What Happens in the Van Doesn't Stay in the Van...

After a much too long hiatus, My wednesday night ladies bible study was back! For the last 3 years, we have done Beth Moore studies... and in 3 years the class still keeps growing. I think if we ever stopped, a pentecostal revolt will happen, with me leading the way! This class fills a HUGE need in our church and the women are soaking it in like a nice dry sponge...

To be honest, I was a little disappointed to hear that we were re-doing a study I have already done. In this class. 3 years ago. Im not one for re-do's when it comes to bible study, But I didn't want to not  join in. I also knew that I still had plenty more to learn.... since I {gulp} never finished the study to begin with.

So, with a van full of kids, my kids and my friends kid, we swung by another girlfriends house and picked her up too. It has been a while since we have seen each other so after I yelled at the kids and re-gained control over the very loud music, we began to catch up. Her family has been going through such a hard time... and as the clock ticks, more things keep piling up. I shared a bit about some struggles we are having... mostly homeschooling kids with babies around, finances and the sort... and then the jokes kinda got started...

"Don't you feel like Job??"

" Hello God? Am I your running joke or something..."

" Um... Im down here...screaming for help... did my ear press the mute button on the batphone?"

We laughed because we both knew it wasn't true... But we both felt like it was.

We pulled in, scattered kids to various classes and gave hugs to long lost faces... It felt GOOD to be back in those metal seats and even better to be greeted by Beth Moore's face on the screen. 

I was happily surprised to realize I didn't remember anything from 3 years ago. And hearing her words were fresh in my mind. 

But as the night went on, her words were like hammers in my head. I felt as if her image became 3-d and she was pointing over to us...

God's name does not appear in the entire book of Esther but as Psalm 138:2 says... Gods name may not be in it but it is all over it....

His name is not appearing on the page on purpose... for when we cannot find God, we have to look to the book in faith. 

This study is for women who feel God is not as close as we think He should be..

{{ DOUBLE GULP}}

She talked about the Providence of God. How God not only shows up during momentous events but during diaper changes and picking up the same darn toy for a thousandth time.  Mundane and trivial times as well....

And while some people might sit and wait for the miracle...

The healing, the check in the mail, the supernatural confidence, etc...

the miracle might just be us going through it!!

( Um, even though the check in the mail might just be easier...maybe.)

NOTHING happens by chance... and coincidences are little miracles in which God wants to remain anonymous.

Perhaps thats what happened in my van last night? A big white van among thousands of cars on the road that night... full of kids and chatter and music ....

With 2 women in the front seat sharing life.... or maybe wanting to escape life for just a bit...

Or even fast forward life to a bit of a better place.

Wondering where God was.... when the miracle would happen... and if we somehow got lost among the other middle aged women of the world.

But God had our number. And He used a video that was over 5 years old...

" For such a time as this...."

 I haven't had a chance to talk to my friend since then. She left before I did, but I knew she got the message too. Our sideways glances at each other told me the message was received loud and clear.
 So we hold on a bit more... Knowing God still has our back. He's answering our prayers for the purpose of HIS will...

And in the meantime we wait... and build faith...

And realize even God hears our conversations in our van...

XoXo,

GiGi

STOP and Receive The Blessing....

I Bet you thought I fell off the blogging world again didn't you?? Three whole days without a post. But SURPRISE! Im here. Just been drowned in Mommy business and all.

Wendnesday I was pre-occupied with tracking those vicious tornadoes that swept across the south... right over our Little Red House. Luckily, where we are, seems to be protected and most vicious storms are either a bit above or below us.

Then Thursday our oven BROKE! 

Yes, completely and utterly broke! I discovered it when I was making chicken marsala and realized it took over 30 minutes for it to pre-heat.... and it still doesn't get hot. This of course, gets my hubby itching to tear it apart. He is one of those manly men who really  do enjoy fixing things.... and has been known to fix other peoples household appliances when we are invited out and he realizes something doesn't work. Yup, thats him. Challenge always accepted and challenge always won! I do think he is just a bit awesome ya know ;)

But yesterday was when I really thought about y'all. It was shopping day. I had tons of food to buy and Publix fried chicken was CALLING my name. Among some of the stops was a little old pharmacy on the other side of another town. Not too far from me but you get the picture.

If I back up the story a bit, I can REJOICE by telling you we FINALLY have an answer to P's latest health issue... NOT related to her eating one. But an answer to prayer none-the less. AND to solve this problem, she needed special compounded meds that most large pharmacies do not make. YES... make!! NOT count out pills out of a bottle..... M-A-K-E.

Upon hearing the news I rolled my eyes. I knew this place would be a hole-in-the-wall old kinda place. You know those places. The run-down part of town. Old building type of places. I was angry that not only did I have to go out of my way, but it wasn't going to be visually stimulating as most new places are. I mean, Heck... why go there when good ol Publix has meds AND fried Chicken right?? In a beautiful building??

But off I went. I grumbled in the car as I drove past what seemed to be the remains of a semi-main street. Old buildings... deserted tire stores... A typical OLD small southern town. Again, I complained WHY couldn't this place be on the newer side...HELLO who the heck would CHOOSE to even drive down this road. Hannah squished her nose at me and happily agreed. And of course in unison, we rolled our eyes as we actually pulled in.

In I walked. Opening the door and stepping in, I was instantly transported back to the 1950's. I couldn't believe it. Even the smell seemed old. A simple old counter lay in the middle of the store, next to a rickety old metal candy display. Heck, even the sign couldn't have been any newer than the 80's. An elderly woman was chatting it up with the pharmacist and she turned to me to share what she was showing her...

"This here's ma dog... on Santa. I take her to see Santa every year for 12 years!!"

I politely smiled and said how cute. She was a cute old lady. Complete with a cane and about two hand knitted hats on her head. She must have been born and bred in the South.... knitted hats and scarves on a 50 degree day... yup!

I didn't mind their chit chat. I found it cute actually....and it gave me time to whip out my phone and start snapping pictures. I had to capture this. I had to share this with you... Right out of Fried Green Tomatoes... I expected to see Idgie Threadgoode bouncing around.

Ok, maybe im exaggerating just a bit... but it was old!

Finally, the Elderly woman left to go feed her cat or something and it was my turn. I was handed my bag of very expensive meds and asked again...WHY it wasn't covered by insurance?? I was a bit perturbed at their cash only policy when I had a very good, very shiny prescription card buried at the bottom of my huge purse!

It was then another lady came forward and began explaining the old way of medicine. Before the days of manufacturers, bulk, generic and the like. We talked for about 20 minutes as she patiently explained how they make medicine for you! By working with doctors and lab results... they specially make medicine thats right for YOUR body. Safe for YOU to take and the specialize in women... who are all so different in needs. Who's bodies don't always respond to bulk generic... because we are NOT. We are all unique and so should our medicines be! I was amazed as she drew pictures for me and talked about formulas....
And how insurance companies don't recognize these as drugs because they are NOT manufactured in plants and factories. But they ARE! Before the 1050's... THIS is how medicine was made. BEFORE big companies took over and dollar signs replaced health on the important scale. Its hard to find doctors that still do this... but they are some in our area.

We chatted a bit and I ignored the texts coming from my daughter wondering if I was being held captive inside...

I left with a different view of that rickity old building... A building I am sure to visit again if I need medicine... Medicine for ME!

I learned once again, at the age of 36, not to judge a book by its cover....
New river rock on the outside and shiny new floors on the inside don't make it better.

I was so caught up with views of what I thought was "right." I lost the view of looking at the heart.

I think I must have told10 people this story yesterday. And I know I completely bored 9. But I don't care....

That little old pharmacy will definetaly see me again.

And maybe I WILL buy some candy off that old metal rack...

XOXO

GIGI

The Sun Before The Storm...

Today was and still is such a glorious day!

With temps reaching over 70 degrees and the southern sun beating down on us, it was the perfect excuse to throw away the books hurry and finish our planned school day and head out front for some street fun.

We hustled and bustled thru our math. Finished telling time and writing our spelling words. Worked in our phonics workbook and began discussing all the creatures that sing in the night. Once babies went in for a nap...

Out the door we ran.

I must admit, the sun felt good. Really really good.

Thats the best way for me to explain it. I just sat on the driveway as the kids ran around and colored the streets with chalk, and soaked in every single morsel.

I walked around my little Red House. So gloomy and brown from winter. I can't wait to start planting some flowers around her. She looks so pretty all fancied up.

Tomorrow the storms come in. On a Wednesday... Always on a wednesday. And always right before I have to leave for church. I swear, the devil transforms himself into rain clouds.. thats how he enters our home. Through inclement weather. That and my fear of driving in it. ANYTHING  to keep me from attending church. But I thought I fooled him this morning... Upon hearing the news, I called hubby who said he would go with me so I didn't have to drive. I guess he took that as a challenge and now tornadoes are expected.

Very well, we shall see what happens.

But I will worry about that tomorrow... and enjoy the black clouds that will roll in tomorrow. The kids and I will likely go for a walk to hunt them down and discuss air movement. What better way to hold a science lesson on air?

Switching gears TOTALLY! 

I was on Twitter today ( do you follow me?? you should... really!) chatting it up with another Large Family Homeschool blogger/friend Amy, when I realized that the amazing ALLUME conference was coming to a city near me!!!

Im beyond excited to attend this year and looking forward to some amazing speakers... but MOST of all...Meeting YOU!! I cannot WAIT to finally see and hug and chat some of my amazing bloggy buddies that I have only been able to communicate with via comments, twitter and so forth.

So, who else is going?? PLEASE let me know...

I am for sure!!!

See ya there

XoXo

GiGi

A P, DC And OT Report....

For a Monday, its going pretty quick, and pretty good... and by good I mean I am not packing my bags to join mommy quitters-r-us. Mondays are TOUGH around here. Getting back on a schedule after a weekend of relaxing is beyond difficult. Im not quite sure why yet? After all, we are a relaxed homeschooling family anyway...

I gave up trying to figure out why and just try to survive. But today was pretty good in my book. It was busy too.

Usually Penelope has 2 Occupational Therapists come to see her on wednesdays. Courtney and Melissa. Melissa has been our Godsend and without her, Im not sure how I would have survived mommy worry without her support or caring ways. But she has left us now. She asked us if it would be ok if she switched kids with her colleague as there is a little baby with very severe eating aversions, a distraught mother and only 1 time slot. The selfish side of me wanted to say NO!! After all, Melissa textx me on weekends for P updates, visits us in the hospital and for procedures. She is like family... not a worker.

But I couldn't. I could not deny that mother the best of the best and knew that baby needed her. With a reluctant heart, I signed the papers to let her go.

Today the new OT came. We knew of her and she knew of us. Actually, everyone in the office KNOWS Penelope and her very strange case study, so it was nice for names to meet faces.

She got to experience P first hand... and anyone that knows our P, knows she IS and experience.

(just ask the kindest gal Angela who watches her at co-op)

Luv ya Ang!

The intro went well. Amanda learned quick that P doesn't do what P doesn't want to do. Daddy won't force a dang thing on her and if the house has to be shook upside down just to get her to eat a crumb...

Then dog-gonit

IT WILL BE DONE!

Now before your inexperienced little manicured hands begin to type me comments about spoiling and such, unless you have cried yourself to sleep praying your daughter would eat and not require feeding tubes or fight off drs who wanted to hospitalize her...

Then...

Begone Ye of useless advise.

But Bless your heart ;)

As far as the siblings go, the jury is still out on Amanda but I like her and thats fine. We are a tough crowd and don't welcome newcomers too well.

And we DO look forward to her next visit!

We also broke out Molly's recipe book from her cooking class she takes and made some yummy banana smoothies.

Molly loves to cook and I LOVE that she LOVES to cook and try to encourage her every which way possible. By 8 years old, I usually have them in the kitchen cooking, frying, sauteing, chopping, mixing etc... supervised of course. But cooking is an important skill and Im a firm believer in teaching my kids how to cook. REALLY cook... from scratch. Intimidation in the kitchen is beyond unattractive...

Just sayin!

Anywho... they were DELICIOUS! Even P took a sip.

Speaking of sips, we have some new food guidelines in the house. Im not happy with any of them but we shall see how it goes. To calm P's stomach and ease our wallets with diaper purchases, we will begin to slowly integrate gluten-free products into our Little Red House. P will go mostly gluten free as far as HER sandwich breads and I will try to limit all crackers, rolls and pizza crust to a gluten-free product.. along with pastas as well. Hubby is NOT happy... but maybe I can trick him?

Who knows..

And I might... just might be cutting back on my Diet Coke addiction. I drink it like crack its water. And I just KNOW its horrific for you and since I have some health issues synonymous with the DC... its time to cut back... and then cut off. I think if I go cold turkey, its screaming failure. So my 1-2 a day will go to strctly 1 a day for a week, then 1/2 a can for a week or so... then a 1/4 of a can and so forth. Of course I will stop buying but WILL treat myself to a soda when out to eat... if I even want to by then. Its going to be hard but with Prayer and positive thinking... I know I can succeed!!!

I'll keep you posted!

And because I didn't have my afternoon DC pick me up today, Im too tired to edit. SORRY!!!

Xoxo

GiGi

A MUST Make Recipe... Like NOW!

I love to cook. I love to feed people. Im no chef, but what I can cook is good. I think all the worlds problems can be solved over a home cooked meal. When I am upset, or get bad news, my first instinct is to cook. Maybe if I cook them something delicious, their problems won't be as big??

Makes perfect sense as to why I am a stress eater...

Oink Oink.

If I have known you longer than 5 minutes, chances are I have cooked for you or you have been someplace where I have brought food. Feeding people is what I do. Turn down an invite, and I am utterly speechless,,,

My most favorite person to feed is my hubby. LOVE LOVE LOVE to cook for him, followed by my kids. Dinner is served every night, 99% of the time. If it interferes with dinner time, we have a problem... A BIG problem...

Unless we are going there with big pots in tow... feeding others.

Visitors, friends, kids friends, family... you name it and a seat is available at the table. At any given day, we never know who will surround our big ol scarred table. When that overflows, we take to the bar top on stools, around the coffee table and on the floor. In summertime, we spill out in my screen porch where we have more tables and more chairs...

Plenty of room for whoever might migrate in.

When family comes to visit, I take their order. Whatever they want, I will make it for them.

Food and family should be one word...

Foomily??

Because it goes together. Naturally.

So today im going to share our family's newest and favorite dinner meal.

WHITE CHICKEN CHILI

Its an adapted version from my cook book. I tweaked it and tripled it because most recipes will not feed us.

And I don't use exact measurements... So be creative and I apologize in advance.

2 of cookings greatest secrets are :

Season and marry.

Most people make the mistake of underseasoning... and without those spices, you miss the wow. Don't be afraid. USE those spices. I buy them in bulk...

And Marry. Let the spices and flavors simmer, intertwine and C-O-O-K together. Don't sprinkle, mix and eat. Yuck yuck yuck.

They must be on the stove bubbling for a while until they mesh into one beautiful flavor!

Ok, back to my recipe. Here goes:

1tb oil

2 cans Great Northern Beans

1 onion chopped

5 cloves garlic

1/8 t red pepper flakes

2t. cumin

1 can green chilis

2 lbs. SEASONED cooked chicken cut up in cubes

8 cups chicken broth

2 cups Mexican mix cheese

Pour oil in big pot and saute onions and garlic till soft. Add northern beans, chilis,red pepper flakes, cumin and mix well. Throw in the chicken and the chicken broth and let simmer (NOT boil) for as long as you like

Throw in some rice and let cook for added bulk and texture.

10 minutes before serving add1 cup of cheese into the chili and mix well.

Add salt and pepper to taste (don't be shy)

I LOVE to serve cheese on top and crushed tortilla chips. Frozen and re-heated makes it taste even BETTER.

While its simmering. End results will be thicker and creamier

For us, its already on the stove simmering away. Has been for about an hour. Texts have been sent for dinner invites and it will be served at 4... after 4 hours of it brewing on our stove. A perfect winter recipe thats hardy, tasty and delicious... and feeds a BUNCH!

Let me know if you try it.

Xoxo

GiGi

And Then The Angels Sang...

I was in the kitchen doing something today, when my phone goes off and I read this:

Remember my friend who found out she had a lesion on her head?

Well according to her latest MRI, its GONE.

Completely.

As if it never existed.

Shocking isn't it?

Maybe not so much.

God strikes again. Forever the all powerful who hears the cry of His children.

Facetiming her mom in NY to rejoice over the news.

I don't know why God chooses to heal some and not others. Why some Christians, like Michelle will REJOICE over his sovereignty today while other faithful ones don't get to.

But as a spiritual mentor once said,

We look at it all wrong. We may mourn here but God sees it as a VICTORY when He calls his beloved home. THEY have finished the race and they got hand picked to go home.

Although, its still hard to see it that way when your standing on this side of the finish line.

But it wasn't Michelle's time and in this she can find great rest. She has a long journey ahead of her. The road will be long and tough. Full of trials of all kinds. But God has given her the biggest blessing a believer can ask for.

FAITH.

She can take this new baton and begin the race with full confidence that God will see her through. Her time has not come. She has a job to do on earth. She knows what it is. And she has some fear.

But fear not my friend for God has overcome this world.

This week, He scrolled back heaven just a bit and showed you His plan. And His plan is for you to continue, healthy and strong, with life on this earth.

So my prayer is that she can enter this new phase in this life with anew faith. A confidence like never before...

And you know I will be there...

Every step of the way...

And blogging it all.

Whats the new journey you ask?

Good things come to those that wait my friends....

Xoxo

GiGi 

The Day Winter Came

I make no mistake in saying I hate winter. The older I get, the more I find the grey days depressing, bone chilling and just cold. You couldn't pay me to ski. Being bundled up to the eyeballs and having a perpetual runny nose sounds more like torture than relaxation. And don't get me started on my insatiable need to pee every 5 minutes. Nope. No snow bunny here. With that being said, I know plenty of people that just adore everything about it and thats fine too. The world would be a very boring place if we all were the same.

I do love the seasons and the crispness of Fall... and my seasons. I MUST have my seasons, but by January 2nd I wish to be poolside again. Swimming in the pool and chatting it up with the neighbors. Soon I guess.

But I LOVE storms. No matter the season, no matter the weather, a good storm really perks me up! And no-body knows how to throw a good storm better than the good ol state of South Carolina. When the sunny south gets a wiff of any form of solid precipitation, the slow paced south becomes  faster than those in the west.

Armageddon has hit! The revolution will occur and stockpiling of all things edible begin to disappear. ( hide your dogs people...) 

JUST KIDDING!... Maybe?

But its no joke that food disappears and schools close before the first drops fall in Tennessee.

And thats what happened today. An ice storm moved in across the Appalachian mountains and temps dropped making sleet and ice appear on our forecast and before yesterday afternoon the closings began. Co-op was closed, schools dismissed early, supermarkets shut down and even the Hubby got an early release and was able to spend the afternoon with us.

THIS is what I LOVE about the winter... The 1 thing that brings me joy. When the weather creates chaos and our day takes a different turn.

All my girls camping out in my room watching TV

With 1 snow plow in the county and no street salt, the ice stays until it sees the sun and its warm enough to melt. Country roads with no shoulder, small bridges and winding curves make for ice rinks... and almost everyone will be driving down country roads at some point in the day. 

a glistening layer of danger

Mountainous terrain and black ice appear by rush hour. THIS is why snow in the south is so dangerous and why we close at the slightest hint of a snowflake. One year we were trapped in the house for 5 days... DAYS! Because of an ice storm. The ice was 3 inches thick and lay in a complete solid block for 5 days... the state shut down until the 6th day, when temps rose and it melted away. THATS why supermarket shelves will go completely empty. Because once your in, your IN!

So I did what any mom would do. I busted out my 7.5 Qt crockpot and began chopping onions before 9 am. By 9:15 the strong smell of freshly cut garlic emanated from all crevices of our little red house. Its timed and sizzling and just about ready to serve to 9 hungry people who have been teased by its smell all day.

My roast (its not an egg people... its a potato. k?)

I can't wait. It will be finished off with us around the fire and enjoying each others company. If we must endure winter, what better way to do it?

I don't know how long we will be home bound. It could get dangerous in these here parts if the weather stays too long. Im not sure...

I'll let you know by Tuesday...

When it will be sunny and 70 degrees...

Just the way I like it ;)

Xoxo

GiGi

In God ( We Have To ) Trust...Right??

It really is true that you never know what the day holds. We wake up with a fresh start to a new day. A clean slate...

And sometimes, we can go to bed with that slate crumbled.

It happens every day. To everyone. Always proving that life excludes no one...

Thats what happened to my friend. You, know, my favorite Italian who lives across the street.

What first was a quick trip to the ER for a mild concussion from hitting her head, led to interesting findings on cat scans. The words "must Follow Up."  were just some of the things she heard.

I got the text from her when I was bringing Caleb to his Drs appointment, and of course, I immediately copied the text to my hubby and then forwarded to my sister.

My sis is a nurse. The best nurse and usually always gives me answers to anything I need.

As soon as I got home, I put the baby to bed and ran across the street to check on her. Her hubby was home and her little doggies greeted me at the door.

Her house is complete opposite of mine. Always clean and crisp. Quiet. Her kids were in school. Sometimes I find visiting her house to be a mini-vacation. A place of order. I wonder if she feels the same way about my house? Although knowing her, Chaos, mess and climbing over children to get in the living room doesn't exactly fit that description. But I walked thru...

I found her at the table.

Crying.

Life was put on hold till further testing was done.

The plans that she was making for spring, now were no longer.

And even though she wanted to smack the life out of both of us, we remained hopeful, optimistic and reminded her that most of the time, these things are NOTHING!

We called my Aunt and arranged for child/baby care and off we went today for further testing. Nervous and dread were a familiar emotion once again. And now we sit and wait for results.

With many questions...

Sometimes I really sit back and wonder WHY? Why does God allow some things to happen? Why does he heal some and not others?

And then I flipped through my phone and found this:

John is not normally that creepy... HONEST

 Waiting anxiously for her name to be called...

And this:

GiGi strikes again... He had no clue he was on GiGi camera

copying recipes he will cook for Hubby this weekend

And remembered that THIS will be the topic of MANY laughs for months to come...

John being a good Samaritan and offering her a ride home

The lady who was HIGH as a kite on downers who fell asleep in the office and attempted to drive home.

 Things happen in life that we don't have answers to... and if we did have all the answers, then what good would a God be?

But He is present in the good times and the bad.

And today I realized how sweet of a God he really is. Despite scary times in our life, He is present. Through laughter and friendships. He is there.

It really does take a village... But not just for child raising. And not just any village.

A village of good friends and family to get us through the hard times...

Plenty of laughs and inside jokes to get our minds off the real  reason we are there.

Prayer. For when we cannot think of the words to pray ourselves. Our friends will intervene for us.

And

HOPe... when we let statistics take over. We remind them that GOD is the one who gives the final answer...

It takes a village of believers to navigate this life...

Even if your village includes a crazy Aunt who puts bows in your sons hair when she babysits!

Xoxo

GiGi

Our New Normal...

It has seemed that all around the blogging world, us mommies have one thing in common... sick babies! All sorts of runny noses, fevers, strep, blow-up diapers...

I tune into my Instagram account to say hi to my Mommy friends only to discover, they are exactly in the same boat as me. ShopGirl has 2 sick babies, Jess has 1 very sick little one, Sweet Beka has no men  standing at her place, Danna is recovery from her house of horror sickness, and im sure if The Chatty Mommy had an IG account, she would join the list of victims. ( she is getting over being very sick.)

So, I think I can say, on behalf of all worn and tired Mommies out there... Our life has taken a very new normal.

I Love my bed.

I don't try to hide the fact that I look forward to climbing into my bed every.single.night.

To me, this is heaven. 2.5 inch memory foam mattress topper, soft down duvet cover and super high thread count sheets...

Not to mention a rather hunky hubby snoring sleeping to the right of me...

Mix this together with exhaustion and quiet time and you have the perfect nights sleep.

Until now that is.

Since being very sick, sweet baby Caleb has not so sweetly announced his hatred of his crib. He prefers something a bit bigger... a bit softer. Such as...

The couch.

Our brown soft trusted pillow rounded couch. So this has been where I spend most of my days AND nights. Caleb in the middle, and myself squeezed on a cushion while he snores away.

Don't get me wrong, I love the couch. During the day. When the sun is out and im reading a book to the kids... or homeschooling, or catching up on Once Upon a Time...

NOT when my body knows there is a more comfortable place for me to lay just 30 ft away...

But this too shall pass right? Definetaly will pass.... by February 15th when our new furniture arrives...

and we burn replace our good ol brown couch with 

DUEL RECLINERS.

Yes, I said it...

DUEL RECLINERS...

and when I sit on that heavenly throne, with my feet raised high,

then maybe I won't mind my new normal...

Maybe.

Until then, Just smile and wave when you see me. Don't stop to chat. I can't be responsible for anything that comes out of my mouth...

I have too many sick kids to care...

Get better IG world.

Xoxo

GiGi

Lessons In MotherHood...

Hannah and Daddy at Sleepy Hollow

 The day I found out I was pregnant with SURPRISE baby #2, hubby assured me I was not!

I assured myself I was NOT...

But those little home pregnancy tests begged to differ.

I joined the ranks of a welcome home deployment pregnancy...

 Along with many other women who's husband came home from Italy in March of 1998 from the 78th Fighter squadron.

Hannah Winning her Women of the Old Testament trophy

8 months later came a determined bald ( my only bald)  little girl. I think God made her my only bald baby to tell me that she would be different. 1 out of 7 very hairy babies...

She definitely would defeat all odds.

Hannah and Daddy at her Honor Star crowning

Its amazing when you raise a child. You can pick out certain character traits as they are growing.

But it isn't until they become teenagers, do their personalities really bloom. You can see the person they will become. Raising turns into molding and life lessons begin to shape their character.

The girls Molly, Emma and Hannah

 As a child, Hannah tackled everything in dress up shoes and princess clothes. She was the girl on her pink bike with the flowing dress over the back wheel. Slides were climbed in marabou heels and when she would walk next door to her Nana's house, the clanking echoed down the block.

When there were just two....

She craved stability and security and loved her sister to pieces. As long as she had all three, her world was GOOD! The pets that we had became her soulmates. She cared for them and connected with them and shared her secrets with them. When we had to get rid of them, her world shattered. Her security was gone and for 6 months, she mourned... whole-heartedly.

She still is that way today. Link The Cat is her love... and the thought of anything happening to him can send her curled in the corner crying...

But make no mistake. Most people don't see that side of Hannah. She craves justice and has no problem sticking up for herself... (we are still refining that quality in her.)

Friends, neighbors, strangers... it doesn't matter who you are. She will defend herself and her loved ones. In any way necessary...

But its usually the ones with the tough exterior that are the sweetest...

And that is our Hannah.

 

Our Banana

 She loves children and babies and can't wait to have her own. Penelope and Hannah share a bond that goes deeper than deep... and I often worry that one day things might change and Hannah would never recover from that.

I pray it never does.

She loves to cook and bake and knit and crochet...Qualities most 14 year old girls spit at, let alone publicly admit to.

She is fiercely loyal and loves her Daddy.

First day of Kindergarten for our Hannah

 She is never ashamed to say how much she loves him to anyone or admit that her Daddy smells the best! She loves to use his pillow because it makes her feel like he is close to her, even when he is at work.

She has to kiss her Mom goodnight... every night... and never likes to stray too far from her Little Red Nest. She would be the happiest if we lived here forever...

Although lately I have been forcing her to spread her wings a bit. Embracing freedom is a good thing...

And when she is ready, the world is a wonderful place.

Halloween 2012

My sister and I always say that she will make some lucky guy so happy... whoever that may be. Although, no one will be good enough for our Hannah... will she know what a GEM she truly is?

OF course He will... because we will make sure he knows all.the.time.

Christmas Formal 2011

Her love of those dress up shoes and pretty dresses extended into her teenage years. She wants to major in Cosmotology. Im excited... Her natural ability for color and style will make her excel in life.

Looking back on that day in May of 1998...

God knew what He was doing when he destined her soul to enter this world. Although at the time, we saw it as a change in our plan, He saw it as one of the greatest blessings we will ever know.

A girl more beautiful and larger than life. That is changing the world by proving GOOD still exists. Its cool to LOVE your parents and FAMILY is above friends...

To our Banana... Gosh, we love you... seriously LOVE you...

and would be lost without your smile.

Xoxo,

GiGi