Sabrina's Adventures

Family Happenings

Today is one of my nieces, Skylar, birthday. She is 8 years old. I am planning on taking her and Ashley to see Kung Fu Panda with my friend, Sandra and her 2 daughters tomorrow.

I think it will be a really cute/funny movie. This week has been really busy. Of course, working then both mine and my mom's sink has been dripping, so Shane replaced both of our faucets(kitchen and bath). A huge branch fell off one of my mom's trees in her front yard, so me and her cut it up last night and piled it up for our trash guys to pick up.

Diesel gets his stitches out tomorrow morning and I'm hoping he doesn't have a seizure the minute he realizes we are going to the vet. He gets really nervous when we go to the vet and it just worries me.

That's about all that has been going on in my world this week; TGIF!!!!

New photos

NOTE: I finally got around to putting some updated photos out on my flickr page.

They are mostly of the kids and Diesel playing around at the St. Elmo Playground and up at Cloudland Canyon.

Ashley's Party

Today is Ashley's Birthday Party; she will be 11 years old on Tuesday, the 22nd. We are having her party down at the Walker Pavilion at Coolidge Park. When I woke up and looked at outside, I saw that it was raining...booooo!

I don't know if it's actually raining or had been raining; but nevertheless, we will not let a little rain damper our party spirits.

Just so happen, Logan is here too. He was already down here for a family matter(mom's side), so that was good for us. He'll get to go to the party with us today.

It's funny, this year, the gifts Ashley ask for have changed. It's no more toys. The gifts have turned into things that BIG girls want. Purse, shoes, clothes....she's a girl after my own heart (which she already owns).

Shane and I did buy Logan and Ashley a gift together and then they will get an add'l individual gift on each of their birthdays. We bought them Rock Band for the XBox 360. It's really a family game because all 3 of us can play it and we love it!! Great game for that family night.

I hear the birds singing outside; so let's pray it will be a beautiful day!!

Happy Birthday, Mom

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!!

Today is my mom's birthday and we are going to lunch and a movie. This week, Logan and Alexis have been down while on Spring Break. We haven't really done a lot since I have to work, but working from home lets me start early so I can finish early.

I took Alexis, Ashley and Skylar to the playground on Easter and they seemed to have a lot of fun. Here's the 3 of them coming down the slide.

ps: Skylar had white shorts on under her dress

Our Family Tree

I've been playing around on Geni.com and have created my family tree. It's a pretty neat site and very easy to use. Just hope you remember your family information better than I do. I know dates; but not years.

Here's my family tree.

A Day in the Clouds

Since we have Logan this weekend; we decided to go up to Cloudland Canyon. One reason is that I wanted to take our engagement picture up there and also I really like it up there.

So, yesterday, we decided to take the kids(Logan, Ashley and Skylar) up there. It was really nice weather and we had fun up there. We took lots of photos and here's just one of the kids.

I think we got our engagement shot...if you want to see the picture; check out our Wedding Web page.

Collections

My sister, Donna, lives up in Westmoreland, TN and their phone company was asking for customers to submit photos of things they collect. Donna collects those brass jello molds and she has them hanging in her kitchen. Anytime my mom and I go to a yard sale, we watch for them. Donna sent in her picture of her collection and was chosen to be Ms. February..haha. My mom collects several different things but her big items are Dreamsicles. I collect Mary Moos. Our collections are so big that we don't have room in our houses for anymore. I started collected Mary Moos about 8 years ago and haven't really seen them in the store anymore.

Here's a picture of Donna's collection as Ms. February. The picture doesn't even show all of her molds. She didn't know they were going to use the photo in a calendar.

Move #1

Okay, last month was very stressful with Christmas, the death of the my sister, helping the girls all get settled into a life that no one ask for; but was handed suddenly. It’s time for them to grow up, get on with their life and make the best of it.

My niece, Amanda, found her an apartment and needed a truck to move her things. Well, guess who got chosen for that job? ME!

I spent about 6 hours on Monday moving her things to her new apartment. I’m talking Living Room and two Bedrooms full of furniture. It took us 6 hours and 4 trips. What was so bad is her apartment was in the back of the buildings with no parking lot near by. We literally had to park about a block from her actual apartment and carry furniture to it and then up 2 flights of stairs. Did I mention, I’m turning 40 on Saturday? I’m not that young anymore. It kicked my butt.

Now, just to move Ami’s things to my mom’s house and we are finished. That will take place today; but luckily it’s just two bedrooms of furniture and hopefully nothing too heavy.

What a Day

This morning, I finished decorating my Christmas tree and was planning on spending the evening wrapping presents. My mom and I took Ashley home around 2:30 and around 3:00 pm; we received a phone call from my sister, Sheryl saying that she was sick and was going to the ER. She has been having some problems for a couple of weeks now; but nothing major, so we thought.

Within 5 minutes of Sheryl calling us saying she was going to the ER; my niece, Ami called in hysterics crying that "momma died". This was an absolute shock to my mother and I. We immediately called Shane to meet us at the hospital. Once there, the ambulance came with Sheryl and was trying to revive her and we were told they were working on her.

I felt a little relieved to know they were working on her; that meant she hadn't died. About 15 minutes later, we were asked to go wait in the family room and a doctor would be in to see us. When 4 people walked thru the door; we knew the news that was about to change our lives forever.

My sister, Sheryl, passed away this afternoon. I don't know if she knew how much I truley loved her; but I did so much and I will miss her so much.

In Memory of Sheryl Ann Tatum...you'll be missed and we love you!!

Shane's Update

If I did an entry each time Shane has been going to the doctor lately; I'd be writing on a daily basis. Tomorrow he goes for a nerve block. The doctor said this "sometimes" treats the problem; but if it doesn't, it will definitely tell him where the exact problem is.

I'm guessing that if the nerve block doesn't work, then the next step is surgery. I know he is in pain; so I'm hoping the nerve block does the trick.

Please pray for him tomorrow; it is considered surgery and he will be put under general anesthesia.

Shane's Disc

No, I'm not talking about a music CD. We found out Shane has a herniated disc between the C5 and C6 vertebrae.

Let me go back a few weeks...

Shane woke up one morning with a crick in his neck. It went away but the pain in his neck and left arm was still painful. Over the weeks, it has gotten worse. He now has constant pain and his left arm, all the way down to his fingers, go numb. Finally we went to the doctor this past Tuesday. Since Tuesday, we have been to two doctors, 1 MRI and Monday, he will have an EMG/Nerve Conduction Study and then Tuesday, back to the doctor for a follow-up.

I have to say I am very surprised and pleased at how fast everything is being handled with the Thanksgiving Holidays coming up. He got a steroid shot and has 3 prescriptions: Steroid Pack, Muscle Relaxers and Pain Pills. He said he feels a little better because he knows what is actually wrong with him.

We are hoping the steroid pack will make everything better(the doctor said that is a possibility); however, if not, then he will have to have surgery.

I'll keep you updated when we go back to the doctor on Tuesday. In the meantime; please pray for Shane.

Sad News

Four years ago yesterday, we had my father's funeral/memorial service. My niece, Amanda, was 4 months pregnant and yesterday, she lost the baby. It was a little boy.

The baby will be cremated and Amanda had to name him. She named him David after my father.

So, this week will forever be a memory to the Davids that once touched our lives.

Six Flags

I haven't been to Six Flags since I was a teenager and unafraid of amusement rides; however, I've been saving Coke lids to get enough points for us to go. Us meaning Shane, Me, Ashley and Logan.

I saved enough points, 1350 to be exact, and we have tickets in hand and are going to Six Flags on Saturday.

Now that I'm older; I'm more afraid to ride the thrill seeking rides that I used to love. I'm sure Ashley and I will go on our own and ride the smaller rides that I won't have to fear for our lives about...haha

I used to love this ride that you were in a space shuttle(i think) and it went back and forth and eventually it turned you completely upside down. Now, I would ride that if they still have it.

Isn't it funny with age, your sense of fear goes up??

My Daddy

Today was the four year anniversary of my dad's death. Even though it's only been four years; I sometimes forget the date until someone reminds me. It's not that I don't think of my dad every day; it's just I don't think of the actual date he died.

I remember the day as if it was yesterday and the shock of hearing that my dad had passed away in the hospital; it was so unexpected.

An old friend of mine had this pencil drawing done of my dad after he passed away and it hangs in my living room. I look at him every day and just think about him. I have really been thinking a lot about him lately since planning my wedding.

I know my dad is also with me; I just with he was able to walk me down the aisle.

In loving memory of David Henley, my daddy.

Graduations

It's Graduation time again and I have two nieces that are graduating this year. It's funny because one is graduation pre-k and the other is graduating high school. Alexis is just starting her school life and Ami is finishing hers; well, she has college next.

Tonight is Ami's graduation from Howard High School and Alexis' graduation was this past week but they live out of town so I didn't go to hers. Here is a post-graduation picture of Alexis. That's her sister, Kaylea, in the background.

Bad News

I haven't blogged about this, even though, it's been going on since last year. Shane's mother, Glenda, is very sick. Last year, she started having some problems with swelling and then some female problems also. She went to the ER and it really didn't seem like a big deal.

Well, she continued to swell in her abdomen and she'd have to go to the hospital to have it drained. This happened for about 2-3 months. She never would really say what was wrong. She told us that her liver was going bad and she had female problems; but nothing really specific.

At Christmas time, she was put back in the hospital and we finally learned that she needed a new liver and she had cervical cancer. Come to find out, she has had cervical cancer for the past 2 years and never told anyone.

About 2 weeks ago, they had to put her in a nursing home and they told us she had 2 weeks to live. I'm really still confused as to what is really wrong with her; but they keep her on morphine for the pain so she really isn't coherent when we go see her.

Shane is having a hard time visiting her because he doesn't want to remember her being in a nursing home. I understand this somewhat; but I think he should go see her.

I try to go see her once a week. I saw her last night and she didn't know who I was and she kept thinking Shane was there and saying his name. I told him this when I got home last night so he is going to see her Saturday.

So, please pray for Glenda and Shane's family during this difficult time.

Great Deal = Mom's Birthday Present

I love a great deal and I love finding them. I get all excited and just think it's so great when I find a great deal.

Well, let me back up a little. My mom is the type of person that when you ask her what she wants for Christmas or her birthday, she always says, "Don't get me anything; I don't need anything". Well, this past Christmas, she said that and you know you hate to not get her anything; so I got her a wireless door bell. Her house has never had a doorbell and sometimes she doesn't hear if someone knocks on her door. She loved it too!!!

Well, her birthday is in March and once again, I have to rack my brain to think of something that she would really need. My mom has never had a cell phone and I really think she needs one. She travels a a lot and I want to get her at least a prepaid one.

So, here I go looking on the internet for the best deal. On dealking.com, Cingular has a prepaid Go Phone for just $29.99 a month and you get $20 cash back when you go thru dealking.com. I know she doesn't need anything elaborate or a lot of minutes. This is definitely something to think about in the next month for her.

this is a sponsered post

End of the Year Troubles

If you read my blog then you know our family has had lots of things happen this year. We've had several deaths in the family this year and then I had a miscarriage back in July. Not a good year at all to be honest.

Well, we only have 7 days left in 2006 and last night, our family had another tragedy come.

My youngest brother has been going thru a divorce(that he didn't want) and last night, he just went too far. I won't go into specific details; but he ended up in the hospital with us not knowing if he was going to make it thru the night.

He is doing better today and is finally awake; but please prayer for my brother and my family as we go thru this very difficult phase of his life.

I'm hoping he'll grow up this Christmas and realize how much his life is worth to himself, his child and his family.

Living w/ HBP

This is a sponsored post

High Blood Pressure (HBP) runs in my family. My father had it, my mother and sisters have it; so I wasn't surprised when my doctor told me I had it over 10 years ago. The only thing that surprised me was that she only took it one time and decided I had HBP. I took the medicine for about 10 years until last year when I started dieting. It was my main goal to lose enough weight to get off HBP medicine.

Every time I went to my current family doctor, my blood pressure was never high. When I mentioned to him about coming off my medicine, he always said that the reason it was never high was because I was on medicine. Well, I had lost 50 lbs at the time so I took myself off my medicine and then when I went to him, my blood pressure wasn't high and I then told him I wasn't on medicine. I am now, officially, off my HBP medicine.

My mom, however, is not. She actually has to take 2 types of medicine for hers and often, one of the pills makes her feel weird and makes her hallucinate during the night time.

She has lost weight also but I wish she could come off her medicines too. I did some research on the web and found a natural medicine that is a non-prescription for blood pressure. Hyperestol reducing high blood pressure naturally.

It's not supposed to have the side effects that come along with prescription medicine and is all natural. This is something I will tell my mom about and see if she is interested in trying it.

Newest Addition to the Family

Jailynn is my newest great niece. She was born on July 18th and is 3 months old; however, I hadn't had an opportunity to get pictures for here until now. I'm up at my sisters in Westmoreland, TN and I got some great pictures, but this video is so cute. Meet Jailynn Marie talking to her great aunt(me) and her great-granny(my mom)......

How Much Help is a 30-day Visit?

I'm the type of person that if I want to talk about something; I will, no matter where. I'm not that type that just keeps hush-hush about some things.

One of my brothers(I have 3) is going thru a divorce and I hate because they have a child. My brother hurt his back and has had back surgery and got addicted to painkillers. For anyone that has been around someone that does drugs, whether legal or illegal drugs; it's not fun.

I, personally, have never like painkillers. Whenever I have surgery, I never even get the prescription filled for them. I'm a very strong person and can deal with the pain, if any.

Not every is that lucky. Some people get addicted to painkillers and it's near impossible to get off them. The doctors don't help either. They just keep prescribing them to the patient knowing how addictive they are. My brother has been to a pyschiatric hospital for drug detox, but I don't think it helped all the much.

I wish there was a place around Chattanooga like Meditox. The Meditox Method allows a patient, while under the supervision and care of medical experts in addiction, to withdraw from substance dependency as they continue to work or study.

Alot of people would probably be more willing to try to kick the habit if they could do it and still work or go on in their life without being in a Rehab Center for a 30-day visit.

I'm praying that all works out for my brother and his family. Please keep him in your prayers.

Family Update

Just wanted to keep you updated about everything going in with the family.

1) Shane is doing great and his new teeth look great. He's in a little discomfort; however overall, he is doing good. He goes back Monday to get his sutures out. Then, once the swelling goes down, he'll have to have his partial adjusted.

2) Ashley went skating last weekend and broke her arm. She fell and tried to catch herself and ended up breaking her arm near her wrist. She got her cast today and is doing really well.

3) I'm still sick; but now my throat is better, just moved on to my nose. I have that stuffy, sneezing, itchy nose. NYQUIL is my best friend at night though.

4) For the last 2 weeks, I haven't lost any weight. I haven't gained any either though. Hopefully, next week, I'll lose some.

That's about all that is happening for this week in my life.

New Smile/New Season

Shane's dentist appointment went well today. He is home sleeping and his new smile looks great.

He doesn't have much swelling at all and he doesn't seem to be in too much pain.

Next weekend is the reunion and I'll definitely post a picture of us all dressed up.

Also, I can tell the season is changing....

1) Leaves are falling from my trees
2) I have a bad cold, which includes sore throat, earache and stuffy nose

Everytime the seasons change, I have a cold that seems to last a month.

Shane's Dentist Appt.

Shane has a dentist appointment in the AM to get "7" teeth pulled and a partial. He is nervous about this, yet also excited.

He's had problems with his teeth in the past but has never been able to do anything about it.

Well, tomorrow, he will have a new smile and I'm so happy for him.

Your smile shows confident and I think it's very important for everyone to have a great smile and be able to laugh and smile without being self-conscious.

Once he gets home and the swelling, if any, goes down; I will definitely post a new picture on here of me and him and you will see him smiling with his mouth open.

A New Car

Shane's father asked me to post his car for sale on the classified at work. When he read me the ad it was this:

1996 Nissan Altima, 5-speed, 196000 miles, in great working order. Minor cosmetic damage. Brand new tires and brakes all around.

Price $1000.00.

I went ahead and posted it, but then checked with my sister to see if she wanted it.

SOLD!!!

My sister got a new car, which she was in desperate need of, and Shane's father got some money.

Good for all.

This year just got worse

My father was married to my step-mother for 28 years before he passed away. When my father died, I changed my view of my step-mother somewhat because she was really nice about the funeral. She made sure to include my father's first children; me and my 2 sisters. I wondered when my father died, did that mean she was no longer my step-mother? How does that work when your parent passes away and they are still married to your step-parent?

It's always been an understanding that if anything ever happened to my stepmom that Ashley would live with me. I have helped raise her since the first weekend of her life. As I've said before, she has her own bedroom at my house and she would be well taken care of.

This past weekend, everything just blew up with Ashley and my stepmom, Liz. She let my step-brother, Kevin and his wife take Ashley. In order to try to control her and get her on a schedule and get something constant in her life.

You can't imagine how much this hurt me. I love Ashley like she is my own child. It broke my heart when I heard that Liz let Kevin take her for "a while". That just proved to me that Liz never cared about me or my feelings. Yes, we got into a little argument during the blow up but still. I tried to make peace and she just totally ignored me like I didn't exist.

I guess once your parent dies, the step-parent isn't your parent anymore and she just proved that point this past weekend to me.

This past weekend was so uncalled for and yet it effected so many lives and broke some hearts. I hope everything works out for everyone involved, but our lifes will never be the same nor the feelings that once was felt for one another.

Really Bad Year

This has been a really bad year for me and my family. One of my cousins was killed in an automobile accident last night. She was 20 years old.

Below is a link to the story:

Hixson Pike Crash

Please keep us in your prayers.

Did I Say I Wanted Children?

This past weekend, we went up to my sister's house because my nephew and his girlfriend had their baby. Guess what? Another girl. Jailynn Marie, 7 lbs. 10.5 oz. 21 inches long.

Well, being such a family oriented person; my mom and I decided to bring back Alexis (4) and Stephanie (19) back to Chattanooga for a week. My sister and her boyfriend bought a house so we were going back up there this weekend to see it.

On top of having Alexis and Stephanie, we had Ashley Monday; then today we had Skylar and Ashley. By the way, all of these are my nieces.

After today, I about pulled my hair out. You have to realize that Ashley and Skylar are only children and they semi play well with others. Ashley is bossy and Skylar is shy and Alexis is moody. Stephanie is old enough to behave. haha

I know it would be different with my own child or am I just thinking that in order to NOT talk myself out of having a child. You notice I say, "a child"? Lord willing, 1 will definitely be enough for me.

I'm almost 40 and I would be estatic if I could just have 1 and very thankful.

So even though weeks like this sometimes turn me against having children, I still want "a" child.

Easter Egg Hunt

Tomorrow, we are having an Easter Egg Hunt at my house. I can't wait, I love doing things like this with my family. This is Giada's first Easter and even though she can't find eggs, she will be included. Here is her 1st Easter picture.

In Loving Memory of David Henley

The best description of the life of David Henley is to offer a description of the family blanket of flowers adoring his resting place. This blanket of flowers consist of 57 red roses, one for each year of marriage to his devoted wife Fleda Mitchell Henley, who preceded him in death. Nested among the bed of red roses are 7 yellow roses representing each of his seven surviving children. 1 white rose for his eldest son, David E. Henley, who preceded him in death. Adding sparkles of joy to the arrangement, just as his grandchildren added joy to his life, are 19 pink carnations representing each of his grandchildren, along with 23 white daisies representing each of his great-grandchildren bringing elegant grace to this arrangement. 11 yellow spider mums represents the great-great-grandchildren in his life. Hundres of tiny blossoms from Baby's Breath put the finishing touches to the arrangement, just as hundreds of neighbors and friends completed his life.

The man that nicknamed me Bean

My papaw nicknamed me Bean when I was a little girl. Not alot of people know my nickname; but for those that do, that is where I got it from.

Growing up, not alot of people even called me that; but my papaw and some of my aunts and uncles. My mom and dad didn't call me that; but when David and Tonia, my brother and his late wife, had Ashley they started calling me Bean again. Ashley and Skylar call me Bean all the time now.

Now the reason for this story.

Shane and I had gone out last night and sometime throughout the evening, I received a voicemail from one of my sisters. I didn't listen to it, I just called her back.

She said around 1:00 pm, Saturday, Feb 18th; my papaw passed away.

My papaw was 83 years old and had been sick within the last year after he had a heart attack. He never fully recovered from that and had to be put in a Siskin Hospital.

I spoke with my aunt and she said that Friday, Siskin had called her and said his vital signs were dropping and they didn't think he would make it. My aunt said they went to see him and he had slipped into a coma; but they were able to wake him once and he tried to say something, but didn't.

She said he went peacefully.

I know he is better off being with the Lord because he was so sick; but I still miss him even though I didn't see him alot. He was my papaw and I loved him.

I will miss you Papaw and give my Daddy a great big hug & kiss when you see him.

Not a Very Good Day, Part II

Yesterday Shane's dad called him and told him that his cousin's wife had been in a terrible wreck on I-24 near Nashville. Here is the news story.

Well, after dinner; Shane's dad called us and told us that Kandy didn't make it and she had passed away this afternoon.

I didn't personally know her; but my thoughts and prayers are with her family and Shane's family.

You know how you hear death comes in 3; well, there has been 2 just today and so now I hold my breath hoping I don't have to hear about number 3.

Not a Very Good Day

When I got home today; I saw that my sister and neices and great niece were at my mom's house. So, of course, I had to go by to play with the baby. She is almost 4 months old and precious.

Anyway, when I walked in; my mom said she thinks something has happened to one of her best friends, Rosemary. She said they were supposed to work a show at Memorial today and Rosemary didn't show up. Rosemary is in charge of the shows and is great at making money for Memorial. After my mom finished working; she went by Rosemary's house. Her car was there, so mom knocked on the door. No answer. She walked around the outside of her house and didn't see anything. When she got home, she called the lady in charge of the Volunteers at Memorial and they took an ambulance to Rosemary's house.

After my mom told me this, I really wanted to go over to Rosemary's and see what was going on myself; but I didn't. We got a phone call and was told that they found Rosemary in her bed and she had passed away.

Sometimes Rosemary could get on your nerves because she talked all the time, non-stop; however, you couldn't help but like her. She was an only child and both her parents had passed away many many years ago. She really didn't have any family; but I know she had friends.

I hope she knew how much she was loved.

Kids Say the Darndest Things, Part II

Sunday, I had just finished walking around my neighborhood(lots of hills) and had came in, got undressed to take a shower and laid on the bed a few minutes under the ceiling fan to get cooled off.

My niece, Ashley, called stating she was bored and wanted to come over. I tried to explain it was 7 at night and I was just about to get a shower and rest for the evening. She didn't care, she wanted to come over. So, I then told her that I had just finished walking and was about to take a shower and laying naked on the bed. She said, "No, you aren't". I was like, yes I am. She asked me where Shane(my boyfriend) was? I said, "He is in the computer room". She said, "Good, because he doesn't need to see you naked".

I just thought that was funny because she knows we live together as boyfriend and girlfriend and knows we sleep in the same bed. I guess she doesn't understand the rest; which is a good thing since she's only 8.

IT'S A GIRL!!!!!

It's official, "IT'S A GIRL!!!"

Giada Michele Henley was born on October 6, 2005 @ 5:40 pm. She weighs 7 lbs. 2 oz. and is 19 inches long.

My niece had a really easy time once she started dilating. She only had to push 2 times and the doctor didn't even make it on time.

Giada is really cute; she looks just like her mommy, Amanda.

Here is a picture of here and you can see more pictures on Flickr down below. Of course, I'll have more pictures later also. These pictures were right after she was born. I'll take more today and I'm sure she'll have changed.

CONGRATULATIONS, AMANDA!!!!

Today is the Day!!

We still have no baby; however, Dr. Boyd told my niece that somehow she is having this baby today. Either she'll go into labor or they will do a C-section. He said he won't let her go past 3 days of doing nothing. So, by tonight, we should have a baby.

I'll let you know tomorrow.

No Baby Yet

Well, so far, no baby yet. Amanda is still in the hospital doing nothing. She hasn't dilated any, her cervix isn't softening or anything. Her contractions aren't even barely on the ricter scale. She said she can feel them, but they can't anything.

They even put the gel in last night and still nothing yet.

If she is anything like her mother(my sister), she'll never go into labor. My sister never even had the first contraction with either of her children. She ended up having C-Sections.

I'll keep you posted as the soon as I know more.

A New Life Begins....

My niece, Amanda, is pregnant. She is due October 6th; however, as I write this, she is on her way to the hospital to be induced. This will be my 3rd great-niece. Yes, I said niece again. In my family, we have all girls; except for my 1 nephew, Jason, who is 22.

Our family has very strong genes and all the babies look alike. That is all the babies up until my other 2 great-nieces. They favor their mother alot. I guess the further down the line we go, the weaker our genes become.

With that said, I'm anxious to see what this baby will look like. Her name will be Giada Michele. The first name is what my mother picked out because she loves Giada De Laurentiis, a chef on the Food Network. The name is pronounced Gee-ada. Of course, I'm sure alot of people will pronounce it Jada, which I'm probably one of those people...haha

Anyway, hopefully, we will have a baby today or tonight. I hope all goes well for Amanda and the baby.

I'll let you know tomorrow, hopefully, and have pictures!!!

Noah's 1st Birthday

This is Noah, my brother's baby.

Look at those eyes. Yesterday was his 1st Birthday and his party was today. He is so cute and getting so big. The best part of a 1st Birthday is to see how the baby handles his cake. He didn't need any help whatsoever, he dug right in and enjoyed.

This is how Noah looked enjoying his 1st Birthday Cake.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, NOAH!!!

love,
Aunt Bean

In Memory Of...

Today would have been my Daddy's 62nd Birthday. He passed away 2 years ago and I miss him very much. I was Daddy's Little Girl and I found this poem and one part of it described my feelings for my Daddy.

"It hurts me more than words can say that God took you away
For in my heart you will live on forever and a day.

When the time comes for me to go I know I won't be sad
Because once again I'll get to say, I really love you Dad."