough to reach whatever he's trying to get to. It is hysterical to watch, and pretty impressive that he's figured out that this works.

*He and Bristol have finally started to notice each other, and Bristol is very patient and sweet with him, but is so ready to play with him. We are trying to teach them both to be gentle with the other! With that said, when Emrick reaches for Bristol's toys he either licks him or sniffs him, which is very comforting!

*During Christmas break, Emrick pretty much cut his two bottom teeth, and this week (Easter Break), I noticed I grinding noise, and sure enough, his top tooth has broken through the gum as well. I absolutely can not stand the sound he makes when grinding his teeth together! Hopefully he will have teeth by the time it is all the way in. And I am sure the second one is going to be right behind it!

*Jonathan and I have vowed not to talk about his sleep patterns. This is because, he will sleep ALL night, one whole week and someone will inevitably ask, "How's he sleeping?" To which we will reply, "Its been a good week!" You know, as not to jinks ourselves, and sure enough the next week, we will be up with him every night. So, that pretty much sums up where we are with sleeping patterns!

*We definite have a bouncy monkey on our hands. This boy loves to jump. Whether in his exersaucer or standing in your lap. He is getting better at the Johnny Jump Up, but hasn't figured out that it is made for a bouncing monkey!!!

*Emrick can stand for short periods of time while holding on to things, but hasn't yet figured out how to pull up on his own-or sit up from the laying down position for that matter.

*He is jabbering some too! Mostly, dadadada.... or ahhhahhh, but its jabber!

*SMILES (and laughs)! Seriously, if I knew beyond a shadow of a doubt, that all babies were as happy and easy as him, we'd probably be the next Duggar family. He makes being a mommy so fun!

I think that's about it. So to continue the world's longest post (at least for us) by far, for your entertainment, PICTURES (because its Jonathan's chore to do videos, and he's busy doing my chore of vacuuming, check back for those later):

My first tooth

Sitting up and playing (one of the first few days of doing it consistently)

Just being cute in my new hat

Love this face

Me (8 months) and my buddy Eli (6 months) - HA!

Playing with mommy and cheesing for daddy

Trying to steal Bristol's toy-no worries, he's just licking me

Getting loved on by Bristol

Oh, and one more thing...we recently went with the Kim DeLoach of Kim DeLoach Photography, and asked her to do a couple of family shots, and shots of Emrick! Click here to see our slideshow of the day! Considering it was nap time, and a bit chilly, Kim made us look good!!! ***This is no surprise as I have coveted Kim's work for quite sometime! Check her out, she's awesome!

**The Video:

I.look.like.my.daddy

Seriously, could they look more alike??? I LOVE it! My husband's pretty darn good looking, so Emrick is in good shape if I say so myself!

Is it too late for a Christmas post?

I sure hope not! But, beware, there are many pictures, and lots of talk about good times!!! I really feel like this was one of my favorite Christmases that I've had in a long, long time! I missed my family in Louisiana, and I cherish our Christmases together, but there is an undeniable restoration when no travel is necessary. My last day at work was the 18th, and we dismissed two hours early due to weather (snow, ice, and sleet). The next morning we went to Jonathan's family's in Florence and had Christmas with the Becker clan. It was a lot of fun, and nice to have everyone celebrating together. We then followed Poppy and Grammie Sue to Lancaster so that we could head to Bear Bottom the next morning! On Sunday, we got here.....

Isn't it beautiful???? It was an amazingly spectacular sight! There was only one problem - 12-14 inches of snow up hill isn't that easy to navigate. We parked the car here, and were going to attempt to use Poppy's Bulldog (4x4 utility vehicle) to get up the hill. However, the snow was too deep even for it, and about 1/2 way up, maybe 3/4 of the way up we got completely bottomed out and stuck! Therefore, we were hiking, up that hill, in twelve inches of snow, barefoot; okay, not barefoot, but carrying a baby. Jonathan actually made this trek down and back up 2 more times to get necessities out of the car. Usually in tense situations like this, one of us will try to be funny and the other will not really be in the mood, but we managed to be nice to one another, and got settled in quickly. On Monday, Jonathan got the Bulldog out of the snow, and we used it to get to the car, and ride around a bit the next couple of days. There was no leaving to go anywhere else, however; which, was actually really nice, and we spent a couple of days just focusing on the three of us (okay, 4 if you count Bristol, who by the way absolutely LOVED the fluffy, white stuff). Here's Emrick making his first snow angel:

Jonathan's parents joined us on Wednesday, and spent the rest of the week with us. It was nice once they got there, because Poppy would wake up with E in the middle of the night. Such a precious gift for this mommy since E didn't sleep as well in his pack n play. I made Shrimp and Grits Christmas Eve for dinner, and Poppy made some delicious rib roast Christmas day. So, just because we couldn't get out and about much didn't mean we didn't eat well. Christmas day was "sleety," but still very pretty looking! We did venture out to Galax, VA one day and gaze at many very pretty, snowy sights. When we got back, I felt so refreshed, and just valued the time that I got to spend with my boys, having NO agenda. Day to day, I am usually to caught up and tired to cherish precious time with them like I did the week of Christmas. There wasn't much to take my attention away from them, and it was such a valuable time for me. When we got home the following Sunday, my mom came to visit us for a couple of days, and that time was precious as well. I missed my dad, brother, sister, and all of their families. I wish that we could spend more time together. But, this Christmas was truly great and a time that I will not quickly forget. Some other sweet moments (sorry about the small pictures I stole them from facebook):

Christmas Eve Bathtime

Opening presents, and eating the tissue paper

Emrick laying on his new bear mat...I think he likes it!

Daddy playing with our new toy - CAMERA (that works) - thanks Grammie and Poppy!

E playing in his exersaucer and wearing Daddy's hat - I still think he looks just like him!

P.S. Coming soon: Very convincing evidence that Emrick looks JUST like his daddy!