Skipping WAY ahead

So, it appears that I've just skipped Christmas, New Years and Valentine's Day this year. :) Not sure why, but my blog has just not been high priority for me lately. I guess I'm keeping my thoughts inside instead of sharing them so much. I've found that sometimes when there are things going on and I "talk" about them, it sounds like whining. So, my new approach to the problem areas in my life, thoughts about problems, etc. is to take them all to God first and leave them with Him. So.....I'm jumping way ahead to a very blessed event that happened in our family.

On February 27, 2010 about 5:25 a.m. our phone rang and our son-in-law, David said "It's 'go' time". Of course, I said "Are you serious?"....he responded with "I wouldn't call you at 5 in the morning to joke".... :) So, we hurried and got ready to go to Portsmouth to stay with Mia while her mommy and daddy went up to the hospital to check and make sure it was indeed the real thing. By about 8:30, Krista was 4 cm. dilated and was going to get her epidural. Papaw took me up to the hospital and he took Mia out to Clarktown to stay with her Aunt Jayme. She was pretty excited to be going to stay with Bryce and Collin--they had been planning this for so many months!! I'm not sure about times, but it wasn't long before the doctor came in to break Krista's water and she was 6 cm., she rested for awhile, comfortable with the epidural in place and the room being quiet and calm. Then it seemed like no time she called the nurse and said she was feeling pressure...they checked her and she was 8 cm. She asked David to go to the car and get the video camera, they had left it in the car. He wasn't gone from the room for 2 minutes before she said "something feels really weird, a lot of pressure"...again the nurse came in and said "with the next contraction I want you to try pushing"....Oh, my....it was really quick. She promised that they wouldn't let the baby come without Daddy being in the room. :) It was kind of exciting for me, I got to be in there for a few of her pushes, holding her head and feeling like I was actually doing something. :) David got back and I went out to the waiting room. But, I couldn't stand it out there long, so I went pacing back and forth. I went and stood outside the door of Krista's room and about 12:25 (or so) I got to hear the first cries of Baby Zane.

The nurse snapped this picture for us of Zane right after he was handed over to his mommy. Isn't it precious? :) It was just a little while and Papaw and I were invited in to meet the little man. He weighed in at 8 lbs. 1 oz. and was 20 1/4 inches long. We all took turns looking him over and admiring his hair, his hands, his toes and his little fat roll in the back of his neck.

I had been texting Jayme back and forth letting her know what was going on. So, it wasn't too long before she and Mia along with YoYo, Dawn and Sharayah came in to see the little guy. His sister was in love at first sight. She just kept saying "he's mine...he's really mine". It was so cute. This next picture shows the look of sheer joy on her face, although it is a little blurry (sorry--trying out a new lens).

We all went home for awhile and then went back down so that the Greene boys could meet their new cousin. We were all surprised at how quickly Bryce fell in love with Zane. He looked at him and it was like he was amazed--I think he had given up on there really being a baby....that many months is a long wait for a 5 year old.

And, poor little Collin, he couldn't figure out why he was the only one who didn't get to hold the baby. I love the look on his face here. He's sad...it kind of looks like he's unhappy that his mommy is holding another baby, but Jayme says it's because he wanted to hold Zane and he was told he was "too little". :)

What a blessing this new little man is to our family. Although Collin isn't even 2 yet, we all have kind of forgotten how fun a new baby is. I'm praying that God will bless Zane and work in his life even as he is so young. Today, he's going to the doctor--he seems to have gotten the virus Mia had last week. So, I'm praying for his health, his parents and his big sister. God has blessed me with the most wonderful kids and grandkids....I can't believe how rich His blessings are!

So Very Thankful

I guess that Thanksgiving is the one time of year, if none other, that we consider all we have to be thankful for. I try, especially when I'm feeling sorry for myself, to make a mental list of all that God has done in my life and blessed me with. If I strive to remember each and every blessing in my life, it doesn't take long to realize I have no right to feel sorry for myself!

Thanksgiving this year was a little different--there were family members who couldn't be there for various reasons, the crowd was down, but still, as a family we have much to be so thankful for. For example, at my age, I still have both of my parents alive and in relatively good health. That is a blessing to be sure! I have been married to my very best friend for 31 years--for him I am very thankful! God has given me 3 wonderful children, who have over the years become the best friends I could ever ask for. God has also blessed me with 2 great sons-in-law, who not only take care of their families physical needs, but are very involved in the spiritual health of their wives and children. Over the last almost 2 years, my son has grown so much spiritually that he never ceases to absolutely amaze me--or should I say God's work in him continues to bless and amaze me! Josh has such a talent for remembering things he reads, learns, etc. and is just really growing in his faith! Then, last, but not least, God has blessed me with three of the most beautiful, wonderful, funny grandchildren ever! And, if that isn't blessing enough, He's developing a new grandson that will arrive sometime in February to join our clan! The greatest gift/blessing I have received is by far my salvation. Without the death, burial and resurrection of Jesus Christ, I would not have the hope and confidence of a life with Jesus forever! Wow....like I said, how much more could I ever ask for....and I truly AM thankful for all that I've been given and blessed with.

I guess on Thanksgiving we do tend to remember all these things. And, we did have a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. I was able to spend time with my big brother--that's always a blessing! So, anyway, I thought I would share a few pictures from our Thanksgiving weekend. May I remember to be thankful throughout the year--not just on Thanksgiving!

First, here are a couple pictures of my daughters and their families. It was a little chilly, so if the kids look cold--they were.

Here is the Greene family. Josh, Jayme, Bryce and Collin. Bryce is at that age or stage where it's really hard to get a good picture of him. He's an adorable little boy, as is his brother, but he just has so many more important things to do than get his picture taken. :)

And, here are the Dunhams. David, Krista and Mia...(baby Zane is below where the picture ends). We are all excited to meet Zane sometime in February. He's going to get lots of love from his big sister, that's for sure.

Uncle Josh played Tinkertoys with Bryce and Mia. He did, however make sure to tell everyone that he did NOT want any Tinkertoys for Christmas. :) Not that any of us would have bought him any, of course.

And, this picture cracks me up. I said "Hey guys, can you hug each other and look at Nana"...and THIS is what I got..

And, yes, I'm even thankful for that silly boy! :) God has certainly blessed me, huh?

Trick or Treat and Trick or Treat!!

So, Thursday, October 29 was the day designated for Trick or Treat this year in the county. It was from 5:30 to 7:00 p.m. that evening. Well, on Wednesday of that week, Mia started throwing up in the evening. It lasted the evening and on Thursday she was feeling better. However, after an early nap, she woke up when I stopped to drop some things off. I held her and told Krista I was pretty sure she had a fever. She got the thermometer and her temp. was 102.1 under her arm, so it was like 103. Poor little thing was pitiful. It ended up that Krista took her to Urgent Care to rule out the H1N1 virus, since Mia is only 2 and Krista is pregnant. They ruled out the flu and said she had a stomach virus. Anyway, because she was so sick, she didn't get to go trick-or-treating with the boys this year. Let me share a few of the pictures of the boys actually going trick-or-treating first, then I'll explain the other trick-or-treat in my title. :)

We had a cute little pirate, who had quite a bit of trouble with that pesky eye patch. But, he loved the weapons (I'll show you that in a minute) and loved the actual trick or treating.

We had the cutest little frog...this costume was a hand me down from Bryce. The year Bryce wore it, he was just past 2--we have the cutest pictures of him in this costume too. One of him with his princess (Anna Kate) kissing him on the cheek. So cute! Anyway, Collin wasn't real fond of the costume (the hood mainly), but rode along in the wagon. When he got his first "treat", which was a sucker, he was happy. He loved looking at the stuff in his pumpkin and trying his best to get a sucker opened.

The boys had a great time walking around and getting treats. Bryce was really surprised with the biggest Tootsie Roll he had ever seen. His Aunt Bev had gotten special treats for him and his cousin Kylee. His had this huge Tootsie Roll in it and he was EXCITED!

And, here are both the boys. The pirate, complete with his weapons and the cute little frog! These are just a few highlights of Trick or Treat night. A fun time with the Greenes. :)

Then, because we were sad that Mia didn't get to go trick or treating, we decided to get together on Monday, when she was all better and let the kids dress up again. Actually I was really sad that she didn't get to go too as was her mommy. She was happy with just coming to Nana's house in her Tinkerbell costume and saying "Trick or Treat" when I answered the door and spending some time with her cousins. :) She sure does love those boys!

We had time before dinner to take some pictures of the cuties outside, then enjoyed dinner and some fun time before the Dunhams had to leave for Krista to go to Bible Study. Here are a few of the pictures from that night.

Mia loved wearing her Tinkerbell costume. It's the same one she wore for her birthday, but she felt like a princess all over again. She was adorable in it too. :)

The boys and Mia all love one another so much. I can't wait to see how things change or remain the same when Baby Zane arrives. I am so thankful that God gives me a chance every now and then to enjoy all my grandkids together. It seems like we never get to spend enough time together, but I guess that's how it is when life gets busy and people get busy. Here's a picture of Mommy, Mia and Baby Zane. I'm having trouble figuring all this blog stuff out on the new computer, so I'll end with that picture. Don't know why this part is underlined and blue....:) I hope I'm not linking to something way "out there". There, I think I fixed it. Anyway, I praise God for the wonderful kids and grandkids He has seen fit to entrust me with. I pray that I will have many, many more opportunities to spend wonderful evenings with them in the days to come.

Our Little Mia

We took Mia recently to get her hair cut again. As you can see, she didn't care much for the actual process of the new hair do....

The process wore her and us out, but the end result was so cute. We brought her back to Nana's house (she and Krista were staying with us for a few days) and curled her new "do" and then went outside and took some pictures of her with the new style. She looks so adorable with the new cut. Krista actually cut a little more off of it after these pictures were taken. She's such a sweet little princess girl. Enjoy the pictures

She loves to pose and say "cheese"....isn't her outfit adorable? I got her the red shoes and then her mommy found this adorable outfit for her to go with them.

She even sat and posed for me for several pictures. She is growing up so quickly. It seems like if I go for 2 or 3 days without seeing her, she is talking about different things and just changes. She's going to be a really good big sister, I'll tell you that. She can hardly wait to hold her baby brother and kiss him.

I even got her to do some of her great jumping skills for me. Isn't she just adorable? Funny story of this day....we went out to eat dinner that night before church and it was a little windy. She put her hands up and said "Oh, no...my new hair". :) So cute...and so funny.

Happy Birthday Bryce

I'm afraid I have been a little lazy on keeping up my blog lately. Bryce's birthday was on the 22nd and I'm just now posting a birthday wish to him. But, to be honest, last week was a blur and I didn't seem to have an extra 10 minutes to sit down and type out a post. :) Jayme, Bryce and Collin stayed here with us on Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday while Josh was away on his annual fishing trip to New Orleans. (He had a great time and caught lots of fish, by the way) So, I had the privilege of spending Bryce's actual birthday with him--which was exciting.

Here's a picture of Bryce on his first Christmas. I don't have any earlier pictures on this computer, so I will try later to find his newborn pictures and post some of those. A "watch him grow" type thing.

I don't think I'll ever be able to thank God enough for allowing me to be a Nana to this little guy. Well, actually to all 3 of my grandbabies. They are each so special in their own way, with special traits all their own.

Since Bryce was our first grandchild, I never knew until he was born how excited I should have been all along. :) I guess it was a concept that I didn't understand until I laid eyes on him that first time. Wow...talk about a flood of emotions!!! There was that beautiful, perfect little boy and he was being handed to ME! My heart filled with love that day and has continued to grow bigger and bigger with love for this little man!

We celebrated his birthday on Saturday evening, since his daddy was gone for his actual birthday, and it was on a school night. Yeah, he's in Pre-Kindergarten now and has to be in bed by 8:30 or so. That makes it difficult to have parties during the week. :) He is loving school and really loves his teacher. He told me the other day that I looked like his teacher. Knowing how much he loves her, I know that was a compliment. :)

Here are some pictures from his party on Saturday. He had so much fun and was a real gentleman. He played nicely with the other kids, allowed his cousin, Mia to help him open presents and thanked everyone for the gifts.

Here's what he looked like when he walked outside and saw his present from Nana and Papaw and Mamaw and Grandpa. (He had a Super Mario Brothers party and wanted to dress up like Luigi! He is his mother's son)

We all went together and got him a trampoline. He was shocked and surprised. He knew that there was going to be a surprise and asked me where they were hiding the surprise. He guessed the kitchen cabinets, Josh's work room downstairs, etc. I don't think he would have ever guessed it!

All the kids had such a good time jumping (once the rain stopped a little). The big kids jumped for awhile and then got off and gave the little ones a chance to enjoy it a little. They all had a lot of fun.

This is Bryce doing his Luigi pose. Yeah, from the video game. :) He's such a character. So creative and has a great imagination.

We talked him into posing with his cake for a few pictures. He's just not so into pictures these days. Makes it hard to let others see how he's growing. :) But, we're always able to sneak pictures here and there. I'm not sure what this face is, but it's supposed to be a smile. hehe...

He found some dinosaur figure things at Walmart one day when Aunt Kiki was with us. He really, really wanted them. So, she told him that she would buy them for him for his birthday, but he had to forget about them. (That's like telling an elephant to forget) Here he is opening those dinosaur things. He was funny about it--tried to act surprised.

Here's my favorite picture of Bryce from his party. He was blowing out the candles and was having a rough time with all 5 candles. I guess 5 candles take a lot of wind. :) By the way, I put a candle in his wassles (waffles) on Tuesday (his actual birthday) thinking he would love it....well, he did NOT love that. Almost ruined his whole day. He went to school and told his teacher about what his Nana had done to him. Put a hole in his waffle! (Oh, my!!!)

What a special night this was for Bryce. I am so thankful to God for this little boy. The week of his birthday had been kind of a hard one. I had some emotional ups and downs that just about did me in. :) But, praise the Lord I was able to share in this special time with this special boy. I do thank God daily for my kids and my grandkids. I love them all so.

Beware David Beckham!!!

Bryce has started playing soccer this year. He seems to enjoy it, even if he sometimes doesn't look like he is. His first game, I asked him if he was "raring to go" and here's what he looked like. What do you think, was he raring? :) He's so adorable, isn't he?

He really didn't mind when it was his turn to sit out a quarter and sit on the bench. The first game he told his mom (after getting off the bench) "I made a new friend...it's that one over there, his name is Tucker". He was telling her all this while he was out on the field. :)

His second game, I told him that if he would go out and play hard and try to kick the ball I would give him a surprise. And, Mamaw told him that the first time he kicked the ball, she would give him a dollar, then the second time he kicked it Nana would give him a dollar, then Grandpa, then Papaw, etc. He had it figured out that he was going to get a lot of money! Well, he did kick the ball a couple times and really played harder, so he got his surprise (a package of Cars Mini Adventure cars) and a couple dollars. :)

Josh was older when he started playing soccer (2nd grade) so I am getting to experience a whole new thing--little guys at soccer. It is so fun to watch them though and know that Bryce is so excited to have Mamaw and Nana there (and everyone else!) to cheer him on. He's learning the concept of "team" and having a little fun. It's so wonderful to see that God has created such a perfect little guy--physically able to play soccer, run, talk, laugh, love...even when he gets in trouble, I love him so. Of course, I think God created three pretty wonderful, perfect grandchildren...MINE. :) I am so thankful for each of their little lives and especially to see how God works in their lives. I have a feeling that God has some big things in store for those three special little people...well, four when you count that little he/she Krista is carrying. Can't wait to meet him/her. :)

Here are a couple more random pictures from Bryce's first soccer game. Like the title says, Beware David Beckham!! Bryce Greene is coming up!! :)

He got to do a throw-in! Look at that form!!

Apology

If you read my blog entry from Saturday before yesterday afternoon, I need to apologize! Apparently I did a link wrong and my video link was taking people to a place that I did not intend! A friend called yesterday and said that she was pretty sure that it wasn't working right. So, if you read it before, I'm so sorry!! :) I removed one link and just typed out the website on the other one. Perhaps I'll learn what I did wrong before I try to link again. :)