School Christmas Program

Clayton's school had a short Christmas program as a fundraiser on Friday night. And although he didn't actually sing a word (stage fright set in I guess!), he didn't cry one bit and was even smiling at everyone! His class sang "We Wish You a Merry Christmas" and he just pretty much watched everyone in the audience as everyone else sang and did the motions. (And by the way, the lady behind his chair is his beloved "Ms. Marcia" who he clings to most of the day. They've become quite the big buddies).

And here are the outtakes of his little photo session--he wasn't much into looking right at Daddy for the picture.

And a big "CHEEEEEEESE!"" to end it with:

Gingerbread House

Clayton stays busy at school with little projects like this one. And even though Ms. Marcia ended up helping out a lot on this one, I thought it was too cute not to share!

Happy Birthday, Mom!!!

Hope you have a wonderful day! I love you!

It's Definitely Time

For a change! What do you think of my new blog banner?!

Company's Gone

Have I mentioned before how much better I do in my regular routine?? Well, I do for sure! After four days of out of town guests I will be so glad to get back to our regularly scheduled lives tomorrow! I know Clayton is needing to get back to normal--he usually loves church but today he was so tired that he cried about 75% of the time we were there. Huge tears crying. Sad, I don't know what I want crying. Thankfully, he got a good nap in this afternoon and he's been in a much better mood since.

We do have lots of Christmas activities coming up. Not much time to recover from Thanksgiving before you start the Christmas celebrations. Clayton's school is having a program this Friday and then in two weeks the kids and adults both are putting on a Christmas program at church. And in the meantime I need to get my shopping done!

Thanksgiving 2008

We had a small crowd for Thanksgiving this year, and they actually even came to my house for the dinner! First time I've ever hosted a major holiday and I'm looking forward to Christmas being held somewhere else!!! Not that I didn't enjoy it, but I'm just not good at coordinating food events--one of my downfalls for sure, but our crowd today didn't seem to notice thank goodness!

It was quite warm with the sun out this afternoon so Brian took Clayton and Hannah for a four wheeler ride. Definitely made the day for them!

Thanksgiving at School

Clayton's school hosted Thanksgiving lunch for the parents today. It totally flipped him out when he realized Brian was there. His cheeks are this red because for the first 15 minutes we were there he was crying. He was UP-SET that Daddy was there and scared to death he was going to leave him! Brian had to hold him the whole lunch just to get him back to a smiling face! Here's the centerpiece that Clayton created:

And I snapped this one just as he finally settled down:

And our "yummy" lunch . . . actually it was all pretty good but there was no way in the world I was going to touch that turkey!!! It was just a little too weird looking for me!

Clayton usually gets nervous about "eating" in front of crowds, but he finally decided to "munch" on this roll. (Side note: he is still totally tube fed, but always gets a plate of what we're eating and does a really good job of pretending to eat everything).

I'm just glad he didn't cry the whole time we were there. It was a trick getting Brian out of there without him realizing it. We had to get his OT to come and take him for therapy and when she got there his focus shifted totally to her, so Brian slipped right out the door. And although he acted like he didn't notice, the first thing he said when I picked him up was "Daddy?" He definitely knew that Daddy had disappeared on him!

12 Weeks

According to my calendar it's twelve weeks, but the doctor is now saying eleven weeks, three days. Doesn't really matter I guess, I just know I'm almost to the end of that first trimester! I had Brian video the ultrasound but I'm not sure how great it will be--I thought the baby would move a bit, but he/she got a little camera shy. Everything is still looking good, my cervix is still normal and my uterus isn't doing anything weird. I told the doctor that I didn't like waiting so long in between appointments and she said that we are getting to the point where she wants to keep close tabs on me so she hoped I enjoyed the small break. I'll be going back in two weeks for another look and I don't mind at all if I'm there every week!

So here's the video of the ultrasound. I know the quality isn't that great, but I wanted to share anyway!

And for those of you who aren't ultrasound savvy, you will see the baby pop up on the right of the screen with the head being farthest to the right. (Maybe that will give you a little bit of perspective to understand the picture!)

Daily Conversations (with Clayton)

I wish I had a video instead of just the transcript but at least a dozen times a day, I have these conversations with Clayton:

Clayton: Momma?
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: What's that?
Me: Clayton, you know what that is, you tell me.
Clayton: What?

Clayton: Momma?
Me: Yes?
Clayton: Daddy?
Me: He's at work.
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: Daddy.
Me: He's at work, Clayton.
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Yes, Clayton?
Clayton: Daddy.

Clayton: Momma?
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Hmm?
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Yes?
Clayton: Momma.
Me: Clayton!?
Clayton: What? (said in his most innocent voice)

And since he hasn't been at school a lot this week, we've probably had them no less than a couple HUNDRED times in the car driving back and forth to Little Rock!! Just another reason you gotta love him!

Small Amount of Catch Up

I was going to share a cute little video that Nicole has on her blog, but I've been fighting an HTML code war with Blogger that's just about driven me crazy! I finally gave up and decided to post the same old boring stuff I always talk about! Clayton's had two doctor's appointments so far this week and we've got two more to go. It seems like all of his appointments always clump together and I end up driving to Little Rock several times in a week and then I'll go a few weeks without having to go at all--don't know how it ends up that way. He's back to normal on his oxygen, still has a cough but I'm sure that will linger for a while. I'm just glad he's back to his old self.

On the pregnancy front, I'm still sick off and on and it hits at all times of the day. And I'm craving something really special to eat and I've yet to find it even though I've been searching for a couple of weeks now! I'm hungry for something, but just can't seem to find that right something! I go back to the doctor next Tuesday and I can't wait to see little Baby C on ultrasound again!

We've been busy with church--we are having a churchwide emphasis on family and marriage based on the movie Fireproof. If you haven't seen it, it's definitely worth watching--one of those that will make you think about your actions. Or at least it's made me think! The study just started this week and will go on through the Advent season. We also have Christmas music coming up which is always time consuming but always worth it. Clayton's class is getting ready for their little Chirstmas program and I can't wait to see him up on stage with his bells!

Wednesday

Clayton is on the mend, but still has a bad cough and on the O2. That's what bugs me about him getting sick. We have to start all over on weaning the oxygen. My mornings are getting better, but to be completely honest I like the sicky feeling because it means I'm pregnant and things are happening. I start getting worried when I feel nothing at all. It's amazing how the imagination can conjur up every problem under the sun! I'm just a worrier by nature and I really need to get over that!

I Got Nothing

It's Monday. It's dreary. Clayton has been sick for three days. There really is nothing to blog about unless you want to hear about the motrin and tylenol we've been through, the coughing fits, and the cranked up oxygen. All pretty boring subjects to say the least. I would love to personally thank the mom that brought her child to school knowing he was running fever and left him there anyway. Niiiiiice. He just happens to be the kid who can't stop messing with Clayton's wheelchair, so I'm sure his little germs infected Clayton immediately.

I guess he'll be missing most of this week in school. I still don't want him to go tomorrow and he has an appointment Thursday. Might as well just write the whole week off!

I Know I'm Pregnant Because . . .

**I care nothing about being on the computer, scrapping, or reading. Usually my favorite pasttimes.

**Peanut butter sounds kinda gross (I normally eat it constantly).

**My posture is horrible.

**I had a dream about giant rolls of toilet paper. (That tells you how much I'm going to the bathroom!)

**Sitting and staring into space sounds like an awesome way to spend the day. I am motivated to do absolutely nothing!

**I turned down fresh baked brownies the other day.

I'm sure there are other things I'm not remembering (pregnancy brain, you know!). In general, I'm getting sicker by the day and mornings are definitely not fun anymore. And unfortunately the "morning" sickness tends to linger most of the day. I'm hoping I've only got a few more weeks of this!

Cap'n Jack

Jack Sparrow, that is! Here are a few shapshots of Clayton over the past week in all his costume glory. (I thought he looked quite cool with the braids!). First is at the Fall Festival at church:

And these next few were taken at the school during their carnival. Can you tell he loves Ms. Cara?

And this is the dog of one of the girls who works at the clinic!

And of course, Halloween night with all his cousins!

Ch-ch-ch-Changes!

Thank you to everyone for all your well wishes and prayer support! I'll look forward to keeping you all updated on the details of the pregnancy as some of you out there are already sending me inquiries! First off, I am due June 10, which seems like a lifetime away. But considering my doctor told me Monday that at 18 weeks I need to have all my helpers lined out for taking it easy, I really don't have that long it seems (that's just 10 weeks away!). My biggest concern has been lifting Clayton and his wheelchair which is already hard on my back. Doctor says I'm okay for now but accept help if at all possible. I'm soon going to have to enroll the school personnel to help me get Clayton out of the car. When I was pregnant with the twins, I had lots of issues with my sciatic nerve and I'm already feeling that pain after lifting Clayton a lot. Not good, but what do you do??? Things are already changing. Clayton gets a bath at night now instead of the morning so Brian can do the lifting. And at church I pretty much let everyone else take over. Being pregnant also immediately affects my singing if you can believe that. I haven't had enough breath for singing since almost day one of the pregnancy. I can't even reach the notes that usually come easily for me either! And since I have a singing engagement tonight, it should be pretty interesting!

Overall, these first few weeks have been a breeze compared to the twins. I was sick from day one with them. I have had some waves of nausea but so far not truly sick. Thank goodness! Here's to no real morning sickness!

The BIG News!

I've been keeping a secret from my blog readers!Can you believe that after such a long wait Brian and I have finally decided to have another baby?! We've had Clayton telling everyone that he is going to be a big brother and I think he's actually getting excited about it! (Or at least he's starting to notice babies even more than usual!) We got our first peek this morning and everything is looking good so far. And I think for old time's sake I'll be affectionately calling this baby Baby C since Shawn and Clayton were our Babies A and B. :) I'm so happy to finally share this news with the world! Everyone pray for a normal, uneventful pregnancy as one early labor was defintely enough for me! (I guess I'm going to find out just who in fact reads my blog with this announcement!)

The Other Patient

Just wanted to give a report on Clayton's latest doctor's visit. We saw the pulmonologist on Monday and he told me to get lots more aggressive with weaning Clayton off the oxygen. So now Clayton only wears the oxygen when he is asleep and after a couple of weeks of that I'm supposed to start shortening the time he wears it while asleep a couple of hours at a time. He's really doing well with it so far. It's been such a long road, but I really think he's ready for it this time--that is, all except giving up his nasal cannula which he is VERY attached to!! (Poor little guy, it's like his little security blanket is being taken away!)

(And I have to say a big THANK YOU to Sherrie and Todd for this little chair. It's perfect for him, and allows him to sit out in the yard without us getting the wheelchair out. We love that!)

Good News!

My dad is AT HOME! He was doing so well in his therapy that he got to skip going to rehab! PRAISE THE LORD for miracles!!! According to Dad, the doctor was pretty astounded at all the progress he is making. I saw him walk today without the walker and it was great. He is still shaky and it's going to take intense therapy to get back to normal but he has definitely made leaps and bounds of progress each day. THANK YOU everyone for your well wishes and prayers!!

Wow.

What a difference 24 hours makes. Yesterday at this time I was living life as usual and now I'm trying to take care of myself, be there for my mom, and praying my dad gets better. My dad has pain management injections in his spine and yesterday something went awry with one because he ended up losing all feeling in his legs and torso and having emergency surgery to remove a blood clot from his spine. He is in ICU now and it looks like it will take some time for him to regain use of his legs. His right leg is actually moving around pretty well, but his left not so much. He can wiggle his toes on his left foot so hopefully today he'll be gaining strength on that side. Pray he gets up and walking soon!

(As a side note his surgeon was Dr. Burson who has operated on Clayton about 5 times--totally small world and he knew exactly who we were without even seeing Clayton with us. I so want him to see Clayton but I don't know how I'll swing it because everytime we walk in a hospital Clayton gets majorly upset!)

Withdrawals

This is my favorite restaurant. It's right up the road from my house and they have a drive-thru that is so easy for us. I have the chicken chimichanga dinner there at least once a week. AND NOW ALL OF THE SUDDEN THEY ARE CLOSED! No warning, just a sign on the door saying "closed." I wanted lunch from there on Monday and hoped that it was just a one day thing, but still no sign of life around there today when I drove by. I'm getting a little worried because I really NEED their food to survive!! It's like a little treat I get each week and now that they're closed it's like I'm craving it more than ever! I'm just hoping upon hoping that they're just on a small vacation and all will be back to normal next week!

Hayride at School

Clayton's school kicked off their fall festivities with a hayride and some line dancing today. :) Clayton was one of the few kids that actually looked like he was enjoying the ride in the trailer. I think it was mainly because we were being pulled by a big ole' John Deere tractor. And because he was so excited, he was the only one that got to sit in the driver's seat of the tractor (he's special like that--or at least I think so!).

And I have to include this picture even though it's out of focus (I somehow had manual focus turned on)--this little girl has started really doting on Clayton and she was in his face the whole time they were sitting and eating popcorn. My son, always the ladies man!!!!!!!

Happy Birthday Little Brother!

Yesterday my little brother turned the big 3-0. Guess that officially makes me old??? Nicole planned a little surprise party for him and I think it actually worked because he did seem surprised when he walked in!

We had a good time but Brian and I realized how old we are when we started yawning at 9:00. Boy, are we the big time partiers or what?! At any rate, we enjoyed ourselves yawning and all!!

Another Layout

Here's this week's layout for the Survivor contest I'm in. Layout had to have (1)the word journey, (2) raw chipboard, (3) painted chipboard letters that were different sizes, and (4) pink!

Journaling: Despites sometimes difficult circumstances, time has taught us that we are indeed blessed beyond measure! Destin, FLA 8/08

Birthday Party Pics

We went to Heidi and Drew's birthday party this weekend and Clayton had a blast "chasing" all the kids around (and I think Brian lost a couple of pounds from all the running around he did!).

Here's just a few snapshots from the day---

Who knew cupcakes could be so fun? :)

Layouts

Yes, it's been a slow blogging week. Clayton was home the last two days sick and I really didn't think anyone wanted to hear about how many times we moved from the couch to the chair to the bed and then back to the couch. But to make up for that I'll share some layouts. I did this first one for a Survivor contest I'm in. We had to create a layout with the following: (1) title is "Life is Beautiful" (2) journaling on a cloud (3) paper-pieced tree (4) stitching on an edge (5) bird, owl, or deer (6) and two photo corners. I decided these pics by Nicole were great for this title. The journaling is a quote from Ashley Smith Robinson: "Life is full of beauty. Notice it. Notice the bumble bee, the small child, and the smiling faces. Smell the rain and feel the wind. Live your life to the fullest potential, and fight for your dreams."

The next one is Clayton's latest birthday of course. Journaling: This year, you knew the party was for you. NO CRYING--ALL SMILES!!!

And this last one is just my thoughts on this whole struggle with preschool.

Journaling: Your journey into preschool has opened our eyes in such a shocking way. With us, you experience everything possible—there are no limits to what you can do. But out in the world, people see your brain as incapable and slow just because your body doesn’t work. It is this revelation that has forced me into my “mama bear” mode, essentially screaming out with my words and actions to anyone who will listen—he is a normal five year old living inside a body that won’t work! And there’s only one word for it: TRAPPED. My little boy is trapped inside his body, and trapped in a system that only reluctantly makes modifications. But no matter . . . we will carry on like we always have, ignoring the boxes that people try to fit you in. Daddy and I will always bend over backwards to give you all the opportunities imaginable!!!!!

Next Best Thing?

I never get published anymore. Perhaps it's because I never submit my work???!!! But hey, I can still make it in a magazine since I'm buddies with bigger, more famous scrapbookers . . . This is Gretchen's layout, featured in the latest issue of Memory Makers Magazine. I'm in a couple of these pics (not really happy with my hair that week but oh well!). So I guess I can still say I was published this fall???!!! LOL!

My New Position

I don't guess I've shared my new position with my blog readers. I am now the Caravan Director in our Children's Ministries at church. Caravan is a Christian scouting program in the Nazarene church. (Along the same lines as Awanas in the Baptist denomination). It takes a while to get used to the program with all the badges and requirements, but I'm slowly immersing myself into it. Just takes some time to learn all of the jargon and processes. I haven't been totally snowed under with it yet, but I've been busy with little details here and there. It's a good focus for me since Clayton isn't at home anymore! I'm sure it will take me all year to get it organized like I want it, and that means I'll have to do it next year so I can use all my planning from this year! Sneaky pastors at church, they probably knew that all along when they asked me!

Something Special

When I started my "She" album, I really wanted to celebrate myself and my uniqueness. But a lot of the layouts I've done for that album have been more than a little melancholy at times. But after I sang at an event last week and after a subsequent conversation with Brian, I decided to do a purely boastful page about myself!!! At this particular event last week, I literally brought the house down (bad sound system and all!). The Holy Spirit was all over that room, and it seemed there wasn't a dry eye in the house. And the thing is, it seems to be like that each time I sing! When I'm in front of people, I feel a natural relaxing of the crowd or something--I can't even explain it, but I definitely feel and see it! And when I really think about it, it's absolutely amazing that it happens each time I sing--it would be a blessing if it just happened once in a lifetime!

Journaling: When she sings, people listen . . . really, truly listen. God uses her voice to soften hearts and penetrate even the most stubborn of spirits. She is humbled by this gift He has blessed her with, and proudly shares it with all those around her.