Just a few more weeks!

Til Jayden arrives and Geri has been busy.
She has been designing, quilting, sewing cutting, tying and painting.
Creating the perfect atmosphere to bring her little boy home to.
Projects that are still in the works, include a handpainted, plaid piggy bank to match his theme and a hand crocheted baby afgan (after, I teach her how to crochet, that is).
In the mean time she has completed a beautiful bed set, including a custom designed quilt and pillow sham, custom made bumper pads, a hand tied no-sew blanket, three large flannel recieving blankets, a special satin-lined, feather soft, coming home blanket and a wall hanging to match her Winnie-the-Pooh theme, spelling out the baby's name, in hand painted letters with hand painted accent characters.
I think Jayden has a very creative Mom.
What a lucky little man.

Eating Cheese Puffs

We've been busy!

Geri is home for a little while.
Her baby boy is due to come into the world in a few weeks.
We spent the entire week-end, last week-end sewing and organizing everything she is going to need. We had a great time designing and creating a custom quilt and bedset. Winnie the Pooh, of course. Geri loves Pooh Bear and wanted him for her baby's theme.
We are not quite finished yet but, if she happened to have her baby tomorrow, we are ready.
She went to the doctor Tues. and he seems to think she will go late.
That's okay because Great-grandma Margaret's birthday is the 14th and she wants a new great-grandson for her birthday. They are going to try to come to Texas again for Thanksgiving or Christmas. I hope it works out where they can. I would love to cook for a crowd.

We finished the room on the back before Brian left and got Aaron moved in. He really likes it. He has a LOT of privacy and per his request, no windows, so it is really dark in there. He says he could sleep forever and never realize it is daytime out there.

Christian had his first experience with cheese puffs yesterday. He was so funny. He was trying to eat them 2 or 3 at a time. The more we put on his tray, he more he tried to pick up at once. He usually enjoys eating but that was a party. Tish and I laughed so much at his antics and of course he joined in. He is such a happy little guy and anyone laughing makes him laugh, too.
He is getting so independent. He tries to hold the spoon and feed himself and he tries to hold his sippy cup himself. It's getting harder to feed him baby food. He really likes things he can pick up and feed himself.What a monkey!

Tish has been trying to spend time with Chase while he is on leave. She is taking pictures of Christian with Chase's camera so he will have them when he goes back to Kuwait.

In the mean time, Jerry and I have been working hard to get things in order for a trip in October. Jerry is buying me a kayak. We are going to an event together. I am excited about spending time with my best buddy all alone. I know, he thinks he is a great fisherman and if you read his blog, you will agree with him. But that is only because I haven't been lately. I CAN outfish him and I plan on proving it in October.

Well, it's time to cook dinner for my crew and I don't want Jerry to catch me bragging so I'm outta here. Hope I got you all caught up!

A Quick Summary!

I am about to have a very full house!
Geri is moving back home for a little while.
We will also have another little boy in the house, in just a few weeks.
Two grandsons to spoil and to love.
Two daughters at home to dote on and sew for.

A house full of people to cook for.

I firmly and adamantly believe that God puts His children, where He needs them to be, when He needs them to be there. I further believe that He has a plan for our lives and He knows what to do ALL THE TIME.
I believe that God knew that Geri was going to need her Dad and me and that we needed her, I believe that He arranged certain circumstances in our lives in order for us to do what we need to do.
I believe that He is always looking out for us.

Thank you Lord for helping our family to begin to heal.
Thank you for giving me back my zest for life.
Thank you for giving me back my hope.
I will always praise you! Amen.

Love this Pic!

Here is my "Yakin' Honey" in his new ride!
I love this picture.
He loves his new kayak!

Beautiful Pictures

Just a few really good ones!
I can't wait to get the prints on my desk at work!

A Great Visit!

Geri and Brian came over this evening. We had a wonderful visit. We got a few wrinkles ironed out and we went to the little Mexican food restaurant in Anna and had dinner.
Brian is still an outrageous clown. He kept us all laughing throughout dinner.
Aaron also went, Tish had a meeting after work and went to dinner afterwards with some coworkers so she couldn't go with us. Christian was there however and managed to charm the waitress. She didn't even realize he was with us until she brought the check. He was so good. He always is.
Of course he smiled and laughed for her, that always works. He is going to be such a charmer when he is older.
After dinner, we came back to the house and visited a little more.
It started getting late and we all have to get up early in the morning, so they didn't stay too long, but it was sure good to see them.
Geri looks great.
She is due to have her baby boy in September.
We had to tease Brian a little bit.
I am so glad they came and we got to talk. I missed Geri a lot.

Thank You Lord, for helping us to find our way back together. I love all my children and grandchildren and it has been a real burden on my heart. I know that You know my greatest desires and that You are always there to give me the strength and patience to make it through anything. Thank You for answered prayers. Amen.

Just because, it is sooo sweet!

Stylin'

Stylin' in his shades, a few days ago. And today, he is sportin' a brand new tooth!
Exactly 6 months old.
What a little man, we have on our hands.

He had dinner this evening and we gave him a teething biscuit.
He hasn't quite mastered putting something in his mouth, well, except for his fingers, but he did lean forward and put his little mouth around the biscuit.

Every day is a new experience, a new discovery, a new expression, a new joy.

Busy Day!

I got a lot accomplished today, at home.
I still have a lot to do.
I am going to rearrange the living/dining room areas in the house.
"Little man" is getting bigger and needs room to play.
He is not only outgrowing his clothes, he is outgrowing sharing a room with Mommy.
Although his crib and clothes will stay in Mommy's room, we are trying to set up a day area for him to play. All of his toys and other baby essentials will be in that area.
I am giving up my sewing/craft area, but that is okay.
Tomorrow is the day to get that project rolling along.

Tomorrow evening, after Jerry leaves for work, I am going my office (I love saying,"My office") to get it set up and in order.
I got a fridge and a microwave, they are black/stainless just like my stove and fridge at home, isn't that cool.
I have a new partner at work. She does MCD and I do MCR. She is really very nice and so far we get along great. Her office is right next to mine.
Our corporate consultant was in last week to give us some training, this week we are on our own. SCARY!
I'm confidant that we will do just fine(???)

Oh yeah, Christian's first week at day care went by surprisingly well.
I was a little worried that I had managed to spoil him beyond the point of no return, but his sitter thinks he is terrific and they spoil him just as bad as I did, so there.
He seems to be really enjoying the interaction with other children and I think it is good for him to be around other children.
Although we all would like to keep our babies, babies for a while, I think I may have been babying my grandson a little too much. Being around other kids will give him an opportunity to develop good social skills as well as learn to play on his own.
Tish is also well satified with the choice we made. That is what really counts.


My life is going along so great now, I am so happy.

There is absolutely nothing sweeter,

than having the little cherub that lives in my house plant an unexpected, wet, sloppy, "I need a towel", open-mouthed, drool-drenched kiss on whatever part of your face he can reach.
Then squeal with delight as you laugh out loud.
What a joy!!!

I think we are ready

We met with Christian's new sitter, today.
Christian was his charming, little social self and soon had her totally in love.
He managed to charm Trina, her husband and her 4 boys with his constant smiling, wiggling and jumping.
Tish and I spent the evening getting all his stuff ready for tomorrow. We tried to make sure we didn't forget anything. Bottles, formula, diapers, wipes, clean clothes, burp cloths, bibs, blankets, toys, baby food, cereal, bowls, spoons, diaper cream, sun screen, lotion, his jumperoo, socks.... I hope we got everything. I am sure Trina will let us know if there is something else she might need. We put together a list of emergency contacts, Tish made out a feeding schedule, and we told her everything we could think of, to make her day with Christian, go a little easier.
Christian is very social and loves people, especially small children, so I am sure all will go well. He is not used to a quiet environment, noise will not bother him.
I did tell her he is a bit spoiled. She totally understands that. After all, he has been cared for by his Grandpa and Grandma, during the day, for the last 3 1/2 months and his Mommy before that.
Trina is an experienced child care provider and has a home based child care business, she has only two or three other children that she currently cares for. Christian is the only infant.
I am afraid he will be even more spoiled.

Now, I am trying to decide what I want to take with me tomorrow, to start setting up my office.
I think I will just take a few things this time and by Saturday, I hope to have everything in place.
Tomorrow, I will be mainly, getting acclimated to all the new people. We have a new Administrator and most of the Administrative staff has recently changed. Although I already know most of them, I have not worked with them in this atmosphere. I will be meeting the Administrator for the first time tomorrow and he is my immediate supervisor. I will not be involved with the clinical end of things anymore. I have not seen my office recently. Last time I was in there, Cindy was the occupant. How strange that feels!

Anyway, tomorrow begins a lot of major changes in our house.

Thank you Lord for all the blessings. Thank you for helping us find someone who is caring and trustworthy to care for Christian. Thank you for leading us to the right people to cover my vacancy on the night shift so I could start my new job. Thank you for always being there and always answering my prayers. I realize that even if the answer is "no" or "not yet" something good always follows. You are always faithful. Amen.

I just got home

from working my last night shift.
Hopefully, tomorrow, I will start my new position.
I am so excited.
It is going to be an intense job, but it is a fufilling and interesting job.
I can't wait to get started.....

Did you know?

That looking at stuff upside down in quite interesting, that you can turn yourself upside down by leaning backwards while sitting in Mommy's lap, that thumbs taste much better while you are upside down. Christian knows!

Watching him discover new things is so much fun.
Even little things are so exciting to him.

The joys of hanging upside down is a new discovery, we almost couldn't get him to stop.




What a great world this would be if we could all wake up from our nap with this look on our face and spend the day hanging upside down.

I can't believe it! But, it's true!

Recently, our MCR Coordinator turned in her notice, our MCD/MDS Coordinator also quit.
I was in the MCD position until Christian was born. The day after his birth, I returned to the floor as a charge nurse. To make a long story short, it was not my idea and I was very confused and upset by the change. I loved my job and would have stayed there forever.
After a few management changes, there was a position for ADON. I have all the right qualifications, the ability and the knowledge to take on that position. I applied for it. Someone else got it. Again, I was confused but not really upset this time.
When the MCR and MCD positions became available, numerous coworkers encouraged me to apply for one of them. I adamantly refused to try for either one of these positions. I just didn't want to get my hopes up to be let down again. Even when the Administrator suggested that I put in my application, I declined. I really did not want to go through that anxiety of waiting and being passed over again. I explained that to her. I told her that I could be interested but I would not ask for it, if they wanted me for one of those positions, they could call me.

THEY CALLED!

Thursday, I got a phone call from the administrator and our corporate consultant, ASKING ME to come in and talk with them about the MCR Coordinator opening. Oh my gosh! I was absolutely stunned. I cannot explain the feelings. I was happy to be asked, I was confused about why they called me, I was concerned that this was "For real" and not just the politically correct thing to do.
I asked the administrator, "Is this real or are you playing with me again?"
This is real, the corporate consultant and I really want to talk to you about this job.
I gather up Christian and got ready, we headed to Denison for Grandma to interview for her dream job.
When we got there, Christian certainly did his best to make a good impression. He flirted with every one who looked at him. He was so adorable that when we sat down in the office the corporate nurse was so busy adoring Christian that she barely looked at me.
I spent the entire interview hearing about what a great employee, I am. I was told that I have everything they are looking for to fill this spot. Organization, Focus, The ability to work without supervision, knowledge of the systems, knowledge of the regulations, knowledge of the computer programs, good communication skills, a positive work attitude, a great work ethic.
Wait a minute, I thought you were going to interview me.
At the end of the interview, I was told that they were interviewing at least one other person. O.K.
Friday afternoon, I got the phone call. I GOT THE POSITION!!!
Monday through Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., All major holidays off with pay, my own office, with a door and an outside window. I am my own boss. I am responsible for a major portion of the income for the facility. The only person in the facility that is above me is the Administrator.

I feel vindicated. I feel a huge boost in my ego. People are tellling me that I look happy. One CNA told me that if I didn't quit smiling, she was going to quit looking at me.
I just cannot explain what it means to me, to have this happen.
I didn't ask for it, I waited, several other people have done the job since I was moved out of it. They didn't do it right. To have your supervisors admit to making a mistake and asking you to come back, not to your old position but to the position higher than yours. To tell you how great you are. It is just an incredible feeling. Plus it comes with almost $500.00 a month pay increase.

Thank You, Lord for hearing me. I know that You look after and protect your children. Thank You for keeping my faith strong throughout this trial and for the reward for my faith.
I am truly blessed. I AM TRULY BLESSED!!!!

What a Happy Boy!

The everyday faces of Christian!
Rarely, does our "Little Man" have anything other than a big smile on his face. He is such a joy to take care of and so sweet.
He is as free with the hugs and kisses as he is with the smiles.
He is developing quite a little personality and it is really easy to tell what he likes and doesn't like.
Grandpa and I are totally and completely smitten with him.
So is his Uncle Aaron.
He is very talkative and loves to play with his toys, Grandpa, being his favorite bouncing toy.
What a pretty little face.
What a darling baby.
I am afraid he is going to be so spoiled that Great-Grandma will be able to smell him in Shreveport, but as I explained to his Mommy, "What do you expect when he spends his whole day Monday through Friday, with Grandma and Grandpa?"

The Lord has blessed us in so many ways with this baby. I am thankful for each and every day I get to spend with him. I am thankful for Tish being so tolerate of my advice and maybe, sometimes, well meant but intrusive assistance.
She is such a sweet girl and she knows how much we love this little cherub.

Thank you Lord, for all of my blessings. I can never feel lonely or depressed with Jerry, Aaron, Tish and Christian in my life. I always have something joyful to come home to. I always feel loved.

P.S. Note the T-shirt!

Magic Grandpa!

Christian is a wonderful baby. He is always happy and really very easy to care for. Having said that, he is just a baby. At 5 months old, he requires a lot of interaction, love and attention. He gets it. That is why he is a happy baby.
Friday, I was exhausted. I had worked all night Thursday night and was up all day Friday with Christian. He wasn't fussy, he just didn't want to go to sleep.
By the time, Grandpa got home. I was worn out. I still had an errand to run, so I left "Little Man" with Grandpa while I ran my errand.
I had not slept all day. Christian had not slept all day.

This is what I returned home to.
What in the world did Grandpa do that I didn't do?
Apparantly he took a bottle and fell fast asleep with Grandpa, no problem.








Ah, but when I get home and move him to his bed,

very carefully,

don't jiggle him.

hold my breath and ease him into the crib.

He doesn't wake up.

Still barely breathing,I move carefully over to the couch to take a nap.
It's 4 p.m. and I have to go to work at 9 p.m.
I lay down, put my head on the pillow, close my eyes and

WAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!!!!

Grandpa is laughing.
I really didn't worry about it too much.
I got up, picked the baby up, gave him kisses, handed him to Grandpa (who is still laughing), told Grandpa to wake me up at 8:30, went in my room, shut the door, curled up on my bed and promptly went to sleep.
Yeah, for Grandpa. Who's laughing now?

Tired!!!!

The last two days at work have been KILLER!
So many things are changing. Our new DON is trying to make things better, but they are just getting more confusing.
Combine that with new employees and people who don't know what they are doing and don't understand English and it makes for a really difficult day (or long night).
I haven't gotten away from work on time in so long now, it's hard to remember that my shift is over at 6 a.m.

Soap Box Time:

1) If you don't understand what is being said, DON'T SAY, "O.K."

It's just plan STUPID to pretend that you understand, if you don't.
So many non-english speaking people will answer as if they know and understand you and then go on their merry way and promptly ignore what you just told them.
I HATE THAT. I am very patient explaining what I need to explain. Just let me know you didn't understand. We'll both be much happier. Especially when it is MY license you are messing around with.

2) If you know someone has to wait until you relieve them before they can leave,
SHOW UP ON TIME!!!!!

It's disrespectful and extraordinarily rude to make someone who has put in their 9 hours, wait until you feel like getting to work.It's really not my fault you don't like to get up early, or your alarm clock doesn't work or your day care doesn't open before you're supposed to be at work.
I work the shift,that I do in order to avoid those issues. I leave my house early enough to still get to work on time if I have a flat tire or have to detour around an accident.
It takes me 30 minutes to get to work, I give myself an hour. No one ever has to wait on me.

3) If you're going to call in sick, do it early enough that your shift can be covered. Don't wait until it's time to show up.

I am really tired of having to stay 20, 30 45 minutes to an hour over (or longer) because of inconsiderate people. I am really raking in some cash putting in overtime hours that I didn't agree to work.

Is there anyone out there with, what used to be called, "Work Ethic" anymore or have we all decided we are entitled to inconvenience other people because someone inconvenienced us at some point in time.

If you have a job, if you like to get paid, if you want to be respected at work, be respectable. Yes, I meant to say, RESPECTABLE!
Do the right thing. Not just what feels good at the time.

Okay, I'm done, and "Little Man" has fallen asleep in my lap. Nap time for Grandma, until the next bottle, anyway.

Y'all be nice to each other. It doesn't cost anything and it makes the world a much happier place!

What a great trip!

Aaron and I had a wonderful time on our trip together. It was so good to be able to spend some time with him, just the two of us. I don't think there was a topic of conversation that we didn't touch on during our 4 1/2 hour drive out there and 4 1/2 hour drive home. I got an opportunity to become re-aquainted with my terrific son. I am so very proud of him. He has become a really impressive young man.
We left the house at about 7 a.m. We stopped in Lindale at Cracker Barrel for breakfast. We arrived at Mom's around 11:30. Not too bad for a morning drive. The traffic was good all the way there and we spent the morning laughing and talking about the "growing up years".
When we got there, Aaron got to be reintroduced to the other side of the family. Frankie was in "top clown" mode and he showed off the whole time we were there. Aaron is convinced that he knows why his mother has mental defects. It's hereditary.
He loved his Uncle Frankie, Aunt Beth, and his Grandparents and of course his Great Grandma.
He and Beth talked for hours, he definitely impressed his Uncle, who thinks he is a, "fine young man".
And his Grandma thinks he is just wonderful and wants him to come back for Mardi Gras.
Frankie cooked taco burgers for us for dinner Saturday night and entertained us with jokes stories and card tricks.
We visited a little with Great Grandma and she amazed Aaron with her ability to remember everyones birthday, including all four of my children and how many babies they each have.
She showed him pictures of his great uncles. And she still had the birth announcement, I sent her, when Aaron was born.
Beth showed him her computer system and impressed him with her genius IQ.
Grandpa Eddie amazed him with his independence.
We left Sunday around noon to return home, leaving behind the 36" TV and a happy family and bringing with us a jar of homemade pear preserves from Great Grandma, a CD with, "It's hard to be humble" by Mac Davis and a heart full of fun memories and silly stories to tell.
We stopped by the Boardwalk so Aaron could see it and we looked at "The Boats". Aaron plans on returning soon so he can, "Go to the Boats".
We ate lunch at Hooters and then drove home. All in all, the trip was super relaxing and fun. I can't wait to do it again. Everyone in Shreveport makes me feel so special and loved, every time I go there. I always come come feeling happy and full.

The Week-end is Coming!

I am so excited!!! I am leaving early Saturday morning for Shreveport. I haven't seen Mom, Eddie and Beth since Thanksgiving. I can't wait to see how they are doing.
Last week-end, I had an opportunity to get a new TV for my living room. I have been wanting a plasma TV for a very long time and just couldn't get ahead enough to spend the money on one. Last week, I finally got it. My old TV is still in very good condition. It is a 36" Magnavox. Mom had an old cabinet style TV. It would get hot and the picture would go out. They had to blow a fan on it so it would come back on. It finally died, for good, a couple of months ago. I had already decided to give her my old one, so when I found out about hers going out, it just made sense to make the trip out there and take her the Magnavox.
I am off Friday, Saturday and Sunday. So, Aaron and I are going to pack up and leave early Saturday morning. That's right, son. E-A-R-L-Y!!!! I would like to get past the mix-master before the traffic gets bad.
We'll come home on Sunday morning.
Jerry and Tish will be all on their own. I am sure they will be okay. Christian will be here to keep them in line.
I expect the coffee to be ready when I get there. Real Coffee, Frankie!!
I'll think about stopping for donuts!