Winter Wonderland

Every year the kids and I always get excited for a big snow. Kennedy has dreams of the biggest, most elaborate snowman. Wes is ready for an all out snowball war! You know the old cliche, be careful what you wish for. . . . .

Nothing Like A Snow Day

There is nothing like an unexpected snow day. We went to bed last night with just a little dusting that wasn't supposed to amount to anything. We woke up with just enough snow to play in. Nothing like wet mittens, cold feet, and exhausted kids!

Happy Birthday Baby Girl

I'm feeling a little nostalgic today. Kennedy is officially 8 years-old. I just can't believe it. We just blinked and she's no longer a chubby little baby (and chubby she was). John and I laughed last night about the night she was (supposed to be) born. He had a football banquet so he took me to my parents so he could make a quick appearance. My parents took Wes and I to the hospital to get checked in. Since Wesley was almost ten pounds we decided that we would have Kennedy at 38 weeks so like her brother, she was induced. We knew nothing would happen until the next day so everybody was pretty relaxed. Of course the day we scheduled to have our daughter was the day that St. Mary's and Welborn hospitals merged. What a disaster! Long story made short, she didn't come for another two days. We watched it snow, melt, snow again. We changed rooms 3 times, the last time at 3 am with me and Ken in a wheelchair with everything piled on top of us. Everything that could go wrong (excluding actual medical problems, including the epidural locked up and no one had a key) did. I remember John was so stressed out. St. Mary's had talked up these brand new birthing suites. The big thing was that they had put DVD players in the rooms. Well, we didn't get a fancy suite or a DVD player. We got a closet with no heat! John had had enough after they failed to put his name on her birth certificate (someone told them we weren't married). He stood in the hall and yelled "I want my DVD player!" We got one, rolled in on a cart. I don't even remember if we had a movie to watch. What we got, that was even better, was Kennedy. She has been such exasperating joy since the day we brought her home. She was an easy baby, good sleeper, good eater (she was saving up). It's amazing what you see in your children's eyes. I see so much hope, and life in her. I see all my dreams coming true. Sometimes I see a mirror (sorry that I was difficult Mom). Mostly, I see Kennedy, our daughter, our dream come true! Thank you, God, for Kennedy. Happy Birthday baby girl!

It's A Whole New Year

The holidays have come and gone again. They just seem to come around quicker and quicker every year. Overall 2008 wasn't really that great for us. We started the year off losing John's dad on Jan. 21,from there I was just about bedridden until late June when I had my second back surgery. It didn't really pick up from there. I am grateful that we both got new jobs this year. But due to the economy we didn't really get to enjoy the additional income. We just kind of stayed on an even keel.

I don't really do well with the New Year's holiday. It makes me sad to see another year pass. I don't like that about myself. I'm trying to do better, and look at all the positive things happening in our lives. We have our health and and children and each other. That is all that really matters, isn't it! So I'm going to start this new year with a big kiss from Kennedy. I have hope that 2009 is going to be much, much better.