Stuff I’m Thankful For:

As the holiday season approaches we all become a little more sentimental and think of the things that we are most thankful for. I decided to make a list of the people and things I’m most thankful for and why. Sometimes I think it’s good to sit down and think of all the wonderful things and people you have in your life and stop thinking about all the negative things. We all have our problems, but if you’re one of the lucky people who woke up this morning, had food to eat for breakfast, a roof over your head, and someone to tell you they love you…..you’re luckier than most. Here’s my list of what and whom I’m most thankful for.

After the first 6 they are in no particular order. This is not a ranking list.

1.) Jesus Christ because he was born and died for my sins so that one day I can live with him for eternity in Heaven.
2.) Jon – You are my soul mate and the love of my life. I love the fact that I will wake up next to you every day for the rest of my life
3.) Ella – You are my sunshine. I never knew how much my heart could hold until you were born.
4.) My Parents – You loved me unconditionally and always taught me to remember WHO I am and WHO’S I am.
5.) My Sister - You are my best friend and I look up to you more than you will ever know. I hope that I can be half as good of a mother as you are.
6.) My In-Laws – Thanks for being so great and not being crazy. Some people have horror stories about their in-laws being nuts, but mine happen to be pretty great.
7.) Leslie – You are my partner in crime and the costar in all my best stories. My life would be boring with out you in it.
8.) Amy – We are so different in so many ways, but alike in the ways that count. Thanks for always being there for me.
9.) Wendy – I’m so glad that you and Andy moved down here. You are a great friend and a wonderful mom. I look forward to many play dates with our kiddos.
10.) Charlie – You crack me up. Thank you for being such a good friend to Jon and to me.
11.) Andy – You are a great friend and so thoughtful.
12.) Jason – I’m so glad that you live so close. Even though are initially meeting was painfully quiet because you wouldn’t hardly talk to me, now you are one of my best friends. Actually, you’re the brother I never had. Don’t leave for that long again!!
13.) Tom, Regina, & Amber – I could never have picked a better place in a million years to work. You have been so good to me and my family. You are such wonderful friends and I could never say thank you enough for all you do for us.
14.) Lori – You are so precious. I pray for you continuously. You and Drew deserve good things. I know it’s just around the corner!!
15.) The Johnson Family – You are family and I love you. Thank you for always looking out for me when I did stupid stuff.
16.) I’m thankful that I have a roof over my head, food to eat, clothes to wear, and a car to drive.
17.) I’m thankful that Jon and I prepared the way so that I could stay home with my Ella.
18.) Dave Ramsey – Sometimes I would like to kill you, but most of the time I’m thankful for your wisdom. Your plan has made a world of difference in our lives and in our marriage. We no longer fight about money.
19.) I’m thankful that Jon has a job that has good health insurance or we’d be in the poor house.
20.) I’m thankful that, while I’m not in the best health, I can get up in the morning and do what I need to do and that I lead a normal life (whatever normal is)
21.) I’m thankful that I was able to go to a reproductive endocrinologist to help us have Ella.
22.) I’m thankful for all the family and friends that I didn’t mention here. Our lives are enhanced by the different people that are in it.

Thanksgiving in TN

It's been a while since I posted. We had such a wonderful time in TN. We always enjoy going up there for Thanksgiving. It was smaller this year with everyone scattered around. Cathy was in Florida with Leslie, Phil, and little miss Ady and they were greatly missed. We did get to see Rick, Lindsey, Jakey, and Jason. Lindsey is pregnant and is due close to Ella's first birthday. Poor Zack has mono so he was banished to his room almost the whole time. He did spend some time with us, but mostly he felt really icky.

Ella had a great Thanksgiving. She got to see Aunt Ruth and Uncle Bob. She had a great time with her Mamaw, Papaw, and Auntie Brenda. She also ate rice cereal for the first time. She is sort of getting the hang of it. She's does pretty well...she's just not used to the whole spoon thing yet. I'm including some pics of her first time eating it.

Me and Leslie got to see each other. Emme is getting so big. We got more of our Christmas shopping done. I have one more thing to get Ella and then I will be finished with her stuff.

I'm working on a Thanksgiving themed post that I started on a few weeks ago and I never finished. Check back later and maybe I'll have time to get it done.

Here's some pics of the monkey.

One Year Ago Today......

....I got the news I had been waiting my whole life to hear. I took the test that told me I was pregnant with my sweet Ella. That was probably the most amazing day of my life. I was so scared to take the test. I didn't think that I could handle another negative test. Too many tears had been shed and I didn't want to go through that again. But, I decided to go ahead and test. When that second line popped up I thought my heart was going to jump out of my chest. It's really weird when you're so used to seeing that one line and finally the second one appears. I carried that test around for about 3 hours....I was so sure that line was going to go away. My hands were shaking and I ran through the house screaming for Jon. Then I proceeded to call everyone that I could think of.

Never did I think that being a mom could be this good. I knew that I would love her, but I had know idea the extent to which your heart could grow and love. Sometimes I love her so much it hurts. I also didn't think that I could love Jon anymore than I already did, but I do. Seeing him with her makes me love him in a way that I didn't know could happen. He really is the most amazing father. Ella is so lucky to have him....and so am I. I am so thankful for her and the light that she has brought to all of our lives.

God is SO GOOD!!!

Uncle Jason is HOME!!!

HOOORAYYYY!!! Uncle Jason is finally home. We had a party for him on Saturday night to welcome him back and we had a really good time. His mom and dad were here and they got to see Ella for the first time. I also put Ella's hair in pigtails for the first time. She barely had enough hair, but it worked. I'm including some super cute pics of her first pigtails.

Trip to the Zoo

We went to the Memphis Zoo while we were on vacation and had a great time. Ella slept through a big part of it, but she did like the panda's and the monkeys. She smiled and laughed at them. Memphis was a lot of fun. Mostly is was fun to get away with just the 3 of us....our first little family vacation. While we were gone we celebrated the anniversary of our IUI that resulted in Ella. I got Jon this sweet Willowtree "New Dad" statue and he got me some fabric at Ladida in Memphis so I can make Ella a couple of pretty dresses. I'm including a couple of pictures of Ella at the Zoo and a picture of the fabric that I got.

One Year Ago Today.........

One year ago today we had the IUI that resulted in our precious Ella. I can't believe that she's finally here and that she's almost 4 months old. She is such a blessing. Everyday I just love her even more. She has the most precious and sweet personality. She's always so happy and smiley. I could just squeeze her. So..I guess you could say that Ella is one year old today!

Here's a picture of our little IUI miracle....

Put Some South in Yo Mouth

We went to the Blues City Cafe for lunch today to get their ribs. We had them last time we were here in January and we HAD to have them again. They were just as delicious as we remembered them being. Ella did really well at the game last night. It was a little loud at times so I took her out in the lobby for the opening of the game until about the 2nd quarter, She slept throught the whole thing. Here's some pictures for you to enjoy.

Pumpkin Carving

Ella got to carve her first pumpkin on Tuesday with Regina, Tom, Amber, Candice, and Marcus. Well, her daddy carved it since she's still a little too young. She pretty much slept through the whole thing, but we had fun anyway. Here's a few pictures to enjoy.