Ginna's Award Ceremony...

Pretend That You're Reading This Post On May 4th... (o;

The Story of Ginna Rose
(Included here for those of you who don't have Facebook...yet.)
Not long after Brad and I were married in November of 1998, we began discussing the possibility of having a baby. More accurately, I began begging non-stop until he gave in. (o: Nine months after our wedding, and after what felt like a lifetime of disappointing months, I was expecting. Brad decided early on that he did not want to know the sex of our baby. I, of course, did... So, on the day of our ultrasound, we tried to find out if we would be bringing home a boy or a girl. To this day, I believe that the ultrasound technician chose not to tell us because she knew that Brad wanted to be surprised. If I could track her down, I would thank her for that. (o: By late April, the nursery was decorated in a neutral theme and I was more than ready to not be pregnant anymore. The nearly 70 pounds I had gained during my pregnancy was making it difficult to do most anything and I was miserable. At my final Dr.'s appointment, my OB agreed to schedule my induction for May 4th. My OB came in that morning a little after 8:00 a.m. and broke my water. By 8:45, I was in very heavy labor, and I was begging (ok, screaming) for an epidural. The anesthesiologist came in to administer my epidural, but it was too late. The baby was crowning as I sat on the edge of my hospital bed. After a few chaotic and terrifying minutes, my OB came in and delivered our baby at 10:11 a.m. And, then, I heard my very favorite phrase... "It's A Girl." Because we didn't know if we were having a boy or a girl, I hadn't told anyone that I desperately wanted a daughter. I had tried to tell myself that I would be just as happy with a son, but the truth is that I couldn't imagine myself as a mother to a boy. My God does not make mistakes. My precious, oldest daughter is the sweetest gift to our family and I can't imagine my life without her. Happy Birthday, my sweet girl. I love you...

Ginna and Avery wrote and performed a Mother's Day song for my mom and me. It was, by far, the best gift I've ever been given. I'm so proud... (o;

Poor Me..

Today, I'm having a pity party and you're invited... Since Sydney was born 5 1/2 years ago, my monthly visits from mother nature have become increasingly brutal. So much so, that in Novemeber, I spent two days in the hospital with what the Dr's originally diagnosed as appendicitis. Turns out, it was only a really bad cycle. Since then, they've not been bad enough to be admitted to the hospital, but still enough to ruin at least a week out of every month. I'm tired and discouraged and wondering what to do next. My OB/GYN prescribed birth control pills, but they literally made me crazy while I was on them. I just couldn't function normally. (Ask Brad; it was terrible.) Now, I'm wondering if I should just elect to have a hysterectomy and be done with this junk forever, but the thought of doing something so permanent freaks me out a little.
Anyway... I know there are many, many people out there that have much bigger health issues to deal with and I really shouldn't be complaining. However, this issue is really beginning to effect my quality of life and something is going to have to be decided very soon. Keep me in your prayers if you think of it. I really appreciate it. (o:

Oops...

When I started this blog, I had every intention of keeping it current. I have failed... Life has been quite a whirlwind since just before Christmas, when we made the decision to do whatever it took to sell our house in Falcon. The good news is that we moved on February 1st to a great house 5 minutes from the girls' school. Our life has changed drastically for the better and we're so happy in our new home. The girls have adjusted nicely and are getting used to not having to share their rooms with anyone. Much fun...
I'm on my way out to a friend's purse party, but I will do my best to get caught up this weekend. Much love to you all...

25 Random Things About Me

I was recently challenged by several of my Facebook friends to write 25 random facts about me that they may not have already known. Since I've neglected my blog over the last several weeks, I thought I'd include it here as well...

1. I LOVE grape Gatorade.
2. I have the most rare blood type on earth.
3. I fell in love for the first and only time when I was 17 years old.
4. I work best under pressure, which justifies my tendency to procrastinate.
5. I am a good friend.
6. I consider myself a liberal conservative, which annoys many of my Christian friends...
7. I often use humor as a defense mechanism.
8. I will write a book someday, but haven't yet decided if it will be fiction or self-help. (o:
9. I've known my two closest friends for 24 years.
10. I am learning to forgive...
11. I struggle daily to wrap my head around the role that God's grace and capacity for forgiveness has played in my life and the life of my family.
12. I love to laugh.
13. (Just for you, Carmen and Amy) I spell words in my head as I say them... Before you ask, yes - I know that it isn't "normal."
14. I am a work in progress, but proud of who I am today and who I am becoming.
15. My husband and daughters are my biggest source of joy.
16. I wanted badly to become an Opthalmologist, but... God had other plans. (o:
17. I bought my first house when I was 18.
18. I enjoy painting... Not art, just walls and such.
19. So far, my 30's are waaaay better than my 20's were.
20. I was born in Albuquerque, New Mexico, but Colorado Springs is (and probably always will be) home.
21. I started going grey in my early 20's.
22. I was raised as an only child, but have a wonderful half-brother... I wish he and his family lived closer. )o:
23. I am not very domestic, but I try...
24. I helped make 3 really amazing people... (Brad helped a little too)
25. I would really like it if all my friends would post this note about themselves!

And...

In other happenings over the last couple weeks, we had our first "big snow." It really wasn't all that dramatic, but it was enough to delay school on Monday and almost pick my kids up from school early on Tuesday. From what I hear, we have another round of yuk coming up this week. Pray for a snow day; I could really use one... (o:



On a happier note, we got a new washer and dryer!! Sadly, I am ridiculously excited about my new appliances and have managed to get more laundry done since I got them, than I normally do. Surely, this is a sign that I am getting old. Seriously, though, aren't they gorgeous? Thanks to my parents, as they bought them for us for Christmas...

Last Friday, we and the Moraleses miraculously found ourselves simultaneously bored on a Friday night. So, they came out to the country for a visit... We had way too much fun, as usual, and determined that the timer on my little camera works quite well. (As evidenced in this self portrait.)

And, finally... the highlight of my decade. My amazing husband surprised me with a belated 10th anniversary present. I'd mentioned an "upgrade" to my current wedding ring several (ok, maybe more like a million) times, but we had decided that it wasn't financially wise to upgrade this year. I'm not easily surprised, but Brad managed it somehow. It's beautiful and I love it...

So, it seems to me that I've had a pretty great couple of weeks. Here's hoping that our good times continue... (o: