Provoking Thoughts, not the Thinker

My Thanksgiving this Christmas

2009-12-28T22:19:00.002-05:00

Having just gone through Christmas, I'm thankful for:
~Christ coming to earth as a Baby for us!
~getting to spend several days with my 81-year-old paternal grandmother (last living grandparent), while in VA.
~safety traveling.
~getting to spend time with family and friends in VA.
~the fun the girls had playing in snow for the first time.
~a good first few days of our trip, before the girls got sick.
~that Vernon's vacation isn't over yet.
~that we're HOME again!

There are so many more blessings to add, but that's what hits my mind at the moment.
May your New Year start with blessings remembered, and vision of what God can do thru you this coming year!

Girls, Nov. 09

2009-12-10T11:08:00.002-05:00

Here's one of the pictures we sent out

Christmas Letter

2009-12-10T11:01:00.004-05:00

Here's the letter I sent out this year, Enjoy!

Hello from Georgia!
We trust you’ve had a good year, full of God’s rich promises being fulfilled! We have! No, not everything went as planned, but God remained faithful to us, and we know He will continue to as long as He grants us life on this earth.
For those of you who aren’t caught up on our lives, Vernon is now a 2nd year medical student at Medical College of Georgia (MCG). He is no longer working anywhere, due to the heavy school load. He did work while in undergraduate college, but found out the caliber of studying in medical school is a bit different. He quit working at University Hospital in Dec. 2007 after 2 ½ years there. In Jan. ’08 he started working at a microbiology lab (SRNL). He worked until he started medical school that fall. He was able to get a job back at the lab this past summer to help fill those hours between May and August.

He starts rotations this coming July in 2010. He plans to graduate, Lord willing, in May of 2012, and then go on to his residency. His primary interest at this point is General Surgery, but has until January 2011 to declare his field. He said you are given about 6 months’ worth of rotations to get a feel for various fields, before you have to give your answer. There are 7 required rotations he has to do, though he’s considering doing an elective as well. His hours of studying are long, and we ladies spend many evenings alone. The weeks that I send 3 meals out the door in the morning, it makes a little nostalgic, yes. =]
Our girls are keeping me hopping! Kaylie is now 3 ½, and LOVES to sing. Not a day goes by that she’s not singing. She enjoys picking the mealtime songs or prayers, often sings in the van, and will even just sing about whatever she’s doing. We’re enjoying this side of her disposition. She’s also a BIG help to Mom, and a doting Big Sister.
Ashleigh is now 22 months, and quite active! She follows “La-La” around (her name for Kaylie), enjoys books more than anything, sucks her thumb more than Mom thinks she should, and is usually a cheerful child.
Here are some highlights from our year:

January~We started our year buying a new washing machine. I’m quite tickled to have a nice new BIG one as my 3rd one since we’ve been married.
~Ashleigh turned 1!

February~Lezlie had all 4 wisdom teeth taken out. 2 pulled, 2 cut out. Granddad and Grandmama (Marc & Joy Yates) came down to help out with the children that week. Dad ended up in the hospital during that time, and found out after years of wondering, that he has congestive heart failure and gallstones. That, coupled with his diabetes, and other health issues, have made for a drastic change in his eating habits.
~We also enjoyed the annual Heritage Bible School program, and got to enjoy the Chorale here at our church that next week!

March~Lezlie & girls joined up with Doris Mast & her 3 children, packed our van out, and traveled to MD to see Doris’s family and our friends, primarily our friend Lisa (Yoder) Swartzentruber. A most delightful week long visit!!
~After fighting fluid in one ear for months, then moved to both, Kaylie had tubes put in both ears. We have seen a serious improvement in her overall health since then. She no longer catches just anything that goes around. We thank the Lord for good health restored! Though at present she is fighting a cold of some sort.

April~Our family of four enjoyed a few days at a cabin in North Georgia, during Vernon’s spring break. A much needed private family vacation!
~Kaylie turned 3!

May~We made a quick trip to PA to Vernon’s best man’s wedding (Philip & Gina Peachey), leaving our girls with their VA grandparents. Enjoyed staying with Vernon’s cousins Mark and Bethany Gayman.

June~Lezlie’s folks were able to come spend a week and a half with us, while Mom was in between jobs.

July~Our landlords officially moved to Hartwell, GA to be caretakers there for two years. So it’s different having the place more to ourselves.
~ Vernon quit his job at SRNL.

August~We flew to Missouri, to see Lezlie’s sister, Heather and her husband Doug, and their two foster children. This was the first we’ve been to see them in their home. We also got to see Vernon’s cousin Benita Wadel & have a meal with the Roger Berry Family! ~Vernon also started his 2nd year of med. school this month.

September~We used Labor Day weekend to travel to PA for Vernon’s cousin’s wedding (Heidi (Wadel) & Gabriel Eash). Enjoyed staying with another cousin, Beverly Hege, while there.

October~Lezlie & girls traveled to VA, joined up with her folks, and then on to Ohio to see her mom’s sister Janet Swartzentruber and family. Also got to see U. Wilmer & A. Miriam, cousin Elizabeth & her 2 children.

November~We enjoyed the Southern Mennonite Fellowship Meetings, in Hartwell, GA with Tim Zook and Keith Clugston as speakers.
~We were privileged to hear The King’s Singers in concert!
~We undertook the responsibility of reception coordinators for Steve and Katrina (Myers) Martin’s wedding.

December~We anticipate going to VA for Christmas to be with Lezlie’s family and having a break from school! =]

As we celebrate the Birth of Our Lord Jesus this Christmas, we also remember His work on the Cross to save us from our sins, and Thank GOD for this season!
Blessings to YOU in the New Year!

Our Love,
Vernon & Lezlie, Kaylie & Ashleigh

Change of eating habit

2009-11-18T17:09:00.004-05:00

How many of you have that desire after having children, to lose that baby fat? I have, after my two.....sadly, for whatever lazy reason, I've added weight back on after Ashleigh turned one. She's now 21 mons., and um, well, yeah.

So! I've tried one week of changing what I was eating, drinking, etc., trying to cut back, ESPECIALLY on my sweet tea intake, and after that week, my girls were sick, things got busy again, and I wimped out.
BUT! After hearing someone tell me they lost 10 lbs. in two weeks, I got inspired to GET at it again.
So today was my first day back at it. I'm not dieting, per se. I'm having a 'change of eating habit'. Why is it we feel like we have really accomplished something by eating better foods, resisting the junk food, etc. Shouldn't this be an easier way of life than to feel like we trumped somebody in a card game?

Here's what I'm doing:
~drinking more water, to flush those toxins out
~eating more raw veggies, fruit, etc. (the good stuff you know you should eat more of)
~cutting back on the portions on my plate
~walking at the church next door

Here's to losing weight and taking better care of my 'temple'!
Who's with me?

Now that I'm back on here......

2009-11-16T12:26:00.003-05:00

I can see myself wanting to post more often! =]
Maybe this will be my outlet, my journaling, since it doesn't happen on paper anymore.

My agenda for the day includes, but not limited to:
~dishes (How can 3 drainer loads full come from JUST Sunday and this morning? I washed up late Sat. night!)
~straightening up our bedroom
~cleaning the bathroom
~cleaning up the girls' room
~cleaning up the office
~de-cluttering the DR table, and the bay window

This week's agenda, for whatever day it falls on:
~laundry two or three days
~ironing
~fixing some dresses so I can wear them
~sewing Kaylie's church purse's strap back on, whenever I find the purse itself.
~cleaning out the van (again)
~working on the new money program we loaded on this computer, so I can update our info before tax time! I have 11 mons. worth of categorizing to do.......anyone want to babysit for me?
~get the girls' picture taken, and maybe a family picture, too, to get sent out by Thanksgiving time, hopefully.
~work on a letter to send out with that picture....
~think about banking options. To open/or not to open savings accounts for the girls?

That's enough to think on right now.

What's on YOUR Monday agenda and projects for this week?

Go with God.........

Starting again...

2009-11-14T21:37:00.003-05:00

Well! 4 Comments tells me someone is checking here! I knew I had one faithful 'checker' (Mrs. Deb).
I'm curious to know who you other 3 are that commented........care to share?

On other news,
I am the only one posting now, so unless you see differently, it will be THE WIFE from now on. (As soon as I can change our profile info to my name.)

Random facts about our life right now:

~Vernon is a 2nd year medical student, for those wondering......
~He starts rotations in July. Life will change once he's out of school in May.
~My finger that had a fungus is finally improving, Praise the Lord!
~My oldest daughter LOVES to sing.....I enjoy this part of her disposition.
~We have Communion at church tomorrow.
~I got to use the clothesline the last two days!!!! Loving this sunshine!

The kitchen's cleaned up for the night, the girls are bathed and in bed, the hubby's studying, the chicken's thawing.......after catching up on here, it's time to have MY quiet time.

Honor the Lord's Day tomorrow!
~Lez

Anyone still reading this blog????

2009-10-25T18:26:00.002-04:00

Wow, it's been a LONG time since I posted here. I just re-read some of my last post and saw I was going to post family pictures on the next post. Hm...that was a while back.

I'm debating keeping up with this site anymore. So many have xanga sites, or have moved on to Facebook. So...I'm taking a survey.

How many of you still look at this site? Frequently or infrequently? Or just when it comes in your inbox as an update?

Please leave your comments!

"God Bless You, Go With God."

Hello 2009!

2009-01-11T22:50:00.002-05:00

Happy New Year, everyone! Wow, I didn't realize my last post was two months ago!!
Reasons it's been so long? Sick children, family gatherings, helping Husband, busy with life in general..........etc.

So, here's to 2009! May you feel the Presence of the Lord in your life this year. May you commit whatever comes your way, to HIM!

Next post--our family pictures.

Also........for those of you interested. I'm on Facebook. I said to my cousin not long ago that I didn't think facebook was necessary......but alas, after reconnecting with a friend that I haven't had contacts with in years, I gave in, because her daughters and so many others have Facebook. So far it's fun. It can be addicting, and sometimes, I think people are WAY too free with comments on each other's 'walls', that should be personal messages. Other than that, it's a good way to stay connected!

So once again--here's to 2009 and staying more connected with family and friends!

God Bless You this week--Real Good!

Car seats & Craigslist

2008-11-10T20:47:00.006-05:00

It's time to think about car seats for us--Ashleigh will need one in a couple months when she gets turned around, so I've started checking prices. I decided Ashleigh will take over Kaylie's, which is a convertible car seat, and we'll get Kaylie one of those booster seat kind that will fit her for a long time yet. I had one of these that I let one of my good friends borrow, and finally told them they could keep. I figured we'll just buy a new one, thinking it will last longer than used, the expiration date will be farther away, can go through both girls, etc.
I thought maybe after Christmas, prices would go down, and since I shouldn't need this seat until the end of January/beginning of Feb., I might can find one on sale then.
I started looking on craigslist, anyway, because I'm always checking there for diapers, etc., and am very loyal to that site, and sure enough--found a few options.
RESULTS from that search:
Today I bought a car seat/booster seat for Kaylie off craigslist for $20. It retails for $69.99, was only used twice, according to the owner because his ex 'up and left him'. I wasn't going to touch that one and ask more questions. It was manufactured just last year--Sept. 20, 2007, and doesn't expire until December 2013. Sounded like a great deal to me!
My husband's answer to this wonderful bargain was simply "Sweet." This was via a text message, of course.

So my advice to you if you're searching for Christmas presents, equipment for your children, even odd things you'd never think to ask someone else for--look on craigslist. If you're not familiar with this site, just click on the link above, find your city/state on the right side of the page, and see what's in your area!
I've posted weird things, just curious to see if anyone was getting rid of them, and found them at a great price! Alot of times people will lower their prices after you contact them directly. That's been a great saver for me. Yes, I've had a few 'bad sales', that weren't as nice as I wanted them to be, but over all, 99% of my selling/buying experiences on there have been well worth it!

Kudos to craigslist!

Who You Are

2008-10-27T15:22:00.000-04:00

If you're wondering who you are, check this out:
http://igreetyouetcetera.homestead.com/WhoIAm.html

Life Lines article

2008-10-24T07:30:00.003-04:00

How many of you get the Life Lines? There was an article in this last publication (Sept./Oct.) that really blessed my heart, even though it was written to husbands. It helped strengthen my resolve, and gave me reason to hope for better days with my devotions!

I think all husbands/fathers with young children in the family should read this, so feel free to share with your husband! =]
For those of you who don't receive this paper, I'm sharing with you today:

Your Wife's Personal Devotions

So you have three preschool children. Your wife gets up two or three times a night for the baby and tries to snatch a little extra sleep before she gets out of bed in the morning. Sometimes she gets time to talk to the LORD before breakfast, but as often as not, it is after breakfast. Do you ever ask her how it goes?

Perhaps she would tell you she tries to read the Bible and pray while she is nursing the baby, but reading is awkward. Besides, she constantly has to answer questions from the other children, settle squabbles, and keep a general eye on things. What is more, so much has to be done---washing an extra load of clothes for the weekend, baking bread, cleaning, making yet another scrapbook page. Everything seems to shout for her attention.

Evening devotions might be no better. True, the children are in bed, hopefully to fall asleep without needing another drink or having their teddy fall out of bed. But now, exhaustion sets in. And it is a pretty sure guess that many a wife wonders as she finally gets into bed what the Lord thought of her foggy mind as her lips said "thank you" and "please bless".

What the Lord thinks, after all, is a very good question. If she does not spend half an hour of uninterrupted time with the Lord what kind of a Christian does God think she is? If she must always rush about without taking as much time as she wishes for the most important things, does God think she is giving her children anything worth living for?

By the way, how did women in the Bible do it? Mary, the mother of Jesus, for example, had five boys and a number of girls to raise without the benefit of an automatic washer and dryer. When did she ever spend time with the Lord?

The Bible does not say how to go about it. In fat, it is oddly silent on the matter of spending a stipulated amount of time every day in private devotions. We do read the Bible and pray every day, of course, just as we give thanks before our meals and sometimes return thanks afterwards, even though the Bible never said, "Thou shalt." But the fact that the Bible talks so little about private devotions in specific terms should give us at least part of the answer to our dilemma. It appears God does not want us to hang too heavily on a set practice---so heavily that we think, "Today I've had my prescribed number of minutes in private devotions; the Lord will bless me today" Or, "Today I was five minutes short; I don't feel like a very good Christian."

Bible reading and prayer is a Christian's food and drink, certainly. But it is interesting that we do not weigh our food and drink and have the exact amount every day. Some days we eat more. Some days we eat less. If there is illness or an accident, we might not eat at all, and what we have eaten beforehand tides us over. Although we much prefer three regular meals a day, sometimes we eat on the run. God allows emergencies to teach us that "Man shall not live by bread alone." In the same way, He might want to teach us that "man shall not live by private devotions alone."

There are different ways to cultivate a friendship with the Lord. When you and your wife were dating, you found much time just to sit and talk. No doubt it is different now. The days are spinning by. You are both busy. Yet, is it not true that somehow you and your wife love each other more than ever? You find moments here and there to smile above the children's heads, or to say, "How thoughtful of you!" or to talk a little just before going to bed. It is not that you no longer care to spend time together alone. But you snatch that time when you can, and those moments are all the more precious because of it.

It is hard to say what kind of "quiet time" Jesus' mother had. If she had to jump up four times during a meal for the sake of a bib or a washcloth, and if she got five or six hours' sleep a night, as some of our mothers do, surely the Lord understood if she could not find a solid block of time for prayer. However, the Bible does say, "Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." Consciously or half consciously as she swept the floor and kissed skinned knees, she often thought of her motherly experiences, wondered about them, and no doubt prayed about them.

Who, after all, has a better chance to learn of God than a busy mother? She lives out what God is like every day. She can feel with the heavenly Father when her children get sick. Like Him, she practices patience. Like Him, she gives more than what she gets. All this can draw her close to the Lord.

In summary, your wife's personal devotions are a supplement to her spiritual life, not the only thing on which her spiritual life depends. Your wife, if frustrated, might appreciate knowing that you believe this.

Having said all this, we should still ask ourselves the question: Is my wife getting what she ought to get? Would I be satisfied with only the amount of time with the Lord that she enjoys? Paul, in Ephesians 5:28, said, " So ought men to love their wives as their own bodies." Do not take what you have read above to mean that anyone should live on a spiritual starvation diet.

Maybe you should ask your wife to lend you less of a hand with your chores and find some ways to give her a hand instead. It might be helpful to read to the children sometimes to keep them out of the busy kitchen. Try encouraging your wife to cook time-saving suppers. Tell her that some projects she wants to help with--including church projects--can wait until your children are a little older. after all, she is already doing the most important job in the world. Saving time in ways like these can help her relax and enjoy her time with the Lord.

Remember, "He that loveth his wife loveth himself." You need a spiritual companion. Of course, you do not expect your wife to lose her love for the Lord. If you think what a calamity that would be to you, you will want to do all you can to help her keep from losing any of that love.

Reprinted by permission from the Christian Contender.

My daughter's song......

2008-10-22T22:26:00.003-04:00

"Uncle children, praise the Lord!" This was the song Kaylie was singing in the kitchen earlier.........along with a few other interesting ad-libs during the song.

One precious song I like to hear her sing is "Jesus loves me". That song has new meaning for us. It was sung as a congregational song at Baby Doreen's funeral back in August. There was a new verse added on as the last in this song that I'd never heard before, that had already been used at another baby's funeral. I think of these circumstances and the new verse anytime this song is sung now.

Kaylie has learned this verse and sings it regularly~~~~
"I'm at home in heaven now,
Crown of glory on my brow.
Please don't wish me back again,
I'll be waiting when you come."

I dedicate that verse to any of you who've lost a baby/child/loved one recently. God Bless YOU!

Some wonderfully neat cards

2008-10-13T16:01:00.003-04:00

Here's a link to some really neat photo cards my friends are selling.
I've been blessed with some of these and thought you might be interested too!
http://www.cards.astitch.biz

Picture Time!

2008-09-25T17:11:00.009-04:00

Daddy reading to his girls~

Some pictures from Family Day @ MCG~
Vernon showing us the classroom where he has most of his morning lectures--that's his sister Valerie holding Ashleigh

Ashleigh & Kaylie

Vernon with his two study buddies--Stephen & Christian, at the reception after their White Coat Ceremony

And now for recent pictures of the girls......
Kaylie--2 1/2 years old

Ashleigh--8 months old!

Med School Update

2008-09-19T14:50:00.002-04:00

Wow, I think it's been years since I was last on here! So for my wide fan base out there (yes, all 1 of you, thanks for raising your hand,) Here's a sketchy update since you last heard from me.

Yes, I'm in medical school! We just finished our (gasp!) 6th week already, I've taken a few tests and am still here, and it really feels good to be here. (I'm actually posting from the library at school, my new favorite studying place.) Yes, it's some hard-core studying and learning going on, and I'm enjoying it, for the most part.
I get my White Coat tomorrow at our White Coat Ceremony! I'm really looking forward to that.
I get to start seeing patients in the clinics the beginning of October. We've had several weeks of practicing interviewing each other and standardized patients, now we're getting ready to start interviewing real patients. No, this doesn't mean that I'm doing physicals or anything, just taking the patient's history of present illness(HPI), family history (FH), social history (SH), and review of systems (ROS).
In connection with #3, no, I won't disclose information about any of my patients that could allow you or anyone else to figure out that your/their best friend/worst enemy or anyone in between has been to see me, so don't even ask! (Not like you would, my fan base of one.)
I'm still pondering whether or not to try to chronicle my journey through MCG in some form, such as here, or a local newspaper, or what. We'll see.

That's about it for now. Y'all (okay, lovely reader, YOU) be good, hear?

Precious Talk

2008-09-18T13:51:00.006-04:00

This morning Kaylie told me "Ashleigh's my best friend, Mama!"
There's nothing more precious for a mom to hear, right?!
I just hope I'm still hearing that when they're 10 & 12, and on through their teenage years! =]

Health update

2008-09-18T13:51:00.005-04:00

**Edit on last post.
Vernon was feeling well enough he never got checked out, and so far is doing okay. Let's hope he gets through more than 2 days without a relapse this time!
Ashleigh was only 98.9 this morning, so I decided that's too low to warrant a trip to the doctor, so maybe we're on the mend, slowly but surely! PRAISE THE LORD!!!
We celebrated by finally going to Walmart and getting our groceries, etc., we've been getting low and out on. Kaylie will ask for something, or I'll need something for Vernon's lunch, and the standard response has been---"I haven't gotten to the grocery yet. Sorry." Yay for yogurt, mustard, lettuce, etc. back in the house!
Also, the mom of the girl who's been sick for 3 1/2 weeks, told me at church last night that only 3 out of 6 of her children got this bad virus. So as to how it picks and chooses its victims, only the Lord knows. I'm just thankful it's not spreading more.

Fevers........

2008-09-17T10:30:00.005-04:00

Yes, we're still here..........we're still fighting sickness!
Vernon and Ashleigh caught one of the viruses going around, and today is Day 12 for Vernon. He has had fever pretty much some part of every day, since Friday a week ago. He can wake up without fever, have it back by that night, or start out, and then later feel better. It's so weird! He felt better Monday, Tuesday morning.......but came home with another headache last night. So today he's going back to Student Health to let them check him and see if blood work needs to be done this time.
Ashleigh is on Day 6, technically Day 8 of fevers. She started with fever Tuesday last week, ran fevers for a full 24 hours until Wed. morning. Then went a full 24 hours without, until Thursday afternoon. She hasn't been totally without since. She may have a spell of hours where she's without, but it always comes back. I took her to the doctor's office on Sunday (our pediatrician's office has evening and weekend clinics.....one of the reasons I love that office!) and Dr. Naggar said she expected to find an infected ear, after hearing about her fevers, but she checked out well with her ears, and though her throat was a little red, she was fine. But the fevers puzzled Doc, and she said if she's not better by Tues./Wed. bring her back in to be checked and possibly blood work. So we're going to see how today goes, and we may be back in tomorrow.
The strange part is that Kaylie's not getting it, and neither am I.
One of the ones we've been exposed to has meningitis problems.........one girl from around here is on Week 4 now.

So you can pray for us! I was looking forward to actually getting to go out today and get groceries, etc., until I took Ashleigh's temp again and realized she now has fever. So home we stay.

Hope your day is going well and that your family stays sickness-free!

Wow...............

2008-09-08T23:08:00.003-04:00

Go here to read this interesting story......it's kinda incredible, yet not in a good way!

Our life otherwise

2008-08-30T15:46:00.002-04:00

On a more positive note, Kaylie is now potty-trained, and for those out there wondering how it went, since I FINALLY got around to it--we basically spent one day in the bathroom reading, eating, drinking--after a tough start of stubborn disobedience, not even wanting to sit until she found out I meant business and we WERE going to do this, no ifs, ands or buts! Though we had no success that day at all as far as actually producing anything, that was obviously the front work. The next morning she started going, and has been going ever since, both ways, and has had only maybe two accidents? I've concluded it definitely pays to wait until they're completely ready! We've been doing panties from the start, only pull-ups when we go to town, for fear of not finding a bathroom soon enough. Now.....we're just doing panties for town and the 30 mins. to church. Diapers at night......but.......
We'll be taking the diaper off for nap times and bedtimes starting next week too, because I now have a potty seat upstairs in that bathroom, and plan on getting a waterproof pad for her bed tonight. She gets up dry 99 % of the time, but I was leery of risking it for fear of ruining our brand new mattress on the guest bed. She sleeps in the queen bed in her room. Once we needed to move Ashleigh upstairs with Kaylie, we didn't have room for a guest bed, a toddler bed, and a playpen. So Kaylie's bed had to go, since their room doubles as a guest room. She has adjusted well to a big bed all to herself, and loves to roll around in it.

So for those of you who breathed a prayer or thought for us as we PTed.....thank you and God Bless You! For those of you moms getting ready to PT, be sure your child is ready and that YOU are ready, and it should be a smoother process!

Our Hearts are Hurting....yet we rejoice

2008-08-30T15:41:00.002-04:00

We buried our baby niece this morning. We know God had His hand in this, and spared so much suffering by taking little Doreen home, yet we still grieve.
So please pray for Conrad and Barb Horst and their family, and for the rest of us as we support them and all heal together. Little Doreen's grave is the first in our church's cemetery. That in itself is hard enough.

Summer Reunion

2008-07-17T12:46:00.008-04:00

I posted a while back about a mini vacation we were going on with some friends......here we all are~Thanks for the pictures, Lisa! =]

Ron & Lisa Swartzentruber, us 4, Chad, Doris, Anna, Kyle & Meagan Mast

Kyle, Meagan, Anna, Ashleigh, Kaylie

Chad & Doris, Vernon & I, and Lisa had all gone to Heritage Bible School together in '02, and had not all been together since Chad & Doris's wedding 4-1/2 years ago. This was the first time Ron had been with all of us! Ron's got married two years ago, and Vernon & I hadn't seen them since then!
So it was a bittersweet reunion of friends! Thank the Lord for nice cabin getaways! Praise the LORD for FRIENDS!

Answer to Prayer!!!!!

2008-07-09T14:59:00.002-04:00

Vernon got a call from the insurance adjustor earlier today and they are giving him the FULL value on his car! We are so excited and praising GOD for HIS providing for our needs!
Now we are asking you to pray we'll know whether we should replace that car or just live off one car...............or what to do.

God Be With You ALL today and Drive Safely!

Life

2008-07-07T10:29:00.003-04:00

Vernon and I just finished singing in the second wedding in two weeks' time, and we're done for a while. Well, okay, I'm done. It gets stressful, etc. having to keep finding babysitters for practices, rehearsals, the wedding itself, and more so when you have a young baby.
We enjoyed singing for these two couples, but are glad for the break now!

In the midst of practicing for the one this past weekend, Vernon's wreck occurred, which meant extra phone time and paperwork stuff. Not something I relish. Please pray we'll know which direction to go--whether to get another vehicle or just stay with ONE..................

So yes, we're still among the living.........just working on med school paperwork (namely financial aid!), wreck paperwork, getting ready for a two week vacation, planning a yard sale after our trip................etc.

Now what?

2008-07-04T09:11:00.002-04:00

My baby has a fever...........and it's kinda high for a teething fever.........and we're singing in a wedding this weekend, which means practice this afternoon, rehearsal to follow, and a wedding and reception tomorrow.

Please pray the fever goes away or that whatever's causing it comes to pass!
Happy 4th of July!

God, Our Protector

2008-07-01T08:19:00.004-04:00

Last evening Vernon was involved in a 3 car wreck on his way home from work.
We're praising God that no one was hurt, other than Vernon's nose, from where the airbag hit him. =]
The sad note is, Vernon's first car that he's had for 6 years is now totaled and gone. So we're down to one vehicle.
Here are some pictures of his car, for those interested. The mileage was recorded a week before his wreck.

Craigslist

2008-06-25T14:38:00.002-04:00

I love craigslist.com...................so far I've found quite a few bargains. I'm starting to feel like this is God's way of helping provide for our needs when our money is low.
Like today. I just bought 5 packs of Pampers size 3~40 count~ for $5. Half of the store price, and cheaper than Parent's Choice, even! How can you beat that?! That was an answer to prayer! And the best brand on top of that!
Do you have craigslist in your area?

Mini vacation

2008-06-11T10:54:00.002-04:00

"We're going on a trip this weekend, tra la, tra la. We're going to a cabin this weekend with friends! Tra la! We're going to have fun, and make memories, enjoy our children under the trees, and we'll all go marching back......to our homes......... to get back....... to our lives, dum dum dum........."

See if you can recognize the tune to that.

Pains and medicine

2008-06-04T09:25:00.002-04:00

The last two days Kaylie has said her back hurts, and when asked if she needs medicine, she of course answer yes. Yesterday I did actually give her ibuprofen in case her back really did hurt. I wasn't sure if she was just saying it cuz she's been hearing me say it or if it was true for her.

This morning she said "My belly's too full; I need Tylenol." If only Tylenol could cure our over-eating, right? =]

Sandboxes and such

2008-06-04T09:20:00.003-04:00

I bought Kaylie a turtle sandbox about a month ago or so, and she enjoys it so much! I don't have any pictures to show right now, but there have quite a few times that her daddy joins her in there when he gets home. It has been a great entertainer!!!!
In the same week that she got the sandbox, she learned how to 'belly-swing' on the swingset and how to climb up on her 'baby' swing, and figured out how to get the t-bar up and strap herself in. Which then meant she calls for me till I happen to look out at her and realize she's stuck and waiting for help.........So basically all in a week's time, she figured out how to do everything on her playground out there--sandbox, two big girl's swings, her own baby swing, the rocket glider (she'd been working on that one before) and of course the slide she'd been doing. The nice part of this is--it used to be she could do nothing but the slide, so she wasn't entertained out there for long at all with her several toys. Thankfully now she'll spend multiple minutes out there, generally as long as I let her.

How many of you have 'bought' sandboxes? Or do you have a wooden/no lidded 'home grown' sandbox?

Happy Birthday, Kaylie!

2008-05-06T16:20:00.011-04:00

This post is a tribute to my oldest daughter, who turned 2 on April 26.Kaylie Joy Horst is a very doting big sister to her baby sister "Ashy Kate".
Her most frequent sentence........."Ashy wake up a-time, Mommy!", after hearing her sister move in her bed, or seeing one of us carrying her out of our room. She is starting to say "Ashleigh" more....but we still hear "Ashy". She loves to "hold Ashy Kate", too. Yes, we have to watch to make sure she doesn't pick her up, meaning Ashleigh rarely gets left anywhere but in something with straps.
Since Baby sister was born, Kaylie has really gotten into playing Little Mama herself, with burp cloth, bottle, pacifier, etc. , for her baby.She loves to help Mommy with dishes, laundry, sometimes will help sweep the floor, loves to play outside, take baths, brush her teeth and put in her contacts. =] She can count to 9 by herself. She can do her alphabet puzzles without help, and if I tell her which letter it is, she'll put it in the right spot, but only knows a few by sight to tell me if I point to them. "K" and "T" are the most recognizable ones so far.....every now and then another one pops up. She also knows her colors and shapes. Remember the Noah's Big Boat book?
She has done some pottying, but goes in spurts in whether she likes it or not. Mom hasn't been very consistent yet. She is pacifier free now, and so far hasn't tried to take her sister's in place of hers.She is solely in her booster seat now, instead of half and half with her highchair. (We comb hair in the booster seat, and some snacks and maybe breakfast were eaten in her booster seat, and if we had company.)
She ADORES books, and will go through an entire book cabinet flipping through them all! Sometimes when she's quiet for a WHILE, I'll go check on her and she's just reading.............
I'm so glad I have a bookworm! She loves to sing, and does this a lot every day, and some days when I'm longing for a break from the constant 'noise', (esp. in the car!) I have to remind myself, at least she's happy, and she wants to sing, and is able to! It's better than whining! She also loves to 'read' and sing along with her Wee Sing books.
She is quite the Daddy's girl, and will ask probably every day, sometimes more than once in a day's time, "Where's Daddy?" If I tell her Daddy's coming, she'll tell him, no, he's at _____.
She loves to talk on the phone, more so if you let her have it by herself to put on her shoulder. Ahem....this is a bad view for when she's a teenager, I know. My dad comments on this already.

She loves to write, and up until more recently, she'd been famous for very small squiggles, which amazed us at her dexterity then, but now it's becoming more flamboyant, if you want to call it that.She's our bright sunshine with all the chatter and life she brings into our home, and we are so thankful to God for our big little girl, Kaylie! We love you, Kaylie Joy!

Future Doctor

2008-05-02T15:24:00.004-04:00

God Did IT! Vernon received his letter from MCG on Wednesday and he's accepted into med school!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! We are so excited!!!! Thanks to all of you for praying and sharing your encouragement and advice during the last 4 years of his pre-med schooling. We're so thankful for the way the LORD has worked in our lives to bring us to this point.
Vernon graduates next Saturday! It's hard to believe! This acceptance letter came exactly 3 weeks after he received the letter saying he was on the waiting list. God moved fast!

What was so neat was that we both had separately come to peace about his probably not getting in this year, and what that would mean--he could keep on working, putting money aside to start with next year, hoping to get in then--Fall of '09, we could have a family life again.......etc. Once we talked about it, we realized we were both feeling the same way, which was helpful to me. As he put it, he'd be disappointed if he didn't get in, but not heartbroken. But that was not to be.
The Lord opened up a slot for him in the class and we are so grateful he can keep on going, and not have to re-do his interviews, etc., next year to try again.

So keep praying for us--there's a lot of paperwork to get done this summer in preparation for this new step in our lives. And Vernon will be quitting work the end of July, so we'll be living on student loans.............

More later!

And now for proof!

Clarification

2008-04-29T14:26:00.002-04:00

For those of you who didn't catch it all in my last post, I was talking to my brother on the phone last night with my crying baby in hand, and told him to tell Naomi that if she had a spare day and was bored (Ha!), she could come hold my baby for me. I am feeling so far behind! This cold has been awful for Ashleigh, and the thing she wants the most is to be held. The last several days she has just cried and cried. So not long after telling Paul this, Naomi calls back and said she'd come help me for about an hour--her girls were down for the night, and Paul would be up a while yet anyway, so she'd come help me!
So she came and put my baby to sleep after I fed her, read Kaylie a book, helped right the living room, and cleaned up my kitchen while I did various other tasks. She was the blessing I was needing last night, to be sure.
You moms who have had sick children know the frustration of feeling like you can't keep up in the first place, after having a new baby. Then add two sick children on top of it, and you get so far behind you feel it'll take you weeks to catch up! My only reason for being on here now, is because I'm eating my lunch after I put my girls down and decided I'd do two things at once--eat and check email at the same time.

So if you need to feel you've been a blessing--reach out to a new mom, and you'll know you've been God's angel in disguise.
God Bless your week!

My Special SIL

2008-04-29T14:21:00.004-04:00

This post is dedicated to my special Sister-in-Law, Naomi Yates.

Dearest Naomi,
Even though you don't get online to read blogs, xanga sites, etc., much anymore, I wanted to publicly thank you for your help last night. Not just anyone would call their family, friends, whomever, at 9PM and offer to go help for an hour. Your generosity and loving kindness meant so much when you could've been home sleeping or cleaning your own house. Knowing you were putting aside your own needs to help a harried new mom who was feeling too overwhelmed with all that's been happening in life lately and a house that was going to pot, told me how deep your commitment was to your extended family and the love you feel for me.
I thank God my brother married you, and that you're now living only 15 mins. away!!!!!!!!
I Love You, Naomi!

Guess what!

2008-04-28T14:18:00.002-04:00

Well, friends, the potty training is going to happen before our trip this summer after all, I think.
Kaylie decided Saturday night at 10:30 that she wanted to sit on the potty after her bath. So out came her little potty again.
Nothing happened, but I decided we're going to go with this. So Sunday I asked her one time, and yes she wanted to, but nothing happened again.
This morning I asked her, and she sat there a while, eating her breakfast while I showered, and lo and behold, while I was combing my hair, she said her bottom hurt, so I thought, here we go, it's about to happen! I was right, but on the wrong #! =] So I guess we're going to be potty training this week around other catching up around here.
Thanks to those of you who gave advice.......anyone else care to add your piece?

My Girls

2008-04-24T07:58:00.003-04:00

Both of my girls woke up this morning with colds or allergies again. Enough said.

Gone

2008-04-20T15:48:00.002-04:00

The pacifiers are GONE! Kaylie is totally weaned off her pacifiers!!!!!!!!!!!
I pretty much just went cold turkey on her for the nighttime weaning. She's been having to go put it back in her bed daytime, but for any sleeping times, she's had it 99% of the time, so I knew that would be a battle.
Wednesday morning I took it from her and we started bedtimes without it, and we haven't gone back since. Yes, she's asked for it--she still does some--, yes, she's cried, yes, it's hard on Mom, but NO, I won't back down, and I've thrown them away so I can't give in, no matter what! She's doing really well!
So thanks for praying and remembering me this past week--keep praying for us! It's not totally over yet.
Whew, I didn't realize it would be this easy, even though it's been somewhat difficult...........

Change of Plans

2008-04-16T12:28:00.004-04:00

Thanks to those of you that gave your advice/comments on potty training. I've since decided I will wait on that until after we're back from vacation. I've decided instead to work on getting rid of the pacifier. My daughter is as attached to her pacifier as we Southerners are to sweet tea. I can get it away during the day, telling her to go put it in her bed, it's only for naptime/bedtime. Be warned though that when it's time for bed, you'd better have that paci handy or you'll have a teary battle.
So I've decided I'd rather be able to only have Ashleigh's paci to worry about while we're away. Taking a pacifier away is much harder than a bottle, though. For Kaylie, I weaned her from nursing to a bottle and then to a cup of milk. She was already drinking from a cup for quite some time till I did this, but not a milk cup as such. So she's been relatively easy to wean from other things, but this paci thing is going to be tougher.
Today is the first day of no paci in the bed. I've decided I have to stick to it, no matter how long she cries. Pray with me that it'll go easier than I'm anticipating! Today's naptime only involved a minimum of tears.....I've a fear night time might be harder though. "I am resolved no longer to linger........"
I've debated cutting the paci's nipple as others have done, but I think that would only serve to aggravate her, rather than solve the problem of taking it away completely. She wouldn't want to give it up that way.......she'd just get upset, I think. So!
For those of you who've gone this road before or are doing it now, any tips?

A Parent's Rave

2008-04-14T09:19:00.003-04:00

Noah's Big Boat
This is one of THE best children's books I have ever read! And through the years, I've read quite a few, but this one tops any I've read, for activity level. My sister sent this to Kaylie one Christmas and I put it away until she was old enough to enjoy it. A couple weeks after Ashleigh was born, I was looking in a drawer for something else, and found this book! To say Kaylie is enthralled with this book is an understatement. We read this book all the time! Kaylie was learning how to count before this book, but reading these pages has enhanced the counting, and she now knows her shapes and colors too. Oh, did I tell you she's not 2 yet? Her birthday is around the corner........My point in bragging on her knowledge at her age is to say that this book brings out the best in them at such a young age. I'm astounded at how well put together this book is, and how easy it is to teach little children these important 'skills'!

I highly recommend this book as a gift for your child or anyone else's!

Today's Running

2008-04-12T22:07:00.002-04:00

Today was a different day. This morning, Kaylie and I left Ashleigh at home with Daddy, so she could nap while he did homework on the computer, while we went shopping at a flea market here in town! We were gone several hours, and I had great fun! I found great bargains today--I think I covered some of my list, and may have deviated some.......but there are some things I'm always on the lookout for that I just don't put on my list--like diaper genie refills. They're always on a mental list.

Then after there, since it was raining till we left and it was lunchtime/naptime, we headed home. We had our lunch, Kaylie got put down for a nap, Ashleigh finished fed, since her bottle didn't seem to top it off, and then I swapped daughters and headed for town once again! Left Kaylie at the house for her nap, and took Ashleigh with me, who napped most of the time too. Did some Goodwill-ing, some exchanging at Bed, Bath, and Beyond, and of course, the last stop of the day--Walmart. Good ole' Walmart.
Speaking of Goodwills, my main purpose for going to those places was to find a sandbox for Kaylie for her birthday. I couldn't find anything. Anyone have a sandbox for sale or know of somewhere I can find one, free shipping? Now is when I really wish I could've brought all my daycare stuff with me!!!!!! Mats, playgym (one of those Toys R Us slide/house combos--Little Tykes brand or whatever it was), turtle sandbox, basketball goal, indoor slide, etc.........but I sold all of it to various mothers and the next sitter.

So if you run across a sandbox for free or something, let me know. =]
Now since my hubby is sacked out on the couch with terrible sunburn from yesterday, my girls are bathed and in bed, let me go find some chocolate and sit down to read some more of "23 Minutes in Hell". Quite a fascinating book. It really brings out the seriousness and awfulness of hell, to me anyway. Ever read it?

So we've heard

2008-04-09T15:04:00.002-04:00

My thoughts are in a turmoil as I write this evening. I received my letter from MCG today, and I "have been selected to serve on the alternate list for 2008." This means that, if someone (who has been accepted at MCG) decides that they want to go to another school (where they have been accepted as well) that they will select people from the alternate list to fill the class. While this is better in many ways than getting an outright rejection letter, I do not like the idea of having to potentially wait until the very end of summer to find out what I will be doing for the next year, as it literally could go until the very beginning of August before I am invited; on the contrary, I may not hear at all, meaning that I must wait until next year. Please pray for us: Lezlie and I are both very disappointed with this outcome, but we know that God is in control and that He has a Master Plan in all this.

Life

2008-04-08T14:31:00.002-04:00

For those of you wondering, we haven't received word from MCG yet. Vernon finally called last Friday to find out why nothing came last week, and they said the last letters went out that day. So why we haven't received anything by today, we don't know.
Please keep praying for us. This is really testing our patience and our faith in waiting upon God and HIS timing.

On another note, I've decided to shelf the potty training for right now. Last week started out with my plans getting changed to chaos on Monday, so that had me scrambling for the next several days to catch up around the house. And yesterday Kaylie woke up with a runny yet stuffy nose again. Whether it's allergies or another cold, I'm not sure yet. Today she's coughing some. So I decided now is NOT the time to work on it.
Plus we're getting company tonight for supper.
Tomorrow a friend is coming over to help me with a dress pattern.
Thursday night Vernon and I are having a date night and leaving the children with my brother and SIL.........overnight!!!!!!!!!!! I'm not sure how I'm going to do with this, but Naomi offered, and I could use the sleep.
Friday we're going to be at the farm for at least a couple hours.
So as much as potty training is about training the mom too, this week I'm not sure how to change my plans when this is the only time available for certain activities.

So she waits.

Want to come have dinner with us tonight? Chuck roast, scalloped potatoes, green beans cooked with bacon, homemade rolls, and lemon lush for dessert.....................and of course good ole Southern tea..............

No Letter

2008-04-01T16:50:00.001-04:00

We still haven't heard from MCG yet..................

Med school

2008-03-31T16:31:00.001-04:00

April 1st is the latest date MCG has to let applicants know if they're accepted to that school or not.
We're waiting.................

Potty training

2008-03-27T20:57:00.002-04:00

Okay, so I'm ready to start potty training Kaylie, finally. Ashleigh's days are going better, so I think I can try to concentrate more on Kaylie now. Maybe.

I've done this before too, with my daycare children. But it's been a while, and I think this could be different. It will be different, I know that.

So any tips from you moms out there that have done this already?

Ashleigh

2008-03-27T17:50:00.002-04:00

Meal songs

2008-03-25T12:27:00.002-04:00

Kaylie's favorite meal song is For Balmy Sunshine. So nearly every meal, she says, "Praaaaaayyyyyy Sunshine!" We don't always. I've been trying to teach her some new ones. And I also think she needs to just hear us pray out loud and learn she isn't to help talk or sing on every prayer. Like she did when we were at our host's house on Sunday for dinner. !

Do you sing songs at mealtimes at your house?

Books

2008-03-24T19:17:00.002-04:00

Today's mail brought some books I bought online for my children.
Anyone remember Carmella the cow, Luciano the Duck or Sally Goose?
I had the old Carmella book, but it has been taped and re-taped, so I started searching for another vintage one a while back, and couldn't locate one. I looked again this past week, and sho' nuf! I found one! It was paired with these other two by the same publishers--Paraclete Press.
So tonight after supper I was reading Carmella to Kaylie, and thought Carmella's song at the end of the book was quite appropriate for a life verse. I looked at the others' songs and thought they were good as well. So I will share them with you.

Carmella's Song~
You can be happy right where you are.
You don't have to search or go very far
To find the contentment God has for you,
If you'll just accept what He's planned for you.

You can be happy just being you.
You don't have to do what others may do
To find the contentment God has for you,
If you'll just accept what He's planned for you!

Luciano's Song~
Whatever you may be about to do, do it with all your might!
Make the most of each precious moment every day and night.
Put your heart into all you do, give as much as you're able to.
Show the Lord that you're grateful for the life He's given you!

Sally's Song~
God gives us many blessings to show His love and care;
He gives us friends and family, their life with us to share.
And we must always know that they're a gift to us from Him,
And treat them lovingly--then give them back to Him.

Babywise again

2008-03-21T14:26:00.003-04:00

Okay, so I got two comments so far on this series........how many of you are reading my posts and not commenting?!
Since Elaine and Jessica both want more from me on this, I'll say a few words. =]
I'm still reading the book through at this point. Elaine, I agree that this book is like others--you can use some of it, and the rest might not work for your baby, as YOU said, Jessica. I didn't have my first baby on a schedule. I probably did what that book would call a demand-feed schedule, and it worked great for us! Even though I was determined to have my baby scheduled according to this book, like my cousin and some others did. I saw how their babies were sleeping through the night at 6 weeks or so, and I was impressed! Well, when motherhood hit me, I found my greatest wishes sitting on the back burner until I found what worked for my baby. Kaylie didn't sleep through the night consistently for longer than week at a time until she was almost a year old. Ashleigh already gives me 5/6 hours straight most nights now.

However, this time around I am trying the feed-time, wake-time, nap-time a little harder, and so far, it works most of the time. Whether it's from trying to work this a little harder or not, I'm not sure. I am not a strict scheduling, non-flexible no matter the circumstances kind of mom.

When I had my daycare, we had somewhat of a schedule throughout the day--breakfast, playtime, maybe snacktime, playtime, lunchtime, play while I cleaned up lunch, clean up time, pottytime, naptime, snacktime, clean up time, get ready to go home. And though I had a general time frame for lunch and naptime, and no mid-morning snack after a certain time, I was flexible to work with whatever our day brought us. For instance--when we had some in weekday school, we couldn't all eat until they were back. When they were all there, we would often eat a little earlier in the day.
So now with my own, I tend to run a little bit the same way--have a schedule of sorts, but do what works for YOU, and not expect what works for others to have to work for you, and if it doesn't, you've failed. That mentality only brings discouragement, not contentment in the calling God has given you. God doesn't expect you to follow others' advice or patterns to the letter, except for ONE-HIS WORD. And since HE doesn't give explicit instructions as to some of the more mundane tasks of babyhood/childhood, we must use the common sense He provided and decide for ourselves what will work for our families.
The one thing I do stress is trying to get all the children to nap at the same time, no matter their age.
In my house, if you are not in school yet, you have to have lying down time. Whether you sleep or not. Depending on your age, you have to take a nap. I used to tell some of my daycare children, you have to close your eyes, even if you don't sleep. Well, Duh. Guess what the result was?!

So all that said--my thoughts on the "Wise" series--I would like to read them all, (esp. the Pottywise one) but know that if I try the methods mentioned and it doesn't work for that particular child, I'm not a inadequate mom.
As far as the feeding part--I do agree with parent-directed feeding. Meaning, I don't want my baby to just snack and get to eat just because she/he is fussing and that may calm her/him down. But I also am not going to listen to crying for another 1/2 hour to 1 hour just to keep them on a schedule if I know hunger is the issue at hand. I felt like that book gave liberty to that issue. But then later to get back on the schedule you had.

For Ashleigh, I'm having to interpret cries all over again, and some are different than Kaylie's typical cries. Ashleigh has a lot more gastro-intestinal problems than Kaylie did, and so I know that feeding when she's not really hungry isn't going to solve that problem. Not in the end. It may solve the initial crying, but end up with the same, if not worse, result. So I have had to experiment with her all over again, to an extent.

So! Now I've said a few things on how I view that particular book. I haven't read any of the others, but aim to sometime. One of my friends and I are talking about buying the series between us to share back and forth.

Jessica, I understand and totally agree with what you said about the "Babywise" people in your life. Becoming a mom really makes you learn how to keep your thoughts on other people's children to yourself, until they ask for your opinion, doesn't it? =] I learned that back in daycare. I'm still learning how to respond to those kind of well-meaning people.

So, any more comments, anyone????? I want to hear more from you!

Babywise

2008-03-19T13:00:00.001-04:00

How many of you moms have read the Babywise book?

Concert

2008-03-17T17:04:00.003-04:00

Yesterday afternoon, Vernon was one of 146 singers, along with 45 orchestra players to perform Johannes Brahms' A German Requiem.
It was an excellent concert! I got chill bumps on the first song! For those of you who don't know this 'piece', it has seven movements. My mom said she cried on the last number. The entire hour and a half was very moving!

How many of you have heard of this work, or have heard it performed?

Double Crowns

2008-02-27T17:27:00.001-05:00

How many of you have children with double crowns?

Reflux Update

2008-02-25T11:05:00.002-05:00

I took Ashleigh in to see her Dr. last Thursday for a sick appt. because I didn't like the sound of her cough. Ended up her lungs were clear, but he did put her on Zantac (okay, the generic of) for her reflux. And as much as I don't like putting her on medicine at only a month old, I am all for this medicine. She is doing so much better with not throwing up! Mom's happy to get to wear the same dress all day! =] And maybe not change Ashleigh's outfit either.

Sleeping Positions

2008-02-16T12:59:00.003-05:00

What position does your baby sleep in? If your baby is a stomach sleeper, how old was he/she when you started putting them down like that?

I'm curious, because I'm a firm believer in stomach sleeping. I know pediatricians can't advise it, and I don't start my babies out that way, but when they're taught to put themselves to sleep, I do the belly thing. I'm speaking as in with my daycare experience and now my own children.
Now with Kaylie, for some reason, she preferred her side after a while--her back to the side of the playpen, and her front to the wall. Obviously as your child gets older, they change their positions and might sleep in a variety of ways, no pattern as such.

I'm almost certain Ashleigh has some acid reflux trouble, the last couple days, nights even!, I've tried her stomach for sleeping and she's doing great! She's been pulling her head back, instead of just scrubbing her face against us, etc., and I watched her do this in her bed this morning, so that gives me relief, knowing she can move her face around. Yes, she is only 3 1/2 weeks old, but I'm desperate for anything that works to give her stomach relief!

Have any of your children had reflux trouble? I've only dealt with this some among the children I've dealt with.......I need some tips! I haven't spoken to her doctor about it yet--I'm waiting until her two month checkup to see how she is till then to give a better voice of experience then.

More Roses!

2008-02-14T12:17:00.003-05:00

Happy Valentine's Day! I'm feeling very loved today!

One of our friends brought us supper for tonight, and......
I received roses from my hubby!

He told me the other roses weren't for V-Day, and lived up to his word! I'm feeling very cared for, that's for sure. My mom here for 3 1/2 weeks, meals being brought in, flowers twice in a week's time.....another friends called today to make sure I was doing okay, checking on my laundry status, etc.

Today I'm thankful for the "roses" in my life--my family and friends, and the way they show they care about this new mom!

My Love

2008-02-12T18:43:00.000-05:00

My dear hubby walked in last night with roses in hand.
He told me "and they're not even for Valentine's Day!"
Isn't he the dearest?

Vernon's Life

2008-02-12T17:47:00.000-05:00

In case you're wondering about Vernon's January events--

His new job is going well, and he's really enjoying it. PTL!
His med school day went well. He reconnected with an old friend from ASU, who is currently at MCG, so that was special for both of them to run into each other that day and have time to talk.
His two interviews went well, also. He had to meet with two different people--one faculty member and then the committee member who will present his file to the board.

So for now, we wait. And pray for the Lord's will to be done and for wisdom for the future, no matter what MCG tells us.

On another exciting note--we're paying off our car this week!!!!!!!!!!! We're rather elated about that! Anyone else know what that feels like?!

Life with the "lie/leigh"s

2008-02-12T17:34:00.000-05:00

My mom went home today, after having been here for 3 1/2 weeks! We will miss her greatly, and I'll really miss her help! It's time to get back to just us again, though. Life must go on, right?

Here's our first family picture with the four of us, taken last night. I like the second one better, as far as how we look like a close-knit family, but Ashleigh decided to stretch and look separate from the rest of us. =]
One of these days we'll do a more formal one....

Here She Is To Make Our Day!!

2008-01-26T16:29:00.000-05:00

She's Here!!
Ashleigh Kate Horst
Born Wed., Jan. 23, 2008 at 8:39 PM
8 lb. 3 oz.
19 inches long.
Here are some pictures (and videos, for those that do) that I took with my spiffy camera phone.

Check out all that hair! Big hands, tiny little baby. Big Sis is loving her new sister, she just doesn't like to be left out of her daddy's arms! Proud and happy Pop! My mother came to see us in the hospital, and got to hold the baby. Ditto for Lezlie's mother, who is actually down for a couple weeks to help out over this time. Thanks Mom for coming, and Dad for letting her come down! Supervised hugs from big sister. We have to make sure she doesn't smother her!

Da Dum.........Da Dum........

2008-01-17T17:11:00.000-05:00

Vernon started his new work this week. So far he's just had training. The cool part is, he won't be going back until this baby's born. Which is next week! Or before......
My doctor told me today I'm progressing.................

Vernon's New Job

2008-01-10T10:38:00.000-05:00

Vernon starts his new job on Monday the 14th. They're being really good about working with his schedule for training and orientation, which is a blessing. There are still a lot of details to be ironed out yet, but that will come after his training.
So for now, we're thanking God for this new job, praying it will help meet our financial needs a little better, and thankful for you friends out there who've been praying along with us about it! =]

God Bless You today!

I feel Loved......

2008-01-09T17:10:00.000-05:00

My biggest blessing today is friends! I just read another comment on my last post letting me know I'm being thought about, prayed for, etc.
Also, one of my friends just stopped by and brought me food to use later on whenever. She had questioned me yesterday about what I was going to do about food when my mom is here over Baby time, and I wasn't completely sure yet. Meaning, I didn't want Mom to have to fix every night, but didn't think I needed a full schedule of meals brought in. So then today, this friend stopped in with a ham, and three 4 packs of canned turkey! She has given me the turkey before and it was such a NICE gift! And I was really wanting a ham, but hadn't bought one! Ah, the niceness of God's gifts to women in need--FRIENDS!
THANK YOU, FRIENDS, FOR YOUR CARING COMMENTS!
THANK YOU, DAWN, FOR THE FOOD!

January Life

2008-01-07T15:42:00.000-05:00

Vernon started school today.
Vernon still hasn't started his new job. He is to start next Monday--the 14th, we think.

"And the days were accomplished....." This is what one lady said to me yesterday when I entered the Sunday school room at church. So very true! 36 weeks and counting! 16 more days or less, and this little one will be here--am I ready?! Yes and no.

I've made a list of baby preparation items, and am gradually getting closer to the end. Today it's packing my suitcase and pulling out my post-pregnancy dresses and checking front zippers, etc., to make sure they're ready to wear, and judging which ones I can get back into pretty quickly......this should be interesting.

This is basically how my life is right now--go day by day, accomplishing daily tasks with no long term goal right now, as such. Stay caught up on dishes and laundry and other household stuff, and try not to get behind so as to rush around if I start labor on my own. My mom is coming the weekend of the 18th-20th, so I'm not packing a suitcase for Kaylie, praying I won't need it before then.

What's your life busy with these days?

Happy New Year!

2008-01-04T10:35:00.000-05:00

So how has your new year started?
Vernon has had off this week, waiting for his new job to get started.....
So he's been helping me! =] I'm not used to having him here for several days straight, without planning to go on a trip or something. It's been grand!
We've worked on bringing down baby things, emptying shelves, drawers, taxes, dishes, laundry, cleaning, child training.......we've enjoyed just having family time together this week.

What have you been doing?

Christmas

2007-12-26T10:33:00.000-05:00

So how did you celebrate your Christmas--on that special day set aside to remember our Lord's birth--the 25th-- or did you get with family another day?

We have had the most interesting Christmas so far--Kaylie got the stomach bug Thursday afternoon last week, seemed over most of it Friday, we got company in Friday night, I got the stomach bug Sunday night, our company left Monday morning, Vernon didn't feel well with me on Monday, though he hasn't actually had any sickness yet. Yesterday was better, except Kaylie still isn't back to normal yet, and I'm slow as a snail, having to take frequent breaks and rests.

One thing I hope to never experience again--the rotavirus in my 34th week of pregnancy! It is not a fun combination, moms, let me tell you!

Merry Christmas, everyone! =]

Prayer

2007-12-17T09:35:00.000-05:00

Okay, for you moms/wives/single friends who stress out occasionally, and know God's in control, but still think life's order out in your heads to see if you can figure out a logical way for it to happen........
Please pray for us these next weeks. I'm trying not to worry (it's a sin to worry, you know) or let myself get stressed out with all that's happening in January......even though I know I will be having physical, emotional and hormonal changes during my last few weeks.

First week of January, Vernon starts his new job.....
Second week---he starts school again, so a new schedule again.....
Anytime in the next two weeks--this baby is supposed to happen.
The next/last week of January--Vernon's med school interview.
And there you have January on our calendar.

Interview

2007-12-10T22:09:00.000-05:00

Vernon received an email today from Medical College of Georgia, asking for an interview! We are excited, as this is obviously a huge step toward his goal of getting into med school!

So please pray for us in the next month--these interviews are scheduled on a day very close to my due date--so over Baby Time.....We're trying to reschedule, if possible.....the interviews, that is.

*Update--I'm to talk to my doctor this Wednesday when I have my prenatal, to find out the possibilities of inducing if I don't go by a certain time around the interview date. So we're keeping the original interview day--since it's an all day thing--going around campus with med students, two interviews.............Please pray for us with all this going on!

First sentence

2007-12-10T12:58:00.001-05:00

Kaylie's first sentence--"It works."
Today her second sentence--"B-B(belly button)--it hurts."

Done!

2007-12-08T18:59:00.000-05:00

Vernon's classes are done, finals coming next week.......
My Pampered Chef book party is done, and whew! I didn't realize all the work that would be involved there! I'm glad it's over, and know it was for a very worthy cause--helping out a friend who desperately needed the sales!

Time to finish cleaning up my house---I'm babysitting my friend's baby tonight while she goes to pick up her husband from the airport--he's been gone a week--to Germany!

We're going to a Living/Singing Christmas Tree tomorrow night--any of you ever been to one?
What are you attending this year for Christmas spiriting? =]

Soup

2007-12-05T11:44:00.000-05:00

How many of you are 'soup people'?
What are your favorite kinds of soup, or soups you fix in the wintertime?

Bible Study

2007-12-04T12:53:00.000-05:00

How many of you are part of a Bible study group? Women's, men's, Home Builders, etc?
How often do you meet?
What happens in your meeting? Prayer and study? Going through a book? Just picking Bible passages?
How long does your meeting last?

2007-12-01T21:59:00.000-05:00

I forgot to add to my previous list that I was babysitting tonight too. The little boy got sick toward the end of their time here--I'm praying it was a freak thing and not a contagious virus that could be spread around here. Kaylie and Vernon have had flu shots, but I haven't.....Pray with me that we won't catch the colds and whatever other sickness came in here tonight!

Ramblings

2007-11-29T17:27:00.000-05:00

Thanksgiving's over......
Christmas is coming......
Christmas cards are being sent out.....
Vernon's classes are almost over......
I had my 7 month prenatal visit this morning.......
I'm washing up baby stuff........
Bought some training pants to see if this new interest in the little potty will result in actual potty training next week............
I'm teaching the Ladies' Sunday School class this Sunday...........
I'm trying to tie up a Pampered Chef book party I'm doing for a friend............anyone want to place an order?

What's happening in your week?

10 Thanksgiving Blessings

2007-11-23T13:38:00.000-05:00

What are you especially thankful for this year?

10 things I'm thankful for this year.......

my wonderful husband, who is a loving husband and a doting father
my daughter, who reminds me every day of the wonderful privilege God has given us in parenting, even though it seems scary sometimes because of all the responsibilities that go along with it!
this new life within me, making himself/herself more known all the time
our wonderful landlords, who make it possible for us to have a nice, warm/cool place to live at a wonderful price, and are so good about repairs
our parents, for raising us to love the Lord
family, scattered abroad, sharing God's love in their corner of the world
friends, like you readers, who inspire and challenge me with your own posts and comments, and even those of you that I know read this, but choose not to make yourself known
two cars that run
Vernon's hospital job that has been graciously flexible with his school schedule the last 2 1/2 years, and gives him 'another family'.
the prospect of another job!

I could keep going on, but will stop with those for now--

1Ch 16:34 "O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever."

Thanksgiving

2007-11-23T13:35:00.000-05:00

What did you do yesterday to celebrate Thanksgiving?

We.........
~went shopping in the morning and came home with 8 shirts--3 for Vernon, 3 for his brother, and 2 for my dad
~had dinner with some of Vernon's family at his folks' house
~went to a football game, which Vernon played in, until we got rained out
~had an enjoyable evening at home, playing games and relaxing together as a family, just the 3 of us

New Job

2007-11-19T09:09:00.000-05:00

Vernon is looking at a job change the beginning of next year. Please pray that God's will will be done in this matter. It looks like a wonderful change--less hours, more pay, no nights and weekends, works with his school schedule, they'll keep him until August (if he'd start med school) or longer, if he doesn't get into med school. He would have more time on the road, but given the better pay, it would be worth it, we think.

So please pray that we will sense the Lord's leading in all the decisions to be made in the next few weeks.

I Need Energy!

2007-11-15T09:56:00.001-05:00

How many of you ever feel like you are weighted down with, oh say, 25+lbs on your shoulders, or somewhere, and once you're out of bed in the morning, you're too tired and heavy laden to feel able to get much done?
That's how I feel this morning, except I can't lay around and nurse that feeling today. I remembered last night that the ministry is coming for counsel meeting this evening--which I've been knowing all week!--and so my house cleaning that has been put off a little more each day, HAS to happen today--all in one shot. Therefore, no tiredness can be had for a while.
So why am I on here, you ask? Because I had to email something to my hubby at school! =]
And to ask you to pray for my strength and energy to come back! I am feeling further along in my pregnancy than I am, by lack of energy, that's for sure!

To all a good day!

Life's Many Happenings

2007-11-14T15:07:00.000-05:00

Well, since I posted last, my cousin and SIL have had their babies, we've been to the "Weekend to Remember" marriage seminar, and our BIL has been ordained to the ministry. Alot's happened in just a week and a half!

Our weekend went well--we really enjoyed the time together, without parental callings, as such, and are very thankful to our babysitters for their service to us! We had good speakers, nice dining experiences, got in good walking time, which I needed!, and just enjoyed having time to talk as we did our applications at various times, without the tug of our little girl. We stayed at home at nights, saving the hotel expense, and instead decided we'd eat our meals out. We did eat breakfast at home Sunday, and took a picnic lunch, since the hotel where this conference was being held, was right on the riverwalk. For those of you wondering, the Augusta Riverwalk is where the Augusta Golf Hall of Fame is.......or thereabouts. My brother proposed to my SIL on that walk........we took some engagement pictures there........it's a beautiful place!

How's your life been?

Weekend to Remember

2007-11-02T12:20:00.000-04:00

I'm so excited!!!!!!!!
Next weekend--November 9-11--Vernon and I get to take in the "Weekend to Remember" marriage conference here in Augusta, put on by Family Life--Dennis and Barbara Rainey. I'm not sure which speakers will actually be at our conference, since I'm told there are many, but I'm excited! We've never been to one, and lest you wonder, no, we're not going because we have marriage problems or because we fell into a vat of money. We're going because it's a weekend of refreshing what we have in our marriage, and because it's a weekend we can plan ahead that we know we can't change last minute, just because, without losing money! So essentially, a planned date weekend. We're leaving Kaylie behind with friends for the entire time--Friday evening thru Sunday afternoon--which will prove to be interesting, I think. I've never left Kaylie overnight before, but since babytime is drawing closer, she'll have to get used to someone else for during that time anyway, because I'm in the hospital 2 nights over delivery, and she'll have to be with someone then.
Anyway, if any of you are interested in knowing more about this conference and if they're in your area, go to http://www.familylifetoday.org/.

I can't wait for a weekend alone with my hubby! Those of you with husbands in school or a seriously committed schedule, know how precious and valuable time with your hubby can be, even when children are around. Put it this way--I'm learning to just enjoy his being around, without trying to put too much planning into that time frame. I'm realizing more and more how some things are just little petty things that bother me, and when looking at the scope of things--when I could spend the few minutes I have with him, discussing something much more profitable, and meaningful to both of us, why even bring up the little things? Know what I mean? I'd rather just enjoy our time together.
Now don't get me wrong, there are plenty of times he'll have to remind me it's past midnight when he gets home, and that is not the time to start telling him about my day's events at that hour. =] I've learned I can call him about 10 oclock PM, when his workload is not much at that hour, and we can talk then for a little bit, if possible.

Yesterday he was around in the evening and helped me here in the house, (and kept Kaylie occupied outside so I could finish supper preparations!)which was the biggest blessing he could give me right now!
How many of you other pregnant moms have to work on motivation to keep you on the housework and cooking?!

On another note--how many of you are going to the Hartwell Meetings?

Meals

2007-11-02T11:49:00.001-04:00

This morning as I was fixing Vernon's breakfast for him to eat on the way to school, and getting his lunch and supper in his boxes for his other meals away from home today, I got curious about how you other wives do for your husbands in the mornings.....so here's another poll. Men, you can answer too, if you wish.

Does your husband fix his own breakfast and lunch in the mornings, or do you do it for him?
What kind of breakfasts does your family eat in the mornings?
Do you all eat together, or as you each have time, i.e. husband before going to work, children after they're up, etc.?
Does your husband come home for lunch?

Life

2007-10-30T16:02:00.000-04:00

Life as we know it, has been moving on, with the weather proving itself in allergy related problems in our house. Kaylie started with something at my mom's before we left, and had it for about a week after we got home, and then it disappeared. Then last week I started with some sinus mess, and it progressed, but I think peaked over the weekend, since I seem to be getting better now. Now Monday morning, Kaylie started back up with being really stopped up, nose running, etc. I know I flare up when the weather changes, and I have seen Kaylie patterning me in allergy flare ups before. Ah, as much as I love this cooler weather, I don't enjoy feeling miserable with it!

We have DSL now! I'm so enjoying the faster connection speed! Now lest you wonder how we justify the price, with Vernon in school, etc., here's our story.
Every time Bellsouth would try to sell us DSL, I always told them that unless they could lower the price to what we were paying for dial-up, I wasn't interested. So far, they've never been able to match the price. Dial-up price had gone up in the last year, but we still had a $10 discount for having unlimited long distance, so that still meant we were only paying $10........
Well, in the course of trying to get ahold of tech support for my dial-up last week, the lady I spoke with to transfer me over, started trying to give me an idea, then stopped, but later got back on and offered a package that was a Grand plan! I was tickled! Not only did it switch out our dial-up for DSL ultra, but it gave us back our caller ID and call waiting (two unimportant features we let go a long time ago, but are sure nice to have!), and we kept our unlimited long distance, all for barely $3 more per month than what we're paying now! What she did was lower our DSL price and lower our long distance price. So.......as long as everything goes according to plan, and no price changes happen after 10 months or something goofy that I wasn't told about......we're good to go! No more late night two hour+ runs for Vernon trying to finish something on here because the computer was acting slow or the speed was not helping matters.
We now have a new computer modem and DSL.......should help, don't ya think?

Kaylie

2007-10-22T22:29:00.001-04:00

Here are some pictures of our Lil' Munchkin. Kaylie will turn 18 months this Friday! Where HAS the time gone?!

Playing with her baby Nola--Mommy's cabbage patch kid doll from years back!
A toy Mommy found at a yard sale for $1 this past Saturday~ Putting on Mommy's chapstick, wearing Mommy's dress shoes and a dress her great-grandmother made for her mom and aunt--so it's at least 29 years old.

No Family Bed in this house

2007-10-16T11:59:00.000-04:00

Okay, so this morning reinforced in my mind, the decision to let our bed be a cuddle family bed, and not a sleeping family bed.
Kaylie fell out of her toddler bed about 6:30 this morning and didn't want to go back in it, and since it was the first time it had happened, I took pity on her, and brought her down to our bed. The next hour and a half were a joke getting any sleep. She finally drifted back off to sleep not long before Vernon's alarm went off at 8. For those of you who might comment that we're slackers for lying in bed that long, he didn't get home from work until almost 12:30, and if he ever has a morning to sleep in, we take full advantage of it! =]

Anyway, after the alarm went off, Kaylie was done trying to sleep. I gave up at that point, and decided I should be up anyway. I'm still amazed, that after three 'sleeps' in her new bed, she only has fallen out once, and it took her until this morning to do that--that's a long stretch, I think!

I'll quit bragging now--I'd like to hear your story!

Changing Beds

2007-10-15T18:08:00.000-04:00

What kind of bed does your baby/toddler/preschooler sleep in?
At what age did you switch them to another bed?

Kaylie slept in her pack-n-play for most of her almost 18 mons., though she did have a few months in a cradle.
We bought her a toddler bed, and so today, I packed her playpen up and put her in her 'big girl bed' for naptime. She never knew the difference. I just put her back down for a short nap before we go to see Daddy at work tonight, and again, no fussing there.
This is too easy. I'm still waiting for her to realize her freedom and come downstairs how many times after she's been put down.......we'll see what happens tonight.

What's been your experience with switching beds on your children?

Books

2007-10-15T18:05:00.000-04:00

How many of you have read Karen Kingsbury's books?
How many of you have read Even Now?
Have you read the sequel just out--Ever After?
I cried, reading it today.......I won't tell you which part was teary--you'll have to read it yourself.

As for myself, I enjoy Karen's books, though some are more romance novels than inspirational, I think. The first of these two I mentioned was one of her 'okay' books, but I enjoyed the second one more.

Off to take my husband supper at work tonight!
Blessings this week!

Home Again, Home Again

2007-10-15T18:01:00.000-04:00

Nothing feels better than being home after a LONG stay away.
Thanks for your prayers and thoughts while I was away. Please continue to pray for my mom--she still has a long recovery ahead to get her new knees in proper working order.

I'm Going Home!

2007-10-09T17:35:00.001-04:00

Thursday morning I am leaving for home! I've enjoyed being here, but alas, home is calling after 2 weeks! Please pray that our trip home will go well--I don't relish driving like I used to when I was single. Our trip up went better than I could've hoped for, so I'm asking those same angels to ride along home with us.
The only hiccup is that Kaylie woke up this morning about 2, and was too stopped up to breathe well, so upstairs we went for medicine. And it's continued all day, stuffy nose and head (I guess) and runny nose. So we may have this to deal with on the way home. Why does sickness seem to hit when you're almost done with your trip somewhere?

The good news is, I just got a call that some friends of ours are bringing supper over tonight! Elegant artichoke cups--a Pampered Chef recipe! Ever had it?

Roses

2007-10-04T15:05:00.000-04:00

My DEAR HUSBAND sent me roses.........one for every day I'm gone. Isn't he the sweetest man on earth?!

Two weeks post op!

2007-10-03T22:04:00.000-04:00

For those of you wondering, my time here at Mom's is going well. Mom is progressing well, and I push her to do as much as she can on her own. As my dad said tonight when Mom wanted help moving her one leg over, and I refused, telling her she had to do it on her own, it's called 'tough love'. She is doing a lot already by herself, but of course, there are certain things she can't do, or it takes too much 'up' time to do, more time standing or with her legs down, than she can tolerate.

The church women have been angels, bringing meals in pretty much every other day, which is a TREMENDOUS help to me. I told the deacon's wife Sunday night, I am SO thankful for the schedule made up for meals. I had come up, prepared to do some cooking, but wasn't going to turn away any meals coming in. I haven't had to cook one yet! Between laundry, dishes, Mom, Kaylie, therapy session runs, other errands once in a while, and finding time to rest, that's all I can do right now. I don't have time or energy to stand at the stove, really. Although the last two days, I've actually had some time to rest, and today I made sure I got a nap.

So for those of you praying, thanks so much for caring! Yes, it's really hard being away from Vernon for 2 1/2 weeks, and I will be glad to get home. But for now, I'm needed here, and I know Dad and Mom both really appreciate my help. Kaylie's being here is, as Mom said today, 'a spot of sunshine'. She says their names now--"Mama"(Grandmama) and "Dad-dad"(Granddad). She is doing really well with all these adjustments, and for that, I'm thankful. I realized this evening why she has been cranky some mornings--and other times of day--and I couldn't figure out why she had any reason to be fussy then. She has an eyetooth through the skin already that I hadn't even noticed yet!

Back to Mom~she started therapy today. We see the doctor on Friday, and he will hopefully remove her staples then, and then she can start water therapy, along with gym exercises. This will total 3 sessions a week, plus the CPM knee exercise machine right now that she's using at home.

So please keep praying--for all of us involved here--I felt very overwhelmed the first two days Mom was home, and shed some tears over my exhaustion, but am doing better, and making sure I take some time for myself, whether to sit and read or actually nap.
Pray for Vernon--I know he's lonely, and has made a great sacrifice. He's doing a great job being a bachelor, from what I've heard. So if any of you men feel like you can't make it on your own for 2 1/2 weeks, ask MY MAN...he's doing it and I love him for it!

God's Best to you this week!

Today!

2007-09-29T12:32:00.000-04:00

My mom is to be coming home today! Please pray for all the adjustments to be made here, for Mom especially, for Dad, myself and Kaylie, as we help.

God Bless your weekend!
~Lez

Post Surgery Post

2007-09-27T16:36:00.000-04:00

Okay, so I'm at my mom's now, and she's not! Mom is doing much better, but is still in the hospital, and isn't expected to come home until the beginning of next week.

Today was a serious cleaning day, and I'm feeling the effects of driving yesterday, not sleeping but so well last night, cleaning 2 1/2 baths today, plus laundry, other cleaning up, etc. PTL for relatives who came over and dusted, vacuumed and mopped for me. My back is already tired, and I haven't had to clean a house this big since I was single. So the extra help was greatly appreciated. Thanks, Mildred and Suzanne!

I heard Dad tell someone that I'm up here and that is taking some of the load off him, for which I was glad to hear him say. He hadn't said as much before, and that makes it all the more worth staying up here, even though I feel like I'll be twiddling my thumbs, per se, till Mom gets home. And I miss my husband!

Pray for us all with the adjustments we're all going through right now.
Go with God this week!

~Lez

Mom's Surgery

2007-09-19T22:07:00.000-04:00

Mom's knee(s) surgery went well, no complications, and she is recovering as well as can be expected.

Specific prayer requests:

~Mom, as she heals and deals with tremendous pain.
~Dad, as he tries to hold the fort down between his job, sleeping, and going to be with Mom.
~Mom's helpers who are staying with her until we family can get there.
~Myself, as I prepare to leave home for 2 weeks+ to care for Mom.
~That I won't have any health issues happen with my pregnancy or Kaylie while in VA that long with a different kind of responsibility.
~Vernon, here at home with school and work and NO WIFE ={.
~My sister, as she plans to come stay with Mom for a week when I leave.

Praises:
~to GOD, for being the Great Physician!
~No complications during or following surgery, so far.
~Church family and friends who are helping out right now
~Church family and friends that have helped Dad and Mom out financially for this big event and expense.
~Friends like you readers, who pray for all of us involved with Mom's healing process.

Have a God filled week!
Lez

Prayer Request

2007-09-14T13:38:00.000-04:00

Please pray for my mom (Joy) this coming week. She is having a double knee replacement on Wed. Sept. 19. We're looking at a big recovery here, folks, with both knees done at one time, but prayerfully, everything will go alright. Therapy will be excruciating, she's already been told by several survivors.

Kaylie and I will be going up to help take care of her after she's out of the hospital for about two weeks. Please pray for us as well, and for Vernon here at home.

Have a God-filled weekend!
~Lez

Still more...

2007-08-21T14:25:00.001-04:00

As much as Kaylie enjoyed floating around in the Core Sound in front of Nan's house, she did NOT like the noise of the big waves at the actual ocean, so was content to just pick up shells from the beach instead. I threw pretzel sticks to the seagulls behind us for her to watch.....

Cape Lookout and its waves....

Nan would take bread out in the front yard for the seagulls to eat, and Kaylie enjoyed watching them and exclaiming over the birds!

Our day at Cape Lookout was the highlight of our trip, hence more pictures of that than anything else.

We also walked through the aquarium in Morehead City. Not as big as the one we have here in Atlanta, Vernon says, but still nice.

And there you have our trip in a nutshell--at least what we chose to let you see. =]

We unfortunately don't have any pictures to show of our time in VA at this point.

And some more....

2007-08-21T14:17:00.000-04:00

Kaylie's first ferry ride.........

watching her daddy out in the water.....

Kaylie loved picking up shells........

More Pictures

2007-08-21T14:08:00.000-04:00

Our ferry ride across to Cape Lookout...

An island of wild horses on the way to the Cape

Mberg Pictures

2007-08-21T13:49:00.000-04:00

Here's some shots from the NC part of our trip:

Here's the view from the front windows.....
Here's Cape Lookout a little closer up.....

Our August Life

2007-08-21T13:28:00.000-04:00

Here's a run down of our month:

August 3-6~Our dear friends Chad, Doris, Anna & Kyle Mast were here.

August 9~Lez's prenatal appointment

August 10-19~on vacation in NC and VA.*

August 20~Vernon started his last year of pre-med school and a new work schedule as well.

*Lezlie's grandmother owns a cottage on the Core Sound of Atlantic Ocean, and is planning to sell the land there. So before it got out of the family, we spent the first half of our time there, soaking up what relaxation we could! Nothing like looking out your front window every morning and seeing the calming waters and Cape Lookout--the lighthouse with diamonds--across the way to put you in good spirits for the day!

We finished up our trip in South Boston for Lezlie's cousin Krista Good's wedding to Jamin Miller on the 17th.

We praise God for safety along the way! Kaylie had high fevers for 3 1/2 days during the middle of our trip, which included a few days in NC, traveling to VA, and the first day there, which was NOT fun. Thankfully it went down by the time of the wedding, allowing us to go ahead and stay the rest of the weekend, rather than go home early to go see her doctor. We have since confirmed that it was probably a virus, that thankfully neither parent caught.

Now on to school life...........................

Vision Publishers

2007-08-21T13:11:00.000-04:00

If any of you are acquainted with Vision Publishers, or would like to know more about them, they now have a website up and running.
http://www.vision-publishers.com/

MCAT Results

2007-07-12T20:44:00.000-04:00

I know that there are a few of you out there who are curious about my MCAT score. I got my score back nearly a week ago, and I'm not quite sure how to feel about it. I got a 29O (9 on Verbal, 10 each on Biological and Physical Sciences), which is pretty good for the first time taking it. However, I know that I really need at least a 29, and preferably a 30-32 for MCG. So right now I am just playing the "waiting game" until I hear from the admissions committee. Thank you to all who have been praying for me/us during this time, please continue.

~Vern