Toto, We're Not In Kansas Anymore

This past week Jason, Tristan and I headed to Wichita to spend some MUCH needed time with family.  It had been such a long time since I had gotten to see my niece and nephews.  I didn't realize just how much I had missed them.

I got to play outside with these cuties.  

And this beautiful girl........

let me sleep in her princess bed

We got to watch my oldest nephew, G play soccer on Saturday.  It was so cloudy and windy that I didn't get any pictures, but he played SO well.  He even scored 2 goals!! 

The boys ended the weekend by building a fort.  They don't sit still for long, but I was able to snap a quick pick of this handsome group.  

I just love all of my little munchkins SOOOOOO much!!!

A special thanks to by brother-in-law and sister-in-law for the wonderful hospitality they showed us while we were there.  It provided such a nice distraction given our current situation.

I can't believe the next time we get together, I will have another niece to love on.  My sister-in-law is due to give birth to her new baby girl in the next couple of weeks.  Good luck, Jenny!  I can't wait to meet baby Caylor!!

New Friend Friday - Round 2

It's Friday and you know what that means.....it's time for Round 2 of New Friend Friday.  I had SO much fun last week "meeting" some new blogger friends, so I definitely wanted to participate again this week.

Feel free to look around.  I hope you like what you see and decide to come back again some time.

Just click on the button below if you want to join in.....oh, come on...you know you want to!!



Have a GREAT weekend and thanks for stopping by!

Teeny Tiny

Aren't these just the cutest things you have ever seen?

Wordless Wednesday

Guess who is 4 months old today??

A New Chapter Begins.....

Yesterday started off like any other day.

Jason went to work and Tristan and I settled into our daily routine.

Jason came home for lunch just like he always does.  Played with Tristan for a while and then headed back to work.  When I kissed him goodbye, I told him to have a good afternoon and I would see him in a few hours.

About an hour later, I heard the garage door opening.

I immediately feared the worse.  Jason wasn't supposed to be home yet.  He had an important report that he had to finish up at work.

I opened the door to the garage to meet him, and he was in tears.  The last time I had seen him like this was when he came to get me at work to tell me my mother was dying.

All he kept saying over and over was "I'm sorry".

He had lost his job.

................................................

Today is a new day.

We are looking at this as a new opportunity for us.  We are trying to stay positive and be optimistic.

Jason is very skilled in what he does and hopefully will have no trouble finding a new job.  Unfortunately, in his field, there are no other jobs where we are currently living, so we will have to relocate.  We had really hoped to call our current city "home", but it just isn't meant to be.  We are really hoping to stay close to family when we move, but of course, we will have to go where the jobs are.

Please send some good vibes our way in the upcoming months.  This could prove to be an especially stressful time for us, since I just recently quit my job to stay at home with our son.

Surprisingly, I am at peace right now.  I really feel like this was meant to happen at this point in our lives. I feel as though there is something bigger and better out there for us.

Right now, our future is uncertain.

But I do know this.

Together, the three of us can handle anything that life throws at us.  

I {Heart} Rice Cereal

You might remember me mentioning here that Tristan has not been sleeping well at all the last couple of weeks.  So last night we decided to start him on rice cereal.

Rice cereal, where have you been all my life??

I don't know how new parents make it without this stuff.

We weren't sure what Tristan would think about it.  I should have known better than to worry.  He is MY child after all, and I've never met a food that I didn't like.

I'm not so sure about this Daddy

Maybe this stuff isn't so bad after all

Keep it coming Daddy...this stuff is good

In fact, Tristan liked it SO much that we couldn't shovel it in feed him fast enough.  We ended up putting the rest in his bottle.  Let's just say if he could have, he would have licked that thing clean.

Tristan slept better last night after having cereal at bedtime than he has in months.  Mommy and Daddy did too!

New Friend Friday

The Girl Creative is hosting New Friend Friday today!  Click on the button below to join in the fun!

What's On My Mind

- I'm usually a BIG American Idol fan.  This year just isn't "wow"ing me like the seasons have in the past.  I just find it hard to believe that out of all of the hundreds of thousands of people that auditioned, that these are the BEST they could find.  Most of the contestants are forgettable, so much that I can't even NAME the Top 12.  Sad.

- I'm an even BIGGER LOST fan.  My brother got my hubby and I hooked on the show when he got us Seasons 1 and 2 on DVD for Christmas one year.  Dang him!!  Anywho, this is the last season.  This season has been so hyped up as being "the season of answers"(if you watch the show, you know just how important those answers are).  However, I find myself totally disappointed in this season.  Maybe I expected TOO much going in, but COME ON!!  There are only 9 episodes left and so far, I have been less than impressed.  I guess I expected the last season to stand out about the rest.  I find it being just like any other season.  And they haven't answered hardly any questions at all.  I just hope there planning something big at the end.  I do appreciate getting to see Sawyer without his shirt on though. {wink}

- Tristan has NOT been sleeping well at all during the night.  Everything I've read says that babies his age (he will be 4 months old on Wednesday), should be sleeping for at least a 6-8 hour stretch at night and around 16 total hours a day.  HA!  I'm lucky if my child sleeps 8 hours total in a 24-hour period.  He usually takes a morning nap lasting anywhere from 2-4 hours.  Then he takes a short afternoon nap lasting anywhere from 45 minutes to an hour.  Then he's up until bedtime which these days is anywhere from 11pm to 1am.  Once he's down for the night, he's up every 1 1/2 to 2 hours.  Then he's up for the day around 5:30am or 6am.  I called the doctor today and we are going to start Tristan on cereal tonight.  I'm hoping beyond hope that this will help his sleeping at night.

- I am SERIOUSLY sleep deprived (see above).  Tristan not sleeping is taking it's toll on me.  Since he is up every hour or so during the night, I'm not getting much sleep, at least not consecutive sleep anyway.  I'm physically tired and even more emotionally tired.  All I want to do during the day is sleep, but that wouldn't be fair to my baby boy, who surprisingly enough, is up and pleasant and ready to play.

- I have a newfound respect for all the single parents in the world.  I honestly don't know how they do it.  I am SO thankful for my hubby right now.  He has been such a help lately, especially during the nighttime hours. He is sleep deprived, as well, but still manages to get up and go to work each and everyday.  What a trooper!

- I really miss my mom at times like these.  I want nothing more than to hear her tell me that things with Tristan will get better....that it's nothing that I'm doing wrong.  I need a hug from her so much right now.

My Guilty Pleasure

I have a guilty pleasure.



I can't deny it any longer.



It's time to just come out and say it.



So here it is.  For all the world to see....

Whew!  Man, do I feel better now that it's out in the open.  

The Many Faces of Tristan

Wordless Wednesday

Layla Grace

UPDATE:  Layla Grace passed away this morning.  Please keep her family in your prayers during this difficult time. 

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ORIGINAL POST:

About a week ago, I stumbled upon the story of Layla Grace.  She is a precious, sweet 2-year old baby girl in the final stages of Stage 4 Neuroblastoma.  She is under hospice care at home now resting in her parents' arms until her angels come to carry her home. 

My heart is breaking for this family.  I can't even imagine what they are going through right now.  I can't even imagine what it must be like to feel that helpless.  I can't imagine what it must be like to watch your baby dying. 

I hope I never have to. 

This story has affected me so much more than I ever thought it would.  I find myself wanting to just sob for this family and what they are going through. 

I sat today just watching my sweet baby boy sleeping and trying to imagine what life would be like without him. 

I couldn't do it. 

His smile lights up the room.  His laugh is SO infectious.  He is my whole world and to imagine life without him is unbearable.

Layla Grace's mother did a radio interview this morning with Ryan Seacrest.  During one part of the interview, Ryan asked her how Layla was coping with all of this.  Her mother's response was "this is all she has ever known".

I don't pretend to understand what God's plans are for this little girl, but Hhe DOES have one.  It just isn't an earthly plan.  I do know that her story has already touched so many and will continue to do so after she is gone.

If you feel compelled to do so, PLEASE pray for this family.  No, I don't know them personally.  And until a week ago,  I had never heard the name Layla Grace.

As a new mother, I appreciate every second that I have with my sweet boy.  I look forward to his first step, his first word, and so many more milestones that he will have as he grows up.

Tonight, I want to thank Layla Grace's mother for sharing her daughter's story with the world.  It's because of her story that I know I will never take a single moment for granted and I will appreciate those milestones SO much more.

If you would like to read Layla Grace's story you can find it here. 

An Introduction

My BFF Christy has decided to join the blogging obsession world.  Personally, I think she's totally awesome, but then again, I'm a little bias. 

So let me take this opportunity to tell you a little bit about her. 

We've known each other for almost 7 1/2 years.  We met when Jason and I lived in NW Arkansas.  She is a lover of ALL things Razorback.  She is an AMAZING writer.  In fact, she has written several short stories.  I swear she could be published if she wanted to.  She loves Dr. Pepper and makes the best chocolate chip cookies ever.  She loves movies, books, football, and LOST as much as I do.  She has a kind and gentle heart and is always putting others before herself.  I am lucky to call her my friend. 

So without further ado, I would like to introduce you to.....

Shoes, Sports and Stuff

Please stop by and give her a warm blogger welcome. 

Baby Shower - Better Late Than Never

This past weekend, I went back to my hometown for my baby shower.  It was originally planned for last October, but due to some pregnancy issues, it had to be postponed. 

It was so good to see old friends that I hadn't seen in a while.  And Tristan was SO spoiled.  He got so many wonderful gifts. I swear my kid is going to be better dressed than I will. 

Here are a few pictures from the weekend. 

The food was WONDERFUL

And SO many wonderful gifts from such loving friends

Tristan with my oldest and dearest friend, Sarah.  We just found out she is expecting her first baby due in October and are SO happy for her. 

A cool dude with his Aunt P

 Some friends of mine--it was so good catching up with them. 

Tristan was the "star" of the show

These four ladies are my mom's best friends from high school.  They refer to themselves as the "YaYa's".  They will always hold a special place in my heart.  They have become my surrogate mothers since my mom passed away.  I don't know what I would do without them. 

It truly was a wonderful weekend filled with beautiful weather and great friends.  I feel so blessed to have people like these in my life.   

Don't Give Up On Me....

Hello Blogger Friends!  Just a quick post to let you know that I am still alive and kicking and that I haven't forgotten about you.  I'm sorry that I haven't posted anything in a while.  Last week was rough and then we went to my dad's this weekend. 

I'm working on some posts for this week and hope to have at least one up by tomorrow.  Thanks for sticking with me.  I hope everyone has been well and I will "see" you soon!