Beth Moore

It was so exciting to meet Beth Moore this afternoon, even if just for a minute. What a godly women she is and fashionable too! She told me my bangs were "darling" and won my heart forever :) I can't wait to start reading her new book. I also found out she is coming to Birmingham in December! I am going to purchase my tickets right now!!!!

Mixed Feelings

I found out last night that my BFF since middle school and Anna's godmother is moving to Florence. I am happy for her but sad at the same time. We don't get to spend as much time together as I would like and I guess I take it for granted. She isn't married and her lifestyle isn't as fast paced as mine. I am always so busy and try to make time to spend with her. It is hard trying to stay close to someone who's life is so different from yours. At least this will give Anna and I an excuse to travel to Florence some during the summer when Chad is so busy or during the winter when he hunts.

Emotional Morning

Anna has been out of daycare for almost a week and had to return this morning. How do you explain to a two year old about finances and why mommy has to go to work? She has been to my office many times and I think understands that is where mommy goes everyday. She doesn't understand what mommy does there and why I go. I tried to explain it's because they give me money so we can buy things. All she did was continue to cry and ask why we couldn't stay at home together. We finally got in the car and sang songs all the way to school, but the tears started again as soon as she saw the building. After much negotiation, I got her to start eating breakfast and we said our goodbyes. I then went to the car and started to cry. I just wanted to take her back home and curl up and love on her all day. She told me the other day that I was her little baby and she loved me. Sometimes I think I need her more than she needs me. I love that little girl so much and wish I could be with her more.

Surgery and Recovery

My little baby is five days post surgery and doing well.

When we finally decided to do surgery, I was terrified! How was I going to cope with all of this and what if something went wrong? I waited patiently for several weeks and finally got my answer.

Surgery day went very well. The people at Children's South are wonderful! I can not express how comforting it is as a parent to have such caring people around you during that difficult time. We had a nurse blowing bubbles to distract her while they took all her vital signs and another nurse brought a stuffed animal and coloring pages by our room. We played with the numerous toys and push cars they have in the hallways during our long wait. Of course I cried when I had to give her to the nurse at the surgery doors, but recovered well. After what seemed like a short 45 minutes (thanks to my mom, the Today show and People magazine), the doctor came back with a good report. Thirty minutes later, my baby was finally back in my arms. She was upset, but went right to sleep as I rocked her. She even slept through the nurse removing her iv.

She has been loving all the attention and being showered with gifts, cards, ballons and flowers from grandparents, family and friends. Her energy level has reminded high and she has had trouble following the restricted activity rules. The hardest part has been cleaning out her nose with saline solution each day. She screams in pain and it breaks my heart :( We have to do this until we return to the doctor on February 16. I pray everyday that it gets easier on her.