...and we have the ninernets again. Thank you frontier for your stellar service (ugh!) They decided to take a 3 week vacation from providing service...little did they know they are not eligible for paid vacation. :)
So a ton has happened in the last month, too much for me to write about now. Let me sum up...
We dedicated Ryder at Grace Community Church the weekend before Thanksgiving. It was flattering to have so many family members make the trip from St.Louis and Orrville to be a part of it. We had a packed house and took up the first 3 rows at church. Awesome. After the weekend was over my parents and siblings took the kiddos back to St. Louis with them. They rock. I'm just saying. The kids loved all that time with them and Ryan and I LOVED spending time alone. We celebrated our 7 year anniversary. Snaps to us :) We are totally lame and went to see Breaking Dawn and out to dinner to Papa Vino's. It was perfect. Amazed that it's been 7 years already and I still think he's the greatest thing since pants with pockets.
Thanksgiving was great. Lots of food, family and football.
Fast forward 3 weeks and I'm smack dab in the middle of an audit at work, overseeing/implementing a new computer program at work which launches the first of the year and decided to join an indoor soccer team. Let me just say, I'm tired, overwhelmed and NOT 18 anymore.
All in all life is crazy, but I wouldn't have it any other way.
More details on the skinny mini's at the soccer game to come...
Wednesday, December 7, 2011
Monday, October 24, 2011
...the simple things...
Sorry to my 5 followers that it has been a couple weeks. :) I figured since it was Monday, and there are PLENTY of things to complain about, I would list some things that make me happy.
That's enough for now. More to come...
- Ryan. He's enough
- New lip gloss, love it.
- A good run
- Hearing "wub you mommy" from Leyton
- Ryder's smile
- Handwritten notes/letters, just because
- Dave Matthews LIVE at LUTHER COLLEGE
- Cyber wraps
- Wheel of Fortune (don't judge me)
- Team WestCoHart
- LRC with the Westwoods
- Cardinal baseball (especially in October)
- Trivia/Game night with the Wilhelms
- Answered prayer
- Sunflowers
- My sister's laugh...when she really thinks something is funny
- Sweatpants and hoodies
- Cherry limeades, wedge salads, sushi and fresh fruit
That's enough for now. More to come...
Sunday, October 9, 2011
the hard stuff
"Where there is pain, there is growth." Yea...not sure I agree with that one. Sometimes pain is just pain. There are things and circumstances in life that just plain hurt, without explanation. I've waited a week. I wasn't sure I was going to blog about this at all, but then again I feel like there is so much to share.
As some of you may know, I'm blessed beyond words to be best friends with Natalie. She is one of the most kind hearted, selfless and faithful people I know. She and her husband Wes were trying for a very long time to get pregnant. We prayed and prayed and prayed and then prayed some more for God to give life. Finally, I got the call that she was pregnant. I couldn't be more excited. I was sworn to secrecy for the first trimester. And then came the call I was waiting for...at least I thought so. The call to remove the silence. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! To my surprise her voice was distraught, broken. They received news at their ultrasound that they were having twins and one would not make it. I believe the doctors words were, "It would take an act of God".
I was on it. If that's all it took, I would pray relentlessly. Day after day, week after week, month after month, I prayed. My family, my husband, my prayer partners at Church were all begging God for a miracle. In the midst of this ordeal, Natalie called once again in tears. She told me she was having twin girls...Kayla Hope and Quinn Kathryn. She asked if I would be Kayla's one and only Godparent. I was speechless. She thought I was fighting before! What an honor!
As the arrival date approached, another call and more tears. Natalie asked if I would speak at a small immediate family only service for Kayla if she didn't make it. I kept composed while on the phone and agreed to her request. Once she hung up, I lost it. I never acknowledged that Kayla would not make it. One week ago today, two beautiful baby girls were born. My Goddaughter Kayla Hope lived a precious 2 hours. She got to meet her loving parents, grandparents and a couple aunts and uncles before passing. I made it there hours after she was gone, but was still given the opportunity to see her, pray with her and hold her for a bit. She was perfect. I didn't think I could love any child like my own, but she stole my heart.
This is by far the most difficult time I've ever gone through. It ripped me apart to see my best friend lose her child. It killed me to have to speak at my beautiful Goddaughter's funeral. I believe God has been and will continue to be in complete control, but that doesn't always make it easier. It would be easier to stay angry, confused, distraught...but I'm choosing to be thankful....
I'm thankful for the Cross.
I'm thankful death isn't the end.
I'm thankful for Natalie Marie.
I'm thankful for Kayla Hope.
I'm thankful for 2 hours.
I'm thankful for my second family.
I'm thankful for tears and hugs.
But most of all, I'm thankful that God does answer prayer. Quinn Kathryn is a precious, gorgeous and perfect baby girl. She is home and doing well with mommy and daddy.
Kayla I will never forget you. It's been my honor to be a part of your short life. Every time I look at my wrist, I will think of you. Can't wait to see you again one day...I love you.
As some of you may know, I'm blessed beyond words to be best friends with Natalie. She is one of the most kind hearted, selfless and faithful people I know. She and her husband Wes were trying for a very long time to get pregnant. We prayed and prayed and prayed and then prayed some more for God to give life. Finally, I got the call that she was pregnant. I couldn't be more excited. I was sworn to secrecy for the first trimester. And then came the call I was waiting for...at least I thought so. The call to remove the silence. I wanted to shout it from the rooftops! To my surprise her voice was distraught, broken. They received news at their ultrasound that they were having twins and one would not make it. I believe the doctors words were, "It would take an act of God".
I was on it. If that's all it took, I would pray relentlessly. Day after day, week after week, month after month, I prayed. My family, my husband, my prayer partners at Church were all begging God for a miracle. In the midst of this ordeal, Natalie called once again in tears. She told me she was having twin girls...Kayla Hope and Quinn Kathryn. She asked if I would be Kayla's one and only Godparent. I was speechless. She thought I was fighting before! What an honor!
As the arrival date approached, another call and more tears. Natalie asked if I would speak at a small immediate family only service for Kayla if she didn't make it. I kept composed while on the phone and agreed to her request. Once she hung up, I lost it. I never acknowledged that Kayla would not make it. One week ago today, two beautiful baby girls were born. My Goddaughter Kayla Hope lived a precious 2 hours. She got to meet her loving parents, grandparents and a couple aunts and uncles before passing. I made it there hours after she was gone, but was still given the opportunity to see her, pray with her and hold her for a bit. She was perfect. I didn't think I could love any child like my own, but she stole my heart.
This is by far the most difficult time I've ever gone through. It ripped me apart to see my best friend lose her child. It killed me to have to speak at my beautiful Goddaughter's funeral. I believe God has been and will continue to be in complete control, but that doesn't always make it easier. It would be easier to stay angry, confused, distraught...but I'm choosing to be thankful....
I'm thankful for the Cross.
I'm thankful death isn't the end.
I'm thankful for Natalie Marie.
I'm thankful for Kayla Hope.
I'm thankful for 2 hours.
I'm thankful for my second family.
I'm thankful for tears and hugs.
But most of all, I'm thankful that God does answer prayer. Quinn Kathryn is a precious, gorgeous and perfect baby girl. She is home and doing well with mommy and daddy.
Friday, September 30, 2011
Passionate
Passion. You either have it or you don't. I'd like to think I'm a passionate person. I'm not talking emotional or crazy or moody, but real passion for something. I think it's cool that each individual can be passionate about something completely different than the next. What you feel strongly about may seem silly to me and vice versa.
I love a lot of things. I love my God. I love my husband. I love my kiddos. I love my family. Those are all the deep meaningful, "cry while I'm typing" sort of topics. We'll leave those for another day. For now I want to focus on another area in which I focus my love or passion if you will...THE ST.LOUIS CARDINALS!
Let me tell you, I think the Cardinals are the greatest team in baseball. I didn't say the best...so all you Yankee fans out there who are just itching to correct me with all of your stats...take a seat. We are however the 2nd best team in baseball of all time...I'm just saying, but I'm getting off task. There is something in me that lights up and gets excited when I talk about the Cardinals, or watch them on TV or go to see a game. It's incredible. I have so many memories. I've been to countless games. It never gets old. Close seats, nose bleeds, watching them in the pouring rain or in the sweltering heat...I've done it all.
A few memories in particular that bring a smile to my face:
*Listening to Jack Buck call the games on my Grandma Jinny's small radio. As a kid if I'd spend the night there, she would bring the handheld radio into bed and lay it next to my pillow. Something so cool about listening to the game...
*Watching the Cards beat the Reds in 2002. A few of my friends from college came back to St.Louis with me to go to the game, one in particular a huge Reds fan (Cline!) He brought this obnoxious Reds flag and waved it around the entire game. Pujols hit a homer to win the game. I loved watching our fans give him a hard time. Priceless. Not priceless, however, was the trip to the ER for my best bud Dave Norton who broke his foot on the walk back to the car...courtesy of Cline.
*Sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley Field on a scorching summer day watching the Cards stomp the Cubs. It doesn't get any better let me tell you. Oh to hear all those Cubs fan whine and complain. They were screaming about how horrible Edmonds was (a Card at the time). So he hit a home run. Then they talked about Duncan and how he was only on the team because of his dad (maybe true, but a Card nonetheless) So he hit a home run. Then Albert hit one out of the stadium. Fabulous.
*2006 World Series. Enough said.
Just like in 2006, the Cardinals have done what many said couldn't be done and found a way to make post season. Let's have 2011 end the same...St.Louis Cardinals World Series Champs.
I love a lot of things. I love my God. I love my husband. I love my kiddos. I love my family. Those are all the deep meaningful, "cry while I'm typing" sort of topics. We'll leave those for another day. For now I want to focus on another area in which I focus my love or passion if you will...THE ST.LOUIS CARDINALS!
Let me tell you, I think the Cardinals are the greatest team in baseball. I didn't say the best...so all you Yankee fans out there who are just itching to correct me with all of your stats...take a seat. We are however the 2nd best team in baseball of all time...I'm just saying, but I'm getting off task. There is something in me that lights up and gets excited when I talk about the Cardinals, or watch them on TV or go to see a game. It's incredible. I have so many memories. I've been to countless games. It never gets old. Close seats, nose bleeds, watching them in the pouring rain or in the sweltering heat...I've done it all.
A few memories in particular that bring a smile to my face:
*Listening to Jack Buck call the games on my Grandma Jinny's small radio. As a kid if I'd spend the night there, she would bring the handheld radio into bed and lay it next to my pillow. Something so cool about listening to the game...
*Watching the Cards beat the Reds in 2002. A few of my friends from college came back to St.Louis with me to go to the game, one in particular a huge Reds fan (Cline!) He brought this obnoxious Reds flag and waved it around the entire game. Pujols hit a homer to win the game. I loved watching our fans give him a hard time. Priceless. Not priceless, however, was the trip to the ER for my best bud Dave Norton who broke his foot on the walk back to the car...courtesy of Cline.
*Sitting in the bleachers at Wrigley Field on a scorching summer day watching the Cards stomp the Cubs. It doesn't get any better let me tell you. Oh to hear all those Cubs fan whine and complain. They were screaming about how horrible Edmonds was (a Card at the time). So he hit a home run. Then they talked about Duncan and how he was only on the team because of his dad (maybe true, but a Card nonetheless) So he hit a home run. Then Albert hit one out of the stadium. Fabulous.
*2006 World Series. Enough said.
Just like in 2006, the Cardinals have done what many said couldn't be done and found a way to make post season. Let's have 2011 end the same...St.Louis Cardinals World Series Champs.
Monday, September 26, 2011
Giving blogging the ol' college try
Well, here goes nothing. I'm not sure I have much to say (let's be honest, I have plenty to say). This probably won't make a difference, but maybe it will make a laugh. If nothing else, I think will be a great outlet for ME!! I don't know everything, but I have an opinion about most things. :) I'm a constant work in progress...
...so for now, just a pic of my kiddos. I've been yakking it up for last last 24 hours. I'm ready for bed. Also please ignore the glorious arm flub I'm rocking in the background...
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