6 Random things......

Ok, sister! Here are 6 random things about me.....

Here goes.

1. I love, love shopping for Maddie! We have so much fun. EVERYTHING is so b-e-a-u-t-i-f-u-l to her! She wants it all.... of course, we don't get it (unless her Daddy is there) but, it's fun to shop with her!

2. I love baseball. Everything about it excites me. I love the sound of the ball as it is hit off of the bat and I especially love it when my son is the one doing the hitting!

3. I don't like garlic anymore! After Madelyn came along the smell makes me SICK! I was at a restaurant with Michael and ate a bite of the most beautifully prepared chicken I have ever seen! That bite made me want to hurl because hidden inside was a HUGE CLOVE of garlic! Ughhhhhhhhhh....

4. I love the holidays.... It is one of the times of year I can remember all the special times with my grandmother! Cookies baking, cinnamon brewing on a pot on the stove, candles burning, christmas decorations, christmas carols, and sales at the mall! I close my eyes and can see her and it brings back such precious times to me!

5. I love to spend time with my hubby.... sometimes he annoys me. But, when we get to go to a quiet dinner with no children, it's special to us. L.O.V.E. it! My favorite is french onion soup and crackers @ Flemings. Maybe a little somethin somethin to go with it! (Since no kiddos r there, of course!) ;)

6. I love to pick my son up from school. That's one of my favorite things to do. Love to hear about his day and listen to all of the 5th grade "problems"! He is such a talkative little boy and he tells me EVERYTHING he has done. He has such conviction that he also tells me everything he didn't do! What I mean is, he tells me what he could have done wrong but, didn't! For instance, getting an extra gusher fruit snack at lunch from the snack bar! Wow! That is one of the qualities I love about Jared. He lives with more conviction than any child I know.... Madelyn, on the other hand, well..... she's a whole 'nother blog! :)


That should b six things u might not know about me..... Or maybe u might have known some of them! LOL

That was fun..... I need to blog more! I do miss it!!!! ;)

I'm not a Blogger anymore, am I?!?!?!?

Just got our pics back! I love the Fall..... It seems like we were just getting out of school, though! Time flies. I am reminded of that every time I look at pictures of my babies. Well, Bubbie really isn't that much of a "baby" anymore! (just in size, though) He is growing into such a fine young boy. I am so very proud of him. So smart, athletic, respectful, humble, loving, I could go on and on about Jared. Madelyn, WOW! She gives me fits lots of times but, she has such a spirit about her. She has such a compassionate heart. She loves babies and I think she is going to grow up to have at least F-I-V-E! She tells me that almost daily. In her hoarse voice, "Mommy, I'm gonna grow up big like you and have five babies....two are in my belly now! A boy and a girl!" Wow! She amazes me! I look at my kids and husband and thank my God so much! I am truly Blessed beyond measure! My cup runneth over with blessings! Enjoy this beautiful weather, girls!




Pssss.... They look nothing like "little Wiggy's" do they, Jean Ann?!?!?!?!

Sum, sum, summatime!

Wowsers! It has been way to long since I have posted! I am probably not even considered a blogger anymore, huh?!? ;) Where to begin..... this summer has flown by sooooooo fast! Seems like yesterday Jared was getting out of school and now we are about to be in the process of buying school supplies and getting ready to start back up. We have been busy with baseball most of the summer and now it has come to an end. Jared was getting a little tired of the "schedule" and just yesterday he told me again, "mom, I miss baseball when can we start again?" Goodness! Mommie needs a little break! :) Well, my sweet husband is taking me on a trip to Cabo next month and I am so excited! I can't wait to do NOTHING! No bed making , no laundry, no cleaning, or cooking! YES! Well, attached are some pics of my sweet babies having fun during this summer that has literally flown by before my eyes! Enjoy!

(Don't you LOVE my camera, Jean Ann?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?) ;)

Baseball.... Baseball......

Wow, my life is consumed with baseball right now! As I am typing this my sweet Jared has left again to practice. This consumes from 4-6 days of our week, every week! Lots of people think we are crazy for doing this..... but, our son has such a passion for ball. He loves it so very much! I have to admit there are but only a few other things in this world I would rather do than watch my baby play ball! I get so into it!! I am one of those loud mouths that is yelling for their son... "Baseball ready, Bubbie!", "Swing hard, Jared!", "Glove down, Bub!" and so on and so on! You name it, I've yelled it. But, I have asked Jared SEVERAL times, if he wants me to be quiet. His response is ALWAYS, nooooo way! I have to have you yell at me, momma. I don't play the same if you don't. For those who know Jared, he has high hopes and dreams for his future. He tells us, he is going to play ball and graduate from Rice, then he is going to be drafted by the Cardinals! He says, "Momma, I'm gonna buy you and Daddy a BIG BIG house and you will have a chef and a maid so you won't ever have to cook or clean again! (Gotta love my baby boy!:)) So, in about 12 years or so, you will see this crazy mom on the sidelines yellin for her major leaguer to get his glove down and swing hard! Because, I know my Bubbie, he will always want me to do that, RIGHT?!?!?!?!?!

My journey to who I am now......

Wow, when I look back and see where God has brought Michael and I, I am amazed! We met in highschool and much to peoples disappointments, we fell in love and have been together every since. We were married in January of 97 and Jared came along in January of 98. He was such a blessing to everyone and could brighten our days in an instance. His dimples would make me melt... Jared is Michael's right hand man and always has been but, he longed for a girl. He loved his son dearly but, always said he wanted a baby girl to "complete" us. That is truly where our spiritual journey really began because, up until then I really never felt a need to fast or pray as fervently as I should. My Aunt Karen had passed away in the Spring of '01 from cancer and she was like a mom to me. She would tell me all the time how important my relationship with God would be in my marriage. She would always tell me that I should live my life knowing that I will leave a legacy to my children. A legacy of love for our lord and a legacy of love to my children. She knew I wanted another baby and we all would pray for the Lord to answer our prayers. So many times I would weap because I had tried for so long and nothing happened. Fertility drugs were so expensive and our insurance did not cover them... In the fall of '03 my grandmother became very ill. Everyone knows the battle and struggles she fought. But, through it all she would pray with me, in agreement. Just like we all use to do with my Aunt Karen before she passed. After four years of fasting a prayer I found out I was pregnant..... I believe God gave Madelyn to me so that I could experience that joy of finding out I conceived with my grandmother. I remember like it was yesterday..... I found out I was pregnant at night and ran across the street to tell my grandmother, who by then was confined to bed. She looked at me with tears in her eyes and said, "God has granted our petition, it is a girl Shanna Ann!". My grandmother went to be with her lord that May and Madelyn Mary-Elizabeth graced us with her presence on November 1, 2004. I look at her and see my grandmothers love. I see her legacy. It is weird to say that my grandmothers death changed me, in a good way. It changed the way I see my life. Everything I do is for my kids. It's all about leaving them a legacy to pass on to their kids and grand kids just as my precious aunt and grandmother did for me. Through all my heartache my Lord was there helping me get through it. The Lord is our stronghold in times of trouble..... My aunt said that over and over. The holy spirit told me to write about this..... kinda funny for one of my first posts. :) Maybe someone will read this who is having trouble conceiving. Realize that we were on God's timeline, not our own. My Aunt Karen wrote this...... "Sometimes we are not hungry but just want to eat. We must be hungry for God and what he has for us. CLAIM THE PROMISE OF GOD!!" God promises his faithfulness and answers to prayers and fasting. Through some of the absolute most difficult times in my life I found this! The hunger my aunt spoke of..... Hunger and good things happen!!! ;)

Thanks to my fav. sis-in-law........

I am starting a BLOG, what the heck am I doing? Because as Jean Ann can tell you, I have all the time in the world for this! My days start early and end late so, when in the world will I have the time? Well, as I was contemplating starting this blog I thought to myself, MAKE TIME! It looks like fun and will probably keep me off the phone venting to Jean Ann. Now I have another outlet to express myself, i guess! :) So, Bloggers Beware.... I am new at this and don't know wht the heck I'm doing. But, here goes nothin! :)