Cute video of Carson close to crawling

God provides

I just wanted to share how God has provided for us recently. Richard's job is really hard for me sometimes. He works a 24 hr response job to fire and water damages to houses paid through insurance companies. (sorta like service master, but his company is very small) They travel all over Eastern PA and his hours are very crazy and not set at all. His "normal" hours are 8:30-4:30 but rarely does that happen, especially in the winter time with lots of pipes freezing. He could work late any given night or get called out once he is home any given night and also can be called out on weekends. it's small business so there is no organization or rythme or reason or schedule to how they do it. They are flexible with his school schedule and the fact that he works late a lot makes up for the days he goes in late due to classes. But needless to say, I can't plan anything ever (at least i feel like it's that bad) without always realizing that this will only happen if Richard can come home from work. He pulls a lot of long 13-15 + days, which help make up for the time he is in class, so he can get 40+ hrs. So we are always thankful for that but there are countless countless nights that frustrate me. I will have dinner almost done and get a call saying he isn't ocming home. Or I will plan on him helping me or going somewhere with me, only to be disappointed that he has to work. Never mind the fact that it puts a damper on his normal homework time. Well all this to say - this week I can be extra thankful for the job God provided for us. :-)

He came home the other day with 2 winter coats for me, 2 vera bradley bags for me, and 3 huge black trashbags full of clothes for Carson. All from 6 mths-18 month (some 24 mths), jeans, cordoroys, sweaters, long sleeves, button down dress shirts, sleepers, onsies, and of course it's all name brand. These people that have a damage in their home, if the insurance company is going to replace everything just throw it away, and that means Richard can take whatever he wants. We have in the past gotten our sleigh headboard and foot board, and an air conditioner, and so many other things. God is providing for us in an amazing way through this annoying job. :-) i was just thinking the other day that I was going to have to buy carson some things for the next size for this winter, but now I won't have to for a while. :-) God is so kind to us.

This is what our kitchen looked like as I endeavored to sort through things and wash it all. :-) It's all cleaned up now, but there was 5 loads of laundry that I did (and that was only the stuff I wanted to keep). Amazing!!!!

Race for the Cure

I had decided a long time ago that one of my "life" unspiritual goals in life would be to run in a race. Now that I don't play in competitive sports I have taken up running. I will admit I don't consider myself a "runner" but I'm on the road to being one. It took me about 2 yrs of doing it before I started enjoying it though.

I was planning on running in a local one around here last year, but in the middle of the summer I got pregnant and basically stopped running for about 11 months. I started up again as soon as I felt up to it (about2 and half months) after Carson was born. It was a slow process, but I set my goal to run in the Race for the Cure in September so I had that goal to work towards. It was only a 5 K, but it was lots of fun to do. I think that's pretty good for only having a baby less than 6 months ago. :-)

I wanted to do race for the cure in honor of My Grammie Spence (she is deceased, but did overcome Breast Cancer) and Richard's grandmother who has been in remission for a few years now, and Richard's mom who is fighting the battle right now. It was an honor for me to support research towards a cure for them, and also a great goal of mine to accomplish.

I ran it in about 27 min, which isn't too good, but 3 min better than I had been doing the week up until the race. So I was happy. I did it alone, and I would've like to have done it with someone, so next year that is my goal. :-) I loved it and will continue to do it.

Although I will admit, since the race I really don't have much determination to get up and run these days. :-)

WI/ MN trip

A week and half after I got back from the big CO trip, Carson and I left on another excursion.

We left on weds afternoon and traveled 3 hrs (My dady came and picked us up) to Altoona and stayed the night there. We were planning to leave early, but because Carson woke us all up earlier (3AM!!!) we just all decided to pack up the car and started our 15 hr road trip to NBBC, WI. My parents were so helpful and they had to drive out there to take my brother JEff to his 2nd year of college and they let me tag along. Needless to say I was pretty nervous about the 15 hr car ride with Carson, but he did great. Unfortunately I think it messed him up for the rest of the trip though.

We spent a night near NBBC, then after dropping JEff off we drove and hour and half to Rhinelander WI for Helaine Rozelle/Demarte's wedding. Again it was a privelege to be in her wedding and we had a great time. My parents were there and I seriously don't know what I would've done if they hadn't been there. They did such a great job watching Carson for me and I appreciated it so much. (because of the nature of the trip, I didn't have any bottles to give Carson so that added a new pressure to being in a wedding too). I'm sure they loved it, but they helped me out so much watching Carson for me.

Then the night after the wedding we drove 4 and half hrs to Minneapolis MN to visit with Juli ( my sister) and see her place and church etc. It was so much fun to see where she lives. We live so far apart that we don't get to see eachother too often and it was so much fun.

On MOnday (Labor day) I got up super early and flew home to be back with Richard. I was super nervous about flying by myself with Carson, and he had done pretty poorly on the trip so that made me even more nervous. But he did great again. Not as good as when Daddy was with us, but still manageable and didn't bother too many people with his screaming. :-)

Poor Carson slept in a different place every night and rode so many hours in a car, and his schedule was different every single day. So I guess taking all that into account, he did good. But it was pretty hard on the mother at nights especially. He jumped right back into routine though once we got home.

I had a great summer of travels but am thankful to be home for a while now. :-) We missed Richard while we were gone too.

CO Trip

So it's been sorta hard for me to keep up with this thing this summer. I've been pretty busy with trips and things.

In August we took a very big family trip out to CO to visit Richard's family, and for me to be a part of Rachel Pettit/Bercot wedding. We had some difficulty getting out there due to flights etc, but thankfully I didn't miss the rehersal or the wedding itself. (we were all excited because we were flying out of and back into the small airport right by our house, but it turned out to be a bigger ordeal than traveling to a big airport). Carson did amazing flying!!!! I was sorta nervous, but he just slept in our arms whenever he felt like it and relaxed in our arms the rest of the time. I think all the action kept his attention and he did wonderfully. I didn't worry about his nap schedule the rest of the trip. There was no way I could. But he really did a great job through it all.

Being in a wedding with a child and nursing adds a whole new dimension to all the events that go on. Thankfully Richard was there and basically I only had to worry about Carson when I was around to feed him. We stayed with Richard's brother Jason and Autumn (and Aspen) and had a great time with them. Rachel and Ethan are happily married and I have an obligation to make sure they stay together, being as I was in their wedding party. :-)

Oh one thing that was cool that we did for a bachelorette party was indoor skydiving. I must admit - I was pretty nervous about doing it, and I think nursing didn't help with the nerves at all. But boy it was really fun. Not scary at all, and an experience I would never have had other wise. A great thing to do for a bachelorette party.

After the wedding we went over the mountains to Grand Junction. (Where Richard and I lived our first year of marriage). Richard's parents and some relatives live there and it is such a beautiful place to live. We had a great great time. Relaxing SUNNY days. Not much planned every day and eating out tons. It was so fun for Carson to be with family like that and for him to meet them all. He is a good baby to show off because he smiles all the time at everyone.

Most of all it was so fun for the 3 of us to be together all day every day!!!! What a wonderful vacation.

Happy Birthday

Happy 25th Birthday to my self and my twin!!!

It's so funny how things change as you get older. Usually I like my birthday to be this huge ordeal and everyone know about it. :-)

This year I have better things to put my thoughts and efforts too. I still want to feel special on that day, but just having a family is enough for me and for us to be together when Richard gets off work. I guess I'm finally maturing about my birthday.

Jerelyn - (I know you never read this or go online, but I will tell you anways so my bloggers know I love you) Happy birthday!!!!! I love that we are twins, that we grew up together, that you are my sister for life. I love you with all of my heart and enjoy our phase of life that we have entered together. I pray for you a lot and love you so much. Have a good day!! :-)

Well as I wrote this - my day turned out to be rather bad. A lot of things went wrong with work and changed my plans for the day - and carson screamed for a long time. Oh well, you can't have a good birthday every year.

Now Richard is home and Carson is doing better and work is done. So the rest of the night will be a good birthday. :-) I am so thankful for my new family!!!!

Finally Summer around here.

It is finally summer weather in NEPA. It took until the beginning of August to get sunny and hot. But man do we appreciate it more now. :-)

We are busily doing things around here. It's so crazy how you feel so busy all the time but when you sit down to write about it, you can't think of anything specific. I guess life in general just keeps you busy.

Things around church (teaching SS, or weds night kids program, baking things for SS, taking meals to people, social events to attend) all contribute to some of our busyness.

My parents came by for a few nights last week. I was thankful because it was a free babysitting on wednesdays when I go to work, and I had a very busy day that day. It was fun to have them here. Then they drove to MA to visit my mom's family and on their way back to Altoona PA they stopped in again. Also I love being able to call my mom whenever I want. :-) A nice thing to have when I am used to the only contact being email. We have enjoyed talking a lot lately.

Over this past weekend it was so beautiful out on Saturday. I think it was the first Saturday this summer that it was beautiful weather and we didn't have to do anything or go anywhere and Richard was home from work this summer!!!! Wow! So we really enjoyed it. WE went to a park for a little and threw a football around and walked. Then came home and cooked on the grill. Lots of fun and very enjoyable.

Carson had his 4 month check up and seems to be doing great!!! Growing right on track staying in the 25th percentile. He did scream almost the entire time. It was during his nap time and after they checked him a little he just got so annoyed and flipped out. He didn't even realize they gave him a bunch of shots because he was already screaming so much. Oh well!!!!

My mother tells me he is a lot like me when I was a baby - when he is happy - he is REALLY happy and when he is mad - he is REALLY mad!! No middle ground, just like his mom. ;-) Overall though he is such a smiley baby. He is on a great schedule and sleeping through the night and taking wonderful naps with hardly any crying in his crib. when I go in to check on him he is pleasantly looking at his fingers talking or rolling around waiting for me to get him - when he sees me he always gives me the HUGEST grin. So so nice. :-) He has rolled over a few times from his back to his stomach is starting to figure out the whole wiggling/moving thing.

We gave him cereal this week for the first time. I think, like all babies, he hated the taste and the idea of swallowing something that was put into his mouth with a spoon, but we will keep practicing. :-)

Richard has been working far away but thankfully most nights he is home with us. It is so nice when the designated slow times at work really are slow. Carson and I have enjoyed seeing him in the evenings.

I have also been busy getting things ready for 2 weddings that I'm in. Making sure dresses fit me, working out travel plans, getting wedding presents etc.

Next on the calendar - Trip to CO!!!!!!!!!!!!! next weekend, Rachel Pettit's wedding and events and then a week in good ol' Grand Junction CO. I cannot wait to be out west seeing the mountains and cliffs of grand junction and spending time with Richard's side of the family. I truly am blessed by a great in-law family and miss them a lot while we live out here. So it will be fun to catch up. So I'm thinking and planning for that trip and cannot wait!!! Richard's mom has finished her Chemo treatments and soon will start radiation. As far as we know she is doing great through all of this. Carson Can't wait to meet her!!!!!!!!