The Fun Part of Our Trip

Despite our trip getting off to a shaky start, we managed to have a good time. Ty and Priscilla and the girls were able to stay all week so we got a lot more time with them than we would have otherwise. Because of the outpouring of love from family and friends, we were able to see a lot of people we wouldn't have and even in those circumstances its good to catch up with old friends!
We did Christmas as we were able and that worked out pretty well... the kids weren't overwhelmed and enjoyed playing with their things as they came across them. Jaydan had talked for months about building a snowman with Grampa, so despite the fact that the snow was kind of "yucky" the kids, Grampa and "Munca Ty" managed to put one together. One snowy night we built a bon fire and even poor Granny was able to venture outside for a few minutes to enjoy a roasted marshmallow and some winter fun! The kids played well together and enjoyed some good, MOSTLY quality time and we enjoyed getting to know "Laila Bug", the newest member of the family and the sweetest baby EVER! Jaydan was soooo good with her, that I have hope for when our baby gets here! He and his "Munca Ty" developed a pretty special relationship over the course of the week and even though some times "Munca Ty" gets a little carried away, as far as Jaydan is concerned, its clear that they adore each other! We all were grateful to still have each other and I think "family" probably means a little more to us all these days!

And then our lives were changed.....

The day after Christmas, Jaydan and I boarded a plane to head to Idaho for a week. Our flights went smoothly, Jaydan was a trooper and up until we arrived in Spokane I felt like the day had been a sucess. My first clue that something wasn't right was when we rounded the corner in the Spokane airport and no one was there to greet us. That was alarming, because normally the excitement of seeing Jaydan puts my parents to the airport PLENTY early. I turned on my phone, thinking maybe they had ran into construction or something that was making them late..... 14 missed calls! And and this point I know that whatever news is coming isn't going to be good. I've always called our dear friend Debbi Duffy my "other mother" and this was reiterated when my first phone call was to her, and she was given the unhappy job of telling my that my parents had been in an accident on their way to pick us up. Luckily, by the time I called she was with them and knew first hand that they were going to be ok. Mom's wrist was badly broken and she had a couple of broken ribs.... Dad had bumped his head, which is always scary when there is a plate in there, but had checked out ok.

We are so thankful that their injuries weren't more severe. The young lady that hit them passed away and her little boy was airlifted to Spokane, so its easy to see how much worse things could have been. That a fatality was involved has been tremendously difficult for all of us, mostly Mom and Dad, but I think that we are all overcome with gratitude that they are still with us. Their injuries, both physical and emotional will heal with time. I know that I speak for all of us when I say that life will never be totally the same. With each sentence.... action....thought the knowledge is in the back of my mind that life is so precious and can so quickly just be gone, or drastically changed. Each day that God gives us is a gift and I've made a concious effort to live my life accordingly since that day!

One more gift that has risen from the ashes of all of this, is that we have all been reminded how blessed we are by our friends and family. It has been over a month since the accident and Mom and Dad are still getting deliveries from the local flower shop weekly and I don't think they've cooked a meal since!! During the few stress-filled days that Mom was in the hospital there were lots of jokes made about how far friends and family would go to show thier love. I won't get into that (thats just how we work people).... let's just say its FAR!!! We will never be able to adequately express our gratitude....we can only hope that you know how much we love and appreciate you!!!

Christmas 2009

Our Christmas this year, was a lot different than what any of us are used to. It was spent just the three of us and it was very quiet and laid back and a little lazy! Nana and Pop are in the process of moving to Tallahassee and where Jeff worked both Christmas Eve and the day after Christmas, there wasn't an opportunity for us to travel. We did all of the usual stuff, left treats out for Santa and all of that.... except when we woke up we just stayed in our jammies and took our time opening presents. We ate breakfast when we got hungry and my very first attempt at a Christmas dinner was eaten when it got ready! It was very strange and yet strangely wonderful! Jaydan had all day to play w/ all of his loot (it was ample) and we watched A Christmas Story on T.V. While I think its safe to say that we would ALL prefer to be with our familiies during the holidays, its nice to know that when circumstances are such that we have to do it just us, we won't hate it (and dinner wasn't bad, either)!

HA HA HO..... BERRY KISSMISS!!

Oh, what fun it is..... preparing for the Holidays with a two year old in the house! This is our third Christmas w/ Jaydan in our lives, and while the first two were fun...... mostly for Jeff and I, Jaydan is having a ball this year.
As per usual, we decorated our tree the weekend of Thanksgiving...... I had the "trunk" up and the very top section installed before Jaydan proclaimed it "boomiful". It just much easier to justify all the work it takes to make the house "boomiful" when there is someone around who appreciates it!!! Santa was a no-go last year...... Jaydan would shriek and hide and bawl if he so much as SAW him..... this year, he's pretty much down, as long as he gets a candy cane out of it, he calls him "Kissmiss" and thinks pretty much EVERY old man is "Kissmiss". I still don't know that he REALLY gets it..... they wrote letters to Santa at daycare and apparently all my child wants is candy and fruit snacks. He has enjoyed it all this year, the lights, Santa, the treats and even the corny Christmas specials on TV. He's a big "helper" and has to be right in the middle of anything going on but its fun anyway.
As for our upcoming new addition, things are going well. We had a check up last week and everything seems to be going great! I feel markedly better, this go round and with the exception of exhaustion, am enjoying the experience. Jaydan is excited.... he talks to my tummy and kisses his "sistah" and thinks every small baby he sees is "her". We'll see how excited he is when new baby comes home to stay!

"Tiny Baby" Little

So here is our new addition..... note how "it" stood clear up at one point during the ultrasound as if to say "WHAT?". A little frightening for a Mama who is hoping for a very laid back baby this go-round!

Big News at the Little House

Baby #2 will be joining our family around the end of June! Having some rough days, but over all I feel better, more than I did w/ Jaydan. Hopefully that is a good sign! Jeff is convinced that he only produces boys (you know, based on the ONE boy that he has) and Jaydan is sure its a "Sista". Any takers out there?

Halloween!

Oh, Halloween was fun around our house this year! Jaydan's mind was blown that merely saying "Trick or Treat" inspired people all around him to give him handfuls of candy! My boss and her husband live in a fantastic neighborhood in midtown Atlanta and she had been telling us for years that we need to bring our kids for Halloween. Well they decided to host a little party for the staff w/ young kids..... and they were right! Their neighborhood is just like a movie..... first of all its gorgoeus ..... all beautiuful homes built up high with stone steps. And then they "DO" them some Halloween.... they shut down the streets for several blocks and EVERYONE has their home decorated. They have police patrolling and if you can get them to pull over, they have candy in their saddle bags for the kids. So. Much. Fun. After the kids got their fill of Trick or Treating, they grilled hot dogs. Our neighborhood is Lame-O, so it was great to go somewhere that people were really into it. Thank you, Mr. and Mrs. Barnes for having us and I hope you meant it when you said we were welcome to come every year. Ahem ;)