The Power of Prayer

January 29, 2008 In retrospect, reading my last entry makes me want to delete it. I actually though a bout of croup was a big deal. Since Saturday, I have almost lost my sister for the SECOND time in 13 years and have witnessed the power of prayer again. Saturday at lunch, Laura had a splitting headache. She has been sick on and off since September with cold/flu/sinus/ear illnesses. The pain was so intense, she decided to go to the emergency room. With her medical history of a brain aneurysm, they decided to play it safe. The CAT scan was normal, so the ER docs sent her home with some strong pain meds and antibiotics for what they thought was just a serious sinus infection. After going home and laying down with the pain meds for a couple of hours, she apparently went into raging fits, thrashing, pulling her hair out, screaming etc and her husband and my parents called the ambulance to come back and get her. Hours later, the diagnosis was made--bacterial menigitis. Thirteen years ago, TO THE DAY, Laura almost died with a brain bleed in Athens and here I am driving the same interstate from Athens back to Greenville, just as I'd done that fateful day, wondering if I'd lost my sister. The Lord saved her again, and me, too. After 24 very frightening hours not knowing whether the attack had caused any permanent brain damage, we now feel certain that she is on the road to a complete recovery. She will be moved out of ICU tomorrow, is speaking, recognizing, and even showing glimpses of her awesome sense of humor. Before this happened, I often wondered why God chose her to put through what she went through 13 years ago when I am the stubborn child, the one pushing the envelope, testing the limits. And now again, why her? Hasn't she endured enough hardship in one lifetime already? I do not know why He works in the ways He does, but I do know that prayer works. We take so many things for granted every day, but yet He knows how to put in all back into perspective, align our priorities again, show us what really matters and how powerful and mighty He is. Thank to you, every single person who prayed for my sister and our family and I will keep you posted with her amazing progress in the coming days.

What Happened?!?

January 26, 2008 I think the croup is God's way of taking a family that is too content with everyone's health and shaking them up a little. Last night, Kinsey was PERFECTLY fine--no cold, no cough, no nothing. She went to bed right after her bath in a great mood. At a little before midnight I heard her trying to scream. I knew something was terribly wrong. I got up to her room and she could not get her breath. She was wheezing, trying to cough and really panicking. I remembered a note in her school bag from earlier in the week that a kid in her class had croup, so I didn't get too worried--at first. But after about 10 minutes of her trying to catch her breath, I must admit, I was getting rattled. We knew from a couple of years ago when she had croup to get the bathroom steamy or get some cold air, so we took her outside (it was in the twenties) while the shower got hot. After both of those treatments, she began to settle down some. I went back to bed with her and she only woke a couple more times, but nothing quite as dramatic. After a visit with the doctor this morning, we will be spending the next couple of days resting in and hoping the steriods he gave her make tonight a better one.

Our Newest Family Member...

January 25, 2007 YEAH RIGHT!!! Do you think I'm crazy?!? No really--this is our nanny, Jessica's new puppy, Sam. He's a White German Shepard and has the sweetest temperament. The kids just love him!

Today, while I was at work, Jessica decided she wanted to style Kinsey's hair. So she brought her straightening iron and went to work. What patience she has! It's amazing what the outcome was. I think she looks like a different kid!




My basketball team played our cross-town rivals tonight. Last time we played them, we lost pretty bad and we have NOT been on a roll lately to say the least. But, we had a great night, and my girls ended up winning the game. Afterwards we went out for pizza and Max ate almost the whole restaurant!

Bathtime is always exciting these days. Max enjoys standing in the tub regarless of my neverending rants and threats to sit down. Sometimes Kinsey takes his side! :)

Once in a Blue Moon

January 24, 2008 It's only once in a blue moon that I think it sounds like a good idea to take my children to Chuck E Cheese. Tonight was that night. Jack was out of town for a convention and I thought we might do something special. So, hello greasy pizza and germs, bye-bye money in my pocket. Kinsey has been to CEC 3 times I think, and up until now has been pretty content "playing" games without putting the money in the slot. It used to actually be a pretty cheap date with her. Ah, the good ol' days. Tonight, I actually witnessed her dropping the token in the slot, changing her mind and walking off. My eyes are welling up just typing about it! Anyway, we ended up meeting Katie and the Miller boys, 10 and 14, whom Kinsey idolizes. And for good reason--they are so sweet with her. Notice them cheering her on at the basketball game. And Mitchell even agreed to ride in the monster truck with Max. Humiliating for most kids his age. Max's favorite, by far, was the Bob the Builder bulldozer. They sure went to bed fast though. Maybe the quiet IS worth the madness afterall.

Should I Be Worried?

January 24, 2008 Today was a big day for Max. He has decided to be very interested and indepedent with his walking. Up until today, we would have to get him started by reaching for him or standing him up and putting a toy out of reach, but today he decided he would stand and very patiently take one step at a time. Step, wait, step, wait. He was much more successful with this method. The other way, he gets so excited and his top half, shall I say, has more "momentum" then his bottom half and his feet can't keep up. But, should I be worried at how happy he is with this pink baby doll stroller???

Girls' Day Out

Sunday, January 20, 2008 OK, so there was no snow today, but it was sure freezing. Twenties, I think. Kinsey and I hit the town together today. We took some pictures on the front porch of the Taylor-Grady house, went shopping at Talbots and shared some slushies at the mall after catching a few after-Christmas sales. She sure is growing up!

Snow in Georgia?!?

January 19, 2008 Could it really be true? And twice in one week? We got home from our weekly routine of church and basketball games Wednesday night to about half an inch of snow in Watkinsville. Don't laugh--that's a TON of snow for us! We've had ice and freezing rain and everything else BUT snow in the last few years. Max got to see the snow, but the booger ended up falling asleep in the car. It was her bedtime too, but Kinsey was dying to build a snowman, so we let her stay up a little late that night to play. Overnight, the rain melted all the snow and by morning, and it had vanished like a dream. But wait, there's more. The weatherman said 100% chance of snow with 2+ inches of accumulation Saturday. We waited and waited all day, but after four hours of constant snow and not 1 MILLIMETER of accumulation, we packed it in the car and headed west--all the way to Lawrenceville in search of the white stuff. 30 minutes later we were sledding and building snowmen like you've never seen. What a difference half and hour can make. And, oh, what memories it can create!!!

Here's a video from Wednesday night, what little time we had!

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First Steps

Tuesday, January 15, 2008 Max took his first official steps last Tuesday, but it has been pretty difficult to capture on camera! He's up to about 3 steps right now, but he gets so excited and flaps his arms so hard he usually falls over. Plus, as you can see in this little clip, he's a little front heavy which throws him off-balance a bit. Those are 18 month pj's he's in! At his 9-month check-up, he weighed in at 24 pounds and was 31 inches tall. He's gaining on Kinsey fast!

Notice the very interesting noises he makes in this video. From another planet, perhaps???

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Christmas Memories

On Christmas Eve, Jack's parents came over for dinner and gifts. Kinsey loved all her horse gifts and Max just loved chewing on whatever he could get his little hands on. On Christmas morning, the children, all decked out in their matching drop-seat pajamas, woke up to Santa where Kinsey found her John Deere Gator and Max his Honey Pony riding toy.

Afterwards, we had the annual breakfast with Jack's parents, aunts, uncles and cousins.
Next, we jumped in the car and drove north to Lake Keowee and spent the rest of the afternoon with my family. Nanny really had their home beautifully decorated. Laura, Paul, Thomas (and doggies) were there, too. The cousins really enjoyed each other's company. Max loved his toys and Kinsey had fun playing with her new dollhouse with Papadad. My Granny, although not feeling well at all, really had a good time with the three little ones. A wonderful (and tiring) day was had by all. That night, we all wound down by snuggling up and reading a good Christmas book.

A Vacation from Reality

Sugar Bowl 2008 was just that for us. 4 great friends, 3 days in N'Orleans, 2 many drinks to count, 1 AWESOME football team, and ZERO children!!! Jack and I had a wonderful opportunity to drive to the Sugar Bowl with our friends Katie and Cliff and stay in their RV in New Orleans. Our "campsite" was full utility, waterfront and quiet (except for us of course). We played Jack's new Bolo game, our beautiful handmade Cornhole game and grilled out at the RV park. We spent some time on Bourbon Street (I think sometime that night the deal was made that what happens on Bourbon Street stays on Bourbon Street). We enjoyed the Sugar Bowl New Years Eve Gala with some of UGA's finest, shopped the French Market and last but certainly not least, we WHIPPED UP on Colt Brennan and the Hawaii Warriors! It was BEAUTIFUL!


At our tailgate

On Bourbon Street (I think)

All dressed up

At the Gala

At the game