My small attempt

Ok, after my Dad and Nonie died, I was obviously distraught. The only thing that made me feel better was thinking about how they, along with my Papa (my Mom's dad), were with mine and Kevin's future children and they were loving on them and getting them ready for their journey to us. I wrote a poem, with my limited 5th grade poetry skills, back in July of last year and saved it away on my flash drive for the time when we found out that our much anticipated little one would be making an appearance. I gave my Mom and some other family members a copy of it on Mother's Day. Well, I have decided to post it here as well since I have other family members that have contacted me saying that they have "heard about the poem" and wanted to see it. So, here it is, my feeble attempt at therapy/closure/grief-coping/trying to make sense of it all/all out love for my Dad, Nonie, and Papa.

• In the Garden
• The other day while playing on the Golden garden’s ground
• A group of people passed and a fellow turned around
• To me he looked familiar and I tried to find his name
• He walked right over to me, our eyes they looked the same,
• He asked me how I was doing and if I’d like to talk
• His eyes they were still staring, watching like a hawk.
• I began to stand and while I did, two others gathered round
• I knew these people two somehow, our hearts together bound
• I walked over to a bench, with my three new friends in tow
• The first fellow, he was so handsome I prayed he’d never go
• My two silver haired friends followed and sat beside me too
• As we all sat close beside, my love for them just grew
• The first fellow said to call him Tex and asked when I’d arrived
• I told him I’d always been here, and by God, I was derived
• God said I had a family but they weren’t ready yet
• I was waiting for the day, out on an adventure I would set
• One day a Three would find me and send me on my way.
• I told them how I’d spent my nights, dreaming of that day
• My second friend, he knelt and my third friend she was beside
• They said that they’re my 3 guardians - their faces filled with pride
• Tex said I look just like my Mom with the ringlets on my crown
• Then he began to cry but twas no sign of frown
• I wiped his tears on my snowy robe and touched his sweet, sweet face
• And in that instant it occurred to me, he was early in this place
• Tex scooped me up in his arms and turned to introduce
• He said this is “Nonie” and your “Papa” they’re my heavenly duece
• We three all loved you so, even before we met you here
• I felt their love radiate – it was so pure and clear
• They told me of my family and spoke of all of you
• They said I’m a bit of each of them, for you to hold on to
• Tex walked me to a door way and told me to prepare
• That I had 9 earthly months to ready for my journey there
• 9 months here it is just a flash and so I had to go
• I had a lot of preparing for the journey to below
• I am so very excited, I can’t wait to meet my family, you
• My 3 friends all loved you so, and I’m sure that I will too
• As I was leaving, Tex reached out and stroked my downy hair
• He got down on my level and again in my eyes began to stare
• He said for me to rest and work really hard to grow
• Before I knew it, the months will be gone, and I’d have to go
• He squeezed me tight and told me to pass that squeeze to you
• Cause every embrace where I am involved, he is squeezing too.

So, there you have it, I am little nervous that you guys will think that it is silly...but oh, well! It made me feel better!

• Ciao!

The Bumblebee's First Ensemble

I caved in and bought the first item for the Bumblebee. There is a great shop down in Mountain Brook called White Flowers. It is one of my very favorite shops. It is a bit pricey, but it is a great! Anyone who has read this blog for any length of time knows how special dragonflies are to our family, so it was only appropriate that the first thing that we have bought has dragonflies on it. It is SUPER sweet, and I can't wait to put it on our little one.

Ten on Tuesday (The Thursday Edition)

Not a lot going on around here. But I thought that I would do a 10 on Tuesday/Thursday anyway.

1. Who ever created these mini-terms for school should be tied to a tree in their underwear.
2. How is it that gaining 2lbs has caused all my formerly, saggy too big pants to begin to fit again?
3. I have always been a sleeper, I can sleep any time, any where, but it has gotten WAAAAY worse lately. I mean seriously, who falls asleep at 8:00, sitting up on the couch?
4. For the love of all that is holy...please God, send us cheaper barrels of oil. This whole $85 to fill up the Explorer is really putting a cramp on my social life.
5. I think it should be mandatory that ALL maternity leave is paid. I mean really, 6-8 weeks with no pay...not fair!
6. The bumblebee wants fruit, soft pretzels and hot fries (not together). Seriously, that is all that I care to eat.
7. I know at least 7 other people that are due in December...Spring Fever??
8. Thank the Lord for 3 day weekends!
9. 17 days until my birthday.
10. I don't have anything to say for #10.

Ciao!

I've Been Tagged

I was tagged by Candi.

• Things I did 10 years ago (1998)

1. Graduated from Austin High School.
2. Started college at Birmingham-Southern.
3. Went on a cruise to the Bahamas for graduation.
4. Was there when Ms. Britney Rose was born

• Things I did 5 years ago (2003)

1. Bought my first house in Vestavia Hills, AL
2. Got my 01-Explorer a.k.a. "Booger"
3. Was thinking about going to Law School
4. Gained a new Best Friend....Love you Mandaquita

• Things I did yesterday

1. Worked...then again, that is pretty much everyday
2. Wrote 2.5 papers...4 down, 7 to get done before Sunday
3. Talked with Kitty and my Mom
4. Had Chick-Fil-A for lunch

• 4 things I love to do

1. Read Books
2. Sew
3. Hang with "The Boy"
4. Spend time with the Fam

I Tag..Mandy...and anyone else who hasn't been tagged!

All the details!

Thank you everyone for the well wishes. We are pretty excited and say our prayers every night for a safe, happy, healthy pregnancy and baby. OK, I am going to attempt to answer everyone's questions.

1. Surprisingly, we were not expecting this. I know weird for people going through infertility. We had taken the month of April "off" since I had a cyst and it was exam time for school. While it is not impossible to get preggers while you have a cyst, it is not very likely, especially for someone like me who hasn't ovulated on my own since we started tracking all of this stuff.
2. We found out on April 23 but waited to tell anyone (except for a few people...I mean good grief, we were about to burst with excitement) until we had the ultrasound and knew everything was OK and also until we told our families (which we did on Mother's Day).
3. I am 7 weeks 6 days today.
4. We DO intend to find out what gender we are expecting as soon as they are able to tell.
5. We are due on (or around) December 24th....great timing right? I always said that it would really suck to have a Christmas Birthday...well, be careful what you say.
6. My Mother FREAKED out...it was awesome
7. I can't believe this is happening to us....we are truly blessed.

Well that is all I can think of, thanks again for all the support..you guys really are great!

Ciao!

By the Numbers

• $700 in copays

• $674 in "other" charges and procedures

• $126 in parking deck fees

• 1 HSG

• 8 months of "the old fashioned way"

• 344 days at the IF Clinic

• 600 Days since we began

• 26 pregnancy tests

• 68 vials of blood

• 2 cyles of Clomid

• 4 Resting Cycles because of cysts

• 22 "Woo Hoo" ultrasounds

• 1,000,000 desperate prayers

• 3 guardian angels

• 17 Pregnant friends

• 1 precious moment that made it all worth it.

Grades

Well, I got my grades for this semester. Not too bad, not really what I wanted, but not bad either. Only 2 MORE CLASSES! YAY!

• E-Commerce: A
• International Business: B
• Marketing Strategy: B

My last 2 classes are this summer. One of them (Conflict Resolution) is a mini-term and will run for 2 weeks starting 05/13. This is good I guess because that means that I will only have 1 class of work for the summer, but it also means that 16 weeks of classes, homework and assignments will be crammed into 2 weeks. Not so fun, but at least it will pass quickly.

CIAO!

M.I.A

I realize that I have been MIA. I have been SUPER busy and so I have definately been slacking on the posts. I promise I will get back in the swing of things next week. Check back Monday for what I promise will be a relatively entertaining post! Ciao!

This one is for you Candi!

KEY LIME PIE

• 4 large eggs, separated
• 1 can 14oz sweetened condensed milk
• 1/2 cup key lime juice ( can substitute for 7 tablespoons of lemon juice and 1 tablespoon lime juice.
• 8 or 9 inch graham cracker crust
• 1/4 teaspoon cream of tartar
• 1/3 cup sugar

1. Preheat oven to 350
2. In a medium bowl, with a electric mixer, beat the egg yolks until lemon colored. Blend in the condensed milk. Gradually add the lime juice. Pour the mixture into the pie shell. Bake for 15 minutes. Remove from the oven to cool slightly on a wire rack, but leave the oven on.
3. In a medium bowl with a electric mixer (clean beaters) beat the egg whites with the cream of tartar until soft peaks form. Gradually beat in the sugar until stiff, glossy peaks form. Spread the egg whites over the pie making sure the meringue overlaps the crust all the way around to create a seal.
4. Bake for 15 minutes or until the meringue is golden. Let cool then refrigerate until chilled about 2 hours.

****We add 1 more tbsp of Lime Juice than it calls for, if you can't find keylime juice, which we never can. You can add a smidge of green food coloring if you want it to be green.