I've entered a contest for "The greatest job in the world!" It's a 6 month job on the Great Barrier Reef in Australia to be Island Caretaker. They are trying to promote tourism by having someone live on the island and keep a weekly blog. It's really hard stuff like go to the spa and blog about it. Go snorkeling and blog about it. Go walk on the beach and blog. Sort of what I do now. NOT!
There were 34,000 other applicants who want this - my - job! The tourism board will choose 10 finalist, the public will choose one 'wild card' finalist. After interviewing one person will be chosen from those 11 people. It will take the hand of God and you to get me to Australia. So please vote on my video then go to the far right and click on 5 stars!! Thanks I love you all .
http://www.islandreefjob.com/applicants/watch/AHtSDhgs7oI
Wednesday, February 25, 2009
Tuesday, February 24, 2009
Obed
This is Obed. We "adopted" him through World Vision. Jacqulin and Luke like to tell everyone we adopted him but it's really a sponsorship. As Jacqulin said "we don't actually get to keep him."
We have been looking for a way to honor and remember Olivia. She actually died on February 15, 2005 so, we found a child that was born the same day she died. It's nice to know that there was happiness on the same day that we had such great sadness come in to our lives.
So, Obed is 4 years old and in lives in Rwanda. When this sweet little face comes to your mind please say a prayer for him.
We have been looking for a way to honor and remember Olivia. She actually died on February 15, 2005 so, we found a child that was born the same day she died. It's nice to know that there was happiness on the same day that we had such great sadness come in to our lives.
So, Obed is 4 years old and in lives in Rwanda. When this sweet little face comes to your mind please say a prayer for him.
Tuesday, February 17, 2009
God showed up with BLUE eyes!
Four years ago we found out we were pregnant with surprise baby #3. After the shock wore off we were so excited we just giggled a lot. We wanted to wait until we got further along before we told Luke and Jacqulin but, Bert couldn't keep his mouth shut. We were doing a lot of Christmas shopping and I was afraid that we would run into someone Bert had told and our kids would find out from strangers that they were going to have a new sibling
At Thanksgiving my Mom wasn't feeling well. She didn't even eat Thanksgiving dinner with the family.
We started having some problems with the pregnancy. The doctor assured me that if we made it through the first trimester then everything should be fine.
At Christmas my Mom was really bad. Her doctors couldn't find anything wrong. Two days after Christmas we admitted her to the hospital and were told she had bone, kidney and lung cancer. Mom passed away on January 11, 2005. Two weeks after we admitted her to the hospital and 2 weeks before her 70th birthday.
In the 2 weeks my Mom was in the hospital I was admitted to the hospital twice, once in Huntsville, once in Nashville. Both times we had ultrasounds and saw our sweet little angel dancing around, waving and even having a bout with the hiccups.
Five weeks after my Mom died Olivia Elise joined her grandmother in heaven.
We were originally admitted to Baptist hospital for me to be on bed rest for 10 weeks, my amniotic sac had a tear. The first night I was there, February 15, I asked the nurse if I could hear her heart beat just one more time before I went to sleep. Bert was already at home with the kids and my friend, Heather, was with me. The nurse couldn't find the heartbeat. She ordered an ultra sound. Around 9:00 p.m. we were able to see that tiny little frame inside my body was, this time, completely still...including her heart. Heather just hugged me and prayed. I'm sure we cried but I think mainly it was just shock.
The next morning the doctors induced labor and 36 hours later I delivered Olivia. It's hard to be in a delivery room that is completely quiet, no crying baby, no ooohs and aaaahs. There was however a beautifully formed baby with 10 toes and 10 fingers, tiny ears and mouth.
When I last saw my mom I had been rushed to the ER because I started hemorrhaging. They sent me to my Mom's house for bed rest. I was really feeling alone, like God couldn't hear me. I secretly prayed that God would give Olivia the same blue eyes my Mom had. Bert, Luke, Jacqulin and I all have brown eyes. I told no one of this prayer because I needed to know if God heard me. If he loved me.
Throughout labor the nursing staff was amazing. They would come into the room and tell us that at 19 weeks and 3 days gestation the baby would be 9-10 inches long, she would weigh less than a pound, and her eyes would be fused shut.
When she was delivered she was 9 1/2 inches long, she weighed 7 ounces but her eyes were wide open and they were BLUE. God had not only heard me but he cared enough about me to answer my prayer.
I don't know why we couldn't keep Olivia here on earth but I do know that according to the March of Dimes over 900,000 babies die every year just in the United States. We aren't the only ones who've lost a baby.
I've had 4 years to think about what all this means and what God is up to. As Christians we are so offended by the amount of abortions that take place in our world/country. I think I have realized until we Christians let people know how much our "wanted" babies mean then we can't grieve those whose parents didn't intend them.
At Thanksgiving my Mom wasn't feeling well. She didn't even eat Thanksgiving dinner with the family.
We started having some problems with the pregnancy. The doctor assured me that if we made it through the first trimester then everything should be fine.
At Christmas my Mom was really bad. Her doctors couldn't find anything wrong. Two days after Christmas we admitted her to the hospital and were told she had bone, kidney and lung cancer. Mom passed away on January 11, 2005. Two weeks after we admitted her to the hospital and 2 weeks before her 70th birthday.
In the 2 weeks my Mom was in the hospital I was admitted to the hospital twice, once in Huntsville, once in Nashville. Both times we had ultrasounds and saw our sweet little angel dancing around, waving and even having a bout with the hiccups.
Five weeks after my Mom died Olivia Elise joined her grandmother in heaven.
We were originally admitted to Baptist hospital for me to be on bed rest for 10 weeks, my amniotic sac had a tear. The first night I was there, February 15, I asked the nurse if I could hear her heart beat just one more time before I went to sleep. Bert was already at home with the kids and my friend, Heather, was with me. The nurse couldn't find the heartbeat. She ordered an ultra sound. Around 9:00 p.m. we were able to see that tiny little frame inside my body was, this time, completely still...including her heart. Heather just hugged me and prayed. I'm sure we cried but I think mainly it was just shock.
The next morning the doctors induced labor and 36 hours later I delivered Olivia. It's hard to be in a delivery room that is completely quiet, no crying baby, no ooohs and aaaahs. There was however a beautifully formed baby with 10 toes and 10 fingers, tiny ears and mouth.
When I last saw my mom I had been rushed to the ER because I started hemorrhaging. They sent me to my Mom's house for bed rest. I was really feeling alone, like God couldn't hear me. I secretly prayed that God would give Olivia the same blue eyes my Mom had. Bert, Luke, Jacqulin and I all have brown eyes. I told no one of this prayer because I needed to know if God heard me. If he loved me.
Throughout labor the nursing staff was amazing. They would come into the room and tell us that at 19 weeks and 3 days gestation the baby would be 9-10 inches long, she would weigh less than a pound, and her eyes would be fused shut.
When she was delivered she was 9 1/2 inches long, she weighed 7 ounces but her eyes were wide open and they were BLUE. God had not only heard me but he cared enough about me to answer my prayer.
I don't know why we couldn't keep Olivia here on earth but I do know that according to the March of Dimes over 900,000 babies die every year just in the United States. We aren't the only ones who've lost a baby.
I've had 4 years to think about what all this means and what God is up to. As Christians we are so offended by the amount of abortions that take place in our world/country. I think I have realized until we Christians let people know how much our "wanted" babies mean then we can't grieve those whose parents didn't intend them.
Jacqulin is worship leader for the day!
The children's department at our church gives the 5th graders a chance to serve in just about any capacity they would like to try. Jacqulin wanted to help with leading the children's worship for grades 1 - 5. She and Mrs. Annette practiced the songs before the worship hour. She was a little nervous but realized that she was using her talent for God. What a wonderful time to start serving Him.
She did a great job. It was very nerve wracking at first but after the first song she looked like she was born on that stage.
She did a great job. It was very nerve wracking at first but after the first song she looked like she was born on that stage.
Saturday, February 7, 2009
Bert's favorite girl.
Most people know that Bert has been having an affair for most of our marriage. Thankfully, it's been with a hunk of metal that stays in the garage. I have complained very vocally that she gets more attention than I do. But I have more jewelry than she does. Ha!
I need to be very careful in announcing that Bert is ready to give her up. It's shocking, but he realizes it isn't fair to her. She doesn't get out much any more and he'd rather spend time with me.
She was born in 1990 and only has 40,000 miles on her. So, she really is special. If you know anyone who needs a special girl in their life gives us a call.
I need to be very careful in announcing that Bert is ready to give her up. It's shocking, but he realizes it isn't fair to her. She doesn't get out much any more and he'd rather spend time with me.
She was born in 1990 and only has 40,000 miles on her. So, she really is special. If you know anyone who needs a special girl in their life gives us a call.
Enjoying the day and warm weather.
Luke is preparing for the Middle School baseball season. He's had an opportunity to train with a group in Nashville. So, it makes me feel good that the first warm day we have he wanted to throw ball with a friend.
Unintentionally I have over-scheduled Jacquiln. It's all activities she has asked to do but they have piled up to the point that she doesn't have a lot of down time. On top of activities, she has had a ton of homework this year. When she walked in from school, she just wanted to sit down. Because it's Friday she doesn't have any homework or activities. About a 1/2 hour later she was outside playing with friends. I think we all need to take some time to veg.
Unintentionally I have over-scheduled Jacquiln. It's all activities she has asked to do but they have piled up to the point that she doesn't have a lot of down time. On top of activities, she has had a ton of homework this year. When she walked in from school, she just wanted to sit down. Because it's Friday she doesn't have any homework or activities. About a 1/2 hour later she was outside playing with friends. I think we all need to take some time to veg.
The First Thaw February 2009
We've had a brutally cold January. The kids were out of school two different days not for snow but for extreme cold! We've had more days under freezing than over. Which is a little different for the south. However, today the sun is shining and the temperature is warming. I captured the kids getting off the bus this afternoon.
Jacqulin has practice for Honors Choir on Mon, Tues and Thursday after school. Luke has Jazz Band practice after school on Wednesday so, Friday's are the only day they ride home together. I like seeing them talking and laughing while walking from the bus stop.
Jacqulin has practice for Honors Choir on Mon, Tues and Thursday after school. Luke has Jazz Band practice after school on Wednesday so, Friday's are the only day they ride home together. I like seeing them talking and laughing while walking from the bus stop.
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