The Power of Prayer....

So, my wonderful mom had her test yesterday and got the results by noon.....EVERYTHING WAS WONDERFUL! I knew in my heart that it would be, but like I said, God is always listening! Thanks to everyone who said a little prayer for her...she's truly a blessing to me and my entire family!

Zoe's First Movie

On December 27, 2009, we took Zoe to see her first movie, The Princess & The Frog. My child is addicted to movies and would sit and watch them for hours if I would let her. But, being the mean Mommy that I am, I actually make her play with her toys and she knows she has to "earn" the privilege of watching a movie:0) She absolutely LOVED this movie and, quite frankly, so did Mark and I. It was wonderfully done and she thoroughly enjoyed herself; however, if you ask Zoe about it, she will tell you that "it was a little bit scary." There are parts that involved "The Shadow Man" and he practices Voodoo and that was scary for Zoe. Otherwise, this was the perfect first movie to take Zoe to see! Her favorite character was Tiana (the princess), my favorite character was Ray Ray (the lightening bug) and when Zoe asked Daddy about his favorite character, he said it was Ray Ray, too. So, in true Zoe fashion, she said, "No Daddy! That's Mommy's favorite character! You have to pick the prince!"

Priceless.....

Barbie House - $150.00
Video Camera - $180.00
Capturing Zoe's Reaction on Christmas Morning = PRICELESS

Christmas Morning....

I can't begin to tell you how much fun Mark and I had setting up Christmas for Zoe. First we left out cookies and milk for Santa and Rudolph and then when we woke up Christmas morning, Santa had come for a visit and left Zoe her Barbie house and many other things. She was overjoyed with everything! Too cute!

Cookies & Milk for Santa & Rudolph
Sickening, isn't it? All for Zoe....

Our beautiful girl while she was going through her stocking!

Opening one of MANY Barbies!

Too cute!

What's this Mama?

Her "mini" Disney princesses. I'm thinking we might regret buying it because of all of the TINY TINY TINY pieces! HOLY COW! Daddy will suck them up in the vacuum for sure!

New Tag Reader books! If you don't have one for your child, I highly recommend getting one! They are awesome and she LOVES it!

Again, the TINY princesses!

Thank you Daddy!

Help me open my movies Daddy!

And, of course, we don't want to forget the real reason for the season in the Lawrence household! We celebrate CHRISTmas for the birth of Jesus and the fact that he was born in order to save each of us from our sins! I was so proud when I asked Zoe if she wanted me to read her 'Twas the Night Before Christmas before she went to bed and she responded, "No, Mommy. I just want you to read me my Bible story about Baby Jesus!" That melted my heart and let me know that we're doing something right in teaching her what's really important! So, thank you God for loving us and for sending your only Son in order to save us!

Letters to Juliet....

This movie reminds me of my parents....in the way that they found true love at nine years old and then found each other again later in life! To my WONDERFUL parents, you have to go see this movie!

Dear John....

I'm a HUGE fan of anything Nicholas Sparks. I just cried and cried when I read this book. It's WONDERFUL and if you enjoy a good love story, then this movie is for you.....

Zoe's First Gingerbread House

I really don't know why I never thought to buy a gingerbread house for Zoe before this year, but I haven't. It's probably because I've never decorated one before in my life. Crazy huh? Yeah....don't get me started. Anyway, I'm trying my best to make sure my child has PLENTY of Christmas memories so I decided we would take a stab at decorating one. The great thing is you can buy kits that already have the house assembled and all you have to do is decorate it. I can't begin to tell you how much Zoe loved decorating her house. I put the icing on it (that was kind of hard) and let her go to town and decorate it all by herself! Check out the pics for yourself....

This is fun!
Can I eat these?

These are kind of hard to pick up!

Doing good Zoe!

I'm so proud of my Zoe girl!

I love her total concentration!

Candy everywhere!

Zoe's completed house!

Cookies for Santa

Every year Zoe and I make cookies for Santa on Christmas Eve. This year we decided to make Chocolate Crinkles with Vanilla Icing and Christmas Tree Sprinkles. We always have so much fun and I probably won't ever be able to make a cookie for Santa that doesn't include using the mixer....Zoe LOVES it! Who knows? Maybe she'll be the next Rachel Ray!

This is FUN Mama!
Take my picture before we get them in the oven!

Our finished cookies! Can you tell one is already missing? Yup....that would be Daddy!

ObamaCare

Just can't help sharing how I feel about "ObamaCare." Thanks for sending this to me Dad!

Prayers....

My precious stepmom Sherry (who is my mother for all intents and purposes..she's the BEST) is going to have some tests done on this Monday, December 28th. I just wanted to ask if each of you would say a little prayer for her that those tests will come back normal. I know in my heart they will come back great, but God always listens and you can never have too many prayers! So, please say some prayers for my mom because she needs them!

Zoe's Class Christmas Party

Every year each of the classes at McKendree will have a Christmas party. Each of the parents are invited and we all bring a gift that each child gets to open, but it is given to the classroom. I think the lesson each of them has learned in doing so is priceless, which is that it is far better to give than to receive. I'll admit, I was worried about how my child was going to handle giving away her gifts. But, she did WONDERFUL and even tried to give away her puzzle given to her from her teachers! My child never ceases to amaze me and teach me a few lessons along the way! Below are pics from the party.....

Zoe and her best friend, Meredith! They were born on the same day approximately three hours apart. Meredith's mom and I had worked together previously, had the same doctor and she was being wheeled out of the recovery room as I was being wheeled in! It was pretty comical to say the least. But, I'm so glad that our girls are in class together because they are definitely best friends! If you ask Zoe who her best friend is she'll say, "Meredith!"
Zoe's buddy, Ryan! He's an absolute doll and just as sweet as they come!

Zoe eating lots of goodies!

Ryan and his mother, Alice. Alice and I (along with Jack's mommy Amanda) have all become good friends. I'm so thankful to have met her because she is genuinely one of the sweetest people I know. The three of us often have lunch dates together and talk "Mommy shop."

Zoe and friends getting ready to open presents!

Zoe opening her gifts....first a Dora puzzle!

Zoe getting ready to open her gift from her teachers!

I know I've bragged on them before, but Zoe's day care program is AWESOME and her teachers are AWESOME! I have the best feeling when I walk out of that building each day knowing that my child is receiving great care and that she has teachers that genuinely love her. To my Mommy friends out there, you know that is something you can't put a price tag on!

Christmas...Crippen Style!

This past weekend, we went to my parents to celebrate Christmas with them. First, let me just say that I have the best parents in the world! They are the sweetest, most genuine people I know. They have loved me unconditionally when I didn't deserve it in my younger years, but they NEVER gave up on me and for that I am eternally grateful. They have led my life in a direction that I never dreamed possible so, to my wonderful parents, thank you for loving me the way you do. Thank you for loving Mark the way you do and, most of all, THANK YOU for making Zoe the center of your universe. All my prayers and dreams have come true for Zoe in getting to have a Nana & Papa like you! So, without further adieu, below are pictures of our Christmas celebration with my parents......

My Zoe girl anticipating opening all those presents!
Beauty & the Beast!

Mulan II

Primping in my Princess vanity...complete with blow dryer, etc.

My stepsister, Heather, and her family!

This is my niece (little Courtney), my nephew (Nicholas) and Zoe. Zoe absolutely adores Courtney! Plus, this picture makes me feel OLD! I can remember when Courtney was actually in a high chair! Look how beautiful she is?!?

The Rockettes

When I was pregnant with Zoe, Mark took me to see The Rockettes at Opryland. It was awesome and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. I knew right then that I wanted to take my daughter to see that show! Anyway, I took Zoe for the first time last year with my buddy Shelley and her twin girls, Anna & Ashlyn. We had so much fun and the girls loved it so we decided to carry on the tradition. We went on December 17th to the 2:00 p.m. show since the tickets were buy one/get one half price. I know, I know....we're cheap, but you gotta do what you gotta do! After all, I learned from the best and if you've read my blog any, you know that I'm talking about Shelley (love you Shelley girl)! You're not allowed to take any pictures at the show, so I took one of my girl before we left.....

Isn't she a little princess? And the girls had just as much fun this year and they really enjoyed going out to eat after (I think Shelley and I actually enjoyed that more). We were definitely smart in choosing Ramano's Macaroni Grill because the girls went crazy getting to draw and color right on the table! It's the little things! I hope Shelley and I get to carry on this tradition because getting to watch the girls is priceless, getting to hear them sing is priceless (you go Ashlyn) and getting to hear Ashlyn ask if the third king getting ready to come across the stage was actually the Grinch was the best! LOL! I gotta give her credit, the music did start to sound a little like the music from Jim Carey's version of the Grinch! Now, be sure and check out Shelley's blog for when she actually writes about it because she's one of the funniest people I know! And I checked out the Schmitt's blog and I think Shelley and I might start trying to see the Nutcracker put on by the Nashville Ballet, too. Mandy girl, if you can get a deal on tickets, let us know!

Playing with Daddy....

On Thanksgiving weekend, we had some warmer weather and Zoe was going a little stir crazy to get out of the house. Anyway, I dressed her up in fleece and sent her on her way. She LOVES to play t-ball with her Daddy (or "baseball" as she calls it) and I was able to snap a few cute pics of our girl. Man, they sure do grow up fast. She looks so big!

Pretty in Pink
Check out that swing!

Christmas Tree Decorating (11-26-09)

Mark and I have a tradition we started when we began dating, which is to always put the Christmas tree up on Thanksgiving night. We've felt it was important to carry on that tradition since having Zoe. We also buy each other an ornament for the tree every year and it has become quit comical! I love pulling out the tree each year, taking out each ornament and thinking back to when and where we bought it. And if you think your children tend to forget things? Don't be so sure! The first question Zoe asked me was, "Hey Mommy, where's my Dora one?" Amazing! That was the ornament we bought her to have last year for the tree! I love it that she is already remembering these traditions. Plus, she knows that her elf "Charlie" comes to visit and watches over her. Oh, I LOVE Christmas!

Our beautiful tree

Daddy & Zoe posing with our newly decorated tree!

Kabucah

Mark, Zoe and I drove up to have our Christmas with my parents this past weekend. I will have to post pictures about that later, but wanted to share something funny Zoe said on the way back home. When we loaded up the car to head back, Zoe wanted to immediately start her DVD player with one of the MANY movies Nana & Papa bought her for Christmas. I explained that we shouldn't start it just yet because I didn't think the battery would last that long and that we could start it when we reached Paducah. We drove for a while (she was playing with her doll in the backseat) and Zoe suddenly asked, "Mommy, have we made it to Kabucah yet?" I can't begin to tell you how hard I laughed. I grew up in Paducah and have heard it called many things, but "Kabucah" just hasn't been one of them! Our Zoe girl is pretty funny if I do say so myself!

One Sick Daddy......

My poor husband has been sick....VERY SICK....so sick that he actually stayed home from work yesterday. Those of you that know him know that he NEVER does that so I knew he felt really bad. Plus, he was running a fever over 101 so he didn't really have a choice. I got up and took care of myself and Zoe and we got out of the house. Well, first I disinfected the entire house with Clorox and Lysol...my new best friends. I also did two entire loads of laundry of everything Mark has touched in HOT water....all of this while still arriving at work at 7:30 a.m. So, needless to say I was up a little after 4:00 a.m. yesterday taking care of business. You know, there isn't anything a wife and mother won't do for her family.

During lunch yesterday I actually came home to check on Mark because I knew from talking to him that he was in bad shape. He had gone to a walk-in clinic who didn't even bother to so much as swab him for flu (don't get me started) and sent him on his way with a script for Amoxicillin and directions to buy a $13.00 SALINE SOLUTION FOR HIS NOSE! I took that box and marched right back to Target to retun it. Are you kidding me? $13.00 for glorified salt water?!? WHAT?!? So, I go back to work for the day, pick up Zoe and then we come home. It's while Zoe and I are eating supper that things start to go from bad to worse. I can hear Mark get up and start puking violently....and I do mean violently....and I do mean A LOT! He is complaining that his head hurts so bad that's he dizzy, he has a fever of 102.9 and is miserable beyond words. I tell him that he needs to head to the closest ER. I can tell when Mark doesn't skip a beat and heads straight to his closet for his pants that he's in bad shape. For those of you who don't know, Mark is VERY squeamish when it comes to anything medical and he HATES hospitals. My poor husband didn't bat an eye and our poor Zoe girl was literally freaking out because Daddy wasn't quite right. That's an understatement. I chose to keep Zoe here at home because she was truly freaking out and I didn't think she needed to go sit in the ER and freak out even more.

Since we have no family here, there are only three people I trust enough to watch our Zoe girl. Those include Aunt Julie, Aunt Lisa and Aunt Shelley (in total random order). The first two are out of town and when I called Aunt Shelley her first response was, "What can I do and what do you need from me?" She didn't bat an eye and said she would get here whenever I needed her. Poor Aunt Lisa is out of town for a funeral and doesn't know what is going on and Aunt Julie is in Memphis with her parents and kids and is offering up her husband who is home trying to get their kitchen in order from a total kitchen renovcation to come over here and watch Zoe. Do you know what that means to us? Those people are what constitute family to us here. They are our family in every sense of the word and would do anything for us. That is a great feeling and something I cherish beyond words.

Now, this entire time I'm in contact with Mark while he's in the emergency room. They have first swabbed him for flu since he's symptomatic of it even though we've been vaccinated for both seasonal flu and H1N1. They have taken blood from him and are prepping him for an IV since he's a little dehydrated. I've told Aunt Shelley at this point that I may have her come over here to watch Zoe after I get her to bed because I don't want her to freak out any more than necessary. She tells me that she will do whatever and to just say the word. Mark calls me at this time and tells me that they have done a chest x-ray for pneumonia and it has come back clear. Now, they want to do a CT scan of his head due to the head pain and are now throwing around words like viral and/or bacterial meningitis! WHAT?!? Now, I'm in freak out mode. This is when I start trying to hold it together and not scare my three year old worse. How can our world come crashing down so quickly? I start doing the one thing I know to do...praying. And I mean praying nonstop as I walk around the house and try to busy myself with disinfecting our house again. I've put Zoe in front of a movie to occupy her and take her mind off of things and I'm still praying....I don't think I ever stopped. Mark tells me that I probably should get Shelley to come on over so I can come to the hospital. I decide to get Zoe to bed first and not let her know anything that's going on and when Shelley gets here I take off. When I get to the hospital and see Mark I can't tell he still doesn't feel well and he's a little pale. He tells me that the CT scan of his head is normal and that they did a CT scan on his abdomen since his liver enzymes in his bloodwork are a little elevated. The CT scan of his abdomen are also normal so they've now decided to do a lumbar puncture (spinal tap) and test him for both forms of meningitis. I can handle a lot of medical stuff, but I actually get a little hot and lightheaded. Needless to say, when they come to do the procedure I actually have to step out of the room. They take about 12 minutes or so and when the doctor comes out he's carrying three or four vials of what looks to be water. He tells me that he will send it off for testing, but that he's going to go ahead and start Mark on an IV antibiotic in case it is bacterial meningitis. According to him in his exact words, "Bacterial meningitis can quickly become deadly and we don't want to take any chances with Mark. I haven't started the antibiotics because it would alter my test results and mask if it were in fact bacterial meningitis. So, we're going to start the IV antibiotics as a precautionary measure and I'll let you know when I get the results in 30 to 45 minutes." I go in and see Mark and he's REALLY PALE by his time and has to now stay flat on his back for at least the following hour so he doesn't leak any spinal fluid. The only thing Mark tells me that is reassuring is that the doctor commented that the spinal fluid was clear and not murky, which was a great sign. Yeah, by this time I'm still praying constantly in my head in case you're wondering. It doesn't seem like any time at all when the doctor comes back in and tells us that both tests are negative and that he does not have meningitis. THANK GOD! They tell us that we need to follow up with our primary care doctor to see why the liver enzymes are elevated, but that he isn't really concerned about it at this point since anything can cause it and the CT scan of his abdomen came back normal. He gives us three scripts to get filled and tells us we can leave after Mark has stayed flat for a while longer. We actually leave the ER around 11:00 p.m. or so, which I can't believe. I have to brag on Summit Medical Center because they didn't mess around and they took excellent care of Mark for us. Even though he went through all of that, I'm thankful that they didn't mess around and take any chances with him. The doctor explained that there was the possibility of 1 out of approximatly every 50 patients with symptoms like Mark having meningitis, but that he just couldn't take that chance. Plus, it is something that is often missed and in case where it's bacterial, it can become quickly deadly. I thanked him profusely as you can imagine.

So, my precious three year old has decided to get up at 6:00 a.m. after I've been up half the night worrying like a mother hen and constantly checking on Mark. He hasn't spiked another fever and is trying to push fluids. His urine is still really yellow, but we are going to push water and Gatorade like crazy today. Now, for the really, really, really important part....

"Offer unto God thanksgiving; and pay thy vows unto the most High."
Psalm 50:14

"Thanks be unto God for his unspeakable gift."
2 Corinthians 9:15

And I want to thank my dear friend Aunt Shelley for dropping everything to come take of us and our Zoe girl. Shelley, you are amazing and I'm so lucky to have you. And a big thanks to my parents for trying to keep me calm and to Aunt Julie for also doing the same and for offering up her husband. We love all of you and can't thank you enough for loving us the way you do.

Taylor Grace

It was five years ago today that Mark and I lost our Taylor Grace. While we truly miss her each and every day, we believe God truly has a way of easing our pain each and every day. We will never understand why, but we trust in God's infinite wisdom that He had a plan for us. And we look at our Zoe girl and know that we are truly blessed......blessed in ways we can't even yet fathom. We love you Taylor Grace and know you're watching out for us and your baby sister, Zoe.

Zoe Made Santa's "Nice" List

For some reason, this site won't post the video to my Blog and it won't give me the embed code either so I can do it myself! You need to go here and see the message we got from Santa letting us know that Zoe was on Santa's "Nice" list. I wish I had had my video camera on to capture her reaction because it was priceless!

It's On!

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