Bragging Right #2

Asher's gingerbread house. Isn't it beautiful! He ate the chimney though...no kidding!

Bragging Right #1

Let's face it. It's an unspoken truth that blogs are a sounding board for plain ole bragging. Well, I was pretty darn proud of my apple butter I made before Christmas. I thought they came out really cute. I don't usually get the chance to be as domesticated as I'd like so I'm bragging:)
*If you like these tags check out the Stationary Fairy.

Green with Envy

I'm so happy that everyone had a great Christmas Holiday. I've really enjoyed looking at all the blogs and facebook pictures of the kids and decorations and such. At the same time it's really bizarre. I feel like "where was I"? It's as if the pictures are from several months back and not just last week. I have to admit I found myself being a little jealous, but then I knew that wasn't a feeling the Lord would want me to have. I've been learning and studying lately that the Lord wants our minds to change our emotions and not our hearts to lead our minds like the world teaches us. So, I've replaced that feeling and mindset of jealousy to one of gratitude and awe as the Lord has taken care of us this holiday.
Leading up to Christmas I worked a lot trying to get out of town since we weren't able to go to Mississippi for Thanksgiving. I even worked through the weekend. After seeing a couple of patients on Monday (21st) we left for our wonderful almost week long vacay to see family and friends. Monday night we met my sister and nephew for dinnner where Asher started to get really fussy. We actually had to leave earlier than we liked, but we figured he was over tired after the almost 6 hour drive.
He didn't sleep well that night which I thought was an ear infection (we're pros) coming. So, our wonderful pediatrician called us in an anitbiotic to avoid the ER. Still he became fussier and started a fever. By this point I figured it was strep which this particular anitbiotic would handle as well. It just needed time to work. After 2 more days of fever and Motrin and Tylenol around the clock we knew our little guy was sick. He even had little white bumps on his tongue. Again, we thought it was probably strep and the medicine hadn't kicked in yet.
Asher didn't care about the first present or playing or anything related to Christmas. He only wanted to be held by his Mommy. He even stopped eating and drinking on Christmas Eve. We left MS on Christmas to head to Chattanooga where we went straight to T.C. Thompson Children's Hospital. That was where he and I stayed for the next 5 days. Poor Mark was the errand boy and even had to work 2 nights during the ordeal.
While there Asher was treated for a viral infection that left his lips, tongue, gums, and throat covered in blisters. He was unable to eat and drink and had terrible pain. It even worsened a great deal after going to the hospital. This was emotionally and physically exhausting to watch our baby feel so poorly. We won't even talk about the lousy bed and being woken up every hour.
Now, this is where the gratitude part comes. Asher's body is healed now. Thankfully, this was only a temporary illness. However, the even more amazing part was the love and support that was shown to us. We had countless visitors, phone calls, and text messages. (I even had to change my cell phone plan to accommodate it all.) Those people were our prayer warriors when we were simply too tired and even forgot to pray at times. (Sounds terrible I know, but it happened.)
By Wednesday I insisted we go home. I felt as if we were being counter productive because Asher was becoming very upset when the doctors and nurses entered the room. It took 3 people to hold him down for medicines. I guess my Momma instinct kicked in that this was enough. He was well enough that the rest of his recovery could happen at home.
We got home about 10 o'clock Wednesday night, and I have not had to cook yet because of the fabulous meals brought to us. It's been such a blessing since I had to start seeing my patients right away. Asher is back to his ole self (except his schedule) playing hard with all this new Christmas loot.
So, did I have the little green monster sneak up on me...Yes. However, I know that even though we missed the holiday we have Christmas in our hearts everyday. His grace that abides in our hearts and minds through that little baby Jesus carries us through some pretty tough times!

Polar Express

A couple of weeks ago Asher got to ride the Polar Express at the Tennesse Valley Railroad Museum. We sang carols, listened to stories, ate gingerbread, drank Yoohoo and of course visited with Santa all while traveling to the "North Pole".It was a great time and really got us in a festive mood.

"Climbing the world" with Mommy and Daddy

Our special guest Gran
Daddy
Santa is coming!!!
Totally starstruck
Best Buds

Dear Santa

Thank you for making a stop in the Scenic City early! We woke up last Friday morning (pics on camcorder) to find that your elves had been working very hard on setting up my new Rainbow Playset. Mommy and Daddy said it's really hard for you to get it all done in one night so you started early with swing sets this year.
Inside the fort was a letter from you and an elf to put on our shelf. I will continue to brush my teeth regularly and go potty just like you asked. And yes, I agree. I have been a very good boy! I can't wait to see what other treats you have waiting for us Christmas morning! Thank you, thank you!

Sincerely,
Asher

ABC's of Thanks

It could be very easy for me to whine about our actual Thanksgiving day since Mark was night shift and slept all day. He was then off to work again after dinner at friends'. However, I looked at the glass as half full. 1. He HAS a job to provide for us. 2. We have friends that care enough to offer us awesome food and fellowship.
As some of you know I can be Negative Nellie sometimes. So, I'm really proud of myself because I didn't even have to try too hard:) The Lord is definitely making some good changes in me lately.
Here is a small list of things I'm thankful for this Thanksgiving Holiday. Unfortunately I can't take credit for this idea. I got it from a friend's blog.

A=Asher. My precious boy that I believe is the cutest thing on earth. He's a perfect display of mine and Mark's love.
B=Besties as Erin calls them. I just love my dear friends that no matter the time or distance that separates us know my heart. They know where I come from firsthand and why I'm the person I am.
C=Cody. Through the years has been more like a little brother than a nephew.
D=Disney Cruise. It was our awesome vacation this year!
E=Everlasting life. Through Jesus I've been offered the most incredible gift!
F=Family
G=God. People that don't have Him simply exist. They don't live. I'm glad I don't have to understand that!
H=Home. Although I complain about the structure itself a lot it's a place of faith, hard work, and love.
I=In-laws. I don't even like that term because they're simply family. They love me whole hearted and treat me as their own.
J=Jobs. So many people are without this year. I often wish I could be home with Asher more, but he knows he is loved and gets lots of attention regardless. I thank God for giving me skilled knowledge to provide for my family.
K=Kisses. Whether in the form of "kissy lips", "horsie kisses", or Eskimo kisses I love them all! It's a nightly ritual.
L=Life. God blesses me every morning with good health.
M=Mark. The love of my life, the man of my dreams.
N=Naps. Mmm. Need I say more:)
O=Offerings. Our time, talent, and money. When we finally let go of them we receive so many blessings in turn just for being faithful.
P=Pictures. Can you imagine life without them?
Q=Quiet time. The time I take to simply feel God's presence and hear Him. I don't do it nearly enough!
R=Railroads. Anything related is pure joy to Asher.
S=Sisi. She helped make me who I am today.
T=Tyner United Methodist Church. I love my church family.
U=University. My good ole alma mater the "W". I have nothing but wonderful memories of that place. I'm proud to be part of the long blue line!
V=Vacation. Since Asher was born Mark and I decided vacations whether big or small were vitally important. It's a chance to get away from the stressors of life and work to focus on nothing but our family.
W=Wilma. The best step mother a girl could have.
X=X-Rays. No kidding I'm not making this up because X is a hard letter. With X-Rays particularly videofluroscopy I can better help so many of my patients.
Y=Years. I have spent 3 very happy ones with Mark. We have lots more to go!
Z=Zoos. They're an instant memory maker. Going to the zoo is one of the activities Asher and I do on my days off. Such fun!

I could go on and on!

Cheezin'

We went Sunday to take some Christmas Card pictures. Even though a 2 year old can be a difficult subject I think we got some cute ones! Here are some (before editing) that didn't make the cut, but I thought showed his personality...Not sure what the leaf is for but what a cute face!

deciding a stick in his mouth makes a good prop
a whole body tremor as he shows off his massive musclesWATCH OUT! his shirt is about to pop!!


just being himself