I would love it if you could take a moment and visit this page.
Think of someone special. Someone who could use a little holiday cheer. Then, write a little bit about them and submit it for entry.
It can be a family member, friend, neighbor, coworker, or anybody else you can think of!!! Spread a little love and submit someone special...
Thanks!!!
Thursday, October 21, 2010
Tuesday, September 28, 2010
Life has taken over...
Okay, so I'm not going to worry about special fonts, cute quotes, or pictures (although there are many)... I'm just going to share what life has been like for the past few months...
There are a lot of family and friends who have birthdays in June. It is always crazy busy for us. Even more so, since Ayla's birthday is June 10th.
She just finished her first year of school (Pre-k) and she was turning 5. I wanted to make a big deal out of it, so we did. You can read about it here, here, and here.
Around this time, I started feeling kinda rough...
Then July comes, with the 4th and Zach's party (here and here).
This whole time, my grandmother is battling cancer... And I'm still sick... and life keeps chugging along with work and school and everything...
Near the middle of July, we said goodbye to my grandma. Then, we went ahead with Zach's party...
Then Ayla went back to school. And then, this happened. Bryan's dad came to visit us. Then, Bryan and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.
Bryan also got a promotion. His car broke down, so we share one vehicle. I reorganized my business. I am still working on my bachelors degree. Zach potty trained! And sooooo much more...
So that's how our summer has been. Now that the leaves are changing and the air is cooling, I hope autumn is a little less chaotic....
There are a lot of family and friends who have birthdays in June. It is always crazy busy for us. Even more so, since Ayla's birthday is June 10th.
She just finished her first year of school (Pre-k) and she was turning 5. I wanted to make a big deal out of it, so we did. You can read about it here, here, and here.
Around this time, I started feeling kinda rough...
Then July comes, with the 4th and Zach's party (here and here).
This whole time, my grandmother is battling cancer... And I'm still sick... and life keeps chugging along with work and school and everything...
Near the middle of July, we said goodbye to my grandma. Then, we went ahead with Zach's party...
Then Ayla went back to school. And then, this happened. Bryan's dad came to visit us. Then, Bryan and I celebrated our 7th wedding anniversary.
Bryan also got a promotion. His car broke down, so we share one vehicle. I reorganized my business. I am still working on my bachelors degree. Zach potty trained! And sooooo much more...
So that's how our summer has been. Now that the leaves are changing and the air is cooling, I hope autumn is a little less chaotic....
My Little Army Man
Alright, so life has taken over our house... I know Zach's birthday was almost 2 months ago... I know I haven't posted pictures... but I'll explain that later.
I found a lot of army style party decorations and used them as a starting point. I took some pictures of the birthday boy and displayed them on the table along with little army men and print outs of the Army Seal.
Instead of packing up favors, I set up a goody table. I had some small toys, stickers, and candy. I made this little sign to sit on the table...
I included some special survival goodies...
For his cake, I made a fudge marble cake. With the yellow half of the batter, I added food coloring to make it green and then swirled it together with the brown. When we cut into the cake, the inside was camo!
For the top, I frosted it with fudge frosting and then decorated it with chocolate pieces. I made the pieces by hand-piping chocolate onto wax paper that was laid over a print out of the logo.
He had a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who was able to celebrate with us!
For now, we enter the combat zone.
I found a lot of army style party decorations and used them as a starting point. I took some pictures of the birthday boy and displayed them on the table along with little army men and print outs of the Army Seal.
Instead of packing up favors, I set up a goody table. I had some small toys, stickers, and candy. I made this little sign to sit on the table...
I included some special survival goodies...
For his cake, I made a fudge marble cake. With the yellow half of the batter, I added food coloring to make it green and then swirled it together with the brown. When we cut into the cake, the inside was camo!
For the top, I frosted it with fudge frosting and then decorated it with chocolate pieces. I made the pieces by hand-piping chocolate onto wax paper that was laid over a print out of the logo.
He had a lot of fun! Thank you to everyone who was able to celebrate with us!
Friday, August 13, 2010
I am trusting in the Lord...
In the past few days I have been showered with love and prayers from my amazing friends and family.
For those who are unaware of what has been going on, I'll let you know...
Since February/March, Bryan and I have been trying to have another baby. We expected it to take a while, since it took about 7 months for us to have Zach.
Near the middle of June I started having some health problems. I was nauseous, having headaches, and feeling weak and tired. We thought I might be pregnant! But then some other health problems came up... I took a home pregnancy test and it was negative. I kept having the same health problems though. So I called my doctor and scheduled an appointment. I was sleeping 12-13 hours a day, weak, sick, and gaining weight. Near the end of July, when a certain 'gift from nature' did not arrive, I took another test. It was positive! We wanted to wait until after my appointment to tell everyone.
I had my appointment Friday, August 6. They confirmed that I was pregnant. We told our family and friends that weekend. However, I still was not feeling well and I felt I was further along than they first told me. They scheduled another appointment for Wednesday the 11th.
The afternoon of the 10th, I started having some problems... The nurse told me that as long as I was not having any pain, I should wait for my appointment. By the time of my appointment things had gotten worse. I was not having any pains, but we were very concerned. My doctor told me I was almost 10 weeks along (So I had been pregnant in June!), but she was concerned about my problems. She asked if we could come back that afternoon for an ultrasound and bloodtest. We scheduled the appointment and went home crying.
If they found a heartbeat, I would have to be on bedrest. We only have one car right now and Bryan works 45 minutes from where we live. Plus Ayla is in school now and Zach is still at home. I'm not the type of person who likes not being busy. I have to be doing something and keeping busy. The idea of bedrest was not going over well... I just could not think of how it would work...
If they didn't find a heartbeat though... I mean... how do you cope with the idea that there might or might not be a 10 week old inside of you that might or might not be dying? I spent most of the day crying... It was the fact that we did not know that was most upsetting...
At my ultrasound that afternoon they confirmed. I had already lost the baby.
While we were upset over the loss, we were also relieved. We want to have another baby, but we also want to be able to take care of the two children we have. The doctor told me that after my body returns to it's normal self (well, as normal as I can be) we can continue trying.
I have been touched by all the concern and love from our family and friends. I have also been surprised to learn just how many women I know have been through the same thing. Unfortunately, there have been a few people who do not understand how calm and 'okay' I am with what has happened. Let me explain...
I want a baby, ALOT. But I have been blessed with two children already, and my priority right now is to take care of the family I have. I trust in the will of my Lord. Whatever reason He has for allowing us to go through this, I know it is for the best of those involved. This is how I see it... The Lord saw that somewhere down the line, something would go wrong. Maybe we would lose the baby after it was born, or maybe something would happen to me during the pregnancy or delivery... Either way, The Lord saw that there would be a problem. Instead of putting us through that tragedy, He decided to take care of the baby in Heaven. Now both of us are safe.
I know the Lord will heal my body and our hearts. We will try again, and if the Lord blesses us, we will have another baby. If it is not the will of the Lord, I know He will provide comfort.
My trust is in my Lord. He has never left me and He never will. He has given me peace in knowing we are all safe...
He has also blessed me with amazing family and friends who have been supportive, kind, and sharing during this time. It helps to know that many of my friends/family have been through this before... And God has touched them, just as He has touched me...
So I assure you... despite everything... I know it happened for a reason. I am alright.
I love you all and thank you for your support. May God bless each of you!
For those who are unaware of what has been going on, I'll let you know...
Since February/March, Bryan and I have been trying to have another baby. We expected it to take a while, since it took about 7 months for us to have Zach.
Near the middle of June I started having some health problems. I was nauseous, having headaches, and feeling weak and tired. We thought I might be pregnant! But then some other health problems came up... I took a home pregnancy test and it was negative. I kept having the same health problems though. So I called my doctor and scheduled an appointment. I was sleeping 12-13 hours a day, weak, sick, and gaining weight. Near the end of July, when a certain 'gift from nature' did not arrive, I took another test. It was positive! We wanted to wait until after my appointment to tell everyone.
I had my appointment Friday, August 6. They confirmed that I was pregnant. We told our family and friends that weekend. However, I still was not feeling well and I felt I was further along than they first told me. They scheduled another appointment for Wednesday the 11th.
The afternoon of the 10th, I started having some problems... The nurse told me that as long as I was not having any pain, I should wait for my appointment. By the time of my appointment things had gotten worse. I was not having any pains, but we were very concerned. My doctor told me I was almost 10 weeks along (So I had been pregnant in June!), but she was concerned about my problems. She asked if we could come back that afternoon for an ultrasound and bloodtest. We scheduled the appointment and went home crying.
If they found a heartbeat, I would have to be on bedrest. We only have one car right now and Bryan works 45 minutes from where we live. Plus Ayla is in school now and Zach is still at home. I'm not the type of person who likes not being busy. I have to be doing something and keeping busy. The idea of bedrest was not going over well... I just could not think of how it would work...
If they didn't find a heartbeat though... I mean... how do you cope with the idea that there might or might not be a 10 week old inside of you that might or might not be dying? I spent most of the day crying... It was the fact that we did not know that was most upsetting...
At my ultrasound that afternoon they confirmed. I had already lost the baby.
While we were upset over the loss, we were also relieved. We want to have another baby, but we also want to be able to take care of the two children we have. The doctor told me that after my body returns to it's normal self (well, as normal as I can be) we can continue trying.
I have been touched by all the concern and love from our family and friends. I have also been surprised to learn just how many women I know have been through the same thing. Unfortunately, there have been a few people who do not understand how calm and 'okay' I am with what has happened. Let me explain...
I want a baby, ALOT. But I have been blessed with two children already, and my priority right now is to take care of the family I have. I trust in the will of my Lord. Whatever reason He has for allowing us to go through this, I know it is for the best of those involved. This is how I see it... The Lord saw that somewhere down the line, something would go wrong. Maybe we would lose the baby after it was born, or maybe something would happen to me during the pregnancy or delivery... Either way, The Lord saw that there would be a problem. Instead of putting us through that tragedy, He decided to take care of the baby in Heaven. Now both of us are safe.
I know the Lord will heal my body and our hearts. We will try again, and if the Lord blesses us, we will have another baby. If it is not the will of the Lord, I know He will provide comfort.
My trust is in my Lord. He has never left me and He never will. He has given me peace in knowing we are all safe...
He has also blessed me with amazing family and friends who have been supportive, kind, and sharing during this time. It helps to know that many of my friends/family have been through this before... And God has touched them, just as He has touched me...
So I assure you... despite everything... I know it happened for a reason. I am alright.
I love you all and thank you for your support. May God bless each of you!
Monday, July 19, 2010
Another Angel...
Yesterday, July 18th, 2010, my grandmother MaryLou Tackes passed from this world...For the last few months she had been in and out of the hospital battling lung cancer, emphysema, and diabetes... She had been in pain and for the last month was confined to a hospital bed. Her heart longed to be with her husband, my grandfather Kern, who we lost a few years ago...
Now, I know she is pain free. I know she is up walking around. And most of all, I know she is with my Grandfather once again. I find comfort in the fact that I will see both of them someday. I can smile and cry tears of joy over the memories I have of the two of them. I can look at family pictures, show them to my children, and tell them about their wonderful great-grandparents.
One day, I will see them again... Just as they are in these photos... and that thought means the world to me...
Grandpa: I still miss you, after all this time. I can see you out in the chicken house, working in your workshop... I see salt water taffy, and think of you...I can hear you joke around singing songs and trying to teach us your special German words like 'fartfenugen'... I can hear you jingle bells out on the porch of the farmhouse, pretending to be Santa for us as kids... I remember picking raspberries from your garden... I remember the last time I saw you, in Yuma when I moved to Georgia and we stopped to visit you... You were a wonderful man. The one real example I had growing up. I love you and I look forward to hugging you again someday...
Grandma: I know how much the last few months have hurt you. I know how much you longed to be with the man you loved for over fifty years... I can remember sitting in your living room, watching you do crosswords... I am reminded of you every time I see smoked salmon... I can remember playing dominoes with the family around your kitchen table... I remember you taking Ayla into your bedroom at 5am that morning in Yuma, just so Bryan and I could sleep a little more... I love you, I miss you...
My grandfather, Clarence "Kern" Tackes
My Grandmother, MaryLou TackesFriday, July 9, 2010
My Little Man is Turning 3
Zach's birthday is coming up in a few weeks (sniffle...sniffle... my baby is growing up too fast).
He decided months ago that he wanted to have an Army Man birthday party this year. I bought some decorations and came up with TONS of ideas. But of course, before the party starts, you have to invite people to celebrate with you.
I love coming up with unique invitation ideas (as you saw with Ayla's party). For Zach's party, I decided to draft the guests...
I used our computer's word program. I found a U.S. Army star logo online and put in in the center of the page at the top. Then the invitation read :
*Official Recruitment Notice*
You are hereby ordered for induction into the United States Army Special Forces Unit. MISSION: Rendezvous with an elite force of young people to celebrate Zachary's 3rd Birthday. Should you choose to accept this mission... REPORT TO TRAINING CAMP: (the date of the party) LOCATION: Fort Eagle Training Academy (the address of the party) ARRIVAL TIME: (time the party starts) COMPLETION TIME: (the time the kids should be picked up) Rations will be served. UNIFORM: Camouflage or green/tan/brown clothing optional. Recruits will run basic training drills. They will be crawling on grass and using water grenades during their missions. Please make sure they dress appropriately. Please bring a towel or change of clothes. CONFIRM: Drill Sergeant (Last name) (phone number) (and date of RSVP)
Then I printed the invitations on regular printer paper and folded the sheets into thirds so that the top only showed the logo and the words *Official Recruitment Notice*.
Then in the top right corner I hand wrote the invitees last name. You could easily add your own touch. The name of the training academy could be the child's name or the family last name. You could also use the Army seal instead of the star logo. They would be really cute with an army camo border too! If you wanted to, you could take the invite, place it in a manila envelope, and write this on the outside:
He decided months ago that he wanted to have an Army Man birthday party this year. I bought some decorations and came up with TONS of ideas. But of course, before the party starts, you have to invite people to celebrate with you.
I love coming up with unique invitation ideas (as you saw with Ayla's party). For Zach's party, I decided to draft the guests...
I used our computer's word program. I found a U.S. Army star logo online and put in in the center of the page at the top. Then the invitation read :
*Official Recruitment Notice*
You are hereby ordered for induction into the United States Army Special Forces Unit. MISSION: Rendezvous with an elite force of young people to celebrate Zachary's 3rd Birthday. Should you choose to accept this mission... REPORT TO TRAINING CAMP: (the date of the party) LOCATION: Fort Eagle Training Academy (the address of the party) ARRIVAL TIME: (time the party starts) COMPLETION TIME: (the time the kids should be picked up) Rations will be served. UNIFORM: Camouflage or green/tan/brown clothing optional. Recruits will run basic training drills. They will be crawling on grass and using water grenades during their missions. Please make sure they dress appropriately. Please bring a towel or change of clothes. CONFIRM: Drill Sergeant (Last name) (phone number) (and date of RSVP)
Then I printed the invitations on regular printer paper and folded the sheets into thirds so that the top only showed the logo and the words *Official Recruitment Notice*.
Then in the top right corner I hand wrote the invitees last name. You could easily add your own touch. The name of the training academy could be the child's name or the family last name. You could also use the Army seal instead of the star logo. They would be really cute with an army camo border too! If you wanted to, you could take the invite, place it in a manila envelope, and write this on the outside:TOP SECRET: Special United States Army Documents ATTN: (Invitees name)
Enjoy!!! :)
Monday, July 5, 2010
Happy Fourth!!!
I hope you all had a wonderful weekend and a fabulous Fourth of July...
We did...
Just look for yourself... :)
I know I haven't posted since Ayla's party last month, but I'll tell you all about what I've been up to soon. I am decorating for a 'coming home party' (Details coming soon...). I am also working on Zach's 3rd birthday. He picked an Army Man theme. It is coming along great! I'll be posting on it soon also...
We did...
Just look for yourself... :)
I know I haven't posted since Ayla's party last month, but I'll tell you all about what I've been up to soon. I am decorating for a 'coming home party' (Details coming soon...). I am also working on Zach's 3rd birthday. He picked an Army Man theme. It is coming along great! I'll be posting on it soon also...
A few reasons I have been slacking about posting...
I have been busy making party decorations. I have also been having some health issues (Will tell you about this later also...). Of course, I still have online classes, two kids, a hubby, and a house to take care of... I have also been prayerful for my mother and her family.
My Mom's Mom (Grandma MaryLou, to me), has been very sick for the past few months. In June, we found out she has advanced (terminal) lung cancer in addition to several other health problems. After a lot of procedures and worry, Grandma has settled into hospice. It won't be much longer before she gets to see my Grandpa again... I know I will see them both someday, but it is very difficult for my Mom. I would appreciate your prayers for her and the rest of the family.
Also, for those of you who know Sister Doris Garrison... She is a wonderful woman who is like a Grandma to my hubby (And to me now!). She teaches the Sunday school class for young children at our church. It is the same class that I teach, I sub for her when she is out. She was out for the past two months due to surgery. She came back to class on Father's Day. Then last week, while she was at work on Monday, she was hospitalized again. She had a heart attack. They did a stent and got it taken care of. She will be out for a few more weeks. Please keep her in your prayers as well! We love her so much and we will be glad when she is able to come back and stay with us again.
Anyhow... I guess that is enough for now... I know I have a lot more to share, but it will have to wait. Thank you for your prayers! We appreciate it! :)
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