Happy Anniversary.........

...........To me!!!!!!!!! (only about a week and a half late!)

So, we have officially survived a year together, no casualties. It's been an exciting year, we moved to Birmingham, got new jobs, bought a house, were parents to the best soccer player Birmingham has ever seen, got pregnant. That's a lot to live up to this next year! It has all been so much fun, and we have learned so much about each other and from each other. i like to think that we have grown so much as a couple, as a family, and as individuals.
A couple of days after our anniversary, two of our patients passed away, and my co-workers and I had a very interesting conversation.....
We (as in my co-workers and I) have all been blessed to work in an environment that helps us to remember to be thankful for the small things. Life is such a gift, and love a treasure. One of the patients was a middle age man who had never been married, another a young guy who had been married just under a year.Not long before those two losses we lost a patient who had been married for 30 some odd years. Someone asked the question, "Do you think it's harder to lose your significant other early in your marriage, or after you've been married forever?" We decided there is no way one is easier. Living together for as long as you can remember, and not knowing how to function without your other half, or losing someone you are still learning about, still figuring our how you will spend the rest of your lives. Either way, it made me cherish Wesley even more. It was sucha sad week, but such an awesome lesson for me, especially on my anniversary. My work is a blessing to me. I adore my patient's and there is so much to learn from them. And, no, not everyone dies. We celebrate life and living alot on our floor.
Sorry that was so scattered, it's hard to organize my thoughts sometime, especially when it's something that means alot to me.

Wes, I love you, and I am thankful for every moment that I have with you. I am thankful for the family that we have made together. To a million more years together!!

My Men......

I really did not think that anyone ever read this, but my husband, brother, and best-friend all filled me in. I was wrong. I have 3 readers. And two of them want to know why I don't write more about them. So, here you go....

I have 5 (soon to be 6) special men in my life, my husband, my father, my brother, my Zach, and my nephew----Jake. They all mean the world to me, and ooutside of my mother, I turn to them for nearly everything. I pray that my son acquires traits from all of them. No, not just their dashing good looks or their large personalities.....but a couple of other things as well.

First off, the one thing all of these men has in common is their love for their family. My dad has ALWAYS put mom and the three of us first. After us comes the rest of his family, and even our friends (they are his and my mom's other children.) Dad always says that he doesn't have any friends because he has all he needs in us. Wes also has an amazing amount of love for his family. I don't alwyas think that they deserve to be treated so well by him, but he will never turn his back on them. I know, and my family can sleep well at night knowing, that Grace, the baby and I will always be first in Wes's life. I tease my brother about not being as important to him as his friends, but I hope he knows that I am only joking. For a 21 year old, his dedication to his family is unbelievable. He tells mom that he's going to live with her forever. Zach may not technically be family, but he is my other brother. He is like the fourth child in our family. He has a great relationship with his family as well, but...we will claim him as our own. Sometimes I think he is my mother's favorite child. I know that no matter how far apart we live, he will always be my very best friend. I can count on him no matter what. And Jake, sweet Jake......he loves his Aunt Kerry. He loves the rest of them too....but we really love each other. There is something special about that little man. He has the ability to make everyone feel like we are the most loved by him. I hope our baby "loves" like these men do.

Another trait I love, and love to hate about these 5 is their passion. They are so passionate about everything they do. Outside of family...which they are all passionate about, they have there own individual passions. If you've ever been to my parent's house, you know my dad is passionate about his garden. and thank goodness too....I had the most beautiful wedding EVER (sorry, no one is ever going to top me there.) Everyone knows Wes is passionate about Tennessee sports. At first I just thought it was football, I've since learned. While sometimes this can make me slightly crazy, it is fun. It's fun to get in to it with him. I really do enjoy football season with him. Ben is passioate about many things, but I think the one that stands out the most to me is babseball. That is who he is. Even though he doesn't play anymore, it still defines him. And there are going to be many lucky parents and kids one day when he starts coaching. Not only does he know what he's talking about, but he loves it. Zach is passionate about traveling and new experiences. I sometimes get jealous because he's not afraid to go anywhere or try anything. One day we're going to Africa. Maybe some kind of missions trip.....I know it would be amazing with him. Jake is passionate about one thing that I am too........food. He loves it!

And my favorite thing about all of them...................

THEY LOVE GRACE!!!!! They actually all love her more than they love me, butI am completely ok with that. They all make her feel as though she is their number one (and she probably is.) She adores each of them as much as I do!

I could go on and on, and probably will some day. But I love these 5. They are my number one men. I can't wait to make it 6! I am very blessed to have each and every one of them . I learn from them, and grow in there experiences. I could not have been born into a more perfect family, or married such an amazing man. I love you all! (Now you all have to leave me comments on here!)

IT'S A ..................

BOY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Our baby BOY will be here at the end of October!!!!!!!
We went to the doctor today.....and found out. Everyone in our house is VERY excited! More to come later!

Time flies!

Can you believe that this picture was taken over FIVE years ago. Precious baby Grace. She was born with a love of talking! It is overwhelming to think that this baby will start "big school" in 3 months. I've all ready taken off work for her first day of school. I will probably just sit around and cry all day, but I want to be there when she leaves, and as soon as she gets out. Anyone want to come spend that day with me? We got to go tour the school the other day. I must say, it is a very nice school, and everyone was very friendly. There is even a Kindergarten teacher who's first cousin used to cut my hair when we lived in Columbus....so we do have some home ties. Hopefully Grace will end up in her class. Grace was impressed to, if not a bit overwhelmed. She loved getting on the school bus, and eating a snack in the cafeteria. Tuesday is actually her last day in daycare. She's going to do camps through the YMCA this summer, to meet kids that will be at the same school, and to save us some money!
And speaking of time flying.....check out this chunk! He's ten months old....hard to believe! He LOVES his Uncle Wes and Aunt Kerry, but he ADORES his cousin Grace. We are thinking about kidnapping him, and keeping him forever! This was taken a couple of weeks ago. Mom and i had a great time taking their pictures. They share a love for the camera! But, wouldn't you if you were that precious!?!?!?
Grace finishes up soccer this weekend. We are all pretty sad. But, coach pitch starts next week, so at least we won't have 50,000 things going on at once. She's going to spend a week at a soccer camp at Mississippi State. She cannot wait!

In other news, baby Farmer is doing well. Only 2 more weeks until we find out its sex! And then before you know it, I'll be posting about he/she starting Kindergarten!

Since last time........

Well, the tooth did come out. We realized that the "big girl tooth" had all ready grown halfway in, so we encouraged her to wiggle it a bit more. Needless to say, Grace has a youth filled with braces to look forward to. She's so cute, and so proud of her new smile.
We got to spend last weekend in Louisiana for Joe and Paula's wedding. We had such a good time. We left Thursday after work, and got there in time to spend time with the "boys" in New Orleans. I was going to go out with the girls on Bourbon Street, but decided that might not be a good idea. (I'll get to that in a minute.) Grace (and Wes & I) really enjoyed seeing Uncle Joe and Uncle Richard. We haven't seen them since OUR wedding.
Friday we got up and went to Cafe du Monde. Grace thought that was the best thing EVER. She was COVERED in powdered sugar by the time we left. Zach came and met up with us and we shopped a while and just enjoyed the atmosphere in NOLA. Then we headed to Mandeville for the rehearsal dinner. We had a blast. We ate at a seafood restaurant, which was fabulous. And, with the exception of the bride, groom, and Richard, we had the most wonderful people at our table. It was so much fun.
Saturday was filled with wedding activities. The wedding was beautiful. I love weddings. I managed not to cry at my own, but I can't seem to make it through anyone elses. Paula was such a beautiful bride. Her bridesmaids were breath taking, and of course all the men looked stunning. The reception was fun. Grace danced the night away. Thank you to Ben, Roy, Joe, and Richard who did not mind having a 5 year old dance partner most of the night. Wes said at the reception that we were surrounded by more good people in that one room, than we might encounter in any given month. So very true.
We love you Joe and Paula! We wish you the most happiness. Thank you so much for allowing us to be a part of your special weekend!
One more thing, WE'RE HAVING A BABY! Yes, that's right! I'm 10 weeks now. So excited! I will most certainly be posting more later!
Oh--I have to leave on a sad note. My dad called me last night to tell me that Ron Polk (MSU's baseball coach) is retiring at the end of the season. Broke my heart. He is an amazing coach and a wonderful man. State will miss him.

Big Girl

WE officially have a "big girl" now. Not only is she five. Yes, I said it, she's five. But, a loose tooth on top of that. Are you kidding me? A Loose tooth, honestly? Soon my child will be a snaggletooth. But, she will be adorable. Soccer season started back!!!! I don't know who is more excited. Our first game isn't until the 29th, but practice is in full swing. Watch out Mia Hamm!
We are pretty much settled into our house. My adorable husband is going to by lawn equipment this weekend. For some reason he thinks I am going to keep up the flower beds. Yes, he should be committed.
I feel like I work and sleep, work and sleep. Very excited about getting out of town next weekend! Grace and I have been shopping for new dresses for our trip to NOLA. We cannot wait to spend some time with Joe, and Paula, and of course Uncle Richard.
Well....I'm off to the grocery store. Be jealous!

I Have Been Blessed

We are home from a long, exciting weekend in Columbus. We went home after ice-skating lessons on Saturday, and came back last night after Eli won the Super Bowl. And, no, I'm not going to jump on the Eli bandwagon now. I was very excited for him, but all of these people who have never watched a football game before, but are now the biggest Eli supporters crack me up. Me, I will stay on the Peyton bandwagon, but I am very happy for the Manning family. Their mother must be proud.
This week I had to go to an oncology class for work, and one of the topics covered was Death, and how we, as nurses, are to play a part, and how we are affected. One thing the lady teaching the class said that caught my ear was, "It is an honor and a privilage to be with someone as they are dying." How true is that? As a nurse, I get so much satisfaction when we get to send someone to the house, but it is such an honor to be with someone as they prepare to go Home. I work on a floor where people have come to terms with the fact that they may not go home. i have experienced death a few times prior to becoming a nurse, but never like this before. Yes, it was hard when I lost my grandfather in the 9th grade when he lost his battle to cancer, but I did not understand. And I spent lots of time being angry with God after he took Josh when I was a senior in high school. He was so young. I got to be by Beebish 's side when we found out that she, as well, would be going Home. I have experienced death in the hospital setting as well. but this week, I understood what a privelage it was. I have a hard time seperating my emotions from my nursing. Our patients stay a minimum of WEEKs at a time, some more like MONTHS. They become my family. I lost a dear, dear patient this week, and a dear, dear friend. I was lucky enough to be able to go to his visitation on Saturday, and what a blessing it was to me. Yes, it was one of the hardest things I have ever done. I became close to this man, and his family. He had been with us at the hospital since NOVEMBER! But, what an honor it was to be able to know this man is Home now, and no longer suffering. I will miss his smiling face, he never quit smiling. I will miss holding his hand when he was scared of what was going on. I will miss his wife's hugs, I will miss knowing that she is sitting in his room any time I want to go by and chat. I have truly been blessed. To be a part of this man's life.
I pray that when it is my time to go, that I have peace. And that everyone knows what they mean to me. I have had friendships that have dwindled over the years, and this weekend their importance came rushing back to me. God put all of those people in my life, and I feel such a longing to have them back. Our lives have taken us all seperate places, but they still have such an important place in my heart. They know who they are too, some I have talked to about this, others I am not sure how. But, I want o figure out a way. Ok, I have rambled enough, but I wanted to count my blessings today, and everyone to be aware of it. I have a beautiful family, wonderful friends, a God that loves me without end, and a job I adore. What more could I ask for?