Things I Want to Remember

I cannot believe our boys are 8 weeks old now!  What!?!  We have their 2 month check-up tomorrow!  I'm so anxious to see their exact weights, they have grown so much!  I don't have much time these days and am writing this on my iPad while reaching around baby heads on my tandem nursing pillow, but there are things I want to remember about this time, so I'm going to jot down a few while the boys take a quick nap after fueling up.

-Noah's smile after he nurses.  He pulls back, relaxes, and smiles..he loves to eat and be full.  He is a pleasant baby when his belly is full.

-Hunter is the king of fuss.  He is colicky and is paying me back for being the same way at his age!  I am looking forward to the end of this part, because the few times a day that he is happy, he is so sweet.  He is a studier, he loves looking around and watching faces and he loves the outdoors and sunshine in his face. He finds the sun, and just closes his eyes, it's sweet:).  This is the reason he has obtained the nickname "the doctor"..as in Dr. Jeckyll/Mr. Hyde..I know, we're terrible.

-Noah is a yeller!  He doesn't really cry much, but when something is wrong (usually it's because he's "hangry"), he hollers...like screams in your face, followed by at least three coughs, and accompanied by not a single tear.  I think he's going to have the temper.  We fondly call him "the dictator". :)

-Hunter is the happiest when he's nursing, he actually uses me as a paci more than to actually eat, but it's hard to tell which he is needing..it's all a learning process.

-Both boys rolled over from tummy to back at three weeks, within 5 minutes of each other!  They haven't done it again since then, but it was so neat that they did it that close together.  And so the competition begins!

-They both somewhat chuckle in their sleep but not consciously yet, oh how I wonder what they could possibly be dreaming of.

-Noah especially likes being naked now that it's warmer, he gets so wide eyed and just kicks and is generally happy, I can see a lot of diapers only days this summer!

-Hunter's favorite way to sleep is sideways across the front of me, turned in towards me, with a paci..I think it goes back to feeling like he's nursing.

-Noah's favorite sleeping position is up and down, facing towards me, and he likes to ball up just like he did in the womb, he's stretching out a little more often now, but he still defaults to the potato bug position.

-Hunter is a very quiet sleeper and sleeps with his mouth open a lot.

-Noah snores sometimes, it's so cute, he sleeps much lighter than Hunter and startles easily.

-Hunter likes music.  Sometimes it will calm him down, he also likes "dancing" to faster songs..I think it's probably because it feels like rocking or bouncing.

-Both boys LOVE water!  Bath time is their favorite time of day.  It's an instant calming tool.  Getting out and being lotioned up, however, commences the crying and shouts of disapproval.  We will be getting a baby pool for the summer.

-We are struggling with trying to get them on the same sleep schedule at night.  They are both babies who wake up immediately if not being held, which is hard when sleep is needed for the adults.  Their growth spurts (or when they are hungrier, and more often) happen on different days, which means while one may have been able to sleep for 4 hours straight at night, he is awakened at the 1 1/2 - 2 hour mark by his brother.  We are also facing troubles co-sleeping.  They did really well with that for a few weeks, and I was hopeful that we had figured something out, but now, both no longer want their brother next to them, and they both want to be on the side next to me.  Scratching my head on this dilemma, I'm needing sleep.  They no longer nap at the same time either.  Boo.

-Both are ticklish, especially on their backs, sides, and feet.  Right now, they squirm, I can't wait until they giggle!

-Noah does well with car rides, he usually falls asleep and rides peacefully.  Hunter is not on board yet, he screams most everywhere we go.

-Noah's baby hair is reddish, but I think as it's thinning/falling out and the new comes in, it's looking more white blonde like his dad's.  The red matches his temper though.

-Hunter's baby hair is brown, but also looks like it has a little red in it in the sun, like mine does.  His new growth is coming in as a darker blonde.  I'm excited to see what their colors will be once they're done changing.

I look forward to new things to come, I know they change and grow so fast, I just don't want to forget a thing!

Our Miracles Are Here!

Aren't they beautiful!?!?

Our boys made their arrival!  6 weeks early, but healthy and hefty!  Hunter was 6 lbs. 5 oz., and Noah was 5 lbs. 4 oz.  Hefty for 34 week twins, anyways:)  They turned 6 weeks old this past Monday, so this is super late, but life has been quite a wild ride lately!  Not much time, and lots of adjusting!  They only had to spend a week in NICU for monitoring, and helping with their eating, as well as getting their blood sugars up, so we were very blessed with healthy boys!  I am typing this out really quickly as they take a short morning nap before we start getting ready for my 6 week post-op appointment today.  Doesn't seem real!  Hunter broke my water on February 3, shortly after 6 am.  My doctor, who was thankfully on call that morning, took them by c-section, as planned, and Hunter was born at 7:22 am, and Noah at 7:24 am.  I am thankful we planned on c-section, as Noah's cord was wrapped around his neck twice.  God's hand was in all of this, and I will write the whole story soon.  But for now, we have two beautiful baby boys, and we couldn't be happier.  Well maybe if we were getting some sleep;o)

Our Baby Shower!

Our shower was incredibly beautiful!  We were so blessed, and surrounded by so many loved ones, helping us celebrate our baby boys.  My sisters did such a wonderful job, I have never seen a baby shower so breathtaking!  They did a vintage Christmas theme, and the food was amazing!  Such a spread!  We had a hot beverage bar w/ all kinds of mix-ins, a galvanized bucket full of iced drinks, chocolate dipped pretzel rods, a variety of finger sandwiches, sausage balls, a buckeye cheese ball (which is like a peanut butter ball in dip form!!) with all sorts of goodies to dip in it, cupcakes, chex mix, and puppy chow...a variety of chips and three different types of dips!  And I'm still not sure I listed everything!  It was outta this world!  We also have amazing friends that came early to help out, Megan, Ashley, Jennifer, and Renea all showed up to help however needed, and I appreciate them so much!  My mom worked her tail off getting the house ready, cleaned, and decorated for Christmas too.  I can't say thank you to all of these special women enough.  They pulled off a perfect shower.  And now, for some pictures!

Directing Guests:

The beautiful back patio:

Come on in!

The drinks and mix-ins bar:

The elf name game (there were a lot of good ones...mine was Sparkle Jingle Bells, the funniest being Foxy Glitter Bottom!)

What a display!

Mom's Christmas Candy Shop:

The hot drinks:

There were lanterns and candles all over, the whole house was so cozy.

The main food table:

SO MUCH FOOD!

Chips and Dips:

Presents!!!

Three of the lovely ladies who pulled it all off, my Ashwee, Megan, and Ashley A.

A few of the sweet guests:

Jason's Aunt Crystal:

Jason's Great Aunt Pearl, his Dad's cousin, Ann, and his Aunt Debbie:

One of the lovely hostesses, Alaina was behind the camera the whole time!

My bee-you-tee-ful Momma:

My sweetie had everyone cracking up, of course!

Helper Renea:

This is not even half the guests or the stuff we got, things and people were flooded through the rest of the house, and we received gifts through the mail from those who couldn't make it.  We have been "showered" with many of the things we needed.  My parents bought us the Cadillacs of car seats, and Jason's dad bought us the crib(s), so those were both big ticket items that we were very grateful to receive!  We also got swings, a bouncer, a twin stroller, adorable clothes, a special train set, gift cards and money to fill in what we still need, the twins Willow Tree figurines, books, and an assortment of all other kinds of baby goodies!  We are pretty well prepared for these little fellas to get here in only a few months!  I think the shower sent me into nesting mode, I am loving getting everything together, washing their little clothes and blankies in the yummy smelling Dreft, setting up the crib (they are sharing for a little while), etc.  I can't say thank you enough to everyone involved in pulling this off, and everyone who came..we love you all!

A Bit Late!

We found out two weeks ago what we're having, but with moving coming next week, pulling stuff off walls, appointments, tons of phone calls, and trying to sort out what we have to take home and what TMO is going to pack up, blogging got sidelined.  And thank goodness TMO is back up and running, so we don't have to move it all by ourselves, I can't imagine how scrambled I would be then!  So, here is our 20 week update and what we are looking forward to having...

Yay for sweet boys!  We are so excited to welcome these little guys at the first of the year, Noah Wayne and Hunter Ray!  I am feeling them more, and stronger these days.  Twice now, I've been able to feel them with my hand, Jason has yet to catch them yet, and he's so anxious to!  They are supposed to weigh around a pound each now, how cool is that!?  Our appointment on the 15th was wonderful, they both were very active and a little stubborn.  They didn't want to sit still for their measurements and pictures.  We go back Monday (I'll actually be 21 weeks tomorrow!), and we will get to see them again, I hope whoever we get in with in Winston Salem will be as good as the doctors in Wilmington have been, I will really miss them!  But, man, I am ready to be home with our family again!

Just some notes I want to remember about this stage of pregnancy:

-I am starting to feel the results of the added weight in the front, it doesn't take much for my back to just wear out.  I see one of those multiples support straps in my near future.  Other than that, and still getting tired pretty easily, I feel pretty good, and am just so thankful that the boys are doing so well, growing, and letting me know more and more of their presence.  I am still amazed at these precious miracles, and feel beyond blessed!  

-There are many a night that I wake up, and all I can think of is having an apple and glass of milk, so that's what we have:)  I'm loving avocados, and due to the price and the fact that I am horrible at picking good ones, I can't get my fill!  Pickles are still delish.  And chocolate has made it's way back onto my favorites list. For a long time, I had no desire for sweets, but that's come back a little bit, specifically cupcakes and Twix bars.  I have to limit these, of course, but they are so good! 

-I am finding it harder to maneuver in bed now.  I have to sleep slightly propped up, and rolling over is a chore.  My hips hurt, and using about 5 pillows in different positions is helpful, yet doesn't help the maneuvering issue!  

-My feet disappeared a while ago, and I can no longer breath when putting on socks/shoes.  My husband and family think this is funny.  My feet/ankles have started swelling some when I'm on them a lot or when we travel.

-My husband is amazing.  I get a foot rub/back massage almost every day, and there are never any complaints (well almost never) when a craving hits and he's heading to the store at all different times of the day or night.  Plus, he won't argue, he gives in almost immediately (I think he's afraid of tears or rage..not sure which one), he's my peacekeeper.

-Buying baby clothes is so much fun!  They have come a long way with boy clothes since I bought for my sweet nephew.  Plus, it is fun buying some matching things, and other things that just coordinate.  I've had to reign it in for now until we get through this transition and J gets a new job (several prospects, praying for the right one to present itself!).

-I'm one of those fortunate women whose face gets round with pregnancy.  I resemble a pregnant chipmunk.

Okay, I'm wrapping up for now.  I probably won't post until after we're moved.  I can't believe that in 8 short days, we will be completely moved home!  

Change...and lots of it!

It's funny how life can completely change in the span of one day.  We were fully counting on Jason extending his military contract to stay in until after the twins are born.  That's not happening now.  His extension didn't get approved, and as of December 1, we will be considered "civilians" again.  We are scrambling.  I am slightly panicking.  We have to get our house moved, figure out what we want to do with the house, figure out job security, insurance (especially with twins coming soon!), and so on, so forth.  In the middle of all of this, there are so many things that we are so thankful for.

1. We have an amazing family who have already jumped into action planning, and helping.  We are able to move in with my Daddy & Momma until we get through this transition, get a job, and are able to find something to live in.  They are all jumping to figure out how to move us, and help in many ways since I'm not as spry as normal;o)
2. Our babies are moving a good bit now, and I'm able to feel little flutters and bumps throughout the day.  They are constantly reminding me that they are still my joy through this!
3. TMO.  They are the moving company for the military.  They will come in and pack everything as well as move it.  Ashley and Matt have so graciously let us use their large basement to store everything until we get another place, thus saving us a good bit on storage fees.
4. An amazing support system, including family, friends, and a wonderful church family who are praying us through this, and putting their feelers out for job opportunities for J.
5. The fact that Momma will be here Monday, and that Tuesday we will be going in to find out the genders of the twins!  We are all so excited!
6. And, more than anything, that our God is SO good, and always faithful.  In my moments of insecurity, panic, or confusion, He is always there.  We have felt in so many ways, that this was God closing the door on J's military career.  We have been on the fence about it, and both of our hearts' desires are to be back home.
7. With a few health scares through the pregnancy, it is comforting to think that we will be near our support soon, making it easier for them to get to us, and close by for when the babies come!

As scary as this new season in our lives is, we feel God in every part of it.  There's still a lot that we don't know, but we know that God has a plan for us, and we are trusting in that.

Last week, in Walmart of all places, I decided to pass out.  Well, not really decided, my body kinda forced it on me.  Luckily, I had the foresight to get to the floor, and also J was with me.  I had a seizure, and woke up throwing up (this is a horrifying experience, let me tell ya, throwing up in public has always been a big fear of mine, I've decided that I will probably never show my face at that particular Walmart again).  After a long night in the ER, I was sent home with instructions to rest, and that this sometimes happens.  Geez.  But, the babies are fine, and I got an unplanned visit from Ashley.  After lots of rest, and some major blood sugar monitoring (they went nuts afterwards, thanks in part to the fact that the ER staff didn't give me any of my night time meds despite asking for them), I am on the mend health wise.  I'm still trying to overcome a lot of anxiety when I go anywhere, and we've decided it's not a good idea for me to go anywhere alone.

With all of this to say, I'm not doing a 2 week chalkboard update this week.  I'd rather stretch it to 3 weeks and do the next one when we know the genders:)  But, I wanted to post a few pictures of baby related happiness.

Jason came home from work a few weeks ago with a present.  I love presents.  This one made me so happy!  A Willow Tree to celebrate our miracles, and an owl tea-light holder.  Did I mention I love presents?  Especially ones like these.  He knows me really well.

I can't see my feet anymore.  It happened so fast, but with them being between 4.5-5 inches each crown to rump, plus all of their "baggage", I can't say I was too surprised.

And a profile shot.  They have moved up over the past 2 weeks, and I'm carrying higher now, and they have pulled to the front a lot more.  I can tell too.  Heartburn is so much fun.  I'm also thankful for Zantac.  Especially since I still love pickles, and they give me heartburn.

As I wrap this up, we are asking for all the prayers we can get.  We covet them, and would appreciate them more than we could ever express.  Thank you for checking in with me today, be back soon with our exciting reveal (praying they both cooperate)!

Jeremiah 29:11-13

New International Version (NIV)

11 For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. 12 Then you will call on me and come and pray to me, and I will listen to you. 13 You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.

15 Weeks

1 week away from the 4 month mark!  We are so excited!  I'm feeling pretty good other than the hormonal headaches that the doctor warned me about.  Apparently hormones drop a little between now and week 20, causing a lot of women to have headaches.  Treating with Tylenol is not always a sure fix, so I'm thankful for ice packs!  And I'm thankful that our freezer got fixed today to keep me supplied with ice packs!  It's been broken for 3 weeks, and they had to order parts and wait for all the warranty stuff, and then fix it, we were glad to see that man pull up this morning!

Oh, and it is officially FALL!!!  I am LOVING the cooler temps, and the even chillier ones at night!  We are seeing a little yellowing on some the of trees, I always get so excited at this time of year.  Plus, the first signs of fall are in the stores, too!  Hello Honeycrisp apples & Pumpkin Spice creamer!  We saw pumpkins at Wally World yesterday too, looking forward to loading up on those pretty orange gourds this weekend:)

Target has some really fun wigs for Halloween this year.  We had a good laugh trying them on and taking pictures.  There were a lot of fun ones, but here are a few of my favorites!

Happy Fall Y'all!

Second Trimester!

So, I missed week 12.  My plan was to do every two weeks, but week 12 was chaos!  Jason's parents were down visiting, and his dad had a massive heart attack while here.  We are thankful that he is okay, and that he had such good doctors and paramedics that saved his life.  He had a major blockage, and had to have a stint put in.  The heart attack damaged 55% of his heart, but it is recoverable.  He started having major chest and arm pain in the middle of the night, so I called for help.  Thankfully, he actually had the heart attack in the ambulance, and they were able to save him.  God was looking out for him for sure.  But, all that to say, we were back and forth at the hospital in Wilmington every day, and by the time we would get home, I was totally wiped out.  The week before that, we had a scare with some bleeding.  We were really shaken, but beyond thankful that everything was fine with our precious babies.  The doctors think that since I've stretched out so quickly, that I may have popped a blood vessel or that my cervix got bruised, and caused some build up of blood in the bruise.  All foreign to me, but the most important words were that the babies are just fine!  We are praying that we won't have any more scares like that!  I am taking it easy, and when my body says stop, I do!

Anyways, here is the most recent chalkboard update.  I am actually over 14 weeks now, and will do another chalkboard in the next week or two.  

We did this one last week, and I am just getting it posted since we had our family down to celebrate Alaina's 18th birthday this weekend!  Ashley and Austin hung back a few extra days, and are still here with us while Matt is traveling for business.  Saturday night we rode into Beaufort and ate at the Dock House.  The weather was perfect, the view was amazing.  It's located right on the waterway, so we enjoyed views of yachts, sail boats, and a few kayaks.  The cool pre-autumn breeze was even a bit chilly, which to a woman carrying twins was refreshing!  We ate out on the upper deck, so we could see a ways down the water, and the lights across it where beautiful once it got dark.  We walked the boardwalk afterwards, and made a stop at the fudge factory for some yummy dessert.  It was a really fun time with everyone, and we all left uncomfortably happily stuffed.

Now that we are in our second trimester, we are no longer being seen by our infertility specialist, and we have moved to our regular ob-gyn.  We also get seen by a maternal-fetal medicine specialist for the high risk part of it (diabetes, twins).  Both appointments, we were really pleased with the doctors, and the staffs. Everyone was really nice, and we got another ultrasound at our maternal-fetal appointment yesterday.  Both little ones looked good, and were active, moving, kicking and punching.  In one picture, one of them had their arms behind it's head, lounging.  In another shot, it already looks like they may have Jason's pouty lips. It's so neat how they can see all of that with ultrasound.  We go back October 15 (less than a month!), and that's when we find out their sexes!  I'm so excited about that one.  We will be a little over 18 weeks by then.  They did all my organ function labs as well as a thyroid check, so that we will have a base line to go by, and right now, everything looks really good and normal:)  They will be monitoring my BP since it was a little higher than I normally run, and just making sure they stay on top of any early warning signs of preeclampsia.  I really feel like they have a good handle on things, and that God has placed us in the right offices.

In other news, we are less than a week away from the first day of fall!  We are feeling some cooler temps in the evenings and early mornings, and it's getting me so excited!  I can't wait to wear boots.  I keep holding off, but probably not for much longer.  To wrap up, I have to say how very thankful I am for my family and friends.  For my parents who rushed to be with us at a moment's notice when we didn't know what was happening with our scare and helped calm us down, and brought in a voice of reason, a daddy who makes his famous homemade vanilla milkshakes and a momma who dries my hair, for Alaina who stayed behind and took care of things at their house so they could be here with us.  For Ashley who has helped pick up the slack around the house this week because I've been so tired, by cleaning, doing laundry, and even making our bed, it was really nice to come home yesterday evening to a clean, peaceful house with candles lit, smelling like fall.  For the most wonderful friends who have been continually praying for us through everything, and calling/texting to check on me, and for a neighbor who came to sit with me when I was nervous in the days following our hospital visit, mowed our yard while we were back and forth visiting J's dad in the hospital, and has let us take up most of her freezer space since ours died.  Again.  In the midst of everything going on.  God has given us an amazing support system, and a bountiful supply of love.  We are so blessed.

These twins ain't wastin' time!

We found out that we were expecting early, only a little over 4 weeks pregnant!  And, from then on, these two have not wasted any time making their presence known!  I never thought I'd show SO early, but I guess with double everything, the rules don't apply!  At week 6, I already had a little pooch but didn't know there were two yet, I just chalked it up to the bloat everyone talks about...

At week 8, they had popped out and we knew there were two by then!  It made a little bit more sense that my stomach was forming a basketball shape...

But, even two weeks later, they were appearing even more!  I'm thinking I'm going to be pretty uncomfortable by the third trimester, whattya think?!

The first trimester has surprisingly gone by pretty quickly.  I'm 11 weeks, and am looking forward to the 2nd trimester coming soon!  We have another ultrasound Tuesday, and we are excited to get to see our little ones again, and hopefully a little more detail than our first ultrasounds when they were so teeny!  They will be the size of figs this week, seems funny to compare them to food, huh?  With the first trimester bringing me so much nausea, I think the lack of food that agrees with me has counteracted much weight gain.  You'd think with that belly, it would be at least 5 lbs by now;o)  My weight gain as of yesterday is 1.8 lbs!  Woohoo!  I'll be trying to post an updated picture with a few fun facts every two weeks.  It's a good picture journal to look back at, and for the babies to see one day.  

We're getting excited for summer winding down, and hopefully cooler temps soon!  We're coming up on my favorite time of the year..autumn and winter.  I have some cute second trimester fall weather clothes that I can't wait to wear.  Only 29 days until the first official day of autumn!

Unrelated

I have been on a major break from blogging.  I think my head is back in it now.  I just wasn't feeling it for a while, but I feel like it's time to pick it back up.  This post is just a few random pictures I had wanted to blog about, but never got to, so they kind of got mashed into this post together.  Random.

 

I am kind of obsessed with beauty/hair blogs and YouTube channels.  My mom directed me to TiffanyD who has wonderful tutorials.  The one I used for this hairstyle is here.  My hair is shorter than hers, but it still did exactly like she said it would.  And the Paul Mitchell Hot Off The Press spray is wonderful.  I love it, but it's kinda pricey.  I got lucky, and found some at a wholesale place that a friend of mine, that does my hair, has access to since she has her cosmotology license.  Much more reasonable price, and that makes me happy.

 

I made a new wreath for our front door with some neutral colors since the front door is in direct sunlight for most of the day, my wreaths seem to fade pretty quickly.  I used flowers from Hobby Lobby, and hot glued them into an oval grapevine wreath, and painted my last name initial wooden letter (also from Hobby Lobby) with Antique Parchment by Apple Barrel (acrylic paint).  It's attached with a cup hook on the back and some floral wire, and a little hot glue so it doesn't move too much.  I finished it with a light colored burlap bow.

Jason made me dinner awhile back (I just came actross this picture and it reminded me to give him some major kudos) on an evening that I was feeling a little blah.  Oh man.  It was so good.  He made bacon wrapped chicken bites with a cream of chicken dipping sauce, chunky mashed potatoes, and spicy green beans.  I could have eaten another plate it was so yummy, but I did have a little self control.  J is becoming quite the chef.  Sometimes his recipes flop, but when they turn out how he envisions them, they rock.  Cheesy sausage topped asparagus with toasted crackers was not a hit, but I love that he tries, and that he likes to cook for me.  Now his homemade southern mac 'n cheese.  That one has a solid place in our recipe book.  I am so lucky to be his bride:)

What A Week..

First, I want to say how blessed I am that yesterday marked mine and J's 8 year wedding anniversary.  It came and went, and wasn't the best one, but it is not just about the day.  It's about everyday of the past 8 years.  I have found my true love, and I was fortunate enough to be able to marry my best friend.  Not everyday is easy, not everyday is fun, but I wouldn't want to do it all with anyone else, and we work at it, we love, and we keep God in our marriage, and for that, I feel we have been blessed with such a wonderful and strong relationship and bond.  He is always, without fail, there for me.  He's my rock.  Growing up, I saw that firsthand with my parents.  They supported each other, and my mom could always depend on my dad.  They were each other's biggest fans, and nobody could come between them..they were always united, and from then on, I knew I wanted that.  Needed that.  It took some time, and there were a few frogs before I found my prince, but just like the song says, "God blessed the broken road".  A lot of times, daughters with good dads look for men like their dads, and I found one.  Jason is funny, smart, driven, brave, strong, not afraid of hard work, a provider, and so durn handsome.  I am so thankful for him and for our marriage, and I look forward to the rest of my life with him, and what our future together holds.

With all of that said, this week my sugar britches has what the docs think is E. Coli.  SHRIEK!  You hear so many bad things about this mess.  It's true.  We are waiting to hear the official results of the tests hopefully tomorrow, but he has all the signs and symptoms.  It started Sunday night, and here we are on Wednesday still battling it.  We think it may have been from the sushi he ate over the weekend.  I stay away from that stuff like the plague (plus I think it's nasty), and hopefully he will from now on too!  He has been soooo sick. Yesterday, he tried so hard to feel better, and he did for a little bit, he even tried to go to dinner (against my warnings), which ended in to-go boxes, and rushing home.  Without too many icky details, it's been like the worst stomach virus you can imagine.  Add on top of that, horrible cramping, fever, and dehydration resulting in IV fluids today.  Who knew symptoms can come and go...he thought he was on the mend yesterday, and then he started all again last night.  Being in the military, you can't just call in sick (dumb, if you ask me), so he had to go report in and go straight to BAS (the base doc), but now he's home again (he insisted I stay home and not drive him because he was feeling some better this morning, and I didn't sleep but maybe 2 hours..I still feel like a bad wife for that).  I am sitting here typing this as he sleeps on the couch.  I feel so sorry for him, so helpless.  Plus, I'm pretty sure he's ready to throw his bottle of Gatorade at me if I tell him to drink one more time, he'll thank me later.  Maybe.  He's feeling better today than he has yet, and no more throwing up today (crossing fingers!)..he has extremely low energy, but his appetite is coming back.  He was starved when he got home, and so I researched the best things to try and made him some toast and scrambled eggs...so far, so good.  It settled and that has been about 1 1/2 hours ago.  Please pray that this is the end, and he can recover.  We are supposed to celebrate our anniversary with a few days at Myrtle Beach starting Sunday, and hopefully he will feel like going, we are really looking forward to a little getaway.

This is where Kojak has been every minute that J has been home.  Right by his side.  And when he's in the guest room, he's outside the door, and when I go in to check on him or help him, he is hot on my heels, crying.  He does not like when one of us is sick, he is super intuitive.  Last night, I was watching t.v. when I heard a bang/boom noise, and thought chalked it up to the nearby ranges doing bombing drills last night, but then I kept hearing a strange noise I wasn't sure of.  Kojak, who was surprisingly laying by my feet last night, got up, went to the bedroom door, and just stared and kept sniffing at the door jamb.  I got up with the quickness then, and J had fallen out of bed and was throwing up.  Thanking my lucky stars that I put a trash can by the bed.  J said he is our modern day Lassie;o)  

So, Kojak and I are holding down the fort.  I'm ready for this week to turn around.  But, I will uphold my part of the vows, and this is definitely putting that "in sickness" part into practice!

This Week's Highlights

Jason is in between having classes on deck, so he has normal working hours again, and has weekends off!  Well, 'til the end of the month anyways.

We finished building the lean-to off the back of our shed last night!  Thank heavens.  It looks great, J did most of the work, I was just the assistant.  We just have to make some shelves and hang them, buy a few hooks for tools, and put some gravel inside for the mower, oh, and decorate it.  I'll post pictures soon!

My fall stuff is coming out.  Today.  I hope.  J has to dig it out from storage for me.  Because I'm afraid of spiders.  And lizards.

Our friends, Brad & Ashley came to visit last weekend.  It was a lot of fun.  We went and saw the Battleship in Wilmington.  First time for us, and we've lived here for almost 7 years.  It was toasty though, I think we will probably go see it again this fall or winter when it's cooler.

Kojak got a haircut!  Yay! 

J and Brad got the engine back in the Eclipse.  Another yay!  Can't wait 'til that car is up and running again.

I fashioned a blanket basket for the living room to collect all the stray blankets in one area.  The basket doubles as a photography prop sometimes, but it is also the perfect blanket holder.  I used some scrap wood to make a rustic sign with left over paint.  I roughed it up and made it look shabby.  I used letters from my Cricut to stick on after the first coat of black, then sprayed the off white over top.  Roughed it up with sandpaper and a paint scraper, and peeled off the letters.  Then I just attached it with some twine.

We occasionally check out the Big Lots here to see if there are any deals.  It's across town, and definitely not the nicest one I've even been to, but it's worth a quick peak once in a while.  They had citronella lanterns on clearance for the end of the season.  Real metal ones with glass globes.  And for only 4.00 a piece!  Score.  I took the citronella candles out, and will be replacing them with fall scented candles.  But first, we will take them apart and paint them black.  I have a really cute idea for them.  Can't wait to show you!

Our bi-weekly date night is coming up tomorrow (it will be more like a day this time).  I really look forward to these.  We've enjoyed finding creative ways to "date" without spending much or any money.  For just the cost of gas, and probably a cheap meal, we are going thrifting and window shopping in Atlantic Beach.  I'm lucky to have a fella who will do those things with me.  And actually enjoys it.  He's all about some DIY stuff.

J and I were able to take a walk the other night.  It was the coolest evening we've had in a long time, so we took advantage.  It was nice to breathe in some fresh (not so horribly humid) air, and enjoy the breeze coming from the rain showers that we had on and off all week.  We did some scouting for some nature themed decor.  Can we say free!  We found some small dead trees that had the perfect type of branches for floor vase fillers.  They will get a coat of paint soon.  And, I've started collecting some pine cones for the fall and Christmas decorations.  Now if we could just have that cool weather back.

OH!  I just found out this week that HOBBY LOBBY is coming to Wilmington.  Yeah, it's about 45 minutes away, but up until now, I didn't have a Hobby Lobby within driving distance.  The closest one is about 2 1/2 hours away.  You can't even imagine how happy this makes me!

Enjoy your weekend, I plan to:)