We Are the Champions!!!!

And this is where I break out into "We are the Champions" and do the happy dance.

This Man:


Lead this Team:


To:


Now that makes me happy!



I am happy! :)

Out with the Old, In with the New

First of all, HAPPY 2010* everyone. I hope that your Christmas and New Years were good ones. Ours was fantastic! Lots of family, fun, food and rest.

*(That's twenty ten, none of this two thousand ten junk!)

2009 wasn't a half bad year for us. Sure we had our share of ups and downs, but considering we started the new year with a tiny little man and now we have a precious little toddler and we are happy, that's all that matters. I saw my son turn 1, have two seperate ER visits, be (mostly) diagnosed with asthma, be diagnosed with allergies, start walking, and now he's a jabbering fool who can actually use a fork and likes to throw his plate on the floor. Not too shabby. Parker's a true toddler now and growing physically and mentally each day. Our saw my marriage have a bit of a bump, but now it's stronger than ever. I saw my husband get another raise and watched him grow. And I saw myself grow tremendously, get a job I adore, a car I love and new friends to last a lifetime. All in all, 2009 wasn't too bad.

BUT OUT WITH THE OLD....

AND IN WITH THE NEW....

2010....day 2 of this year and already it's been pretty darn good. My step - sister had my nephew Dalton yesterday (1-1-10) at 9:13 am (he was the first baby born in that hospital in the new year. He's currently in the NICU for some lung issues, but is doing well. He was 7lbs, 6ozs and 19 inches long. He's a cute little man! I got to see many of my friends happy when the Bucks made dinner out of the Ducks in the Rose Bowl! And today, I got to enjoy a quiet afternoon with my two men and I get to go on a date tonight to see Avatar in 3D - so that should be fun. Oh and I get Chipotle for dinner. Some of you may not be thrilled, but I am!

I am looking forward to 20-10. I am not sure what all is in store and I am sure God has some plans that I may not enjoy, but nevertheless, I am excited. My baby boy, born at only 29 weeks, will turn two in May. He's car seat will FINALLY be flipped probably in the next few days. I will celebrate my 5 year wedding anniversary on Aug. 6 with a trip to either Chi-town or NYC. I will get to see my youngest brother, Brandon graduate from high school in June. And who knows what else really. I do look forward to it.

Oh did I also mention that the first meal I made in 20-10 was a delicious slow cooker full of ham and bean soup? Without a recipe? Yah, I am that good! We had a ton of left over ham from Christmas and I wanted to use it up and do something different. I happened to have some dry navy beans so I thought...hmmmm....let's try. It was easy peasy lemon squeezy! Want me to share what I did? Well fine, you twisted my arm...yeesh.

Ham N Bean Soup A'la Deni:

1.5 cups dry Navy Beans
Ham (I would say I had probably about 1.5 - 2 cups once I chopped it up)
1/2 an onion, sliced,
1 piece of celery chopped
6 cups of water
1.5 bullion cube (beef)

****The Dry beans need prepped first. I just did mine by soaking over night in a big bowl with 5 cups of water. I leave it on the counter and vent the lid a bit.****

I mixed all the ingredients in the slow cooker, added some spices, rosemary and thyme and pepper and cooked on low for 6 hours.

That's it folks. I mean, obviously their is the prep and all, but that's it. The beans cook great in the sc** and it ends up being yummy. I started out with 4 cups of water, but once the beans expanded I added two more. It made the soup not to thin and not too thick.

**slow cooker

Well that's my first recipe of 20-10. Let's write that one down in the record books! :)

I'll update again soon!

Tidbits: Dedications, Prayers, March and Party!!!

I am getting so excited!

- First of all, we are just a few weeks away from the big March of Dimes walk. I am so thrilled. I had planned to order team shirts, but they wouldn't be in by the time I need them, so maybe I will make them myself...but how do I do that? Any thoughts on what I need to make some cute, simple shirts for my team??? There is still time to donate to our team, we are super close to our goal, so please consider donating. Simply click on the button on the right hand side and donate away. Every little bit counts.

- Our church only does child dedications once a year. Honestly, we haven't had a need to do them more, our kids ministry was pretty small, this year though, it's grown. We do them each year on Mother's Day! And this year, on May 10, we will be dedicating Parker in the ceremony. I really look forward to it! I have invited my entire family. My in-laws have planned to come for months now, but I have been very nervous to invite my family. I am not going to lie, I guess I just expect them to say no or something. Anyways, I made their invites today and I am praying that some of them will be able to come. I don't get to see them often, it's hard to plan trips and they are all busy with their own stuff, so they don't get to travel much. I understand, I do, but sometimes it sucks! Anyway, I am nervous that some won't come because it's as church or because it's a 4 hour drive for a small ceremony and then some church preaching afterwards! I am hoping that enough come that maybe I could do Parker's birthday with them here. That would be awesome! Please pray for my family, that they will have the time and ability and desire to come. This dedication is so important to me. I want Parker to grow to know and love the Lord and I want to raise him in a Christian home with lots of love!

- Come to think of it, on the praying part, pray for me. I recently posted about being in a funk, still am, but feeling some what better. I am really dealing with though some mothering issues. I am going through a "I hate that I have a preemie" period. I by no means hate my son, in fact, he keeps me going, but I just struggle sometimes with his challenges and remembering that yes, he's 10 months, but developmentally, he's 7.5. I am scared that because he doesn't babble yet, he will never babble. I just need some peace!

- Mark your calendar friends: May 30th - Parker's 1st Birthday Party!!!! I am going to have it here at the club house at my complex and also plan that we have a fun time at the playground that's beside it. I am thinking of maybe Elmo Party (or just seasame street) and doing a fun scavenger hunt out side at the playground and surrounding area!!!! Not sure though yet, it's just basic thoughts! I am planning to invite my "family" at church; i.e. life group friends and their kids, other's I know who are friends with Parker. Maybe my family can't be here, but at least my church family can be and I love them and I know they love Parker! I may do a some other's too, I am thinking of inviting a couple of Parker's preemie buddies we met at Riverside and a few friends from Cincy. I have a lot to plan and want to do it on the cheap! But I also want to really enjoy my baby's first birthday!!! He's like, awesome and stuff!

Ok, well, I am going to go, Parker and I are meeting daddy at the mall he works at and we are going to get Easter outfits!

TidBits: HAHA moments, TN, Grocery, Parker

It's time for another issue of Tidbits. Tidbits is where I basically write all that is in my head. A little bit of this, a little bit of that.

1) I am happy to report that Mr. Parker precious pants is back to his normal breathing self. Last time he had any form of his inhaler was a week ago! He is acting as if nothing really happened. I still have to be careful with him, but I think it's all over with. I hope that his breathing issues never happen again, but with every challenge I realize that I am a great mom and know my son. I am sad in a weird way that he is no long on his steroids. They cleared up his eczema beautifully, but it's back...but at least it's not every part of his body, it's really just his cheeks and knees and his arms. I am continually rubbing lotion on him. It's frustrating, but with this nicer weather, it's not nearly as bad as it had been!
- 2 Quick Questions: 1) How do I teach Parker to use a cup? well a sippy actually. Is there anything I can do to help him realize you don't chew it, you suck? 2) If you baby has an allergic reaction to something, how do you know the difference between that and say just eczema?
Now I am not saying that Parker had an allergic reaction, but I just was wondering if maybe part of his breathing issue was due to one. It was the first day he had tried beef and he ended up in hospital. Granted I think his breathing had started out that day being more rough than normal, but not as bad until the evening. I feel like I am questioning myself and all I do for Parker. But maybe the hospital would have noticed if it were an allergic reaction - don't you think?

2) Moving along - I have to say, I find myself amused by random things. For example today, I am leaving the grocery. I am getting ready to pull out of my spot and I see this precious little old lady attempting to pull into a handicap spot. She totally missed it and ends up parking in the striped part. She sits there for a minute and realizes she didn't make it into the actual spot. I don't know, but I found it humorous. You know what else I find humorous? That I hate drinking wine, but I use it to cook with. They say only cook with wine you would drink - well what do you do when you wouldn't drink it? I think it tastes awful personally, I love cooking with it though because the alcohol cooks out. I think it's funny. Also funny - attempting to purchase wine when I know squat about it.

3) Speaking of the grocery - I have found the perfect time for me to go - 10am on Monday morning. I scored some awesome meat deals, there was no one in the store really, I got to take my time and compare prices and think through things. I loved it. And Drew got to be with daddy here at home so I didn't have to deal with him (though he would have been fine!) I am attempting to use coupons more...it helps!

4) I am getting so excited and giddy about May! On May 10th our church will be holding a dedication time during service. I will be dedicating Parker at that service (no it is not baptism). It happens to be mother's day too, what a great day. Also exciting, Drew's parents are coming down to be there during Parker's dedication. I am hoping maybe some of my family with come from Indiana, it would be awesome to have them, but I don't want to pressure them. Anyways, on the 11th - that monday - we are headed to Tennessee for a week. We are going to Knoxville and I finally get to meet Drew's grandma and grandpa and they will get to meet Parker too. We are going to go to Gatlinburg, Panther Creek State Park and other fun places. We are also going to Mt. Vernon indiana to see Drew's aunt and uncle. We may get to stop in Nashville! I am so excited for our trip, I can't wait to go on a proper family vacation.

This weekend we are heading to Cincinnati to see our friend's The Vinson's who moved to MN a few years back. I haven't seem them in almost a year and I miss them. Heather and I were roommates and I love her to death. I turned to her a lot during my pregnancy and even the first months of Parker's life. She is one of my BFFs! I can't wait. I also get so see some other college buddies too, we are having a cookout at the Reasor's; Brandee was my roommate the last year of college. And the Hobb's - almost all of the CCU posse.

I think that is all I have for today, other than to stay in prayer for Stellan and the MckMama family (see my other post from today.)

Love you all! Glad to be back in the swing of blogging!

Home from Indiana

This video yah, says it all!


Well, I am home in Ohio in one piece! It was a crazy couple of days, but I am thankful that it all worked out and I got to be home for OP's memorial service!

I was able to leave Saturday after choir was done around noon. Made it to Warsaw around 4ish. Parker did amazingly well, I could have done without the snow and crap...but I am so used to that area it was normal and I didn't mind it too much. Got to go to the memorial that was at the police station for OP. It was his DARE van and I signed it and got a bracelet in honor of him and headed home to hang out with my sister and brother. Sunday, I went to church with my mom and then went home for lunch.

1:30 I walked into the gym of WCHS. I was just overwhelmed with knowing that this was it, the memorial service. The service started at 3pm, I lost it and cried through the whole thing. Especially when former DARE students spoke about OP, and when his brother told us about his last hours, and especially at the end when the Warsaw Police Chief (I think..) made the official announcement that OP had served his last duty. They gave the flag to his wife and that was it...I was gone...I was BAWLING! I don't want him to be gone, but I know he is in a far better place and he isn't suffering. I was able to see some old friends and it was great to honor him. I watched the 11 news and guess who was on it bawling? Yup me and my friend Sara, I am trying to figure out a way to link to the video. But for now go to this link and then click on watch video, you will see me in a back sweater and green and white stripped shirt. I am beside a girl wiping her eye, in a black shirt with long hair.

I will always love OP and miss him so much!

I am glad to be home! So so glad!

Riding the Vomit Comet

There is a reason that I tend not to wear super nice outfits anymore and that when at home, I would much rather be in pjs or ratty old clothes....The Vomit Comet. It never fails, I could be cover in plastic and Parker would some how get his spit up all over me. He has such a knack of missing anything between him and I that isn't my clothing and getting spit up all over me. It never ever fails. Today, I was sitting here holding him and he spits up, now granted, I wasn't being super protective of my clothes, I was having too much fun making him laugh while he sat on my lap facing me. As I sit here making funny noises and faces and he laughs, he burps...and before I can get the burp cloth, you comes the vomit comet. And of all the place for it to fall in on me, right in me "area". Yup friends, you guessed it, I looked like I had peed myself. How this kid can get spit in the most unusual of places. On time, he almost got in my mouth (maybe we shouldn't have been playing airplane - oops).

I really wish that someone had told me how much comes out of these children that God creates. How is it that a ton more comes out then what comes in? It's some weird force of nature, I tell ya! If I had a dollar for every time Parker spits up, I would be a rich rich woman. Now, Parker, though, I should note, has a severe case of acid reflux, so his spit ups are large and very frustrating. It used to cause so many problems that he would want to eat, but hurt the entire time and cry. In fact, when I brought him home in August the first two weeks made me feel terrible. I couldn't stand that it hurt him so bad. I would feed him and cry the entire time. Now, things are significantly better, still not "normal" if there is such a thing, but a ton better than it used to be.

Parker is awesome though, seriously!




Just look at that little guy. The picture with Trooper is his 6 month shot and the other is one of my favorites of him, I love that look of, "uh hi mom, you caught me!"

**Please continue praying for Terry (OP) and his family and friends. His memorial service is sunday, so I will be leaving town Saturday after choir practice and coming back monday. I am not really looking forward to driving 4 hours with Parker, but he tends to do ok in the car. I think it's the fact that I am going home for a reason that isn't so fun. Thanks!

A Loss of Words!

**** Update****

Officer Terry Polston passed away this afternoon at around 1:20pm. He is at peace now and he is not suffering anymore. I am going to miss this man so much. Please pray for his family, friends and those the touched! I am going to be heading to Indiana once I know the funeral arrangements.

For now, meet my friend, my role model, the many I love dearly: Officer Polston


I truly don't really know what to type right now, I am at a complete loss of words. My heart is hurting for someone VERY near and dear to it and I am just praying that this person will be ok. I am not sure how many of you know of the D.A.R.E. Program, but it's something in Indiana that teaches Drug Abuse Resistance Education. In elementary school you had a DARE officer come in teach you all about resisting drugs and such. One of the most prominent and most loved Officers, O.P. is one that everyone knows. He loved by so many. Sadly, this amazing man is very ill, he has cancer and has been battling it for years. He was in remission and it came back very strong. He is currently in the hospital fighting for his life. My heart is just broken right now. i guess sometimes I forget that death can come in a blink in an eye. I am just not ready for him to leave and go be with his heavenly father, but I know that his suffering would be over! My heart breaks because this man means the world to me (and many others). I love him dearly, I respect him highly and I look up to him immensely.

I just pray that he will be at peace, that his family will be at peace and that is suffering ends however it must. I pray for his son, daughter and wife, as well as other family, that they find God's peace and strength. I pray that we who love him can work through this as well. A who town in Indiana has been impacted by him and I am sure will hurt if he does go to be with God.

If he does pass away...I have every intention of going home for a few days to be there for the viewing and funeral if I can. The only thing that is really going to stop me is either weather or timing. I am not looking forward to driving 4 hours with a 6 month old to attend something like this, but, I just wouldn't feel right if I didn't attempt to. I so love this many that it would break my heart not to see him one last time!

Please pray for Officer Polston, his family, his friends, his students in this really hard time.

Pray for me as I am being hit pretty hard by this.

****on a completely random note - we got our washer and dryer today!*****

Back Home Again...In Indiana

3 words - WHAT A WEEKEND! 

As much as I enjoy seeing my family I am so glad to be back in the great state of Ohio, sitting in my living room, watching, or rather, listening to the Today show in my jammies while my cat snores on the chair and my baby sleeps in his bed. I love that I got to sleep in my own bed last night, that I get to eat my own food, that I get to be in my apartment. 

THURSDAY - 

Boy did we not plan to leave as late as we did. Drew ended up going out to breakfast with a church friend to discuss some things and I slept in some and tried to pack quickly. Drew got home, we packed the car (did I mention we brought Parker's swing and like every outfit he owns?) and headed towards Indiana. What a smooth ride it was, I sat in back with Parker, just in case we had a "paci down" situation, plus, there was a bit more room for me. Parker slept until we got to our first stop, half way between here and Warsaw. We fed Parker in the Arby's parking lot, he proceeded to puke down my shirt....(guess who forgot to pack extra shirts...I had just enough for the entire weekend!) We head off and get to Warsaw in record time. It was a good time. I had to deal with my grandma dumping on me (she like to vent!) and then got to eat at one of the many restaurants on my list: Hacienda! I had my favorite meal: Chicken and Spinach quesadilla (with sour cream and guacamole of course!) We then went home and just relaxed that evening!

FRIDAY - 

Slept in and got up and relaxed. Headed out to do some stuff in town. We got to take Parker to where Drew and I were married, tried to take some pictures, but realized we remembered the camera but left the batteries at grandma's in the charger! We went to Court House Coffee for a bit and talked about details regarding my transition into taking over the toddler room at church (which I want to give a name...maybe the fireflies, it kinda goes with Vista, no? Any suggestions welcome!) I got some good thinking done and not just have to really sit down and map out the curriculum I am working on writing. (I love doing this though, this is my element!) After that, I went to my sister's place of employment and showed off Parker! Next, off to Walmart (the coolest hang out spot in town!) and met my Grandma Bev there and she got to meet her great grandson for the first time. Drew and I got some things we needed and then headed over to my mom's house. She hasn't seen Parker since a week after he was born, so she got to love on him and we went to yet another fine eating establishment on my "must visit" list...American Table. I got my Gyro and Greek Salad meal! Then, on to home to hang out!

SATURDAY - 

Not too much going on. Stayed home most of the day, my dad came over with my brother and we had a game night. Played some Euchre, but warning, don't be my partner, I am terrible! And then had dinner, Chinese and played Cranium. It was so much fun, I love family game night. We headed to bed at 9, I was BEAT and enjoyed the extra hour of sleep! 

SUNDAY - 

We got up and headed to church at WCC, the church we went to before moving away. I miss that church. I do love my church here, seriously, I do, but I do miss WCC, that place just made my day, after growing up and going to the same church for many many years, WCC was what I needed in my life! We met my mom and her husband there and enjoyed an amazing service. We then headed to El Arerrio, my other favorite place to eat and I got my cheese enchilada's and bean burrito! After that, we got some snacks for the way home, headed to my Aunt's house so they could meet Parker! And home to Ohio we came...what a drive! Parker was incredibly fussy and I was tired and Drew was driving and I am just glad we got home in one piece.

So now here we are, back in Ohio where we are round on the ends and friendly in the middle ;) Today consists of unpacking, resting, and attempting to clean a bit.