Remembering the best day of my life.

You are more

perfect than

I could have hoped,

More beautiful than

I could have dreamed,

More precious than

I could have imagined....

I love you more than

I could have ever known.

------Unknown

My little Raegan.

Raegan has learned so much over the past few weeks..... Here are some of the recent things she is doing. She has learned that she is funny and she knows exactly how to make us laugh. She loves to dance and shake her booty as we call it. She has learned to turn the TV on with the remote. Too funny! She can identify many objects in books and point to them upon our request. She can also identify her eyes, ears, nose, and tummy, as well as mine. If you ask her where someone is she will walk over to them and pat them on the chest. She has learned to say Grandad and dog pretty well along with this and that. The other day she told my mom "get"... Mom didn't understand what she meant and Raegan finally said "get that" and pointed to what she wanted. She ask who's that to our pictures. Then we tell her to find someone and she points to the pictures, especially pictures of her cousins. She loves Elmo, Mickey, dolls, and clothes. She knows how to undress and partially dress herself. She puts every article of clothing on her head. This makes for interesting wardrobe combinations. She loves music and listens to her music player daily. Often times she changes the songs until she finds her favorite ones and then she puts the player down and dances. She can drive her little 4-wheeler. She climbs. She knocks on the door when you're in a room with the door shut. No privacy anymore. Definitely no long soaks in the tub anymore. Ha Ha! Bath time and brushing her teeth are two of her favorite night time routines. She keeps us busy but we are having the time of our lives. I really never imagined it would be this much fun. We always heard how becoming a parent was so time consuming and that you never have time for anything else. This has not been the case with us. We just load her up and she goes where we go. We rarely leave her except when we go to work. There are a few things that we can't do but really we don't miss it much. We both just love spending our time with her. I know things will probably change if we have more children but I believe so much of what you make out of life has to do with your attitude. Having the right attitude just makes everything much more enjoyable.

What's going on with us....

This weekend Scott and I have been working on some little projects around the house as well as some personal projects of our own. My dad came over and worked on our refrigerator on Saturday. It has been leaking. Scott worked on the yard and helped his dad with a project for his mom's Sunday School class. I helped dad with the fridge and did laundry. Then Saturday evening we did a little grocery shopping and stocked up on diapers and some other things we needed for Miss Raegan. She is cutting two molars at the same time which are supposed to be her 16-20 month teeth. She is still missing two of her bottom front ones which were supposed to be in around 13 months. I have been getting over sinus/allergy stuff this week. I bet I have sneezed atleast 100 times this last week. Sometimes I think I'm allergic to myself. Ha Ha!

My grandmother took Grandaddy to the neurologist last week only to receive disappointing news that his condition will not likely improve. The doctor said,"he's your baby now, just take him home and take care of him." She is devastated because she kept thinking he would eventually get better. We all felt this way but we were still hopeful. The doctor even mentioned them moving to an assisted living home. She said absolutely not. Aging has crept up on them like a thief in the night, stealing so much from them. Each day I am thankful to have them with us just one more day. Things are not the same but one thing that never changes is that everything is always changing. I guess we just learn to deal with change the best way we can. I pray for healing for them and if that is not to be God's will then at least some comfort and peace of mind during the winter of their lives. I am very saddened and really at a loss to express my true feelings because I know there are so many emotions yet to come. I know that Raegan brings so much joy to them and I will try my best to continue sharing her with them because I know it means so much. They look forward to seeing her. Children can sometimes be the best medicine of all and I will never take that from them. Sometimes I even feel guilty that my weekly visits are not enough. There are times when we are just stretched too thin and pulled in so many directions but we try to make sure that they get to see her. I am forever thankful for all that they have done for me and the guidance and parenting that they have given me over the years. They are so special to me and some of my fondest memories have been made with them.

It's FOOTBALL Time In Lincoln County!

Falcon Fever is going around and I think we've caught it. Last year we missed several games because Raegan was so tiny and it was so much work for us to take her. Now she and Daniel are at the perfect age to play together and cheer at the games.

We got Raegan her very own little Falcons T-shirt just like Mommy and Daddy. She also sported a matching bow, beads, and pom-poms. I think cheerleading may be in her future.

Raegan is intently watching the game. She was fascinated by the music, mascot, and roar of the crowd.

Splish, Splash.

Today I went for my meeting for school. It was soooooo long. Ugh! Its going to be hard to get back into student mode but I am looking forward to getting my degree finished. It is so neat how this worked out. The classes are on Fridays and Saturdays once a month for a semester. This is such a blessing for us because I won't be away from Raegan very much. She and Daddy will get to have some special one on one time which will be nice. My first class starts September 5th and 6th so I still have a little while before I have to buckle down. It will probably take about 2 years to finish.

I was trying to get a picture of Raegan's hair because it has gotten so long but....... as you can tell she wouldn't stay turned around. Her hair has grown so much but its hard to tell when its not wet since it is so curly. Sometimes I worry about if she will have trouble dealing with it when she gets older but I do love curls. Somehow I learned to manage mine so maybe she will to and grow to love it! Her favorite time is bathtime which has to be atleast 30 minutes before bed so that her hair has time to dry. I know the experts say that going to be with a wet head won't make you sick but it always gave me earaches and sore throats. Really I'm sure there was another underlying cause like I already had a weaked immune system or something but it never failed that I felt icky after going to bed with a wet head.



Just a few more minutes please.........

My little water baby! Sometimes she cries when we make her get out of the tub because she loves it so much. She can really do a lot of splashing for such a little girl.

Raegan and her 4-wheeler!

Raegan is having fun on the 4 wheeler that Uncle Alex got her for her birthday!

Miss Raegan is learning to ride all by herself!

Congrats to the USA!

Scott and I are addicted to watching this year's Olympics. We were always Michael Phelps fans but he has clearly dominated this year's games. We find ourselves staying up late just to watch him swim and cheering him on from our couch, as if he could really hear us. It is great to see all of his hard work paying off. We have also been keeping up with Margaret Hoelzer who is a Huntsville, Al native and Auburn swimmer along with her college roommate who is representing her home country of Zimbabwe. Whether it is gymnastics, swimming, volleyball, or track and field the U.S. is being represented by outstanding athletes who demonstrate great sportsmanship and competitiveness. Go U.S.A!!!!!!

Awesome story.

Today I heard an awesome adoption story that took place in my hometown. I have an aide in my classroom for children with special needs. Today she was showing me pictures of her grandson and great nephew. ( I went to school with her daughter and niece). I told her that I hadn't realized that her niece had a baby not realizing he was adopted because the picture of him was at just a few weeks old. She said remember that my niece was adopted. I had forgotten because honestly she looks almost exactly like her momma. She said that her niece had always had a strong desire to adopt having been adopted herself. So, she and her husband started the process and were expecting to get a baby here in the U.S. After months of preparation and anticipation their world was shattered to find out that the nursery they had prepared would remain empty. It was bittersweet for them as the biological parents had decided to keep the baby. They struggled through bouts of depression but made it through. Several months went by. Out of the blue a family friend who is an obstetrician came to their mortgage company to see them. She said, " I really need to see you," and closed the door behind her. She said, "What I'm about to tell you is going to change your life forever." Then the doctor proceeded to tell them that she had a patient who was to deliver a baby in the next few weeks and they had decided at the last minute to give the child up for adoption. They were overwhelmed with joy and quickly began the legal procedures. The doctor arranged everything so that neither side met in person. The adoptive parents were in the room next to the delivery room and were able to hold the baby merely minutes after his birth. I almost cried as I heard the story today. I thought, wow, how can anyone not believe in miracles and the power of God.

Is the weekend really over?

Wow! The weekend is over! It flew by! Raegan, my friend Jenn, and I went to a baby shower for Cheryl and Cameron on Saturday. Then we went and got Raegan's Halloween costume. She is going to be a ladybug. Scott and I had looked at them the week before but I got a coupon in the mail so I went ahead and got it. Then today we went fishing! We had a great time. His friend Frank called this afternoon and asked us to go. We were already going to the lake behind our house but then changed our plans to go with him. It was so worth it. We caught 9 between the two of us and we had a blast. Scott snagged 3 catfish and a bass and I caught 5 catfish. It was sooooo much fun. Raegan played in the dirt mostly and sang to the fish. Too funny! She absolutely loves the outdoors, just like her momma and daddy. Sometimes it seems like she is some of both of us just meshed into one fun little girl. We are loving this age!

Our newest hobby.

After we put Raegan to bed each night. Scott and I have been making hairbows. We used to make them when she was little but now that she is outgrowing those tiny bows we are trying our hand at creating the next size. We enjoy crafting and its neat to have so many to choose from. There are a lot of websites with free designs and even some with pictoral instructions. If any of you are interested let me know and I will share my info with you.

Going back to work has been tough but rewarding. Its really fun catching up with all of our old co-workers and meeting many new ones. The kiddos were there today getting schedules and taking care of first of the year paperwork. Tomorrow we have staff development and Thursday we are back in full swing. The bad thing is I didn't realize how tired I get. I came home this afternoon and took a long nap. Raegan took her a much shorter nap and daddy filled in for some of my usual duties. "Thank you sweetie." When I got up he went fishing for a while before it got too dark. I gave Raegan her bath and did our usual evening routine. Then it was early to bed for our little angel. We are trying gradually to get her in bed a little earlier each night as we are coming off of our summer schedule.

I have really enjoyed reading your blogs and the sweet comments that you left on mine. Hope you all have a good rest of the week!

Raegan at the park.

Missing my baby girl today.

Today was my first real day back at work and I felt like someone ripped my heart out and stomped all over it when I had to leave my baby girl. I am dreading leaving her and possibly missing seeing and hearing some of her milestones for the first time but its something I have to do. She is doing so much now. Everyday is an adventure. Her newest thing is going to get things we ask for and then putting them back.... ie. Mickey Mouse, Dora, Babydoll, Leap, Lily, books, remote, shoes, clothes, and even potatoes. Yes, I said potatoes. I bet you're wondering. We have sweet potatoes in our kitchen. A few days ago she brought me one and I said, "Ohhhh.... now take it back please". Much to our surprise she did exactly what we told her to. Most of the time she points and says, "that" and shrugs her shoulders like she's asking what is that. She probably does that a hundred times a day. She is beginning to make the connection between those objects and what they are really called. Today she said, "drink," instead of just grunting for it. Also, we're getting alot of one-time repeaters. She doesn't know what we are saying but she just says something similar to what it sounds like. Isn't it amazing! Being a first time mom is truly eye-opening. As an educator I have studied for years about meeting needs and hierarchies of human development but actually seeing it take place before my eyes is the most wonderful experience I have ever had. An indescribable bond exists between two people who have created life and get the chance to watch it grow right before their very eyes. Isn't God Great!

Even as bad as I hate leaving my little one I am so thankful to have a job to provide for her. The pain of leaving her has to be better than the pain of not being able to take care of her. In a world plagued by poverty, I am thankful to God for providing for us so richly. This cannot be said for all of the students I teach. I know God has plans for me there and he is using me in ways I don't even know about. My mom always said be thankful for your health because without it and the expectation of life you have nothing. All the "things" in the world can't heal your heart, care for your spirit, or guarantee anything in life. Thank you God.