tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-217260942024-03-13T15:26:55.715-06:00MIRACLE at last!This is a blog about my long journey to motherhood (my husband and I tried to conceive for 9 long years!) and the wonderful life God has given me since!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.comBlogger25125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-38590322002885342032009-06-17T08:13:00.003-06:002009-06-17T08:45:08.156-06:00Happy Third Birthday Nelson!!I can't believe my little man is THREE now! It seems like only yesterday when he was born. It was such a happy, exciting but scarey time. I can hardly believe how much joy and happiness he has brought to our lives these past three years. It's really hard to fathom. I can't imagine my life wthout him.... but yet we lived without him for so long!<br /><br />We had a big day on the day of his birthday. Lots of family came over (we have a huge family!) and a great time was had by all. <br /><br />Nelson and Caleb (or as Nelson says "Cabey")<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_0272-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0272-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Birthday Boy<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_0276.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0276.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />He got WAY too many gifts!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_0284.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0284.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Our happy little family...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_0310.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0310.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Nelson and all the cousins....<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100e0346.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100e0346.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />That same week we had his Three year pictures done. I thought they turned out great. Here a few of my faves...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=0024-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0024-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=0014-1-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0014-1-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=0090-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0090-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />We are going to Gatlinburg and Dollywood this weekend (staying w/ my great Aunt Helen) so I will have lots more of pics to share!!!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-51098992172248624962008-11-14T18:34:00.002-06:002008-11-14T18:37:48.472-06:00"Because... I killed a fish."Yeah. This is Nelson's new phrase. He says it several times during the day. He'll say, "Mama!!" and I"ll say, "Yes, baby?" and he'll say, "Uhhmm... uhmmmm... uhmm.... Because I killed a fish."<br /><br />Hmm.... okay, Nelson. ??? Who knows??? LOL<br /><br />He's also learned, "I'm sorry." and it's so cute and sweet! Any time he gets in trouble, he'll cry, lay his head over on me, and say "I sawwwwy." It just melts my heart!<br /><br />Oh and a new one he just learned Wednesday night, "I'm happy!!!" He usually says it twice, "I happy happy!" LOL. Who knows where he's getting all this or where he's picking it up. But it sure is cute!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-22047167444143010652008-11-03T10:46:00.003-06:002008-11-14T18:40:36.493-06:00Our big Halloween weekendI never could have imagined that Nelson would have as much fun as he did. He absolutely LOVED Halloween! ha! He was so cute. He just loved going up to all of the houses and saying "Trick or Treat!"... although it did sound more like "Twick Tweet" it was still so cute! He went all up and down my parents street and our street. By the end his pumpkin was so heavy he was having me carry it. I can't believe how much he got! And now I want it gone because I'm eating it!! We put him back in his costume to take him to our church's Fall Festival on Saturday. When we left our house he started pointing to all of the houses as we passed and was saying, "Daddy! Stop!" LOL - he was wanting to trick or treat again! Here are some pics from this weekend...<br /><br />Helping Daddy carve the pumpkin Thursday night...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1866.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1866.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />With the finished product... he was so proud!!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1873.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1873.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />My little cowboy (at Cracker Barrell - we went there for some supper before starting out on our trick or treating journey)<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1894.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1894.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />Mammaw and Papaw's house was our first stop...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1884.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1884.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />The three of us...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1883.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1883.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Giving Murphy some love while we were thre... (this poor cat really has to endure! LOL)<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1887.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1887.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />His cousins Ryan, Hayden and Josie then stopped by for pics and then we all made our journey down Mammaw and Papaw's street for some goodies...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1889.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1889.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />But first Daddy wanted to pose for a very gruesome pic with Murphy.... again, poor Murphy...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1890.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1890.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />After we left Mammaw and Papaw's we then traveled back to our street and "twick tweeted" there... Here's Nelson at the end of the night w/all of the loot.... He looks so happy!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1891.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1891.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />And Saturday morning he woke up and still remembered it all. As soon as he hopped out of bed, he went and put his cowboy boots back on!!!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1895.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1895.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-78345570413721556382008-10-30T18:43:00.005-06:002008-11-03T10:38:51.336-06:00It's been a while....Well, it's been a while. I really need to do better at this... I know I always say that! LOL. I think this blog will be neat to have to look back on and read and see how much things have changed around here... and especially how much Nelson has changed.<br /><br />And boy has he changed and grown! I can't believe it sometimes. I'll say it again... I just soooo love this age!!! In the past few months we've done so many fun things. In August we went to Kings Island in Ohio (we were there for a fmaily reunion anyway and thought we'd get some fun activities in). Nelson had a ball. In the beginning of October we went to the Smokey Mountains (Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge). We went to the aquarium, Dixie Stampede, and Dollywood that weekend. Nelson had a blast!!! He's still talking about fish all the time, LOL.<br /><br />Then last weekend (I think it was last weekend? LOL) we went to a local farm where they had a pumpkin patch. Oh My Gosh he loved it! He is still going on and on about all of the animals he saw! He'll start blabbering on about chickys, cows, ducks... it's so cute! There was a goat there that was eating out of his hand and he thought it was just the funniest thing! Oh and he just loved seeing all the pumpkins.... or I should say punkies. That's what he calls them.<br /><br />Let's see... let me find some pics from the past few months....<br /><br />He had his face painted as a puppy at Kings Isalnd. He loved it and thought it was the coolest thing.... but it wasn't long before the puppy pooped out. LOL<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1678.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1678.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1678.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />The whole little family there...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1691.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1691.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1691.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Daddy turned 30 on Sept 30th. We threw him a surprise party (and he was actually REALLY surprised!!)<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1697.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1697.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1697.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1697.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />At the aquarium in Gatlinburg w/ Mommy<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1717.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1717.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1717.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And Daddy...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1732.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1732.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1732.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />We met our friends from Jennifer and Katie Beth from Virginia there (it's half way for both of us). Sean had some hunting to do and he couldn't come! LOL. Here's Nelson and his pretty little girlfriend, Katie Beth...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=nelsonandkatie.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=nelsonandkatie.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/nelsonandkatie.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />With all the pretty pumpkins at Dollywood...<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1775.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1775.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1775.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />At the pumpkin patch on a great big punky!!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1842.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1842.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1842.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He had so much fun looking for them!!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1840.jpg" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1840.jpg" target="_blank"><img alt="Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1840.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Well, that's all for now. Tomorrow is Halloween and I know I'll have lots more pics to share of my little COWBOY!!!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-8719394339262238652008-09-03T12:55:00.000-06:002008-09-03T12:56:39.580-06:00I JUST LOVE THIS AGE!!!Things are just so fun these days around here. I just love love love this age Nelson's at now. There's definitely never a dull moment and he's doing/saying new things every day. He listens so closely to his PBS educational shows that he watches and then he'll try and repeat just about everything they say. He's constantly trying to count things (although he never goes over two, LOL). One, two, one, two, one, two.... Then him trying to say his ABC's is just hilarious! He sings this (to the exact tune of the ABC song, "T, B, C, B, C, B, C.... " it cracks me up. <br />Something funny he did today... this morning he and I were eating breakfast. Boring old eggs and turkey sausage for me... but he was having pancakes. I finished mine and reached over w/ my fork and took one single bite of his pancakes. He looked at me real stern w/ his eyes all squinted and he said, "Heeeeey, you!"<br />This morning I got him out of his crib and put him in the bed w/ me for a little while before time to get up. There is a big painting to the left of our bed of this woman in victorian type clothing sitting on a chair. Well, just about any woman w/ dark hair and makeup in a picture is "Momma" to him. He was lying there and pointed up to the painting and said, "Momma!". I said, "Nope, that's not Momma." Then he said, "That's Jill!" I laughed and told him no that wasn't Jill either!<br />I told Steven last night that he now has to offically call me "Momma" all the time and not Jill - because I know Nelson has heard him calling me that! When I was putting Nelson to bed he kept pointing to my chest and saying, "You're Jill". I would tell him, "No! I'm Momma!" and he kept saying, "You're Jill!" Finally he called me Momma. I said, "Yeah, I'm Momma... not Jill." Then I poked my lip out like I was sad and said, "Momma doesn't like it when you call her Jill." THEN this stinker proceeds to hug me, pat my back, and say, "Awwww... Jill... you okay?."<br />LITTLE STINKER!!!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-74295475833836017082008-08-01T09:13:00.002-06:002008-08-01T09:26:58.448-06:00time for some new pictures...I just noticed I haven't put any pics on here since Christmas and boy has Nelson changed since then!!!<br /><br />In May we went to Disney World and here are a few pics from there:<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1547.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1547.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1538.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1538.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1457-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1457-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><br />Here's the big TWO YEAR OLD party!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1598-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1598-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><br />Father's Day picture:<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1645-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1645-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><br />Professional Two year pics:<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=0023-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0023-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=0020-1.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0020-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><br />Thanks for letting me share!!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-16953487647023318042008-08-01T08:55:00.003-06:002008-08-01T09:13:12.698-06:00I'm back!!!Okay, I've once again been a terrible blogger. And once again... I'll try and do better! Keeping up w/ a two year old is hard work!!! Who'da thunk it?? LOL<br /><br />Nelson is doing so many new things now it's hard to keep up! He's talking up a storm and is just sharp as a tack. And oh boy, is this kid funny! He's getting more and more independant. If I try to help him w/ something and he doesn't want help, he'll point away and say "Go!". Okay, Mr. Boss Man!! He loves the movie Cars. If I let him, he would watch it all day long! A few weeks ago we bought him the complete set of cars from the movie at the Disney store (on sale of course!) and he loves those things. He sits and plays with them ALL the time. He talks about them as soon as he gets up in the morning. He says "I want a bitey" and then "I want cucks". Kucks = cars or trucks. He combines the two words. It's funny how he really is starting to tell you what he wants now. If he wants to go outside he says, "Momma, weeeee-weeeeeee...... outshide." This means he wants to go play on his swing set outside (it's so cute how he says outshide w/ an H!). Last night we were at Chili's and a waitress walks up to him and says, "How are you?" Apparently he thought she said how OLD are you because he held up two fingers and said, "I TWO!!!" He's always so proud of how old he is. Then she says, "What's your name?" and he points to himself and says very loudly, "I BAY-BAY!!" This means 'I'm the baby'. I've told him that one too many times, I guess. LOL. We need to work on Nelson, not baby, I guess.<br /><br />I'm working from home now doing medical transcription for an Oncology group in Nashville (Tennessee Oncology). It's going really great and we're finally seeing a light at the end of the tunnel as far as moneywise. Working at home w/ a two year old running around is not always a piece of cake. Speaking of cake... I have another story for you. The other day, out of the blue, Nelson starts screaming and I do mean SCREAMING.... here as our conversation:<br /><br />NELSON: "Momma!"<br />ME: "What baby?"<br />NELSON: "I want cake-cake!" (this is how he says cake... says it double!)<br />ME: "Honey,we don't have any cake."<br />NELSON: "Momma! I want cake-cake!"<br />ME: "Nelson, we do not have any cake in this house!"<br /><br />this went on a few more times... then he changed strategies...<br /><br />NELSON: "Momma!"<br />ME: "What honey?"<br />NELSON: " I want a cookie!"<br /><br />Uggggh! I don't know what the obsession is w/ cake and cookies all the sudden. You would think I fed him that stuff all the time... but I don't! I don't even keep that kind of stuff in the house! Not even a Little Debbie around these parts. Fruit or graham crackers is the sweetest thing you're gonna get around here. Maybe some sugar free jello or sugar free pudding.LOL.<br /><br />He finally gave up on me and quit asking.... but then a few minutes later I heard the back door open (Steven got home) and it started all over again.<br /><br />NELSON: "Daddy!"<br />DADDY: "What baby?"<br />NELSON: "I want cake-cake!"<br /><br />Oh yeah..... the joys of a two year old boy............Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-16970192327863696712008-04-11T09:01:00.002-06:002008-04-11T09:09:09.745-06:00Down FOURTEEN!!!I'm down 14 lbs now!!!!!! Yay!!! I haven't seen this number on the scale since I was probably 18 or 19 years old! seriously!! I'm not even going to the WW meetings and weigh-ins anymore. It was just getting too hard to try to find someone to watch Nelson for me and he just acted terrible if I took him w/ me, LOL. Plus, I'm saving $12 a week... and that always helps. Anyway, I was bound and determined that I was going to do it on my own - and I am! I haven't been exercising like I should be (I've only been able to walk a couple of times a week and I need to do it around 4-5x a week). So, I need to get better on that aspect... and I could always get more strict w/ my eating, I know - because I do cheat here and there. I've been letting Sunday be my "whatever" day. I eat whatever I want... in moderation, of course. We go to my parent's house for dinner on Sundays after church and I just can't say no to my momma and daddy's home cooking! NO way.<br /><br />Okay, what else is going on ....... Well, we're going to Disney World in just a little over FOUR WEEKS! Can you tell I'm excited??!! <br /><br />The weather has been warmer around here latey and I was able to take Nelson to the park on Monday. He really enjoyed it. I wish I had taken my camera because he had such a good time. I got a couple of videos on my cellphone but that's it. I'm going to try to take him again next week and I'll take my camera then. He is getting so big and saying so much now! Just this morning, I gave him his last bite of oatmeal and he shrugged his little arms up and said "All Gone!". I didn't even say it to him... so he wasn't repeating me. He just remembered from where I had said it other times, I guess. He's such a smart little cookie. <br /><br />And this boy loves to dance and sing! You should see him!! He loves him some HANNAH MONTANA! LOL. Funny, but true. As soon as the theme song starts playing he is getting down like nobody's business! LOL It is the funnies thing!<br /><br />Well, I guess that's about it for now. I need to get back to work.Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-2356735886719372072008-03-10T19:51:00.003-06:002008-03-10T19:56:05.238-06:00SIX POUNDS!!!Yep, tonight was my first WW weigh-in and I lost SIX POUNDS!! Woot-Woot!!! I am so so so so so so so so so so so so so happy about that!!!! I couldn't believe it... Did I mention I was happy? LOL<br /><br />It's been nice a couple of days in the past week and Nelson and I have been able to get out and walk. Hopefully, it will stay nice the rest of the week and we can make it a daily habit. I've really been trying hard on my eating habits.. and I plan on trying even harder. At this rate I may just make those 20 lbs by Disney World time!!! I know it will slow down though... but for right now, I can dream.<br /><br />Nelson is doing much better (and I am too), thankfully. He is down to only 1-2 breathing treatments a day. He is now taking an allergy med too (although I may have mentioned that already). I can't really tell that it is doing anything yet - but I will give it a little longer.<br /><br />Oh yeah, I had someone call me today about Medical Transcription work and it sounds very promising. I would be making over double of what I do now, if I got it. So, everyone please pray about this. It would be AWESOME if it worked out. They are supposed to be calling me sometime this week, hopefully, to set up a time to meet. Fingers crossed and praying up a storm about this!!!!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-72518109977650914192008-03-07T23:12:00.003-06:002008-03-07T23:23:23.992-06:00Weight WatchersYep, I did it. I joined Weight Watchers. I've gotta my fat butt (and I do mean fat! LOL) in gear. I started this past Monday - and exactly 10 weeks from then we will be going to Florida (DISNEY WORLD!!!). I hope to have at least lost 20 lbs by then. That's probably wishful thinking to lose 20 lbs in 10 weeks... but I'm still wishing it!! haha After that, I'll still have another 20 lbs I need to lose. AAAACKKK! Why am I so fat!!???<br /><br />Okay, rant over. My 1st weigh in will be on Monday, so I'll let you know how I do. My DH, Steven, has already lost over 20 lbs. He did it in a month! I can't believe how fast men can lose weight compared to women. I don't think he needs to lose anymore but he is saying another 5-10. Whatever...<br /><br />And I have worked out twice already this week and plan on working out again tomorrow. Yay! That's really good for me, because I HATE to work out.. and I mean hate!! So, three times in one week is kinda a big deal. I would like to start doing 5x a week. Maybe I can work myself up to that. <br /><br />I'm really trying to treat this whole WW thing kinda like a game.... so, it's kinda fun to see if I can stay w/in my points range for the day/week. I make it like a game seeing what foods I can find that have the lowest point values, etc. I've gotta do something to make it interesting or I'll quit!<br /><br />Anyway - that's my update for right now on me, personally. Nelson is doing a lot better. He finished the atb's and steroids. I have also weaned him back off the breathing treatments again. He's still sounding a little congested in his nose/chest.. but nothing like he was. So, the doc put him on some allergy meds and I guess we'll see how he does. So far I haven't seen much change... but of course, it's only been a day and a half since he started the meds. I guess we'll have to wait and see.<br /><br />So, that's it for now - talk to ya later!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-45221286658293205282008-02-26T21:33:00.003-06:002008-02-26T21:37:06.946-06:00Sick again!!!It's Nelson and I both this time. I have a stupid sinus infection again. Doc put me on Avalox (and it cost $113.00!!!) Nelson is on another antibiotic and an oral liquid steroid. Both of his were only $10, though.. thank goodness! Doc also wanted me to start his breathing treatments (every 4-6 hours) and Pulmicort (2x daily) as well. So, you see what my days are busy doing, huh! Dispensing out meds and doing breathing treatments. Between that, the house, being absolutely SLAMMED with work and just taking care of a toddler in general, I - AM - WORN - OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Ugh!!! I need a nap.. but can't take one - - when Nelson naps that's when I need to try and work to get caught up w/ all this transcription. He is sleeping very fitfully at night (therefore, I am too!) and I'm like a dead man walking. No pictures to download right now. We all look too rough around here! LOLJill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-73717486719468745162008-02-18T13:19:00.003-06:002008-02-18T13:40:18.798-06:00It's been a WHILE!!!I'm a bad blogger. I keep saying I'm gonna do better and I don't. Maybe I really will now. LOL.<br />I can't believe how fast time goes by when you have kids. Nelson is 20 months old now!!! Man, I just can't believe that. He will be 2 yrs old before I know it. My brother-in-law has a new baby. He is a tiny little joker just like Nelson was. His name is Trinton and he weighs 4 lbs 11 oz. I look at him and it seems like Nelson should still be that tiny. Nelson was actually tinier (is that a word?) because he got down to 4 lbs 6 oz when he was in the NICU. I remember how we would go to the hospital every evening to feed him, give him his bath, weigh him and put him down for the night. We did that for 3 weeks straight (but it seemed like an eternity at the time). We would get sooo happy when he would gain an ounce or two. LOL. Now he's 33 inches and over 25 lbs.<br />Let' see..... we have a new dog. Her name is Duck. Yes, I said Duck. Nelson named her, go figure. To Nelson, if it's not a ball, it's a duck. A lady was giving away the puppies a couple of weekends ago in the Wal-Mart parking lot. She was so cute and we couldn't resist her (not to mention that Nelson screamed like a wild banchie when we tried to take her away). We asked Nelson, "What do you want to name her? And don't say BALL!" So, he says, "DUCK!" So.... we have a dog named Duck. She really is a cute little thing. I don't know if she will be when she grows up or not though, LOL. She is 1/2 Great Pyranees and 1/2 Basset Hound. I don't even want to know how that could happen. Especially since the mom was the Great Pyranees and the dad was the Basset. haha!<br />I'll have to take some pics of her one day when it's pretty outside and get some posted on here.... while she's still cute!<br />Nelson is growing by leaps and bounds. And I do mean leaps... he's jumping and running everywhere now. His favorite thing in the whole wide world is a ball. We buy him all of these expensive toys and he really just wants a ball. If he sees one, he will SCREAM until you give it to him. It's kind of embarassing, really.<br />We had a great Christas, BTW. Here's a pic from Christmas day night. We went to see Alvin and the Chipmunks. Nelson loved it and he was just so excited to be there!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1179.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1179.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />He got this dog for Christmas. It barks and wags it's tail. I don't think Nelson really knew what to make of it. I love the look on his face in this pic! LOL<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1171.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1171.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Christmas WORE HIM OUT!!<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1178.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1178.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />And here's the whole family, all dressed up for church yesterday.<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1220.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1220.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />A boy and his dog. This is Jack (not Duck! )<br /><a href="http://s38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/?action=view&current=100_1209.jpg" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1209.jpg" border="0" alt="Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />I'll try to update later this week w/ hopefully more pics!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-2495282725126167502007-11-28T11:52:00.000-06:002007-11-28T12:13:09.727-06:00WHAT? Christmas??!!I can't believe Christmas is almost here already!! It seems like we just had Christmas. It's hard to believe that last Christmas Nelson was only 6 months old. This Christmas he'll be running everywhere. He's almost running now... walking very fast, really. But by Christmas, I know he'll be there. LOL<br /><br />It's amazing how much he has changed in the last year. Last Christmas he had just started rolling over good. Now look at him! <br /><br />I will be starting my new job hopefully next week. I am to start training this weekend... but I won't get paid until sometime in January probably (only get paid once a month). So, that kinda sucks and Christmas will be really tight this year. But, we still managed to get Nelson a pretty good load. haha. We went to the after Thanksgiving sale at Toys R Us! That's the way to go, I tell ya! We got him a Little People Farm/Barn set (actually it's an off brand at Little People that we got at Sam's Club), A work/tool bench, a sesame street doctor bag set, and a mega bloks lego set (that he actually already opened, but oh well). I know he'll get tons and tons from the rest of the family, so we stopped there. I'm hoping everybody gets him mostly clothes. That's what he needs most. Besides, I think we're running out of room for toys.<br /><br />And my house officially looks like a land mine. These legos! OMGosh! There's really no telling how many times I pick, those things up a day and put them in the bin they go in. My back is killing me as a result. I don't know why I even put them back up. I guess so he can throw them all out again. And I do mean THROW!! He gets one out and throws it across the room. The one good thing about it is that it does keep him busy for a while... because he does it one at a time.. and there's like 250 0f them. I'll probably break my neck or something - but at least he's entertained, right?<br /><br />But, first off... I will be remembering the reason for the season. I really hate all the hype and commercialism of Christmas. I wish it was more like Thanksgiving where you just sit down to have a good meal with your family and reflect on all you're thankful for. LikeI said, Christmas will be tight this year.... and everybody we bought for will certainly not be receiving like they usually do from us.... but, I still love them all more than life. If I had the means, I would buy them all anything their little hearts desired. But, I don't.<br /><br />I love the Lord soooo much. He has been so faithful to me and my family and I could never thank him enough. He is the one who gets me through everyday now. If it weren't for him, I don't know what I would do. I'm working on trying to be just half as faithful to him! <br /><br />We had our family pics done last week and I think they turned out pretty good considering. CONSIDERING that Nelson wouldn't sit still for more than three seconds!! You can actually tell in some of the pics that we are literally having to hold him down! LOL<br /><br />Here they are:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0002-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0026-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0031-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0009-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0016-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0037-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0041-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0051-2.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0057-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-39381988324224190392007-11-19T07:56:00.000-06:002007-11-19T08:01:45.233-06:00Cross your fingers<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" width="100%" unselectable="on"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off">The first week of December I am supposed to start training for a medical transcription job where I will be able to work from home. This is what I've always wanted - to be able to have an income, but still be able to be home with Nelson. I waited almost 10 years for this baby.... and I don't want to leave him now!! LOL<br /><br />I'm excited about Thanksgiving this week. It is my favorite holiday. I like that it's just about giving thanks, being with your family... and of course... FOOD! hehe. I love Christmas too, but it's just so commercialized now and is focused too much on gift giving/receiving for my tastes. <br />We'll be having Thanksgiving dinner at my parents new home this year. Veg-All casserole, green beans and carrot cake will be my contribution this year. Should be yummy!<br /><br />I have some pics I need to download - - and I'm sure I'll have more from Thursday... so I'll try to do that this weekend. Stay tuned!<br /></td></tr><tr hb_tag="1" unselectable="on"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-45219466745774121202007-11-08T12:30:00.000-06:002007-11-08T12:59:32.069-06:00Sorry it's been so LONG!<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" unselectable="on" width="100%"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off">I am such a terrible blogger, huh? I've totally been neglecting this... but I am intent on starting it back up again. I think it is very therapeutic for me. Things have been crazy crazy around here. I have been searching for a job. I wish I didn't have to..... but I do. I would love to be able to continue staying home with my sweet baby, Nelson, but it doesn't look like that will be an option any longer. Steven's work has slowed down so much and it doesn't look like it will turn around until at least the Spring, if it even does then.<br /><br />I am just trying to believe in God that everything will work out for the good - and I'm trying not to worry myself sick over it. I've done enough worrying myself sick in the last year and a half... and I can't do that anymore. I have been telling God everyday "Lord, I'm putting all my faith and trust in you. I can't do anything about this without your help... so I'm just leaving it all in your hands." I always say that God won't pick up what you won't lay down". So, I'm taking my own advice on this.<br /><br />On to bigger and brighter things... NELSON! LOL.. what else? hehe My pride and joy... the light of my life. I could just go on and on about this little fella. He is walking like a champ now. He weighs around 24 lbs and is probably somewhere around 31-32 inches tall now. You would never believe that he was a preemie when you look at him. He's talking up a storm and he is just the silliest little boy I've ever known!!!<br /><br /><br />With Mommy and Daddy:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0938.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><br />A boy and his Deere:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1003.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He was a Chicken for Halloween!:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1032-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />And my fave of all... LOL! This is the look he gives when you say, "What does Momma do?" haha. Apparently this is the look he gets when he's getting into trouble LOL!:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_1027-1.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />Told you he was a HAM!! I can't imagine my life without this little angel in it now. God has truely blessed us so much and I could never thank him enough.<br /><br />We have a wedding to attend this weekend (Steven's sister) and so I'm sure I'll have lots more pictures to post. I have made an "early resolution" to myself to get on here and update at least once a week, if not more.<br /><br />I will talk with all of you soon and keep praying for us!<br /></td></tr><tr unselectable="on" hb_tag="1"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-48119219831820996422007-08-16T12:17:00.000-06:002007-08-16T12:26:18.844-06:00Getting back to normal... SOMEWHAT<table id="HB_Mail_Container" height="100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0" width="100%" border="0" unselectable="on"><tbody><tr height="100%" unselectable="on" width="100%"><td id="HB_Focus_Element" valign="top" width="100%" background="" height="250" unselectable="off">whew! Things have been so crazy this last month and I haven't had anytime to update here at all! I will try and do better now. I know I've probably lost some readers and I'm sorry!!!<br /><br />In the past month we have been on three trips and I am WORN OUT! As a result, Nelson has now decided he does NOT like his car seat one little bit. I guess he thinks if he gets in it now, he's gonna have to travel for hours. LOL. He can last about 15-30 minutes now.. but that's about all. Poor littel fella. And poor momma and daddy that have to listen to the cries and shrieks for the rest of the way!<br /><br />It is SOOOO HOT around here! It's been in the triple digits for a couple of weeks now. This weekend I think it will "get back down" in the 90's... and I'm telling ya.. I'm looking forward to that little cold snap! ha!<br /><br />Nelson is over 14 months old now. I don't know how that is possible... but it's true. He's cruising around on the furniture like a champ... but still no walking. But, I'm not too worried about it yet. He was 7 weeks premature and has been late on doing everything... but he does eventually always do it! So, I know he'll get there. By this time next year, we'll never know the difference. <br /><br />Here's some pics of the little booger:<br /><br /><br />First time on a carousel:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0922.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Holding on for dear life! LOL<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0904.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />First time in a suit! I think I might have a future little preacher here! LOL<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0934-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Just having fun!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0942.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /></td></tr><tr unselectable="on" hb_tag="1"><td style="FONT-SIZE: 1pt" height="1" unselectable="on"><div id="hotbar_promo"></div></td></tr></tbody></table>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-58281964591676532812007-07-17T18:03:00.000-06:002007-07-17T18:12:32.071-06:00Still plugging aalongStill feel like I'm in a rat race... but still plugging along. Nelson seems to be doing better. I'm trying to wean him back down from the neb and see how he does. The doc said that if his breathing still sounds all junky after that, then they will be putting him on Singulair. I hate it that my baby will have to be on a med all the time... but if it will help him, then I guess it's good. <br /><br />My parents just bought a new house. And it's only a few miles from me. Can you say BABY SITTER?? LOL No, really.... I'm very happy for them. It's a brand new house and it's beautiful. It's everything they wanted and more and I couldn't be more thrilled for them. They've lived in their current home for 21 years... so it'll be kind of sad to say goodbye to that house (for them and for me)... but I know how happy this new house makes them. So, if they're happy. I'M HAPPY!!<br /><br />My blood sugars have been crazy crazy lately. I'm going to the doctor this week and I'm going to ask if they can go ahead and put me on insulin. I hope they will. I'm tired of dealing with all the oral meds and it just seems they don't help me anymore. When my sugars are whacky, I feel like CRAP!!! No energy at all. Sleepy all the time. It just really stinks. <br /><br />Well, that's the update on all of us!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-6313240510436721952007-07-02T18:21:00.000-06:002007-07-02T18:23:49.425-06:00My Poor Baby!!Nelson is sick again. He can just not whip this stupid RSV crud. I am having to do his breathing treatment every four hours. He is taking an inhaled steroid twice daily and an oral steroid twice daily. He's also on an antibiotic once a day. I just want my baby to be well. The poor little thing seems like he's been sick his entire first year and I just want him better. I am praying so hard for him and I know God will move in his time. Everyone please help me pray for him to make a speedy recovery.Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-33363752893235166782007-06-25T08:59:00.000-06:002007-06-25T09:07:11.446-06:00Things are starting to get back to normal... a little!Well, things are starting to marginally get back to normal. I'm feeling much better. Oh yeah, I also found out during all of this that I had an abscessed tooth! FUN! So, I'm on antibiotics for that (MORE antibiotics!) and I'm having this sucker pulled. Steven is all better now.. so that's good.<br /><br />However, I think Nelson may be getting sick again. His breathing has been all junky the past few days. So, I'm starting up his breathing treatments again a few times a day and see what happens. He may have to go back to the doctor. I just wish my little man could get well and stay well.<br /><br />Anyway, that's the update on us. We're gonna be really busy over the next few weeks. This weekend our good friends are having their annual Independance Day party. It's always a lot of fun. The the next weekend is our annual Auction fund-raiser at the church... then all that next week is our tent revival. So, we're gonna be super duper busy... But I'll try to update when I can!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-35108482991292794702007-06-13T16:38:00.000-06:002007-06-13T16:46:18.319-06:00Ugh! I feel like Crapola!!Well, Steven and I both went to the doctor today because we've just been really sick the past few days. Guess what? We both have a sinus infection and strep throat!! UGGGH! As far as I know I've never had strep throat in my life. So... this is just fantabulous. But, we both got some antibiotics (some EXPENSIVE antibiotics I might add) and hopefully we'll now be on the mend.<br /><br />Good news is that my little monkey butt seems to be A-Okay. Still being a ham! LOL. He and I were in Wal-Mart yesterday and I swear I didn't think we would EVER get out of that place! And it was all Nelson's fault! haha. I was strolling along w/ him sitting in the buggy and he just had his little hand a waving back and forth saying, "Hi!" to everybody we would pass. So, of course, everybody (especially all the women) would have to stop and say Hi back to him. Then he would start flirting and laughing... and there ya go... they were instantly in love! They would just have to coo and coo and coo over him. Then finally, I'd tell him to tell them Bye-Bye. So, he'd get that little hand waving again and say "Bye-Bye!". Then they'd awww and coo some more at him!<br /><br />In about fifteen more years I think I'm really gonna be in some trouble!!!<br /><br />What do y'all think?<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0038.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-44036123451142788632007-06-12T11:21:00.000-06:002007-06-12T15:32:17.470-06:00Let me share more MIRACLES with you!Okay, in my first entry I mentioned all the miracles I've seen and heard of in my life. I would like to share some of those with y'all. These are just miracles involving my family. I have seen lots and lots more involving other people I know and am close to.<br /><br />MY PAPAW:<br />I would have to start off with a story of a miracle passed down to me from my Daddy. This is something that happened to his Daddy (my Papaw) when my Daddy was about 13 years old. He was told by doctors that he had a very limited time to live... likely just weeks. His kidneys were absolutely shot... no filters at all. And this was in the days before dialysis. He was seeing the best doctors around the Nashville, TN area. One of his doctors was Dr. Frist, Sr. So, my Papaw went home expecting to die shortly and got all of his affairs in order. Like I said, my Daddy was on 13 years old at the time. His older brother had already gotten married and left home. So, it was just my Daddy and my Granny there to take care of the farm. One day my Daddy walked across the street to an old grown up apple orchard. He told us how he fell down on his face in the crabb grass under one of the trees and he cried out and prayed to God. He didn't know God back then the way he does now... but he had been brought up going to church every Sunday all his life and he did know who to pray to. He prayed to God and told him how much he needed his Daddy right now.. how much he still had to learn from him.. and asked God to not let him die. Being so young, and not knowing what else to do, he even told God, "If you have to take years off the end of my life to add to his, do it."<br />Well, my Papaw went downhill and downhill... but time passed by. And weeks later and months later, he was still alive. He finally got to where he looked like death walking.. but he was still alive! Finally, more days and weeks passed by... and he finally started looking better and better. He started feeling well enough to help out on the farm again and go to church again... until finally, it was like nothing was ever wrong with him. He was healthy as a horse!<br />One day one of his doctor's saw him and said, "Carl! I thought you were dead!" He asked my Papaw to come in for testing and to talk w/ his team of doctors. Well, my Daddy went with him to that appointment that day. They asked him about his diet and if there were any special foods he was eating? Nope. They ran test after test... and then redid them all again. There was nothing wrong with his kidneys!!!<br />My Papaw lived another 30 years after that... and when he died it had nothing to do w/ his kidneys.<br /><br /><br />MY SISTER:<br />When I was 9 years old, my sister, Rita, (who was a week shy of her 17th birthday) started feeling really bad. She was showing all the signs of diabetes (diabetes runs in my family, so my parents knew the signs well). Me, my mom and my sister went to the doctor one day and it seemed like we were there for hours to me! LOL. They did the glucose test on her (as well as lots of blood work) and ran her sugar up to see what it would do and then had her come back a little later... and sure enough she had Type 1 Diabetes. Her doctor wanted to admit her to the hospital to see what their best course of action would be and see if they could get her numbers under better control. We already had it scheduled for my sister, my brother and I to go to Youth Camp at a sister church in Murfreesboro, TN. It was only for Friday, Sat and Sun... so my Momma asked the doctor if it would be okay if she went ahead and went to Youth Camp before being admitted... and she could be admitted on Monday. He agreed to it.<br />One night, while at Youth Camp, my sister felt led to have the pastor and some other ministers there to pray for her. After prayer, she said she felt like she had been healed.<br />Well, on Monday she was admitted to the hospital. They checked her blood glucose level and it was normal. So, they did the glucose tests on her all over again.... in fact they did it several times for those few days she was in the hospital. They would run her sugar up sky high... and it would drop right back down to normal. The doctors couldn't explain it... but of course they couldn't! Because God performed this healing!!<br />Let me backtrack a little here. When my parents first came to know the Lord my sister was just a baby. One night my Daddy was at the altar and the Lord came to him and told him that one day Rita would have a great testimony one day. During this time when she was diagnosed... my Daddy was very upset. He had several family members who were diabetic (and my daddy would eventually be diagnosed type 2 himself) and it was just something he, of course, didn't want his daughter to go through. He was really distraught. One day on the drive to work, he was praying and crying out to God and kind of having a little pity party about it all . Finally God reminded him of what he had told him when Rita was just a baby. And he kinda just told my Daddy to butt out... that this was Rita's testimony!<br />So, here we are today... my sister is about to turn 39 years old. She has two teenage children. She has had her blood glucose levels monitored sporatically thoughout the years... and she has NEVER (not even during pregnancy) had problems with her sugar levels again!!!<br /><br /><br />MY DADDY:<br />My Daddy found out he had extremely high blood pressure when he was 18 and was being drafted to Vietnam. During the physical one of the doc's made him sit in one spot for several hours. He kept checking his blood pressure and finally told my Daddy, "Son, you're a ticking time bomb." That's how extremely high his blood pressure was. He didn't know a thing about it until then. He was in great shape. He grew up working on a farm and playing sports in school. So, needless to say, they wouldn't let him go to war. (that was probably a blessing!) And after that he was on blood pressure meds for many many years. In fact, it was around thirty years later (when I was a teenager myself) that in a church service one night God spoke to my Daddy and told him to quit taking both of his blood pressure meds. He did. The next week he went to the pharmacy to check his blood pressure and it was normal. He went every week and checked it himself at the pharmacy until time to go to his doctor. When he went to his doctor, the doctor told him, "Larry, your blood pressure is better than mine! It's the blood pressure of a 20 year old man!" And my Daddy said, "Well, that's good because I quit taking my meds several weeks ago!"<br /><br /><br />ME:<br />Then of course there is me. You all know my story by now. I wasn't given much hope of having a baby and, in fact, had been trying for NINE long years to conceive. But.... how's THIS for a MIRACLE???<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0015.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/0051.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />SO, I've said all that to say this - - Jesus is the same yesterday, today and forever. He was a Miracle Man in the Bible and He's STILL a Miracle Man to this day! If you've got a problem that you feel is too big for you to handle, hand it over to GOD! He can do ALL things!!!Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-76622964585564544242007-06-08T11:40:00.000-06:002007-06-08T11:48:46.755-06:00My baby is ONE year old!!!Okay, so we're caught up now. My baby is now a year old!!! I can't believe it. I always thought that time just flew by. But you really don't realize just how fast it flies by until you become a parent. It can almost get you kinda down sometimes looking back and wondering where the time has gone. It seems like we were bringing him home from the hospital just a few weeks ago. And it was a year ago! I know my baby will be grown before I can turn around - - so I am trying to just enjoy every minute that I can with him. <br /><br />Here are some birthday party pics:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0775.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0814.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0825.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Now that Nelson's getting bigger, he's able to do all kinds of fun stuff now! He loves the water!<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0836-1.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />Lately he's been going through this stage of not wanting me to get out of his sight. I thought all these new birthday toys would keep him occupied.. but no such luck! LOL If he's not being held, he is now sitting in the floor screaming, "Ma Ma Ma Ma Ma!" With real tears flowing and everything! He won't even take his naps without me now. <br /><br />I was talking to my Momma about it today and she told me, "Just enjoy every minute that you can right now because he won't be little for long." And I realized she was right - as always! LOL So, when he cries, I'll pick him up and I'll cuddle him as much as he wants. The housework can wait as well as all the other stuff. But my baby won't be a baby for long...Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-34616641892822287682007-06-08T11:31:00.000-06:002007-06-08T11:40:11.170-06:00Nelson's getting biggerSo, after Nelson came home it seemed as life just couldn't get any better. <br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear255.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />First Halloween:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear295.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear297.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear319.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear105.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />But, the devil is always there to rear his ugly head... that IS his job, ya know! <br /><br />In late February of this year Nelson developed RSV and had to be hospitalized for a few days. We were really hoping we were finished with all the hospital stuff! <br /><br />Here he is in the hospital bed with his Daddy:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear325.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />He still has a flare up every once in a while with it and continues on breathing treatments and steroids when needed. But, we KNOW who the master of the situation is and who is in control!!! I believe with all my heart that my baby will be just fine in God's time.Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-15576867511307802082007-06-07T18:08:00.000-06:002007-06-07T18:42:55.845-06:00Our Beautiful Miracle ArrivesWell, it all started right around the time of my baby shower. The night before my shower, Steven and I had went to town to get something to eat and run a few errands. We were in Books A Million when I started hurting a little. I thought it was just braxton hicks contractions... because, well, I didn't know what the real ones felt like! Plus, I was only 33 weeks pregnant (still 7 more weeks until baby was supposed to arrive!) !! I had to sit down there in the store and eventually just had to go home. This just isn't like me not wanting to shop!! LOL. Anyone that knows me knows this is so true!<br /><br />The next day (Saturday) was my baby shower. I was very excited... and even though I woke up that morning and had a couple of painful contractions, I went on. Oh. My. Lord. You have never seen so many gifts at a baby shower before! They filled up at least a couple of tables. I think I opened presents for well over an hour. I actually had to take a potty break in the middle of opening presents because it was just taking forever! (Plus I was having contractions.. but I didn't want to let on to everybody how bad they were).<br /><br />Here I am at the baby shower:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear119.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />I went home that afternoon and was having some pretty bad contractions. I decided to lay down for a little while and see if they would let up (they had let up the night prior by lying down). So, Steven and I both lied down for a nap. I woke up a couple of hours later and the contactions were much worse. I called my doctor and he told me to come in to the hospital.<br /><br />I went in and found out I was a couple of cm dialated and was having some high peak contractions on the monitor. They admitted me and tried me on a couple of different drugs to stop the labor. I stayed there again overnight on Sunday because I had dialated a little more. By Monday morning my dialation had slowed down. So, my doctor told me that he would be back by that evening after he saw his patients in the office and if I still hadn't contracted any more, he would let me go home to be on bedrest. Well, at 2:30 that afternoon my water broke. No going home for me!<br /><br />The nurse had the NICU doctor/specialist come in to talk to Steven and I, since our baby was being born 7 weeks premature. She went over all the possible complications with us and let us know what we should expect.<br /><br />On Tuesday June 6, 2006 (YES a 6/6/6 baby!) at 1:50 a.m. our beautiful baby boy, Nelson, entered this world.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear131.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br />He was a very sick little boy. His lungs were not yet developed and he also had a problem with his heart called PDA. He had to stay in the hospital for three long weeks. Other than the 6 or 7 seconds that I got to hold him before they took him to the NICU, I didn't get to hold him again for five days. It was so hard going in there to see my baby and not getting to hold him close.<br /><br />Those three weeks were definitely the hardest weeks of mine and Steven's life. There were times we didn't even know if he would make it. But, finally, God told me that he did not give me this miracle to take it away from me. He even told one sister in the Lord to tell me that, "This was the promised seed." So, I knew God would take care of everything.<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear135.jpg" border="0" /></a><br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"></a><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelsonfirstyear157.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />And he did! My baby came home a healthy little boy. He was tiny! But he was healthy!<br />And God has truely blessed us beyond belief!<br /><br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/Nelson%20First%20Year/nelson015.jpg" border="0" /></a>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-21726094.post-42597713707124352602007-06-07T16:05:00.000-06:002007-06-07T18:08:04.761-06:00Life before BabyI would like to tell my "life story" a bit, I guess. I grew up in a Christian home my whole life. My parents came to know the Lord several years before I was born. By the time I was 3 or 4 years old my Daddy was called into the ministry and shortly thereafter felt the call to pastor. So, you see, I've known about God and been taught about him all my life.<br /><br />There's nothing at all fake about my parents. What you see at church on Sunday and Wednesdays is what they are every other day of the week. And when I tell you I have the best pastor around... I mean it! It's not only because I'm his daughter. I've called on him many a times needing a pastor, not a daddy, and he's been there for me no matter what.<br /><br />So, I've always known the power of God. I've seen and heard of many miracles throughout my life. I'll have to tell you about them some other time, perhaps... there's a lot of them!!! I KNOW what God can do. I put all my faith and trust in Him because I know what a good God He is. He is such a Mighty and Awesome God!<br /><br />Steven and I started dating when he was 16 and I was 18 years old. We were both just babies! We had known each other since he was 9 and I was 11. Back then, I thought he was the biggest brat in the world! But about 7 years down the road, I started looking at him in a different light, I suppose. We got married when he was 18 and I was 20. We started trying to get pregnant right away. It was probably a stupid thing to do. We were renting at the time and neither one of us made what would be called "good money". But we knew that we wanted to be parents and add to our family. So, three months after we got married, we started tryign to have a baby.<br /><br />Well, our plans are not always God's plans... and our time is not always God's time. After a year of trying, I went to the doctor and was diagnosed with PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome). Later that year I underwent laproscopic ovarian drilling to try and open up my ovaries so I would ovulate. I started having regular menstrual cycles after the surgery (which was something I had never had)... but still no baby. A year after that I was diagnosed as Type 2 Diabetic. That diagnosis put "the fear of God" into me, I guess you could say. I got my tail in gear and lost 100 lbs. (I still have 25 or 30 to go... but I'm a lot closer than I was!) After losing all that weight, a lot of my PCOS symptoms went away. But... still no baby.<br /><br /><br />In mid 2003, I was working a very stressful job and I just couldn't take it anymore. Steven made plenty enough for me not to have to work, so I went ahead and quit. I was just having faith and believing that God was somehow going to work it out for me to be a Momma - whether it be getting pregnant or adoption. So, I went ahead and quit my job just believing that God would somehow make my dreams come true.<br /><br />Here we are in July of 2004:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/IMAGE0004.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a><br /><br />In early 2005, Steven and I (along with some other church members) went to hear Bro. Bob Bell (an evangelist that I have known since I was a little girl) preach at a church in Columbia, TN. That night he was up at the altar praying for several people. I had never told him about my fertility problems before.... and there was just something that told me that night, "Have him pray for you.. and tell him what it's about." So, I went up to him and told him that I had been trying to have a baby for over 8 years and couldn't get pregnant... and I told him how I longed for a baby. So, that night he prayed for me and had that entire church to pray for me. Afterwards, he told me that he knew it was going to happen and that he wanted me to call him the minute I found out I was pregnant. He said he didn't care if it was 3:00 a.m. I better call him.<br /><br />So, after that night - I just had faith that one way or another. I still wasn't sure, myself, if it was by adoption or naturally that I would get my baby. But I just knew I would... somehow. Steven and I decided to step out on faith and get ready for our baby. We bought all the furniture, we painted the nursery, put up the border... and even bought a few clothes.<br /><br />So, in the late summer of 2005, Steven and I started seriously looking into adoption. We had half-heartedly looked into it for the few years before that... but finally decided "We're just gonna do this."<br /><br />During this time I started going through a deep depression and anxiety. It all started around the time Hurricane Katrina hit Louisianna and Mississippi. I remember that because all the footage on T.V. really compounded my problems. I finally had to shut off the T.V. and try to quit thinking about it so much. I didn't really know what to do with myself. I had never been the type of person to to get depressed easily or have a lot of anxiety about things. I had NEVER been in this state of mind before, and it was really scaring the life out of me.<br /><br />But, there was one that I knew I could call on when there was nobody else to listen. JESUS. And, with my background, I knew exactly what I had to do to reach him. I got my bible and started reading. I kept that bible beside my chair at all times. I turned off the T.V. and I read and I read and I read. I prayed like I had never prayed before. There were times when I felt like there was just too much going on around me.... too much craziness, too many distractions... and all I wanted was to be with my Jesus. So, I would literally go to my walk-in closet, turn off the light, sit down and pray. I would lose all track of time in there. I would cry and I would pray. I would ask God for his Will in everything we were doing. I wanted a baby so bad... but if it wasn't his will for us to adopt, I didn't want to do it. I asked for him to help me with this anxiety and depression. I knew no other that could help me but Him. But most of the time, I wasn't in there asking His help with things. I was in that closet praising Him. I wanted Him to know how good He had always been to me and how much I loved Him for it.<br /><br />So, in October of 2005, we made the arrangements for the financial assistance we would need for adoption. On Monday, November 14, 2005 - the check came in the mail. I remember this day so well... but it also just seems like a dream at times too. I had gotten the check that morning. At around noon, I made myself a sandwich for lunch and I sat down in the recliner to eat it. Before I even took my first bite, the thought came to me out of the blue, "When am I supposed to start my period this month?" I hadn't even been keeping up with it since we had seriously been talking about adoption. So, I got out my calendar and started counting up the days. I thought, "Hmm, I probably should have started over the weekend." I didn't really think too much of it. It was nothing unusual for me to be a few days off. Some months I'd have a 27 day cycle. Sometimes it would 30 or 31. So, I thought, "Well, I'll go take a test." I went and peed on stick and laid it on the counter. I wasn't excited or anxious. I had taken probably dozens and dozens of these thests throughout the years and I had learned never to get my hopes up anymore or expect anything. So, I went and ate my sandwich and, truthfully, had forgotten all about the pregnancy test. After my sandwich, I went to the bathroom to use it and that's when I saw the test on the counter and remembered about it. I picked it up, glanced at it, saw two lines, and went to throw it in the trash can. Then all of the sudden I thought, "Wait a minute! TWO LINES!!" Now, like I said, I have taken probably dozens and dozens of these tests through the years and I KNEW what two lines meant. But at that time I thought, "Well, this type of test must be different. Two lines must mean not pregnant." My hands were shaking like they had never shook before in my life. I could hardly pick up the box and get the stupid directions out of there! So, finally I found the directions... and of course... two lines meant PREGNANT! My whole body started shaking at this point. I started crying... then I started laughing... then I was crying again. I was saying, "Oh my God! Oh my God! I'm pregnant! I'm pregnant!" I walked all around the house repeating this. I would cry. Then I would laugh. I would sit down ... and then I would walk around. My poor little dog Jack (who has always followed my every move.. he's my shadow) was following me around and didn't really know what to do. I guess he thought I had finally lost my last marble and he started crying too. I went to the nursery and I knelt down in front of the baby crib and I just wept and wept and said, "Thank You, Jesus! Thank You, Jesus!"<br /><br />I called Steven and I said, "The check came in the mail today for the adoption." He said, "Really?" And I said, "Yeah, but we aren't gonna need to use it." He said, "What do you mean we don't need it?" I said, "Because I'm pregnant." He said, "What?" And I repeated it. He said, "No you're not." And I said, "YES I AM!" He said, "How do you know?" I said, "Because I took a test and it was positive." He said, "No you're not." And I said, "YES I AM!!!" He was on his way home at the time and he told me to take another test before he got home. So, I did. He walked in the door and I showed him BOTH tests... that were BOTH positive! He had me take one more. It was positive too! I went to the doctor the next day and had blood work done. They called me the next day, Wednesday, and told me it was positive. I was pregnant. I think Steven FINALLY started believing it a little then!<br /><br />So, that's how our wonderful, beautiful journey began....<br /><br />Here I am a couple of weeks before delivery:<br /><a href="http://photobucket.com" target="_blank"><img src="http://i38.photobucket.com/albums/e141/Ljillht/100_0039.jpg" border="0" alt="Photo Sharing and Video Hosting at Photobucket" /></a>Jill T.http://www.blogger.com/profile/15220574194151337710noreply@blogger.com0