TTYL!

Sooo it's noon, I'm driving (12 hours) to Chicago tonight (leaving at 7pm) with my sister and my daughter and I don't have a single thing packed. I was on the phone all night last night but, thankfully I got some food made so the hubby can eat while I'm away and the laundry is done, it's just to bad none of it ended up in a suitcase. Jericho had a doctors appointment this morning that I TOTALLY forgot about till my wonderful friend (Thanks again Shay!), that works at the doctors office Jericho goes to, shot me a text to remind me. Things went great at the doctor I it's was just time I thought I'd have that I didn't oh well. And now I'm at the church, waiting for Seth and blogging. I'm blogging here because our computer hasn't been working (and still isn't) for the last week. Why does this scenario sound all to familiar to me? Yeah....ummm.....I think I just learned a thing or two about myself!

Well hope you have a wonderful week. I'm going to enjoy mine snuggling a new nephew! Less than 24 hours till I get to see him. I can't wait! I'll talk to ya when I get back, that is IF our computer is fixed by then.

New Words

Jericho is growing up so fast. I love teaching her new things. I love it even more when I realize that she can do something that no one taught her, ya know those things that she just picks up on her own. Although, every time this happens there are a million questions that run through my mind. Where did she learn that? How long has she been able to do this? What else does she know how to do that I am unaware of?

This is just one reason (of many) why children really do need parents. Who else is going to discover all those self-taught skills? Who else is going to encourage all those skills? Who else is going to brag I mean blog about those same skills?

I'm so glad that I am Jericho's mama and get to be the one to discover and encourage her self taught skills! Here is one caught on tape. I don't know how long she's knows all this. One day she brought me the book and wanted me to read it. I told her to repeat after me, not thinking that she would or could for that matter, but she did! She brings me these books at least 10 times a day. I love how eager she is to be learning new words!

Grandparents this is for you. In just a few short days you'll get to see if first hand!

A Walk....

was exactly what I needed tonight and somehow Seth knew that.....

On his way home from work he called and asked if I wanted to go for a walk. I didn't know if it was a good idea. I was frazzled. Dinner wasn't going to be ready for 45 minutes. I still had to assemble it then cook it for 30 minutes. The kitchen was a disaster. Ha! Who am I kidding the whole house was a disaster. Jericho had been whiny and clingy and naughty all day. She was slowly losing her mind. Poor girl, I know she doesn't feel the best, her molars are coming in, but that is still no excuse to constantly disobey. I just didn't know what to do with her today. I was tired. I hadn't gotten much sleep last night and now I wasn't feeling very good. A walk at this point seemed like a bad idea. If we went for a walk we'd have to give the dog a bath when we got home because it's so muddy out, Jericho would get to bed late that's the last thing she needed and dinner still wouldn't be ready for 45 minutes. A walk seemed like the last thing we needed.

But something inside me wouldn't let me say no. The fresh air, the shining sun, the peace and quiet of the woods, the idea of walking and not tripping over toys, it had me. I didn't say yes, but I couldn't say no. Seth told me that we'd decide when he actually got home. By the time he got home Jericho was dressed and ready to go, I was almost there, and the Gamba was sprinting around the house like a mad dog because he knew we were going for a walk.

We walked, we talked, we stepped away from the mess and crazy of life.

The dog stayed outside till we could give him a bath, we fed Jericho leftovers and she was in bed on time, dinner was ready when it was ready and we sat and ate a nice meal just the two of us, the kitchen is now clean along with the rest of the house and now we are enjoying a quiet evening with popcorn and a movie.

A walk was exactly what I needed!

Pictures from the Sleepover

Hanging out

Sucking Thumbs

Snuggling with Gamba!

Taking a bath

Chillin after church

More than just chillin, snuggling is more like it.

Walking hand in hand

See they did everything together.

A Sleepover......if I can call it that

So, Jericho my 18 month old.

Had her first sleepover.

And believe it or not it was with a boy.

And not just for one night, but two.

Okay, so maybe I shouldn't call it a sleepover. They didn't sleep in the same room. They didn't stay up late. They weren't wild and crazy. Although we had homemade pizza they didn't help make it. Ya know all the things that make for a good sleepover.

But

They did have a wonderful time together. They played and giggled together. They chased the dog together. Took a bath together. Sucked their thumbs together. Watched a movie together. Read books together. Ya know the kind of things that friends enjoy doing......together.

Just wanted you to know....

...that I did get birthday dessert on my birthday! How about that :)

I usually get my sugar from my wonderful friend Jen because she buys it in bulk (50 pound bag - talk about bulk!) It's cheaper for me to buy it from her, so I do. Well, on my birthday I decided I really did want some caramel corn, especially since Seth and I were going to a movie later that night, I mean is there a better snack for a movie? I think not! Anyway, If Jen was home I planed on picking up some sugar and heading home so I could make to make the caramel corn during Jericho's nap so it would be ready for our movie. I called Jen and was in luck, she didn't have to work, I could swing by and get some sugar. I stopped by to pick up the sugar and guess what!?! she had a big ol' tub of caramel corn made just for me on my birthday! It was delicious, a perfect snack for our movie! Thanks Jen! And thanks to the little birdie that told her I was wanting some caramel corn for my birthday dessert. It made my day!

Yes, the tub really was FULL when I got it.
Yes, this picture really was taken the day after my birthday.
Yes, there really was only that much left when we took the picture.
Yes, it really was that good!

Happy News

Meet Samson Paul!
Sam for short.
Sam is my newest nephew!
He was born yesterday 3/6/09 at 3:31 pm
Weighing in at 8lbs 4oz and measuring 22in long

CONGRATULATIONS Thea & Adam!

I can't wait to see you and meet your sweet little Sam in 2 weeks
until then keep the pictures coming!

Love you guys!

Sad News

My heart aches at hearing this news. Please pray for Katie and her family. Here is the email that was waiting in my inbox early this morning.

I again want to thank everyone for their love, support and prayers over these last few days, they have been appreciated and felt.
I am so sad to say that Ben passed away at about 9pm this evening (3/6/09). He is with the LORD and we know that we will see him again.....we ask for continued prayer as we will miss him beyond words. He brought so much JOY to so many and I am thankful I had 29 years with him.
In Him,
Katie

Update on Ben

This is the email I received today from my friend Katie about her brother Ben.

To all,

My family and I appreciate all of your prayers more than we could ever express....we ask that you continue to pray. God is GOOD and we know that we can trust him above all for our dear Ben. I haven't updated because there hasn't really been much to update. There has been no improvement in Ben as his injury is really "worse case" as his brain bleed was in the "brain stem" (the control center of the brain). There is nothing medically that can be done for Ben at this point (as far as "fixing" or helping the brain)....we are just waiting and seeing how or if he progresses. However, the part that bled in the brain stem, we were told, will not recover because of the type of bleed it was. We are blessed by all of you and your thoughts and prayers, and please continue to pray for strength and peace as we walk this out.

One of Ben's favorite verses in the Bible (sort of his life verse) is Joshua 1:9.

"Be strong and courageous. Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your GOD will be with you wherever you go."

We know that Ben is loved most by God...and HE is with him...we take great comfort in that!

Katie

Things I've Learned...

... in my 26th year of life.

My husband is not only my best friend but my guide through this thing called life. Where he goes, I go and I like where he's going!

Parenting is not what I thought it would be. It is a whole lot harder and a whole lot better than I ever could have imagined.

Healthy food actually taste good! (well most of it anyway)

I do not always like what I see in myself but God can, and will, help me fix that, if I allow Him too.

I never realized how hard discipline my daughter would be.

I never realized how rewarding disciplining my daughter would be.

My sister having a baby is almost as exciting to me as....well.... me having a baby!

You can still love someone who died even though you no longer carry the pain of grief, it means you are healing and it's a good thing.

When you are a parent (at least of a young children) there is no such thing as a vacation.

My husband is not like most husbands, he's way better!

No matter how many times Gamba runs away it will make me sick to my stomach.

So far, most of the things I said I would not do when I became a parent, I have not done!

God really does want what is best for me, He really does want to bless me.

I, Tarah, am blessed.

No Birthday Dessert : (

and no picture b/c it's won't let me upload for some reason. Oh well.

Jericho is still sleeping, I wonder if she is growing, she's been taking long naps and sleeping all night again (she wasn't earlier this week) or maybe she just not feeling the best. Either way I've been enjoying a little extra time in the after noon with no little one to keep entertained.

I just got done making dinner and was going to make myself a birthday dessert. I can't decide between chocolate oil cake, caramel corn, pumpkin cookies, pumpkin bread or pumpkin pie. Can you tell I have 2 cups of pumpkin in my fridge that I need to use. Although I'm tempted to make skip the pumpkin stuff and make the cake or caramel corn b/c that is what I want and tomorrow is my birthday. And I think I just decided that caramel corn is sounding quite scrumptious. I wonder if our drive-in movie theater is open yet? Probably not and even if it was it's freezing here, I don't know that I'm brave enough, although if I get to snuggle close to the love of my life I think I might just stay warm enough!

Back to the birthday dessert. I have 2 problems with choosing the caramel corn (or maybe the chocolate cake) 1. I really do need to use the pumpkin. 2. I checked the cabinet and I don't have enough turbinado sugar to make any of the desserts listed above. I could run to the store to get some, but the nearest store that carries it (for a decent price) is 25+ minutes away and I'm really don't want to taking a trip up there. So there may be no birthday dessert tomorrow. I know it's sad but maybe there will be an after birthday dessert instead. Seth is taking me out tomorrow night for my birthday and I believe we are heading up towards Lori's so I will be able to pick up some sugar, with my sugar, then!

URGENT PRAYER FOR A FRIEND

I just received this email from a very dear friend and I'm asking you to join with me in prayer. I'll keep you updated. Ben is the young man's name that we need to be praying for.


To All,

I really would like to ask you all to to pray as much as possible for my twin brother. Mark and I as well as my sister in law and parents have been in the ICU with Ben all night. He was brought into the hospital at 10:45pm....he had fallen on the pavement near his house and someone called 911. They found his cell phone on him and that is how they knew to call my parents. The diagnonsis is grim to say the least. He has had a brain bleed in the brain stem, which is the worst place as it is the "highway" for all brain activity and function. He has also broken the back of his neck and skull (both sides of the skull up to about where his ears are). This in and of it self is a major injury. Right now they are trying to get the swelling down in the brain to see what damage has been done. They say that even if he survives, he may be brain dead. There is no way to know right now. We need a MIRACLE. All my siblings are coming from out of town and are on their way here. As you can imagine, we are crying to the Lord for his mercy over my brother's life. He is a young man who has always loved the Lord despite some or hi struggles. I love him more than words can express....and would again ask you to take time to pray for him.

As I just saw him a few minutes ago with tears in my eyes, my eyes were drawn to his stomach where he has a large tatoo of praying hands and the words "BE Strong HOLD on" His life verse has always been Joshua 1:9 "Be strong and courageous for the LORD your GOD is with you wherever you go"

PLEASE PRAY,

Katie

Thoughts from my head

• my baby is 18 months old now.
• Why is that so hard for me to believe/accept? (more on this later)
• I'm glad my mom is home safe after a plane cancellation and staying the night in the airport.
• I should have gone back to get her (my mom), but she talked me out of it.
  
• my sister is due any day now. I can't wait!
• I get to go home to meet my soon-to-be-born nephew in less than 3 weeks. Again I can't wait!
• Jericho had a rough weekend. Seth left. My mom came. She thought it was my mom's fault her daddy was gone. She wasn't too happy about that.
• I don't know how some women make it without their husbands for weeks, months, years on end. I love having Seth home! I don't think I could do life without him on a regular basis.
• I still don't know what to make for dinner and it's 4pm.
• Looks like leftovers, we've got plenty.
• I haven't been in a cooking mood for far too long now. It's not longer days or weeks but almost a month. This is not a good thing.
  
• Why is there snow on the ground? I'm ready for spring.
• I need to figure out what I need to be doing for my garden.
• When should I start ordering seeds?
• I'm so excited to have a garden again! It was so worthwhile last year even though I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I learned a lot. I hope I can remember all of it this year.
  
• I want to be able to take Jericho and Gamba for walks again!
• Gamba is cute. He is all curled up sleeping.
• He is such a good puppy.
• He takes so much from Jericho
• I love that they are best buds.
  
• It was wonderful having my mom here for a few days.
• I need to clean the house.
• The Lord is really wrecking me spiritually lately. It's been awesome!
  
• Our dryer isn't working and I just started doing laundry - bummer!
• I have a friend that just got put on bed rest, I need to call her, my heart goes out to her, Bed rest stinks!
• Am I really going to be 26 in a few days?
• I need to renew my license.
• I wish it didn't cost $50 bucks to renew it.
• The dishes need to be put away.
  
• I signed up for facebook. Still have no idea how to do anything on there.
• Jericho is still sleeping (going on 3 hours, usually sleeps 2 hours, if that)
• Could this be why she hasn't been sleeping as well at night? Hmmmm....
  
• This is the most random post full of some very use less information
• But you still read it!
  
• Ha!
• Have a good night!