How we're doing....

My sweet little girl is growing up fast. She is 33 in. tall and weighs 25 1/2 pounds. I took her for the 2 yr checkup on July 10th. She was sooooo good at the doctor's office. I can't believe she is 2! She is an absolute blessing to all of us. Her vocabulary continues to blossom. She can really talk BIG now. She counts and sings her ABC's with a little help. We are working on potty training to finally rid ourselves of pull-ups. She is doing well considering all the inconsistencies that the summer has entailed with my Grandaddy's care. We are hoping to establish a sound routine before she goes back to Grandmomma and Grandaddy's house. Sadly, school starts back in a couple of weeks. I wish I could stay home with her a little longer. Just so I could hear her say. "Momma, lets snuggle," at naptime. She is always HAPPY with a smile on her face and a twinkle in her eye. She's a charmer and has a personality that is out of this world. Scott says she's just like me. I am flattered and humbled. Especially that after almost 9 years together he still feels this way. We are truly best friends. Time has strengthened us and our marriage. Simply put, we just enjoy each other. We have fun, no matter what we're doing. He has put in his 2 week notice and will finish this job next Friday. Tomorrow, we go for orientation and he begins firefighter training on August 3rd. We are excited about the changes but we know that they will take some getting used to. The schedule will be the toughest for us and Raegan to get used to but it will be worth it. I am so proud of him and I love him with all of my heart.

A tribute to Grandaddy

Listening to the humming of the tractor

as the disc hits the ground,

he opens the earth to a new day

where life can be found.

With every hour he plows the dirt

and takes hold of the wind,

leading him back to his childhood

to remind him of where in life he has been.

As he plants the seed...

it reminds him of how he has grown from a child.

The words from the Lord told him

the pasture that he should sow.

The love and care from his family,

was the water that helped him grow.

As he sprouted up to a man,

the crops began to grow.

With each field he gave to the Lord,

the more blessings God would show.

As the fields turned into acres,

the Lord sent people his way,

to help him with the blessings

and prepare for the harvest day.

Little did he know that every soul that was sent his way,

a tiny seed was planted in their hearts and that's why we're here today.

The Lord has called him up for the harvest,

and it's time for him to take his rest.

The memories of fields, overalls, and diesel tractors

are the ways I will remember Mr. Thomas the best.

----Mary Joy Simmons (friend and neighbor)

Happy Birthday, Sweet Girl!

Our sweet baby girl turned 2 today! Raegan, we are so glad that you enjoyed your special day with family and friends. You all had so much fun in the kiddie pool, slip n' slide, and the swingset. Raegan we are so proud of you. We love you more than you'll ever know.

Love,

Momma and Daddy

5:15 am

Grandaddy went to be with Jesus this morning. Please pray for healing for our family during this time of grief. We have peace knowing that he is safely in our creator's arms.

Good News Update

Today we finally received some positive news about my Grandaddy's situation. After weeks, I mean weeks of begging and pleading he is finally going to be moved to a facility in Nashville where his condition can be evaluated by specialists. Today Tad from Kindred Hospital came down to assess him and determine if he was a candidate for their facility. I prayed, Dear Lord please give us favor today, and he did. Tad explained the process to us and he will be leaving in the morning. My dad, my grandmother, and I will be following the ambulance tomorrow. They are sending a "special" ambulance with people specialized in caring for patients with heart conditions and breathing apparatuses. We have been told by the hospital doctor that he has not been stable enough to move. This is frustrating to us b/c now that time has run out on medicare he is suddenly able to be moved when his condition is actually worse. I don't understand it. Well I do but I just don't understand how money could drive people to make decisions that would jeopardize someone's life. I am realistic and I know that my Grandaddy will probably not be at himself like he was when he went in to the hospital but he still deserves the best care possible. I know that God is using this experience to strengthen us and bring us closer to him. Today I watched my daddy cry and pray himself for God to have favor on us, something I haven't witnessed many times. Please continue praying for our family and especially for my Grandaddy.