He said YES!

September 7th

So many times Scott and I have had to change plans we make for one reason or another.  We have learned to adjust well to making those changes.  During our Celebration Cruise we began making plans for our 2011 Summer vacation.  We planned to go to Jamaica for a week.  I had even found some really cool places where we might stay.  Once again, we have to change our plans.  Our Jamaica trip will have to be postponed for the time being.  We are hoping that the friends we were going to go with have a wonderful time and bring back lots of stories and pictures for us.

Why do we have to change our plans?  Here's the story...

Earlier this year we decided it was time to do something about a house (buy or build).  We have simply outgrown our current place and quit frankly are just tired of the same old cramped space.  After some land we were looking at fell through we decided to put things off until we got back from vacation.  It wasn't until the end of August that we finally decided to put an offer in on a house.  We are still in the process of finalizing things on the house right now.  We have put in an offer, which was accepted and have been approved for financing.  Right now we're just waiting on all of the red tape to get out of the way.

We are both so very thankful that we decided to put an offer and the house.  We were excited before, but words can't express how excited we are now!  Most of our family and friends know that we went on vacation for Labor Day weekend.  What they don't know is that the morning before we left I took a home pregnancy test.  I thought I had a faulty test.  I just bought an el chepo test so I wouldn't feel bad about taking a test that was negative.  Anyway, when the result window came up there was a strong line running vertical next to the control line and a very faint line running horizontal.  According to the directions any plus sign means your pregnant, but a vertical line means the test was faulty.  The horizontal line was so light it was almost like I was just seeing it through the paper (or whatever the test is made of).  I felt like crying.  I still didn't know anything more than I did before.

Something kept telling me to buy another test, which I did.  I bought a digital test.  It seemed to be pretty dummy proof.  At the beach house that night I snuck the test into the bathroom with me and took it.  While I was in the shower Scott stuck his head in and said, "That thing says yes."  I was shocked and in disbelief.  I made him pass it into the shower for me to see. Sure enough a Yes+ was staring back at me.  You couldn't have slapped the smile off of my face that night.

This morning I scheduled an appointment to have my pregnancy verified.  They can't see us until September 13th.  We will be thrilled to give up Jamaica for this!

 September 14th
Obviously, almost everyone knows that the results from yesterday's doctor visit was positive.  We thank God for blessing us with this miracle.  After ten years of trying God said YES!  We are excited beyond words.  We hope that our blessing will demonstrate to people how truly amazing God is.

While we are excited for ourselves, we still feel the pain some of our friends are experiencing with starting a family.  We pray that they will never give up.  God loves you.  We will be praying for each of you.

Contemplating changes

Isn't it funny how one small thing can make you contemplate changing everything?  I have been doing a lot of thinking about what I need to do in several areas of my life.  I came to the realization that taking care of me is more important than anything.  That realization has brought me to a tough decision.  I know in my heart what my decision will be but first I need to talk to one important person in the equation.  I promise to have an update soon.

P90X - Second Round

Wow!  I had forgotten the difference P90X made the first go round until I was reviewing some stuff.

Top:  December 2009
Bottom: April 2010                                                                    


Right before our cruise and after the cruise we stopped eating as healthy and weren't working out.  We decided it was time to get back to it. We are 4 weeks into our second go at P90X.  The first week was TOUGH!!!  I think it was even tougher than the first time we started.  I still haven't been as dedicated as I need to be to eating healthy and working out every day I am suppose to but I plan to get better this week.  Things are finally slowing down at work and I'm getting into a groove with my school work.  Hopefully I can manage to juggle everything I have going on.

It is time for positive change in our lives.  We are going to take those changes one step at a time.

Celebrating Life

Scott and I have been very busy celebrating life.  June 19th - 28th we went on a celebration cruise to the Eastern Caribbean to celebrate him becoming a paramedic (May), me turning 30 (June), and 10 years of blissful marriage (September).  We saw many beautiful places and had the most relaxing vacation ever!  We are ready to go on another cruise!!!

One Chapter Almost Closed

I am so proud of Scott.  He has almost completed his goal of becoming a paramedic.  He graduated from ICC with honors (.02 away from special honors) May 14, 2010.  National Registry...here he comes!

Life

Life rarely works out like we expect or want it to.  Yet, it always seems to work out for the best.  You would think that knowing that would make life easier, but it doesn't.  There are so many decisions that I need to start making.  I don't even know where to begin, because there are so many alternatives to each situation.  I wish that someone could tell me, "Mary Ann, do this and it will work out this way."  If only things were that easy.

I've made many decisions in the past that have not worked out the way I expected.  I guess that is what makes it so hard to make the decisions I am faced with now.  I can't keep putting life off, because I am not getting any younger.  Next month I will hit the big 3-0.  I've done a good job of not thinking about it this year until a week or so ago.  Up to that point, the cruise I have been planning with some friends had been my focus for June instead of my looming birthday.  I stopped basing things on my age when I hit 25.  I use to have plans to have certain things accomplished by a certain age, and I would compare my life to my parents' lives at whatever age I was.  When I hit 25 I realized that by doing that I made 25 an awful age to hit.  Since then I haven't focused on things according to age.  Now that I am getting older though, I HAVE to start thinking about some things based on age.  Not necessarily accomplishing something by a certain age, but as I age the likelihood of some things decline.  Oh if only life were easy!

On a "lighter" note.  Scott has lost over 40 lbs on P90X.  He's looking good!

Life is good

Life is so good these days.  Scott will be graduating soon, which is wonderful!  The month of March was VERY busy for him, but he has completed all of the required clinicals.  So for April he can focus on finishing his classes, studying for the National Registry, and work.
 
Now that Scott's schedule is finally slowing down a little we can actually spend some time together.  Last Saturday night we went on a date after he got home.  He can be such a sweetheart.  He brought me flowers in from the pear tree in the front yard.  We were playing around before we left and he made it into a "corsage". lol  Of course, it ended up in water before we left.  The date was wonderful, although we didn't get to do everything we had planned.

Ethan Turns 2!!!

Ethan turned 2 last week.  What a difference two years makes.  Looking at this little boy you would never know that he had a tough beginning.  He's just like any other two year old little boy.  He is so cute and sweet.

Ethan driving his big green tractor.

Tractor envy.

What A Difference A Week Makes

Last week was not a good week.  I was stressed beyond belief at work and thing just were not good.  I only worked out one night (I didn't even realize that until this week).  I was draaaagging all week.  This week I'm back to my old self.  Work isn't getting me down, I'm in an extremely good mood, I'm not dragging, and I'm catching up on my missed workouts.  Life is good!

I'm still behind at work.  There is just no catching up when you are doing two very hectic full-time positions.  I do have help from one of the other ladies in the office, which is awesome.  But it is still a lot of work and I'm ready for a new person to come in and take over!

I'm still reading The Love Dare.  I admit that I do not have the opportunity to read it every day.  Yes, it is only a couple of pages a day, but it is hard to fit those few pages in.  I'm not very far into the book, but I can already tell a difference in the way I view not only Scott but all of my loved ones.  The book isn't telling me anything I didn't already know; it's just bringing it back front and center.  About three weeks ago in my Skills class (during a session with my "counselor") it was brought to my attention that my priorities and what takes most of my time don't line up.  I vowed then and there that I was going to do better with putting the things that matter most to me at the top of the list.  I'm going to MAKE time for them.  At the very top of my list is family and friends.  Those two things are the most important things in my life.  The Love Dare helps with that.

I've also started reading another book, Captivating.  It's about what it means to be a woman.  I just started it last night.  I read a little at lunch today.  I'm not sure if it is going to be a book I love, but I do think it will make me stop to examine what is important in my life as a woman and what I need to be doing to be whole and happy.  Yeah I know, I really don't have time for another book.  But I have this strong urge to dig deeper into self-discovery and to grow spiritually.  It may take me a year to finish these two books, but I really feel like they will benefit me.

A Movie with the Girls

There's something about going to the movies that I love.  It's an opportunity to just get away from it all.  Distractions and the world disappear for a couple of hours.  What makes a movie great?  Sharing them with someone you love.

Last Saturday I went to Madison to visit with Jeremy and his family.  When Lauren found out that I was planning to go to the movies she quickly asked to go.  I promised Jeremy that if he brought the girls up I would take them to the movies.  The next day, after inviting Gracie to tag along, us girls loaded up and headed to the theater to watch The Tooth Fairy.  Our movie going experience (Gracie's first) was made complete with popcorn, Jr. Mints, and Sour Punch Straws.

 L-r: Kendall (11), Gracie (4), Lauren (9)

God Knows Whats in My Heart

It is comforting to know that God knows what is in my heart.  As long as He knows, that's all that matters.  It took a minute for me to realize this.  I was honestly ready to just spend my days keeping to myself earlier this week, because people misinterpreted something I said.  By the next day I realized that just isn't something I can do, so I gave up that idea.  Then two wonderful people reminded me that God knows where my heart is.  With that reminder I decided that it doesn't matter what people think.  I'm no longer an emotional wreck.  I also no longer have to bite my tongue to keep the peace, because I honestly don't care if people understand me or not.  What a great feeling!!!

Note: As soon as it was brought to my attention how it was interpreted apologies were extended. I hope they were accepted, but I honestly do not think they were. I've done all I can do in that department.  Now all I can do is move on.

Busy doesn't begin to describe it!

Can anyone say stressed?  I stay so busy these days!  I am praying for the day that my old position gets posted and we hire someone in it.  I just pray that person knows academics at State frontwards and backwards so I don' have to train them!!!  It is so stressful trying to keep up with two jobs at work and four graduate level classes.  I never have time for fun anymore.

One positive thing, I am staying on top of working out.  I am really digging P90X.  My body is going to be totally transformed before we head off on our cruise.  I might also mention, so is Scott's!  I can see a huge improvement in both of us already.  He's dropping pounds and building muscle, and I am really toning up!  I have even started seeing some muscle definition in my abs and back (which take longer for me to see results in).  We start week four Monday.  Can't wait for this week!

Now I've got to go study for a test...joy.

One More Thing

So I've decided to take one more thing on in addition to everything else I have going on.  At some point last year I joined a Christian book club.  Out of the books I ordered I have had time to read one of them.  They were discarded to the side and forgotten about until I ran across them in search of something else.  While I don't have time to read any of them, I am going to take the time to do The Love Dare.  I have had plans to start it all week, but it just hasn't worked out with my two jobs and four classes.  Tomorrow is the big day.  I WILL start it!

P90X Here We Come!!!

This is us December 24, 2009. Give us 90 days and you won't be able to recognize us. lol Okay, so maybe you will, but we will be healthier, fitter people. Scott and I will begin the P90X program tomorrow. He wants to slim down and build muscle. I want to eat a more balanced diet and build muscle. Starting weights are 188 (he's already lost some) and 121 (unfortunately, I've lost some from not eating right). This is going to be a hard program to stick to with both of our hectic schedules, but we WILL do it!

In addition to P90X I will be running more. Scott, such a wonderful husband, got me a treadmill for Christmas. I can tell a huge difference in my motivation and dedication to getting healthier already. And even with mostly just running I can see the muscle definition returning to my legs. Yes! We also combined our Christmas money and bought a small home gym. I'm so proud that he has been using both pieces of equipment too. Can't wait to be a smoking hot couple on the beaches of the Caribbean!

Light bulbs and Decisions

First the light bulb...I forgot my password to my blog (which is why I haven't posted in a while). It just hit me that it was the same as my gmail password. Duh! All this time I haven't been able to respond to blogs or post my own. Man I'm getting forgetful!

Now the decisions...I just read a note on Facebook that one of my friends posted. She will be having a child soon (within a month). In the note she mentioned how they tried for 2 1/2 years and how devastating it was. To me 2 1/2 years doesn't seem long at all. It made me realize that it has now been 12 years since I have been dealing with infertility and 2 years since our failed IVF. So much has gone through my head in that time about starting a family. Scott and I debated last year about trying again (or picking back up on the adoption road) this summer. But then I wonder...will either work? Will I be waiting forever? Am I meant to be a mom? And, yes, sometimes I even wonder if I truly still want to be a mom. That last question enters my mind more often as I inch closer to 30. Deep down I know that I truly do still want to have children. I think the last thought is a defensive thought so that I won't be devastated if that dream never comes to fruition.

Changes in Life

I'm going to try to get better at keeping this updated. I have not been doing a good job so far. There have been many changes since my last post. I've started the Master's program in Rehabilitation Counseling and gotten back into becoming healthy. Those two things pretty much keep me busy. I'm not going to go into a lot of boring details right now. I will save that for later posts. :-) I will say, I'm training for a 10K at the end of October. Not sure how that is going to turn out. I think I may have bitten off more than I can chew, which I tend to do.

I've also started a FB profile for my church, which I will be maintaining. I've been wanting to do something to help and with my schedule loaded down this is my start.

Ramblings

It has been forever since I updated due to various reasons, so this update is just a jumble of everything. They aren't necessarily in order.


EASTER

Easter Sunday was spent at Scott's grandparents' house. There are still a few nieces and nephews young enough to enjoy a good Easter egg hunt. Apparently Chance likes a good egg hunt too. I'm sure he was watching where they were put, and as soon as everyone had their backs turned he snagged an egg! He will eat ANYTHING!

Thankfully, not all the eggs were real, so the little ones didn't have to fight for all of them. Chance did think about going after one of Ethan's plastic eggs when he threw it on the ground, but knew he'd be smarter not to.

TURKEY HUNTING

Scott hasn't had a lot of time to play lately. He's been working full-time as an EMT at Columbus, part-time at Eupora, taking 18 hours of school work, and doing clinicals. He finally got a break from everything (including studying) and went turkey hunting. He bagged the turkey below within the first 10 minutes. Without questions, he went back out.

Scott didn't look too happy when I was taking his picture, so I told him to act happy. He made several crazy faces that I got lucky enough to get pictures of. The one above is my favorite.

CAKE

We had a baby shower for one of the ladies at work and I volunteered to make the cake. I've been dying to make a baby booty cake that I saw online. It gave me fits with the icing for the sheet cake, but I think it turned out pretty good considering.

This is the booty part of the cake before I put it on the sheet cake. I wish I would have had more time to dedicate to details, but I was a little busy that week.



I forgot to snap a picture before covering the cake. :-( It was so much cuter without the plastic wrap on it, but I was not about to unwrap it!

RELAY FOR LIFE TOILET

This toilet is being passed around the community by my church. We are one of the Relay for Life teams in Eupora; this is one of our fundraisers. We were lucky enough to get it from a friend from church. We passed it along to Scott's mom.

PARADE FOR THE EUPORA TROOP

Eupora had a parade for the troop we had leaving. Several members of our church went to the parade. I think most of Eupora was there.



Before the parade I was about to die of thirst, so I went by the local drive-in to get a cherry-limeade. I told them I wanted very little ice (because I wanted more drink). I think they replaced the ice with cherries. Someone got a little carried away! And this picture was taken after I had eaten a couple of cherries.




Scott was at the parade in his rig. :-) I was able to zoom in and get a shot of him trying to backup without running over anyone. lol For those of you who don't know, Scott will be starting full-time at Eupora next week. Does that mean I'll see him more? Not necissarily...he'll be part-time at Columbus still.

Good Friday

I can't believe it is Good Friday already. Where has the time gone? And it definitely is a going to be a good Friday. It is beautiful outside. This is my kind of weather. I spent about an hour outdoors weeding my flowerbeds and didn't even break a sweat. Yeah, my whole smother the weeds with mulch thing isn't going to work. If it was something that I was wanting to grow that got covered with three inches of mulch it would already be dead. Something I'm trying to kill and it shoots right through. My new strategy is to brush back the mulch and weed the section that shoots out through the mulch. We'll see how that goes.

Tomorrow night I am going to hang out with some of my best friends and their families. We are going to go through old pictures and reminisce about younger days. :-) Mostly, we are going to laugh at how ridiculous we looked. What were we thinking back then?!? So now I'm going through my cookbooks to figure out what in the world I want to cook. Everything looks soooooo good.

Spring has sprung

SPRING IS HERE!!!!

After returning home from camping Friday night, I was up bright and early Saturday morning to participate in the Run Wild event hosted by MSU. I ran my second 5K (the first was the Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure last October) and beat my previous time by more than 2 minutes, coming in at 37:20. It may not be a great time, but I am proud of myself. I'm planning to run the Natchez Trace 5K later this month. I will actually train for that one, so maybe I will beat my time again. After the race I went shopping for supplies for my flower garden, ate lunch with Cyrena and Katrina, and then headed home to unload the camper and start on improving the yard.

With the arrival of spring it is time to get in the yard. I've always wanted to have a beautiful yard with tons of flowers. I'm a perennial type of gal though. I like to plant things with the idea that they will come back. Sometimes that doesn't happen, because I'm still a newbie with a brown thumb. Last year I did very little to my beds and I can tell this year. The weeds have taken over. Can you smother grass with mulch? I'm trying my best to do that, because I got tired of trying to get it all out of the beds.

This ivy may not seem like much, but it is the prized possession in my yard this year. I've never had luck with ivy, but this little guy is a survivor! I will have to be sure to tell Mamaw thanks for some hardy ivy.

My success with the ivy gave me the idea to try my had with azaleas again. I have never been able to keep them alive in my yard. Maybe this little guy and his friend will survive me.

When Nanny and I went to Oxford a week and a half ago there were so many houses that had beautiful phlox growing. I just had to have my own!!! I choose a purple hue to complement my irises.

These irises are in the bed I have next to the road. They are very hardy and multiply quickly. I also have them in other locations around my yard and have shared them with others. Be prepared to receive some of these in the future if you are a friend who shares a passion for flowers.

Okay, my irises do well, but these are just absolutely GORGEOUS. The blooms are so much larger than mine. It's a shock, but true...these beauties belong to Scott's grandma instead of me. They did not flower last year, but they are definitely going to show off this year. May have to steal some bulbs from these when they are ready to divide.

Relaxation

This past week we took a much needed vacation. We went camping at Lake Lamar Bruce with my parents, Timothy and his family, and a couple who is friends with my parents. It was very pretty and relaxing. I wish it would have been a little warmer, but at least I got some time away from everything. Everyone had a good time, but I would almost bet Gracie had the best.

Almost everyone braved the cold weather to fish. Mom and Dad are on their way out in this pic.

Gracie tried her best, with no luck, to call the ducks so she could pet them.

But her favorite guest was domestic and loved a good petting. She requested this picture be taken, and wanted to take my picture with the dog. I passed.

She rode her bike on the "bridges" every chance she got. Out of the seven piers there was only one she was not allowed to go on, because it had no rails. On one of our "bridge" expeditions she exclaimed that she was "SO HAPPY!" She was having a ball.



She got to blow bubbles with her new bubble gun, but she had more fun popping them.

Riding her bike, again, with Uncle Scott by her side. Even though he was making her go back to the camper for not listening to us, she didn't seem to mind. Can't get her spirits down!

We had lots of wildlife to admire while we were away. Below are a few of our wild neighbors.

None of us were really sure what type of duck this was, or if it was a duck. He had to be the inspiration for the ugly duckling. I felt bad for the poor thing. He would try to hang with the mallards and they would not have it. At least he had to female companions with him.

This is one of his companions. Apparently, she felt right at home on my parent's Mallard camper. I couldn't resist taking a picture from this angle.

This male goose decided he needed a bath while his females soaked up the sun.

These mallards pretty much stayed around our campsite. They enjoyed eating crackers, and even dined on a little popcorn.

I hated to see the week come to an end. Now it is back to real life and responsibilities.