.

Life....or something I want it to be

2010-06-07T22:13:00.002-04:00

I lost the baby back in October.....left my husband in december (or the town we lived in and he chose not to come with) and now I miss him terribly and I have a huge gaping hole in my heart and so much has happened. I cry myself to sleep at night. I moved to better my family and though in some ways it did, in others it didnt. I realize where WE both went wrong and we can fix it...but he doesn't want to live with me just yet. I don't think I have ever felt so hopeless....or helpless.... Lord please give me strength.

Thank You, My Jesus!

2009-10-15T00:11:00.005-04:00

I have lots of thoughts to put out there but I just can't get over how badly my tongue hurts. The hubz is passed out (poor thing worked 430am-700pm), I'm watching Glee on DVR and being pregnant and having the munchies I went scouring the house for something...and I found some jerky that my father in law made and it is HOTTTTT! So I popped in some Raspberry Orbit and now it is feeling better. So I just wanted to give a shout out to our wonderful Lord and savior! I admit that I don't attend church as often as I should, but I teach my child about God, and I trust and Love the Lord and I let others know it. He has blessed us with a second child (whose heartbeat we get to hear on friday if all goes well...pls pray for us!) I found out today that I got a new job at Pinehurst Surgical Clinic (super great job/benefits!)
and now all we need is for my husband to find another job. He makes piddles for working crazy hours as an assistant manager at Wilco/Hess. Not to mention Id really like for us to both to work in the same county (moore) and live there as well. Hoke county is the armpit of north carolina as far as im concerned. the school system sucks! there are just so many things i dont like about it...so many things that didnt cross my mind at 22 when we bought this house. I pray the Lord's will be done, just as I did after my interview. The Lord knows what's right for our family. All we can do is sit back and wait:) So that's my shout out tonight!

Ps not sure who reads this since I hardly ever update...but as far as names go... What do you think of Olivia Kathryn or William Andersyn?

until next time...
jw

pamp chef recipes for helen

2009-09-14T22:41:00.001-04:00

https://www.pamperedchef.com/images/cc/us/pdf/nck_strawberry_amaretto_list.pdf
https://www.pamperedchef.com/images/cc/us/pdf/nck_cc_pizza_list.pdf

check this out! monogramming galore!

2009-08-15T21:38:00.001-04:00

Priss Pot

2008-11-19T16:01:00.003-05:00

I made a new outfit for Gracie today. I haven't sewn in a few months and I was kinda missing it so this is what came out of my withdrawals. Then I go to put it on her so that she can model and she won't smile for ANYTHING.....anything except for "poppy"! What a spoiled little thing! She is a very blessed child to have so much love around her. I thank God for her every single day. I don't remember what my life was without her. Please comment. Let me know what you think of the outfit.

....I always was horrible at "journaling"...

2008-11-16T14:48:00.009-05:00

Hi, yeah, so I'm not very good at this. I'm at home all day with Gracie and still can't find time to update my blog. Pretty crappy, huh? Since nothing of importance has happened since my last post, I shall update everyone on whats happening in our near future. We are leaving NEXT Wednesday for Bama to see our family for Thanksgiving. We are sooo stoked. I haven't spent Thanksgiving with my dad's side of the family in YEARS...and i do mean YEARS! We haven't even been down since last Christmas, so nobody can see how much Ms. Priss has grown and progressed. She's absolutely perfect....even since shes learned how to open her drawers (and bring her clothes into the den)...I wouldn't have her any other way. I love that child more and more every single day. Whoever knew that so much love could be possible. I am so in love. William and I have decided that we want our kids three years apart ...so we will start trying after (1) We continue to go to the gym and lose weight and (2) Gracie's 2nd birthday We are hoping for a little boy, but whatever the Lord gives us, if anything, is fine and dandy:). Alright, Ill end with just some snaps of Gracie. Hope all is well with everyone.

'Mere Nana !!

I can almost reach it mommy!!

Where did the train go , mommy?

Trying to take a picture at Nana's work...in her new squeaker sneakers...

Playing in the leaves at Mimi's house

Sitting in the van waiting for Daddy to get off work... Still wearin' her new boots.

Nana got Gracie some cowgirl boots and she refused to take them off before bed. :)

Whitley Photography

2008-09-17T16:47:00.003-04:00

I have been trying to do a bit of photography on the side since I've been staying at home with my baby girl. Please check out my photography blog at whitleyphotography.blogspot.com and please comment!!

Thanks!!

We Love DUKE!!

2008-08-19T15:17:00.002-04:00

I know it has been awhile since I posted, but I just had to put this picture on here. We have been wanting to take this picture for awhile, but never had the chance really. I think she's soooo adorable, but I suppose I am a bit biased. So, without further adue (sp?).... My beautiful DUKE cheerleader!!

Update Time!

2008-06-25T09:22:00.002-04:00

I can't believe that it has been three months since I updated my blog. I have been a stay at home mom since the beginning of May and I Love it! For now I am concentrating on getting my house just like I want it, then I am going to start working on getting stock together for my store (all handmade by me) and I am also still doing photography on the side. Maybe one day I will save up enough to get a digital SLR like I have always wanted!! It will also make my job easier and cheaper. William lost his job again becuase it was only seasonal work, but he is now working at a place that makes kiosks (like in the middle of the mall)and he seems to like that alright. I just hope it lasts a little while. He applied for this other job that is going to be really good so say a prayer that he gets it. It will probably be nights but at least its only like two miles down the road. Anyway I am going to attach pics as usual. Enjoy.

Gracie's First Birthday!

2008-03-26T22:17:00.000-04:00

I can't believe that my baby girl is a year old! One year ago was by far the happiest day of my life when we welcomed our sweet beautiful baby Gracie into the world. She has been the most amazing gift that the Lord has ever given us. We are so blessed. She is so wonderful. It has been so fun experiencing the world with her. So many milestones. I thought the best day of her life (for me) was when she learned to hold her bottle by herself hehe. Pretty soon it's going to be when she starts walking. She can stand up and she can furniture walk ,but I think it freaks her out when she tries to walk by herself. It will be soon though. Anyway, here are some pictures from her birthday party. And let me tell you...she racked up!

Love,
The Whitleys

Harris Lake Park

2008-03-12T20:12:00.000-04:00

So we went to Harris Lake Park a couple weeks back. I am doing photography on the side now and we were there to take pictures of a family friend of ours. It went well, but while we waited for them to arrive, we took pictures of this gorgeous baby girl ( I don't sound biased do I? hehe) She has the most shocking blue eyes I have ever seen. I can't believe she's gonna be a year old in 13 days!! Anyway, pictures to follow. To see my very amateur photography work go to whitleyphotography.blogspot.com

Later!

ps the swimsuit picture was from our savannah trip in january.

An update

2008-01-05T14:39:00.000-05:00

Our first Christmas was wonderful. Gracie, of course, got more toys than she could possibly ever need or use. We took a trip to my dad's after Christmas and he made her a gorgeous toy box to hold all of the aforementioned toys. She is so spoiled, but that happened long before she was even born. I thank God everyday for sending this little person to ME. I couldn't ask for more. I am adding some various pictures from the past month. Sorry I haven' t updated sooner. Hope everyone has a very happy and joyous 2008.

We met Santa!!

2007-11-25T11:19:00.000-05:00

So Mommy, Nana and Papa took me to see Santa at Hanes' Mall in Winston-Salem on the way to get our Christmas Tree in the mountains. I loved every single minute of it. While we were waiting for Santa I even held myself up and played on the fence. I am getting so big! I always want to be standing up in the middle of the action. I am eight months old today!!

Pictures!

2007-11-11T19:14:00.000-05:00

Ok guys, here's an update. I really want to do better, I just get soo busy. We went to Virginia last weekend, we were gonna take christmas pics, but we decided to wait a few more weeks and we still took some of gracie in one of her like 5 outfits. we also have my most favorite pic of all...in her duke outfit! She is getting so big guys. She got her first tooth on halloween. She never wants to be still...or laying down (except for naptime). She was at her Nana's this morning holding herself up with the window sill and trying to walk the lenth of it, still holding on. I bet she walks before Christmas. She is going to be into everything! Since she has her tooth, she wants nothing to do with baby food. She wants whatever you're having. She even wants to sip out of a big cup. She hasn't quite grasped the sippy cup concept yet, though. Anyway, here are some new pics. Oh please pray for my best friend Kara and her husband michael. They are starting to try for a baby. They are a great couple and they would make wonderful parents. Plus, Gracie wants a cousin...!!
Oh yeah one more thing.. Gracie had her first christmas cookie last weekend..and it got alll over her!

i apologize for the sideways pictures. i rotated them a million times like they were supposed to be, but it wouldn't upload correctly.

Another Milestone

2007-11-06T22:22:00.000-05:00

MY BABY GIRL GOT HER FIRST TOOTH ON HALLOWEEN. I CANT BELIEVE SHES GETTNG SO OLD!!
I WILL POST NEW PICS TOMORROW

LOVE YOU GUYS!

Seven Months Old!

2007-10-22T21:37:00.001-04:00

My baby is going to be 7 months old in 4 days!! I just absolutely can not believe that my angelic sweet darling baby girl is growing up so fast! As usual, probably not gonna be that long of a blog, just mainly pics for Maw Maw and Paw Paw in Alabama. We sure miss them, but we get to see them in two months (CAN YOU BELIEVE CHRISTMAS IS TWO MONTHS AND FOUR DAYS AWAY?!?) So anyway, here are some new pics:

I love my husband

2007-10-07T22:38:00.000-04:00

If anyone ever said marriage was easy, or perfect, or even remotely as such, they were lying. William and I celebrated our one year anniversary on September 30th. I can honestly say that this was one of the hardest, yet most perfect years of my life. I was so happy the day we got married. We welcomed a beautiful baby girl into our world on March 25, 2007. One week and one day later (5 days after we came home from the hospital), my life was almost forever changed when William and Dustin were in the wreck that almost left me husbandless and an only child. God decided to spare their lives for something, some work that he wanted them to do. While that was indeed a blessing, having a newborn and a husband that can't take care of himself all at once is very challenging. We did, however, make it through. I mean who can say that they and their husbands got to stay home for three months with their newborn? It was all for a reason. We got a little rocky there for a little while because we had a serious case of cabin fever. Most couples see each other an hour or so in the morning, 4 or 5 hours at night and on weekends. We saw each other every minute of every day for three months. I love him dearly, but it was very challenging. William finally got to go back to work on July 1st and we gained some normality back in our lives. We got rocky again the last month or so, but we've worked everything out and we made it through our first year. Through babies and car wrecks and cabin fever. We made it. Although, through times this year I have felt alone and unloved among other things, we prayed and worked through it and I can definitely at this very moment say that I am very happy; I feel like a very normal family. Thank you, Jesus. Anywho, here are some updated pics of my 6.5 month old princess. She's sitting up on her own now and she's been holding her own bottle for a little while now (thank goodness!!). NOW, If I can just put her down long enough, she may start to crawl.

God Bless,

Jennifer

THIS IS FOR KARA. SHE WILL UNDERSTAND:)

BY THE WAY, I SELL PAMPERED CHEF NOW

T.G.I.F.

2007-09-14T20:16:00.000-04:00

Thank goodness it is friday!! We are slackers and we never put pics up, but we sure have some cute ones to share. Gracie is sitting up a little bit on her own *and by a litle, i mean a little. she holds herself up with her palms on the floor and she lasts about two whole minutes*. She is also pushing herslef up from her tummy using her palms instead of her elbows. She can also hold herself for a short bit *again, maybe two minutes tops* when she holds on to something. She is going to be crawling before we know it. She will be six months old in eleven days. I can't believe it's been six months since I had her!! I love her sooo much. So anyway, here are the pics. Enjoy:) Sorry I don't have more detailed blogs. Oh yeah she loves to TRY to feed herself and get really messy and then take a bath and head to bed. its her fave thing to do. so yeah anyway. on with the pics you say...im also trying to post a video as well

hey guys

2007-08-26T20:57:00.000-04:00

SORRY ITS BEEN AWHILE SINCE MOMMY UPDATED. SHES BEEN CLEANIN HOUSE AND DEALIN WITH ME BEING SICK FOR THE FIRST TIME, BUT NOW IM ALL BETTER. HERE ARE SOME PICS OF DADDY'S OFFICER TRAINING GRADUATION (HE SCORED HIGHEST ON THE SHOOTING PART AND WRTTEN PART..GO DADDY!) THERE ARE ALSO PICS OF ME AND MOMMY, MOMMY'S NEW HAIRCUT AND MORE OF ME...AND DID I MENTION ME? SEE EVERYONE LATER. LOVE YOU ALL!!

GRACIE.

FOUR MONTH PICTURES

2007-08-09T22:38:00.000-04:00

THERE REALLY IS NO REAL POINT TO THIS BLOG EXCEPT TO SHOW OFF MY BABY'S FOUR MONTH PICTURES THAT WE GOT DONE AT WALMART. CHRISTINA AT THE PORTRAIT STUDIO DOES A FANTASTIC JOB ALLLL THE TIME. YOU'LL HAVE TO FORGIVE US. WE HAVE EVERY OTHER TECHNOLOGICALLY ADVANCED THING THERE IS EXCEPT FOR A SCANNER (NANA HAS ONE, THOUGH) SO I TOOK PICTURES OF MY PICTURES. OK GO AHEAD AND LAUGH. IM LAUGHING TOO. SHE IS THE CUTEST MOST ADORABLE HAPPY BABY. DADDY ISN'T TOO THRILLED ABOUT THE HALF NAKED PICTURE IN FRONT OF THE POOL. I THINK ITS CUTE WITH HER LITTLE RUFFLED BLOOMERS. ANYWAY HERE COME THE PICTURES. ENJOY. MAYBE ILL SCAN THESE THIS WEEKEND AT MOM'S AND UPLOAD BETTER ONES FOR YOU GUYS.

my sweet baby girl!!!

2007-08-06T21:08:00.000-04:00

I JUST WANT EVERYONE TO KNOW THAT MY SWEET BABY GIRL TURNED OVER ALL BY HERSELF TODAY. OF COURSE IT WAS AT DAYCARE AND I DIDN'T GET TO SEE IT, BUT SHE GOT A CERTIFICATE WITH HER NAME ON IT AND EVERYTHING. THE DAY IT HAPPENED, THE PEOPLE WHO SAW IT, AND THE TIME. AWWWWW SHE'S GROWING UP. WE ALSO WENT FOR OUR 4 MONTH CHECK UP TODAY AND SHE NOW WEIGHS 13LB 8OZ AND SHE'S 24 1/2 INCHES LONG. A POUND AND AN INCH IN ONE MONTH. WHAT A BIG GIRL!! I DON'T HAVE TIME TO POST PICS RIGHT NOW. JUST WANTED TO GIVE EVERYONE AN UPDATE.

LATER

Our trip to Gatlinburg

2007-07-31T21:43:00.001-04:00

We went to Gatlinburg for the weekend to visit Maw Maw and Paw Paw. They live so far away in Alabama that it's hard to see them very often so we met in the middle...sort of. I sure do love my pawpaw and mawmaw. They are the coolest. They even bought this nifty little thing that they can carry me in and I can feel like a big girl instead of having to lay in that sily stroller all day. Paw paw looked so silly wearing it. I'll get mommy to put a picture up of it. We went to eat at the Pancake Pantry saturday morning and Uncle Dusty met a movie star. Well, actually she's on some silly show called "4 x 4" on spike tv. But hey thats close enough, right? So he took her picture like a crazy man. I think he embarassed her. Paw Paw rented a cabin for us and it was very pretty. It would be very nice to spend Christmas there. IT had a full kitchen so maw maw and mommy could cook christmas dinner and everything. I found out today that I'm gonna have a new baby cousin around my first birthday. My uncle Chris and aunt Emily are expecting a baby. WE are so happy for them! We will both be super spoiled!! Ok so here come the pics that mommy said she would put up.

GATLINBURG OR BUST

2007-07-25T22:02:00.000-04:00

SO I HAD THIS LONG BLOG WRITTEN OUT BUT I CLICKED ON SOMETHING AND TRIED TO GO BACK...AND VOILA! JUST LIKE THAT ITS GONE! DANG IT! OK SO ANYWAY GRACIE HAD HER FOUR MONTH PICS TAKEN SATURDAY. SHE ACTUALLY TURNED EXACTLY FOUR MONTHS TODAY! WOW! HER LITTLE FRIEND MACKENZIE ISN'T TOO AWFULLY FAR BEHIND. THEY ARE BOTH GROWING LIKE LITTLE WEEDS AND ABSORBING EVERYTHING!! I NEVER REALIZED HOW WONDERFULLY PERFECT BEING A PARENT IS...A MOM, ESPECIALLY. SO ANYWAY HERE ARE A FEW PICS OF HER. ONE IS HER AND HER "UNCLE BUBBA", THE WITH THE PINK BACKGROUND IS THE OUTFIT SHE WORE TO HER PICTURE SESSION AND THE OTHER ONE IS EARLIER TONIGHT.
OH YEAH WE ARE GIONG TO TENNESSEE FRIDAY TO SEE MY DAD AND STEPMOM~ I AM SO EXCITEd!

ITS A GREAT DAY !

2007-07-17T20:31:00.000-04:00

HEY GUYS. SORRY IT'S BEEN SO LONG. I JUST GET HOME AND SPEND EVERY MINUTE WITH MY DARLING BABY AND HUSBAND (WHEN HE'S NOT WORKING) AND I'M TRYING TO GET EVERYTHING READY FOR A REMODEL. THIS PAST WEEKEND, GRACIE'S NANA BOUGHT HER A SWING SO WE BUILT A FRAME FOR IT AND ALSO ADDED OUR PORCH SWING TO IT. SHE LOVES IT!! ALSO, NEXT WEEKEND MY DAD AND STEPMOM ARE GOING TO MEET US IN GATLINBURG. I DON'T REMEMBER EVER BEING ON VACATION WITH MY DAD, SO THIS IS DEFINITELY GOING TO BE A TREAT. IT'S JUST FOR A WEEKEND, BUT THAT'S BETTER THAN NOTHING. I MISS THEM LIKE CRAZY! DID I MENTION, NEXT FRIDAY IS ALSO MY 25TH BIRTHDAY! I MAILED SOME PICS TO MY NANNY (DAD'S MOM) OF THE BABY AND SHE LOVES THEM! SHE HAS ONLY SEEN HER ONCE SO SHE LOVES GETTING PICS AND STUFF. SHE'S A SUPER COOL LADY. I LOVE NORTH CAROLINA, BUT I MISS MY ALABAMA FAMILY LIKE CRAZY. I WILL PROBABLY NOT EVER LEAVE HERE, BUT IF I DO I WILL MOST LIKELY MOVE BACK THERE. WILL AND I CELEBRATED OUR THREE YEAR (TOGETHER, NOT MARRIED) ANNIVERSARY ON JULY 2ND. OUR ONE YEAR WEDDING ANNIV IS SEPTEMBER 3OTH. ANYWAY HE GOT ME A BEAUTIFUL THREE STONE DIAMOND RING. HE'S WONDERFUL. HE SURE KNOWS HOW MUCH HIS WIFE LOVES JEWELRY. I AM ATTACHING SOME PICS FOR YOU GUYS TO ENJOY OF MY BEAUTIFUL BABY GIRL.

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A WONDERFUL REST OF THE WEEK AND AN EVEN MORE SPECTACULAR WEEKEND.

LOVE YOU GUYS,

JW

FOURTH OF JULY

2007-07-11T10:35:00.000-04:00

GRACIE'S FIRST FOURTH OF JULY WAS FAIRLY UNEVENTFUL. WE WENT TO MEE-MA'S HOUSE FOR A LITTLE BIT BUT WE DIDN'T SWIM BECAUSE IT WAS SOOO HOT! SHE DID GET TO SPORT HER BABY BIKINI THOUGH:) ISN'T SHE A DOLL?! THEN WE WENT TO NANA'S AND HAD STEAKS AND POTATOES AND SALAD. I GAVE HER SOME STEAK JUICE...BOY DOES SHE LOVE THAT STUFF.
WE DIDN'T EVEN SHOOT FIREWORKS, BUT JUST HAVING A WHOLE DAY AT HOME TO SPEND WITH MY BABY GIRL WAS ENOUGH FOR ME. WILLIAM WENT BACK TO WORK LAST WEEK SO WE HAVE SOME SEMBLANCE OF NORMALITY AROUND THE HOUSE NOW. DUSTIN MOVED BACK IN WITH US AND HE'S BEING A HUGE HELP TO US.

I GUESS THAT'S IT FOR NOW.
NO POOL PICS WITH MOMMY THIS TIME.

OUR FIRST DAY OF DAYCARE

2007-07-03T13:53:00.000-04:00

SO YESTERDAY WAS GRACIE'S FIRST DAY AT DAYCARE. SHE'S ALREADY MADE A FRIEND IN "MS. PINKY" , THE LADY THAT WORKS IN THE NURSERY. THERE'S JUST SOMETHING ABOUT SWEET LIL 'OLE LADIES AND BABIES. SHE DID FINE WHEN I DROPPED HER OFF YESTERDAY. I FORGOT TO GIVE THEM MY PHONE NUMBER SO I CALLED AND DID THAT. I WENT BY AT LUNCH TO CHECK ON HER AND I HAD TO MAKE HER ANOTHER BOTTLE. I JUST SENT THE ONE WITH SOME DISPOSABLE LINERS, BUT I DIDN'T KNOW THEY COULDN'T MIX FORMULA AT DAYCARE? WHO KNEW? I CERTAINLY DIDN'T. ANYWAY I MADE HER ONE AND HELD HER AND LOVED ON HER AND STUFF. THEN WHEN I WENT TO PICK HER UP SHE WAS SCREAMING UNTIL I PICKED HER UP...THAT MADE ME FEEL GOOD. NOT THE SCREAMING PART BUT THE FACT THAT SHE KNEW I WAS HER MOMMA. I LOVE MY BABY GIRL! WHAT DID I EVER DO TO DESERVE HER? SO ANYWAY WE'RE TRYING TO START A ROUTINE AT HOME NOW SINCE DADDY'S BACK AT WORK. WE GOT HOME AND I STARTED DINNER AND WHILE IT WAS COOKING, I PUT GRACIE IN THE HIGH CHAIR AND SHE SCARFED DOWN A WHOLE JAR OF BANANAS. SHE DOES LOVE BANANAS. SHE HATES PEAS, BEANS, CARROTS, SWEET POTATOES AND CHICKEN. BUT SHE LOVES BANANAS. SO AFTER SHE ATE I GAVE HER A BATH WHILE SUPPER WAS DONE AND SIMMERING. JUST AS I WAS FINISHED DINNER SHE GOT FUSSY SO I GAVE HER A BOTTLE AND SHE FELL ASLEEP AT ABOUT 8:OO OR 8:3O AND SLEPT UNTIL I WOKE HER UP AT 6:30 THIS MORNING. SO I DROPPED HER OFF THIS MORNING AND MS PINKY WAS WAITING FOR HER. I WENT BY AGAIN AT LUNCH TO TURN SOME PAPERWORK IN AND I SAW THAT THE NEW NURSERY LADY , MS AMANDA, WAS GIVING SOME OTHER KID GRACIE'S BOTTLE!!! NOT THAT IM STINGEY, DONT GET ME WRONG..BUT THAT KID MAY NOT TAKE SOY AND IT COULD MAKE THEM SICK. SO I TOLD THE PROPER SUPERVISOR AND I HOPE ITS HANDLED. TONIGHT WE'RE GOING TO NANA'S TO GET SOME DEER MEAT TO GO IN OUR NEW CHEST FREEZER AND THEN WE'RE GOING TO GO FOR A RIDE IN THE STROLLER IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD. ANYWAY THATS WHATS BEEN HAPPENING. WILL WENT BACK TO WORK YESTERDAY AND HES BETTER. HIS ATTITUDE HIS BETTER. WE'RE ALL BETTER.

THANK YOU JESUS... FOR EVERYTHING

2007-06-30T09:59:00.000-04:00

OUR FIRST BIG MILESTONE

2007-06-25T19:08:00.000-04:00

MY BABY IS TEETHING....EARLY! WE WEREN'T REALLY POSITIVE, BUT WE'VE BEEN READING UP ON IT AND SHE HAS EVERY SYMPTOM NOT TO MENTION SHE HAS MOVED ONTO THE "HURTING" CRY AND BELIEVE ME I CAN TELL THE DIFFERECE. IT BREAKS MY HEART THAT I CAN'T HELP HER MORE THAN ORAJEL OR BABY TYLENOL. SO ANYWAY..JUST WANTED TO KEEP EVERYONE UP TO DATE ON EVERYTHING THATS GOING ON WITH THIS BUNDLE OF JOY.

UNTIL NEXT TIME..

OH PS WE'LL BE IN VIRGINIA ALL WEEKEND SO WE WON'T BE ONLINE.

MY SWEET BABIES

2007-06-24T22:18:00.000-04:00

I LOVE MY SWEETIES. MY HUSBAND AND MY SWEET BABY GIRL ARE MY WORLD.! SHE KEEPS AMAZING US MORE AND MORE. SHE DOES SOMETHING NEW ALMOST EVERY DAY. SHE WAS GIGGLING AND SMILING AND TRYING TO TALK SO BAD! I JUST CAN'T BELIEVE THAT SHE WILL BE THREE MONTHS OLD TOMORROW (SHES 13 WEEKS TODAY!!) I CANT BELIEVE ITS BEEN THAT LONG SINCE I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL GIVING BIRTH TO HER! SHE MAKES ME GET UP EVERY MORNING. SHE IS THE REASON WHY I BREATHE. SHE IS THE BEST THING THAT HAS EVER HAPPENED TO ME! THANK YOU JESUS FOR MY BABY GIRL!

PS TRENT LOVES BOXES AND GRACIE LOVES HER BEBE POD ESPECIALLY WHEN SHES WATCHING TV WITH HER DADDY.

AHH

2007-06-21T15:18:00.000-04:00

I WANT TO GO HOME AND SEE MY GRACIE GIRL!!! I MISS HER LIKE CRAZY!!!

HAPPY LATE FATHERS DAY PAWPAW

2007-06-18T22:08:00.001-04:00

HEY PAWPAW WE MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY!! CAN'T WAIT TO GO FISHIN' WITH YOU THIS SUMMER AT SANTEE COOPER!!! SEE YOU SOON'!
LOVE MOMMY AND GRACIE

HAPPY FATHERS DAY!

2007-06-17T08:07:00.000-04:00

SO TODAY IS WILL'S FIRST FATHER'S DAY. HE AND GRACIE ARE GONE TO EAT BREAKFAST WITH HIS DAD BEFORE CHURCH. AFTER CHURCH, WE'RE GOING WITH MOM AND STEVE OUT TO EAT FOR THE REST OF FATHERS' DAY. TODAY IS A DAY TO CELEBRATE DAD'S. WITHOUT DAD'S WE WOULDN'T BE HERE, YA KNOW? I WOULD JUST LIKE TO TELL EVERYONE WHO READS THIS HOW VERY GRATEFUL AND FORTUNATE I AM TO HAVE MY DAD IN MY LIFE. I KNOW EVERYONE GOES THROUGH THAT ROUGH REBELLIOUS STAGE WHEN PARENTS DIVORCE, BUT MINE LASTED A LITTLE LONGER THAN NORMAL...OVER A DECADE.
I LOST A LOT OF TIME WITH MY DAD. A LOT OF TIME THA COULD HAVE BEEN SPENT DOING THINGS TOGETHER. AND NOW THAT WE ARE GETTING ALONG, I LIVE 600 MILES AWAY WITH HIS GRAND-DAUGHTER! I DO MISS BAMA WHEN I VISIT, BUT CAROLINA IS MY HOME. MY LIFE HAS BEEN CHANGED SO MUCH SINCE I MOVED HERE. I HAD MY FIRST BOYFRIEND HERE, MET MY HUSBAND HERE, ALMOST LOST HIM HERE, GOT MARRIED AND HAD MY DAUGHTER HERE. LOTS AND LOTS OF LIFE CHANGING EVENTS. BUT ANYWAY I GOT OFF ON A TANGENT.
FOR ALL YOU PEOPLE OUT THERE THAT ARE DADS....HAVE A SPECTACULAR DAY. SPEND IT WITH YOUR BABIES...DONT' TAKE ONE SINGLE MINUTE, GOOD OR BAD, FOR GRANTED. I KNOW I KEEP ON ABOUT THIS BUT I JUST DON'T KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE IF SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO MY DADDY DURING THOSE ROUGH YEARS WE WENT THROUGH. LOTS OF PEOPLE THAT I KNOW DONT HAVE DADS ANYMORE. SO YES I WOULD VENTURE TO SAY THAT I AM LUCKY...I AM BLESSED. HAPPY FATHERS DAY DAD! I MISS YOU LIKE CRAZY! I CAN'T WAIT TO HOPEFULLY SEE YOU AGAIN THIS SUMMER!

UNTIL NEXT TIME...

PS THESE PICTURES ARE FROM MINE AND SARAH'S DUD OF A YARD SALE YESTERDAY AND SOME ARE FROM THIS MORNING BEFORE GRACIE LEFT WITH DADDY. THE LITTLE BOY IS GRACIE'S COUSIN TRENT, SARAH'S LITTLE BOY

T.G.I.F!!

2007-06-15T21:56:00.000-04:00

THANK GOODNESS ITS FRIDAY. I WAS SO ANXIOUS TO GET HOME AND SEE MY GRACIE GIRL. I NEVER REALLY GOT UPSET WHEN I HAD TO GO BACK TO WORK. I KNEW I HAD TO AND I KNEW SHE WAS IN GOOD HANDS WITH HER DADDY ALL DAY. BUT TODAY THOUGH...TODAY I COULDN'T SIT STILL WAITING TO GET HOME AND SEE HER AND PLAY WITH HER. A FRIEND OF MINE SAID IN HER BLOG A FEW WEEKS AGO..."HOW BORING LIFE MUST HAVE BEEN BEFORE MOTHERHOOD"..ID SAY I HAVE TO AGREE.
MY STEPMOM JUST CALLED AND ASKED WHERE I GOT THE NAME "JOHN MICHAEL" FROM. WILL AND I JUST THOUGHT OF IT OFF THE TOP OF OUR HEADS BUT SHE JUST INFORMED ME THAT THEY ARE MY BROTHER AND MY STEPBROTHER'S MIDDLE NAMES. COOL HUH? OR BAD RATHER...SEEING AS HOW I DIDNT EVEN KNOW MY OWN STEPBBROTHERS MIDDLE NAME!! SHEESH!

OH YEAH I NEED TO SAY SOMETHING ABOUT NANA. SHES HAVING SOME ISSUES SINCE WE TALK ABOUT MAWMAW AND PAW PAW ALL THE TIME.EVEN THOUGH THEY LIVE FAR AWAY AND DONT GET TO SEE GRACIE EVERY DAY LIKE NANA CAN.
GRACIE WENT TO NANA'S WORK TODAY AND SAW THE TRAINS GO BY AND PLAYED IN NANAS LAP WHILE SHE WORKED ON THE COMPUTER AT THE TRAIN STATION. NANA LOVES TRAINS BUT I DONT. I HATE THEM ACTUALLY. THE FIRST OUTFIT SHE BOUGHT GRACIE WAS A TRAIN SLEEPER TAHT JUS ABOUT DOESN'T FIT ANYMORE. THIS CHILD IS GROWING BY LEAPS AND BOUNDS. I LOVE BEING A MOM. HOW CAN SOMEONE NOT WANT TO HAVE A CHILD/BE A MOM? ITS EVERY WOMAN'S GOD GIVEN ABILITY TO CARRY A NEW LIFE FOR TEN MONTHS INSIDE OF THEM AND CREATE A BOND UNLIKE ANY OTHER. MOMMAS AND BABIES HAVE A CLOSENESS THAT A CHILD AND THEIR FATHER CAN NEVER HAVE. I LOVE MY LITTLE GIRL SO MUCH MORE THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED. SHE IS MY WORLD. WHAT WAS MY LIFE LIKE BEFORE HER? I HONESTLY DON'T REMEMBER. SHE AND HER DADDY ARE MY ENTIRE WORLD. (WELL, BESIDES GOD, NANA & PAPA, MAWMAW & PAWPAW AND OTHER VARIOUS FAMILY MEMBERS)

YA KNOW I REALLY DO LOVE EVERY ASPECT OF MY LIFE...EXCEPT FOR ONE THING... I AM SUPER LAZY WHEN IT COMES TO HOUSEWORK AND I WISH I WEREN'T. I HAVE SO MANY THINGS I WANT/NEED TO DO AND I JUS HAVE ZERO AMBITION TO GET THEM DONE. AS SOON AS I GET DONE WRITING THIS BLOG, I'M GONNA COME UP WITH A GAME PLAN TO GET THIS HOUSE ORGANIZED AND MAKE SURE IT STAYS THAT WAY. I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH A BEAUTIFUL HOME BIG ENOUGH FOR OUR FAMILY EVEN IF IT GROWS BY ONE MORE IN THE FUTURE.

I STILL LIKE MY JOB. I LIKE GETTING UP IN THE MORNING AND GOING TO WORK.. WASN'T LIKE THAT AT MY OTHER JOB. JESSICA HAD AN INTERVIEW AT MY WORK FOR A POSITION THERE. SHE ACTED EXCITED, BUT I'M NOT SO SURE SHE IS. I REALLY DON'T THINK DUCC WIL BE AROUND MUCH LONGER AT ALL AND IF SHE DOESN'T ACCEPT THIS POSITION, SHE NEEDS TO LOOK SOMEWHERE ELSE WHILE SHE HAS THE CHANCE. I'D SURE HATE FOR HER TO NOT HAVE AN INCOME WHEN THEY SHUT DOWN SUDDENLY. GOD DOESN'T OPEN DOORS FOR NO REASON. THERE WAS A REASON THAT MY BOSS SUGGESTED SHE COME IN, I DIDN'T ASK HIM TO INTERVIEW HER..IT WAS PURELY HIS IDEA. ANYWAY, PRAY FOR HER THAT SHE FINDS A STABLE JOB. I CAN'T REALLY SAY I KNOW WHAT ITS LIKE TO WORK AT A PLACE WHERE YOU DON'T KNOW IF YOUR JOB WILL BE THERE THE NEXT DAY.
WE ALL ASSUMED IT BEFORE I WENT ON MATERNITY LEAVE BUT WE DIDNT REALLY THINK IT WOULD BE THIS SOON. GOD SENT ME TO THIS NEW JOB FOR A REASON. HE HAS TAKEN SUCH GREAT CARE OF US SINCE THE BOYS ACCIDENT AS WELL. WE HAD NO MONEY COMING IN UNTIL TODAY AND WE'VE NOT HAD TO WORRY ABOUT HOW OUR BILLS WERE GOING TO BE PAID. WE HAVE FOUND A WAY EVER SINCE THE ACCIDENT BC OF GOD. HE IS AMAZING. IF I DIED TODAY I BELIEVE I'D GO TO HEAVEN, I JUST DON'T WANT TO GO RIGHT YET. I WANNA SEE MY BABY GIRL GROW UP. THE TWO HARDEST THINGS FOR ME TO ACCEPT ARE: KNOWING THAT EVERYTHING HAPPENS IN GOD'S GOOD AND PERFECT TIME AND LETTING GOD HAVE HIS WAY WITH MY LIFE.
)
OK SO ANYWAY AFTER ALL THAT HERE ARE SOME PICS OF MY GORGEOUS DAUGHTER. WHAT CAN I SAY? IM BIASED:) PS THIS IS MY FAVORITE PICTURE OF GRACIE AND HER PAWPAW:) HAPPY FATHERS DAY PAWPAW!! I MISS YOU (<--GRACIE TOLD ME TO TELL YOU HEHE

I LOVE MY LIFE!

2007-06-12T21:12:00.000-04:00

EVERY SINGLE DAY I CAN'T WAIT TO GET HOME TO SEE MY BABY GIRL! I LOVE HER SO MUCH MORE THAN I COULD HAVE EVER IMAGINED!! EVERY DAY SHE AMAZES ME MORE AND MORE. SHE'S ALREADY GETTING A LITTLE PERSONALITY ALL HER OWN. SHES A LITTLE MINI PERSON.
IT'S SO COOL AND I'M SO GLAD GOD HAS ALLOWED WILLIAM AND I TO EXPERIENCE THIS. WAKING UP IN THE MORNING AND SEEING HER SWEET SMILE MAKES ME WANNA STAY HOME ALL DAY LONG AND JUST PLAY PLAY PLAY. SHE STAYS HOME WITH DADDY EVERY DAY BC HE'S STILL OFF FROM THE ACCIDENT. THEY ARE GONNA BE SO CLOSE. I'M NOT JEALOUS THOUGH, BABY GIRLS NEED THEIR DADDIES. THEY ALREADY HAVE A SPECIAL BOND WITH THEIR MOMMIES THAT THEY WILL NEVER HAVE WITH DADDY. WILL IS SUCH A GOOD DADDY. HE'S GONNA BE THE TYPE THAT LETS HIS BABY GIRL PUT MAKE UP ON HIM AND PAINT HIS TOE NAILS. I AM SO BLESSED. I ALSO LOVE MY JOB MORE AND MORE. GOD HAS JUST BLESSED US MORE THAN WE COULD EVER BE DESERVING OF.
THIS CHILD HAS CHANGED MY LIFE IN MORE WAYS THAN SHE WILL EVER KNOW. ME AND MY DADDY ARE CLOSER NOW THAN WE HAVE EVER BEEN. I HATE THAT I LOST NEARLY 15 YEARS WITH HIM. I DONT KNOW WHAT I WOULD HAVE DONE IF SOMETHING HAD HAPPENED TO HIM DURING THAT TIME. MY STEPMOM AND I GET ALONG REALLY WELL AND THAT MAKES ME VERY HAPPY TOO. SOOO LONG I HATED SOOO MUCH ABOUT MY LIFE. NOW I LOVE AND CHERISH EVERY MOMENT THAT GOD ALLOWS ME TO LIVE ON THIS EARTH AND SPEND TIME WITH MY AMAZING FAMILY. WILL AND I HAVE DECIDED THAT WE DO WANT ANOTHER CHILD, JUST NOT RIGHT NOW. WE WILL START TRYING AFTER GRACIE'S FIRST BIRTHDAY. THAT WAY THEY WILL ONLY BE 2 YEARS OR SO APART AND THEY WILL HOPEFULLY BE "CLOSER" GROWING UP. I'D LOVE TO HAVE A LITTLE BOY. WE ALREADY DECIDED BEFORE WE FOUND OUT GRACIE WAS A GIRL THAT IF WE HAVE A BOY WE WILL NAME HIM JOHN MICHAEL WHITLEY. MAYBE HE WILL LOOK LIKE ME SINCE GRACIE LOOKS LIKE HER DADDY SPIT HER OUT. ANYWAY HERE ARE SOME PICS LIKE I PROMISED. I FOUND MY CHARGER FOR MY CAMERA SO FOR EVERYONE OTHER THERE (MOSTLY DAD AND CARY) I WILL BE UPDATING EVERY DAY OR EVERY OTHER DAY AT THE MOST. ON A LIGHTER NOTE, CHECK OUT GRACIE WITH HER FAVORITE MAWMAW AND PAWPAW. SHE MISSES THEM LIKE CRAZY AND WE CAN'T WAIT TO SEE THEM AGAIN!! ALSO CHECK OUT THE SUPER COOL CRADLE THAT PAWPAW MADE HER. SHE LOVES IT!! IT STAYS IN THE DEN SO SHE CAN SLEEP IN IT (OR WATCH TV FROM IT) WHILE WE'RE WATCHING TV. I HAVE SUCH A GREAT FAMILY! LOVE YOU GUYS!

NEWNESS

2007-06-10T20:30:00.000-04:00

<
SO I LOVE MY NEW JOB! IT'S AWESOME. I WAS A LITTLE LEARY ABOUT GETTING A NEW JOB, GIVING MY NOTICE, LEAVING MY OLD FRIENDS.. WELL GOD DOESN'T OPEN WINDOWS FOR NOTHING. I GOT A CALL FROM MY FRIEND JESSICA THAT I USED TO WORK WITH AND A LOT OF THINGS ARE GOING AWRY AT MY OLD PLACE OF BUSINESS AND NEEDLESS TO SAY IM SO GLAD IM AWAY FROM THERE. BEST NEWS YET? JESS MAY GET A JOB A MY NEW JOB. I TOLD MY BOSS ABOUT THE GOINGS ON OVER THERE AND HE ASKED IF SHE NEEDED A JOB.
SHE HAS AN INTERVIEW WITH US WEDNESDAY SO EVERYBODY PRAY THAT IF ITS MEANT TO BE, THAT SHE GETS THE JOB. SHE NEEDS SOMETHING STABLE. I DONT THINK MY OTHER PLACE OF BUSINESS IS GOING TO BE AROUND THROUGH THE END OF THE SUMMER. ON ANOTHER NOTE, MISS GRACIE BORROWED HER COUSIN TRENT'S FLOATY CAR AND JUST CHILLED ALL WEEKEND IN MEMAW'S POOL. SHE WAS PASSED OUT AFTER SOME 50SPF, A BOTTLE AND ABOUT TEN MINUTES;)
OK WELL I GUESS IM DONE FOR NOW. I CAN'T BELIEVE MY BABY GIRL IS 11 WEEKS TODAY!!

let's try this pic thing again

2007-05-31T18:50:00.000-04:00

gracie chillin at aunt kathy's house

my uncles dog cody had to check out the baby...he was very intimidated..

gracie with her pawpaw that she misses:(

gracie and my nanny

gracies tv watchin chair..:)

gracie in the pool with poppa

MY NEW JOB

2007-05-30T21:14:00.000-04:00

...SO I STARTED MY NEW JOB YESTERDAY AND I WAS SOOO OVERWHELMED BECAUSE IT WAS ALL GREEK TO ME...LITERALLY. SO TODAY I GOT TO DIG IN AND DO SOME HANDS ON STUFF AND ITS ACTUALLY BETTER THAN I THOUGHT IT WOULD BE. I LOVE IT SO FAR. EVERYONE IS SO LAID BACK AND EASY TO GET ALONG WITH. IM SO GLAD TO BE SO MUCH CLOSER TO HOME AND TO NOT HAVE ALL THAT NASTY DARN TRAFFIC IN FAYETTEVILLE TO DEAL WITH. STILL GOTTA FIGURE OUT HOW TO TELL MY OTHER JOB IM NOT COMING BACK. IM DUE BACK JUNE 19TH SO I JUST HAVE TO GIVE A TWO WEEK NOTICE. I'M GONNA MISS JESSICA TREMENDOUSLY. I LOVE HER SO MUCH SHE'S AWESOME! MY BEST NC FRIEND EVER! SHE WAS WITH ME THE WHOLE TIME I WAS IN THE HOSPITAL HAVING GRACIE AND SO WAS KARA AFTER SHE AFTER MICHAEL ARRIVED FROM FLORIDA. I HAVE GREAT FRIENDS. YA KNOW SOME PEOPLE GO THROUGH LIVE AND DONT HAVE ONE SINGLE CLOSE, GREAT FRIEND AND I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH MORE THAN THAT. I CONSIDER JESSICA AND KARA GREAT FRIENDS AND MY HUSBAND IS MY FRIEND TOO! I THINK GOD PUT ME WITH THIS JOB FOR A REASON BC SOME PPL AREN'T CHRISTIANS. AT OUR COOKOUT YESTERDAY, I WAS ASKED..." YOU AREN'T ONE OF THOSE OVERLY RELIGIOUS PEOPLE ARE YOU"? AND IM LIKE ACTUALLY, YEAH I AM. THEY WERE JOKIN ABOUT GLOBAL WARMING AND THE RAPTURE AND SUCH..JUST JUVENILE THINGS THAT THEY DON'T REALIZE ARE ACTUALLY PRETTY HUGE THINGS....ITS OK THOUGH BECAUSE I WILL NOT WAIVER. AFTER ALL THE TREMEMDOUS STRESS WE'VE BEEN THROUGH THE PAST FEW MONTHS I HAVE NOT ONCE QUESTIONED MY BELIEFS. HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING WELL. HOPE YOUR MEMORIAL DAY WAS SAFE AND ENJOYABLE. TALK TO EVERYONE SOON. OH IVE ATTACHED SOME PICS OF GRACIE. SHE WENT SWIMMING WITH HER POPPA SUNDAY AND SHE LOVES TO BE SITTING UP LIKE ALL THE TIME SO WE WHEELED HER HIGHCHAIR IN THE DEN AND SHE WAS WATCHING TV UP HIGH LIKE A BIG GIRL...SHE LOVES IT. OK THE PICTURE UPLOAD THING ISNT WORKING..ILL ADD THEM LATER..

LOVE JEN

happy memorial day!

2007-05-26T22:09:00.001-04:00

happy memorial day to everyone who reads this! we aren't going out of town since we were gone for a week and a half and just returned home. that was by far the most amazing trip home. mom is alright she was released yesterday afternoon with only bruises and a fractured ankle.
she's still very sore but shes alive. i start back to work on tuesday and hopefully will can start on wednesday since the doctor finally released him to return back to work. so we have had a very eventful past 2 months since boo boo was born. although its been tough at times with everything going on i wouldnt change it for anything. i also just talked to my dad and he and my stepmom are just itching to come see the baby again. im so glad!!
they are supposed to come up at least once this summer. i can't wait!!! ok im done for now. here are some new pics of miss gracie and the top one is she and her godmother:)

thank the lord!

2007-05-25T20:44:00.000-04:00

ok guys i know this seems a bit scary but my mom was in a head on collision this morning at about 7:45. yes this is almost two months to the day since my brother and husband were in their head on collision. everyone in my immediate family has been in the hospital in the past two months except for my stepdad. lets pray he doesn't either. anyway same scenario as the boys. someone was in too much of a hurry and turned left in front of her and hit her head on. God was with them and he was with her today. pics are at www.bastarache.info/donna. on a lighter note the baby is growing by leaps and bounds. she weighs about 10.5 lbs now. this is not per the doctor this is me getting on a scale and then me holding her and getting back on the scale. anyway we're doing fine. will update later

love jen

out of commission

2007-05-24T14:23:00.001-04:00

at moms work on her computer. our internet is not working properly so until we can troubleshoot we will not be online. see everybody soon! ps our trip was amazing! ill add some pics when we get our internet back.

family

2007-05-18T21:48:00.000-04:00

Hey guys. I just wanted to check in and let everyone know that my trip is going spectacular. Halfway down I got a call from one of the jobs that I interviewed for *the one i wanted most* and they offered me the job..and of course i accepted. it ended up takin us around 13 hours but thats ten of actual road and 3 of gas, potty breaks and baby burping breaks. not too bad. wednesday we went to columbus to see jenifer and meet ms mackenzie. she is sooo cute! we put her and gracie in the crib together and they were holding hands it was sooo cute!! i had a blast! i have also had a great time with my daddy. he and my stepmom hold gracie from the time they get in until they go to bed. its so sweet i love them! i think he's gonna come to NC and visit. he's not gonna be able to stand being away from her until christmas. i also have seen a few people i knew just around town and such. i will post pics from the trip when i get back home. im at my aunts right now so i cant upload pics or anything. anyway hope everyone has an amazing weekend. my baby cousin graduates tomorrow! i cant believe it! i remember when he was born! ok so im done now. best visit ever..no competition.

til next time..

*Wish Me Luck!!**

2007-05-11T12:49:00.000-04:00

Hey guys! I had two great interviews today! I don't want to go back to work but since I have to I would like to be closer to home (and baby). So I called where I work now and let them know I was going to take the full twelve weeks I'm allowed. I mean come on..What other time in my life will I be able to spend 12 full weeks with my daughter? I have enjoyed every minute of these 6.5 ive already spent with her. Shes amazing and perfect and wow. thats all i can say. anyway we're about to leave for the beach and we will return in time for baby dedication at church on sunday morning. then monday we're off to bama'. hope everyone has a wonderful weekend. be safe and have fun!

love jen

Though I'd Share...

2007-05-10T14:56:00.000-04:00

Everyone I know with kids seems to be into this digital scrapbooking thing... It's actually kinda cool. It's not nearly as messy as paper scrapbooking and its cheaper...!! Well anyway I've done a few layouts...mostly of Gracie. So I thought I'd share them with whoever may read this blog:) Hope everyone is enjoying this lovely weather. Wish me luck I have two interviews tomorrow for jobs that are closer to home (and of course, my daughter) and then we leave at lunch for Myrtle Beach for two days then back home for baby dedication at church on mothers day and then monday we're leaving for my dads! im so excited! im also catching up with some friends from high school while im down. im super stoked! thats it for now..gotta go scrapbook some more ,.im addicted!

here are the layouts

Back to work i go

2007-05-09T09:03:00.000-04:00

Ok yeah so my maternity leave is almost up :( I have had sooo much fun with Gracie and Will these last few weeks I can't imagine not being home with them every day. Will probably won't work for another few months due to his injury and the way its looking the woman who hit them doesn't have enough insurnace to cover much of anything but thats alright becuase I'd rather be stuck with 15000 in medical bills than to not have them here at all. We are leaving for MS/AL monday morning for a week to see my dad's family and a few friends in c-town. I'm pretty excited I havent been down there since December and now with the baby we have to make the trip alot more often. Did i mention i DO NOT want to go back to work?! Look what I get to spend time with every single day!!

A few girls are doing a 30-day photo challenge. I really should do it myself since i take soo many pics of my gracie. I wish i knew how to use jenifer's digital scrapbooking thing. I think i might buy whatever it is she uses..even though ive forgotten exactly what that may be..hehe

Ok i better get to cleaning and washing clothes for the trip. No posts all next week as there is no internet where we're going....:(

later
jen

oh i forgot to mention!!!

2007-05-05T10:25:00.000-04:00

Miss Gracie slept from 10pm-430am last night!! And she didn't even go potty in her diaper!!! Like i said...perfect!! Hopefully by the time mommy goes back to work she will be sleeping until 500 or 530:) Man I love this kid:)

Perfection

2007-05-05T09:42:00.001-04:00

I know I seem to write all the time about how perfect my life is, but its true and I'd like for everyone to know that and know how its possible for them too. I got saved when I was like 9 years old. IT's easy to love the Lord with all you have when you're 9. You haven't met that high school boyfriend or went to college parties or had any other temptations of that degree. I'm not saying its hard to love God becuase it's not, it's just that you have more things ...tests if you will...to prove that you DO love him. I've always gone to church (maybe not every Sunday...but ive always gone) I have never once doubted his existence or power. I just got sidetracked. Lots of people get that way. It just takes that extra ummph to get you back on track. WE have been here in North Carolina 5 years in June and we have tried so hard to find "that church". That perfect church that fit us like a glove and offered all the programs that we wanted and needed. We found it...after five years of looking (and a couple of just not going anywhere). This perfect church is Seven Lakes Baptist Church in West End, NC. We drive 35 miles every sunday to this perfect church and we get a TRUE BLESSING every time we go. God put us there for a reason. NOt sure who reads this, but for a long time my in laws and I just did not get along. We didnt' agree on lots of things and sometimes id say i just plain didnt like them or want to be around them. Well we've just had Gracie and she needs all the family she can have right now and we need their support and love. So anyway at the end of the service every sunday the preacher calls anyone to the altar that needs to pray or give praise or what not... Something had been telling me to go a few sundays prior to this but i never did. So on April 1st I went up and prayed for God to release the burdens off of my husbands family. To let them be free from Satans Bondage and let us get along and attend church together...etc etc. I asked him for a MIRACLE. That miracle came in the form of my husband and brothers car accident. God does work in mysterious ways but i can absolutely not tell you how much GOOD has come from all this. First and foremost that they are both healthy and alive. My moms sister that hadn't spoken to any family in over two years is now back in our lives. My dad/stepmom and my mom/stepdad GOT ALONG (at the hospital when dad drove 750 miles to see my brother...which in itself is also a miracle since he never visits anyway). I just can't even put a price on all these things and even more that have happened. I actually feel as though my in laws like me now...even love me maybe? I think some of it too is probably lil Gracie but its' all God's work. My husband (who before i had to beg to go to church) is now wanting to be baptized and become an active member of the church family. i am soooo happy about that!! anyway tahst my testimony. God saved their lives and that touched innumerable lives around them. There is no way they should have survived. See pics at www.bastarache.info/accident and see for yourself. Its a true miracle.

Ps Miss Gracie is doing just perfect. She has gained over 2 lbs since we left the hospital 6 weeks ago tomorrow. I love her so much and I can't imagine my life without her....shes perfect (lol dont all parents say that?) See pics of her at www.myspace.com/jenandwill in the pics section

Until next time...

So...this is my first time

2007-04-17T17:33:00.001-04:00

A good friend of mine, Jenifer Jones, has one of these things and so I figured I'd follow suit and get one too. I'm such a copycat sometimes. So anyway, my life is pretty good. I have everything in this world that I could possibly want. The love of my savior Jesus Christ, a great husband, a beautiful daughter, a beautiful home, a great job, a new minivan and two sweet pups. Who could ask for more? My sweet Gracie was three weeks old on Sunday. The friend I mentioned above was due the same day as I was but I got induced early. She gave birth to her daughter, Mackenzie on April 10th so they are just a couple weeks apart. Gracie is already lifting her head...is that normal!? AND she rolled over the other day! Not to mention she eats like a piggy already. In fact, last night (or rather, this morning at 2:30) she had 8 oz of formula before she would go back to sleep. I believe the norm is somewhere around 2-4oz every 3-4 hours. She is just too perfect. I can't imagine not having her in my life. We had her first official picture taken yesterday at Wally World. She had some taken at the hospital but those don't count. Anyway I think I'm jumping around too much. Ill try to stay up to date with everything while im out on maternity leave.

Until next time...