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| the infamous "cheese" face! |
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| Caden got some 3D sidewalk chalk from the Easter bunny! |
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| My roses, I'm very proud they are doing so well! |
Saturday, May 7, 2011
Easter 2011
We had a wonderful Easter! Went to early service at church and then had a yummy lunch at Outback! After lunch, we headed over to some friends house for a massive easter egg hunt! We had a blast, I'm hoping to make this a tradition! I get the mom of the year award...I forgot to take pictures of Caden finding what the Easter bunny brought and forgot my camera at the egg hunt:( OH well, there's always next year! I hope everyone had a great Easter.....as Caden would say...Jesus is Alive!!!!!!
Surreality.
I'm not even sure thats a word (surreality), but oh well! That is how I felt the past week and a half! Life is slowly getting back to normal. Caden went back to school Thursday and Brandon will go back Monday...he's been off for 7 days now! There is still no power down the street from us where it got hit the hardest. We found out that they upgraded the tornado to an EF-5...still makes me cringe when I think about that day. The national guard has left as well as homeland security. We still have a curfew and there is still so much cleaning up to do. The outpouring of love and support from everyone has been amazing! I've been volunteering passing out food and water and Brandon's been busy with the chainsaw. Even Caden has been able to help! The other night he wanted to empty his piggy bank and give his money to some kids in his class that lost all their toys! Talk about making this mommy's heart smile! We've donated clothes, prom dresses, toys, cleaning supplies, canned goods, etc. It has been good for Caden to see us doing these things!
On a happier note....I have finally hit the 37 week mark! Bennett is full-term! We are now just patiently waiting for his arrival. I went to the dr. last tuesday and I wasn't dilated, but I was about 50% effaced! I go again this tuesday, so we'll see if I've made any progress! Please keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy delivery! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day!
On a happier note....I have finally hit the 37 week mark! Bennett is full-term! We are now just patiently waiting for his arrival. I went to the dr. last tuesday and I wasn't dilated, but I was about 50% effaced! I go again this tuesday, so we'll see if I've made any progress! Please keep us in your prayers for a safe and healthy delivery! Hope everyone has a wonderful weekend and Happy Mother's Day!
Monday, May 2, 2011
Tornado April 27, 2011
An EF-4 tornado ripped through my little community of East Limestone, Alabama on Wednesday. I will honestly never forget that day. Terrifying experience to say the least. Here's my story:
We woke up around 4:30 a.m. wednesday morning to sirens and terrible weather. I made Brandon go check the internet and make sure a tornado wasn't headed our way and he told me it had already passed! We slept right through some pretty bad weather that morning!! I don't think a real tornado came through that morning, just some strong winds. Brandon headed to work and Caden's school was delayed till 9 so we took our puppy to the vet. (Harley fell the night before and wasn't walking so he needed to go to the dr!) While at the vet, sirens started going off and we were under a tornado warning. We hurried home...as soon as I closed the garage it started hailing! I kept my eye on the news and it didn't look like we were supposed to get anything to terribly bad until later. I sat down to try to study for finals and I noticed it was getting really dark and kind or eerie outside. This was about 11 a.m....the vet called around 11:15 to tell me Harley was ok and that they were going to close due to the weather and I could pick him up tomorrow. It really hadn't registered for me to check the news, I was so focused on studying. About the time I tried to turn on the t.v., the satellite dish went out...I looked online at one of the news stations and all I heard was "tornado spotted in Athens....seek shelter if you live in East Limestone"!! Everything inside of me wanted to panic and scream, but I had to be strong for Caden. I told him to go hide in the closet and I quickly grabbed some pillows, a blanket, and the flashlight. About the time I jumped in the closet with him, my internet quit working. My cell phone also was not working. I sat with my back against a wall and put Caden between my legs with the blankets and pillows on top of us. I was terrified! I can't explain how scary it was sitting there with my house shaking and the most awful sounds coming from outside. I prayed and prayed and prayed for protection. I just wanted to protect Caden and my belly, so I was literally almost on top of them! We sat in there for about 20 minutes because I had no way of knowing it was safe to come out. I peeked out the door and the sky was clear...it was so weird! I still had no cell phone, internet , or tv! My house was spared! I finally got some cell service and called my mom and decided to go to her house because more bad weather was on its way and I did NOT want to be alone with Caden again! My parents live about 15-20 minutes away from us and it took me a good hour and half to get to their house. I could not believe how close the tornado came to my house..all around houses were messed up, trees down, powerlines down, etc. We got to my parents and I still hadn't talked to Brandon at this point. I was getting worried because the tornado had pretty much gone through Huntsville also, and this is where he works! He finally called to tell me he was o.k. and that he would meet me and my parents shortly.
Round 2:
Around 4 p.m., another round of bad weather was headed towards us. We were still at my parents and I honestly felt a little safer with my husband there too! They still had t.v. so we were monitoring the weather pretty closely. The weather man was talking about this horrible tornado that had touched down just west in a town called Phil Campbell. Little did we know, this tornado was the same one that was about to destroy my community. Thank God we were at my parents! The path of this tornado came through my community around 4:30 and barely missed my house! The tornado was due to hit madison, which is where my parents live, about 5ish. I grabbed Caden and we got in my parents closet under the stairs. No one else wanted to get in. They all stood on the back porch watching the weather. All the sudden, my dad screamed for everyone to get in the closet. The tornado went through my parents back yard and around the house. It only lasted for seconds! I couldn't believe how close it came! At this point I was sick of all this bad weather. My stomach and nerves were torn up! About 6:00 there was a break in the weather so we decided to head back to our house...BIG MISTAKE. We got about half-way there and got turned around...I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Neighborhoods all around were leveled. People were walking up and down the street in the rain carrying pets. Power lines were down everywhere. Huge oak trees laying across the road. We had to find another route back to our house. We turned down capshaw rd. and about the time we did I kept hearing on the radio "another tornado spotted in limestone county"! And that is right where we were! Brandon was in front of me and he pulled over and told me to hurry and go back to my parents. He was going to try to find a way home...at this point I was really freaking out!!! I could see the wall clouds behind me in my rearview mirrow. I was literally trying to beat the storm! Caden was in the back seat in his carseat with a towel over his head praying! Storm was headed straight to madison and so was I. I just kept thinking if I had to pull over, where would we go! All the businesses had closed and there weren't any good ditches to go lay in! I finally decided to just drive as fast as I could and not look back! We finally made it to my parents after what seemed like the longest drive! I was crying and shaking! I didn't know if Brandon had made it safely home and he had no idea if I had made it back to my parents. No cell phones were working. Back to the closet we went! About 8ish, I finally talked to Brandon and he was safe at his Nanny's. All the bad weather had seemed to pass so he told me it was probably safe to drive back home. At this point, we didn't know if we still even had a home! He met me so I could follow him. It took 2 hours to get home. Roads were flooded and power lines were down so it was like a maze getting home! Our house had NO damage! We are so blessed and thankful to be safe and unharmed! My heart goes out to all who lost homes and loved ones! Wednesday, April 27, 2011 will be a day I will always remember! Everytime I see the destruction, my heart just breaks. These are my neighbors who have lost everything! The whole community has been affected, but everyone has joined together and are helping everyone out. It is so humbling to see people driving around delivering meals and water and offering to help! God really protected us that day and I'm so thankful!
We woke up around 4:30 a.m. wednesday morning to sirens and terrible weather. I made Brandon go check the internet and make sure a tornado wasn't headed our way and he told me it had already passed! We slept right through some pretty bad weather that morning!! I don't think a real tornado came through that morning, just some strong winds. Brandon headed to work and Caden's school was delayed till 9 so we took our puppy to the vet. (Harley fell the night before and wasn't walking so he needed to go to the dr!) While at the vet, sirens started going off and we were under a tornado warning. We hurried home...as soon as I closed the garage it started hailing! I kept my eye on the news and it didn't look like we were supposed to get anything to terribly bad until later. I sat down to try to study for finals and I noticed it was getting really dark and kind or eerie outside. This was about 11 a.m....the vet called around 11:15 to tell me Harley was ok and that they were going to close due to the weather and I could pick him up tomorrow. It really hadn't registered for me to check the news, I was so focused on studying. About the time I tried to turn on the t.v., the satellite dish went out...I looked online at one of the news stations and all I heard was "tornado spotted in Athens....seek shelter if you live in East Limestone"!! Everything inside of me wanted to panic and scream, but I had to be strong for Caden. I told him to go hide in the closet and I quickly grabbed some pillows, a blanket, and the flashlight. About the time I jumped in the closet with him, my internet quit working. My cell phone also was not working. I sat with my back against a wall and put Caden between my legs with the blankets and pillows on top of us. I was terrified! I can't explain how scary it was sitting there with my house shaking and the most awful sounds coming from outside. I prayed and prayed and prayed for protection. I just wanted to protect Caden and my belly, so I was literally almost on top of them! We sat in there for about 20 minutes because I had no way of knowing it was safe to come out. I peeked out the door and the sky was clear...it was so weird! I still had no cell phone, internet , or tv! My house was spared! I finally got some cell service and called my mom and decided to go to her house because more bad weather was on its way and I did NOT want to be alone with Caden again! My parents live about 15-20 minutes away from us and it took me a good hour and half to get to their house. I could not believe how close the tornado came to my house..all around houses were messed up, trees down, powerlines down, etc. We got to my parents and I still hadn't talked to Brandon at this point. I was getting worried because the tornado had pretty much gone through Huntsville also, and this is where he works! He finally called to tell me he was o.k. and that he would meet me and my parents shortly.
Round 2:
Around 4 p.m., another round of bad weather was headed towards us. We were still at my parents and I honestly felt a little safer with my husband there too! They still had t.v. so we were monitoring the weather pretty closely. The weather man was talking about this horrible tornado that had touched down just west in a town called Phil Campbell. Little did we know, this tornado was the same one that was about to destroy my community. Thank God we were at my parents! The path of this tornado came through my community around 4:30 and barely missed my house! The tornado was due to hit madison, which is where my parents live, about 5ish. I grabbed Caden and we got in my parents closet under the stairs. No one else wanted to get in. They all stood on the back porch watching the weather. All the sudden, my dad screamed for everyone to get in the closet. The tornado went through my parents back yard and around the house. It only lasted for seconds! I couldn't believe how close it came! At this point I was sick of all this bad weather. My stomach and nerves were torn up! About 6:00 there was a break in the weather so we decided to head back to our house...BIG MISTAKE. We got about half-way there and got turned around...I couldn't believe what I was seeing. Neighborhoods all around were leveled. People were walking up and down the street in the rain carrying pets. Power lines were down everywhere. Huge oak trees laying across the road. We had to find another route back to our house. We turned down capshaw rd. and about the time we did I kept hearing on the radio "another tornado spotted in limestone county"! And that is right where we were! Brandon was in front of me and he pulled over and told me to hurry and go back to my parents. He was going to try to find a way home...at this point I was really freaking out!!! I could see the wall clouds behind me in my rearview mirrow. I was literally trying to beat the storm! Caden was in the back seat in his carseat with a towel over his head praying! Storm was headed straight to madison and so was I. I just kept thinking if I had to pull over, where would we go! All the businesses had closed and there weren't any good ditches to go lay in! I finally decided to just drive as fast as I could and not look back! We finally made it to my parents after what seemed like the longest drive! I was crying and shaking! I didn't know if Brandon had made it safely home and he had no idea if I had made it back to my parents. No cell phones were working. Back to the closet we went! About 8ish, I finally talked to Brandon and he was safe at his Nanny's. All the bad weather had seemed to pass so he told me it was probably safe to drive back home. At this point, we didn't know if we still even had a home! He met me so I could follow him. It took 2 hours to get home. Roads were flooded and power lines were down so it was like a maze getting home! Our house had NO damage! We are so blessed and thankful to be safe and unharmed! My heart goes out to all who lost homes and loved ones! Wednesday, April 27, 2011 will be a day I will always remember! Everytime I see the destruction, my heart just breaks. These are my neighbors who have lost everything! The whole community has been affected, but everyone has joined together and are helping everyone out. It is so humbling to see people driving around delivering meals and water and offering to help! God really protected us that day and I'm so thankful!
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| Some of the pictures I've taken.... |
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Go Rebels!!
Caden really wanted to play ball this year, but I was a little reluctant to let him play at first! He's only 4 and I wasn't sure if he'd like it. But he begged, so I signed him up. I am so glad I did! He loves it and is doing great! He plays on a 6 and under team and he is the youngest. They do not use a tee, it is coach pitch and they play just like the big boys do (3 strikes...keep score, etc)! I was worried he wasn't going to catch on or be able to hit the ball, and boy I was wrong! He is the hitting the ball like a champ! He got a single and a double today! Our little team is 4-0 now! I love watching him play! We are so proud of how well he is doing! I think he found his passion! 
Friday, April 22, 2011
Spring has sprung!
This is my favorite time of the year! I'm so glad that it has finally warmed up, this past winter was very long! My heart is so happy and full right now=) Life is great! We get to meet Bennett in 5 weeks or less, i'm thinking less since i've already had some preterm labor issues! Caden is playing T-ball, i'm no longer working which means I get to spend the weekends with my boys, and i'm so close to being done with nursing school!!!!!
I'm 35 weeks +1 day preggers today! About 4 weeks ago I was out and about shopping and I realized I hadn't felt Bennett move all day. I got really scared so I called my doc. I went in immediately and they did a nonstress test. Baby looked great, but I was having some big contractions! My doc asked me if I could feel them and duh I just thought they were braxton-hicks! Not the case! I wasn' t dilated or effaced, so I just sent to L&D for some brethine to stop the contractions! That was the worse medicine ever. It makes your heart race and you feel so nervous and anxious! Thankfully, my contractions stopped and I got to go home! No more working for me though! I am secretly excited I don't have to work anymore....it was getting unbearable being on my feet for 12 hour shifts! Having said all that, Bennett could really come sooner than we expect! I'm just praying for a healthy baby! We are ready to meet him! His room is ready, with the exception of hanging some pictures, and i've washed all the clothes, bottles, bibs, burp clothes, etc! Caden is ready too....he is constantly talking to my belly and kissing it! I can't wait to see him interact with his baby brother.
I'm 35 weeks +1 day preggers today! About 4 weeks ago I was out and about shopping and I realized I hadn't felt Bennett move all day. I got really scared so I called my doc. I went in immediately and they did a nonstress test. Baby looked great, but I was having some big contractions! My doc asked me if I could feel them and duh I just thought they were braxton-hicks! Not the case! I wasn' t dilated or effaced, so I just sent to L&D for some brethine to stop the contractions! That was the worse medicine ever. It makes your heart race and you feel so nervous and anxious! Thankfully, my contractions stopped and I got to go home! No more working for me though! I am secretly excited I don't have to work anymore....it was getting unbearable being on my feet for 12 hour shifts! Having said all that, Bennett could really come sooner than we expect! I'm just praying for a healthy baby! We are ready to meet him! His room is ready, with the exception of hanging some pictures, and i've washed all the clothes, bottles, bibs, burp clothes, etc! Caden is ready too....he is constantly talking to my belly and kissing it! I can't wait to see him interact with his baby brother.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
30 weeks+6 days!
I can't believe I only have 9 weeks or less until we meet Bennett! I've been feeling great, except for the few contractions that i've been having! We've been so busy with t-ball, school, and work that it has made the time fly by! We've almost got the nursery finished. Brandon's family is throwing us a family shower this sunday...we are so blessed! I think Caden is getting excited now that my belly is huge and there is baby stuff all around the house! At times, I am so ready to meet Bennett, but then at other times, I'm so nervous about having 2 kids! I'm just trying to soak these last few weeks up with the 3 of us! I have maternity pics friday and my 4D ultrasound tuesday! Just a quick update since I don't have much time to blog! I have a ton of pics of tball and springy stuff, so here in the next few days I'll do another post=)
my ever-expanding tummy
*I can no longer bend over, nor can I see my feet anymore!*
*He moves so much! I am definetely going to miss feeling him inside of me! I think I'm content with him staying inside because he's safe and with me always*
*I'm super paranoid with this pregnacy...working up in mother/baby and in the peds er has opened my eyes to all sorts of crazy complications! Just trying to keep the mindset...God's in control!*
*Is trying to get adjusted to the lack of sleep I get...have to get up every hour to pee! Guess God's getting me ready for the sleepless nights with Bennett*
*I can no longer bend over, nor can I see my feet anymore!*
*He moves so much! I am definetely going to miss feeling him inside of me! I think I'm content with him staying inside because he's safe and with me always*
*I'm super paranoid with this pregnacy...working up in mother/baby and in the peds er has opened my eyes to all sorts of crazy complications! Just trying to keep the mindset...God's in control!*
*Is trying to get adjusted to the lack of sleep I get...have to get up every hour to pee! Guess God's getting me ready for the sleepless nights with Bennett*
Sunday, February 27, 2011
Wrapping up my 2nd trimester
Yep, its about that time! I'm 27 weeks and 4 days pregnant today, which means in 3 days I will be in my 3rd trimester, the home stretch! This pregnancy has gone by so quickly! I know I keep saying i'm busy, but I am! I graduate from nursing school may 13th and it has been keeping me super busy, along with working! I am looking forward to this summer....no plans, just home with my two sweet babies!
Pregnancy things:
*I think i'm finally over morning sickness, its about time!
*I've gained a total of 9 lbs so far, keep in mind I lost a bunch b/c I was so sick
*Maternity clothes? Sometimes! I have maternity jeans but I can still wear regular tops and I've been wearing dresses alot!
* I have to go for my glucose test tomorrow!
*Feeling movement? Definetely! Bennett moves around all the time and I absolutely love it...makes my heart sing! He has been getting hiccups also.
* Because I'm on my feet all the time for lengthy periods, my ankles will swell at night, so i'm sporting the cankle look currently!
*Bennett is measuring right where he is supposed to...he now weighs just over 2lbs and is 15 inches long!
*Nursery is almost done! Just need to put the bedding on the crib and hang some stuff on the walls and the drapes!
*And..I'm so ready to meet this little one! I hope the next 12 1/2 weeks fly by!
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