Together for Life

Meet Winter Baby :)       I am not a fan of ultrasounds, but I love, love, LOVE getting to see my Winter Baby!  Some of you know that we had a threatened miscarriage at week twelve, but all is well and we are so grateful!  However, there was some concern as to the placenta, because it was showing a marginal previa; additionally, some of the complications I had post-birth with Ransom raised some questions about a possible Acreta, which is a condition where the placenta grows into the actual uterine muscle.     We had an appointment today with an OB at U of M Ann Arbor's Women's Hospital and are happy to say that the previa is no longer a concern and there is no sign of an Acreta! This is a huge answer to prayer.     It was quite the drive, and due to some unforeseen circumstances, we ended up rushing out the door without a thought for food.  About four hours later, we were famished.  I had a craving for a McDonald's Burge...

  My siblings, parents and I would load our luggage, kitchen sink  included, into the family van. We were excited to finally be on the road to visit Mom's side of the family in New York, which we did every so often. My Grammie has had a radio ever since I can remember, listening to it daily . The sound of the hymns and classical music would waft through the air like the scent of her freshly-baked cinnamon rolls, and I'm fairly certain the two would start waltzing. She has always been a huge role model for me, always thinking o f what kind things she could do for others, and hardly ever watch ing television but for the local evening news. He loves me.  ;)        Something Joel and I have been happily fascinated by lately is how much better our lives seem to be when we ignore most media. You may be wondering why we are back in the world of Facebook, and honestly, I think an explanation is in order. Although I believe absolute...

     Ah, the beauty of morning.  Though my favorite time of day, I have a dirty little secret for you: I am not a  true morning person .  Deep down, there has always been a part of me that envied true morning people. I could never understand how anyone could wake up abounding in energy, fully ready to tackle the day while others of us (literally or figuratively) leave our beds kicking and screaming.  And to be perfectly frank, I didn't know how I could make the big transition with my own baby in the house, especially seeing how he still doesn't sleep through the night. What happened? Let me get a cup of coffee and I'll tell you.     To put it mildly, Joel and I were having a problem.  He would get up, go to work, while I would try and catch as many winks as I could cajole Ransom into letting me get.  Then Joel was gone, I was alone with my buddy.  Because his naps have become progressively shorter, and frequently coming right...

  Ugh, Valentine's Day.  Believe it or not, though married, I'm still not 100% sure how I feel about this "holiday", for a variety of reasons.  This year however I am very happy for the excuse to go on a date.  We haven't exactly gotten out much lately, it will be the first time since Joel's Birthday back in October!  What have we been doing this whole time?  Glad you asked.     Joel and I are beginning a wood-working project together.  But in order to do that,we have a few things we need to collect first.  Perhaps it's the Tom-boy in me, but I actually don't mind being around building equipment and a plethora of wood.  In fact, I think it's rather cool.  I am not the type to cry about my hubby bringing home more tools, and Home Depot is a favorite date-night option with my man.  Bring on the projects!     My cousin Pam and I co-hosted an Usborne Book Facebook party.  It went so well!  Ransom got a...

   His little fist clenched, the 8-month-old bellowed with all his might right to his Momma's face.  Though the words remained barely articulated, his thoughts were perfectly so.   "No nap for me, Mom!  Might as well give up.  I want my way, and I want it now!"   Truth be told, this little boy was tired; very tired. But there were so many things to learn and do as a tiny tot.  Exploring his world and his parent's faces is always such a fascinating venture!    With a quiet "No Baby, please lay down and go to sleep" and shaky determination, Momma fought the tears as she wanted so desperately to give Baby his way.  She only wanted him to be happy; to smile that sweet baby smile boasting four new teeth, to babble his sweet baby-babble, and playfully grab at her hair.     Sometimes she wondered if perhaps this is how God feels when re-direction is needed in her life. Perhaps His children so desperately want their way, mayb...

   My inner voice says, "Hey Girl??? You better do a blog update, it's way past due!" . My body says, " Hey Girl???  You too tired to write. Too many cookies, ice-creams and fudges last week"  Yup, I cheated big.  Sorry I am not.  But I digress.  This Christmas season was so much fun!   We celebrated Christmas as a family on Friday, then went up after church on Sunday to spend time with my family on the 25th.  I think Ransom got a wee-bit spoiled by his Papa, Grammie, and Auntie!  For him, tearing and eating the wrapping paper is more fun than whatever the actual gift is!  Joel had work for a couple days in the middle of the week, so we came home for two days and left again to have Christmas with Joel's side of the family.  It was wonderful to have everyone together!  Even Joel's brother and sister-in-love made it up from Virginia to visit.     As the new year dawns, Joel and I have been able to have some disc...