Addie

As most of you already know, Addie won in the Special Needs category for the Birmingham Parent magazine. Jenn found out the other day that Addie will be on the cover of the March 2009 edition. Can't wait.

DaDa, GaGa, Mom, Mean Aunt Dianne.......

Whatever it is we call Mom, please keep her in your thoughts and prayers. This afternoon we went to Birmingham, she got her second pair of diabetic shoes. Hopefully we'll have more success with these. Then we were off to UAB Highland's to the Retina Specialist of Alabama, Mom has to have a series of laser treatments on her eyes. Her sight is not at it's best anymore. Between her feet and her eyes she does good to make it to work and back on a day to day basis.

Ceramic Creations

Gabi & her BFF Morgan went to Ceramic Creations. Gabi made this ice cream cone. She gave it to Kayla since she knows mint chocolate chip is Kayla's favorite ice cream.

:-)

VBS

Kayla & Jeanie had vacation bible school all week. Tonight was the finale & Family Night. Me, Mom, & Gabi went; Kayla didn't want me to take pictures. All the children did a great job. The older children did a drama which was very moving. They signed the whole song.

The theme for the week was Cactus Canyon.

Afterwards; me, Kayla, Jeanie, & Taylor went to Plaza Cafe for dinner, then home. I get to study while the other three watch movies and eat popcorn. Anyway, it was a good evening, especially since I managed to get the night off, a break in my 7 on is good.

Yummy....

Me, Mom, Kayla, & Gabi went out to dinner tonight. Then came home for dessert. The cake that Aunt Carrie baked for Gabi was yummy. THANK YOU Aunt Carrie!

Aunt Carrie.........

Aunt Carrie, Josh, & John were not able to attend Gabi's birthday party. Aunt Carrie just dropped off Gabi's gift plus a birthday cake she baked for her. How cute? I can't wait for Gabi to come home & see it!

Saturday afternoon/evening

I crashed shortly after I got home. A few hours later I was ripped from my sleep by a blood curling scream; Brianna had gotten stung by a wasp & was in pain. It didn't take her mind long to wander back to playing with Gabi. Howard & Chris put in the new dishwasher, then despite the fact that it was late & dark, the girls went swimming again along with Uncle Howie. It was a long day, one full of lots of memories.

A big THANK YOU to Howard & Chris for all they do around the house to help out!

Gabi's 6th Birthday Party (cont'd).....

More pics. Here's Addie on GaGa's lap sporting her lei. Kayla & Mari Kynadee playing with a balloon and Kynadee sporting her new sunglasses. The birthday girl with her two best friends, Brianna & Morgan. And Gabi on Uncle Howie's shoulders, Brianna on Chris' & Kayla being the referee! Gabi was not ready for the fun to end but she had an appointment with Kim for 4:00 @ Botanical Gardens to have her pictures made.

Gabi's 6th Birthday Party

When I got off work yesterday morning at 6:30 the sky was full of dark clouds, by the time I made it to class the bottom had fallen out. I just kept hoping by noon all the storm clouds would pass & Gabi could have a great luau/pool party. When she got to the Club House there was a sign posted "pool temporarily closed". Hello, it's a pool party. She was very disappointed; we ate, opened presents, & spent time with family and friends. Publix makes great cakes, although they spelled her name wrong it was still yummy. After that, we loaded the kids up & took them to the other pool in Old Cahaba, she was going to have a pool party, as promised.

Gymnastics

I got out of class a few minutes early this afternoon so I went by the Y to catch the last 15 minutes of Gabi's gymnastics, little monkey. Mrs. Leslie says she's doing well. Keep up the good work Gabi!

Gabi's 6th Birthday cont'd...

Me, DaDa, Kayla, Jeanie, & Gabi went to the California Pizza Kitchen for Gabi's birthday lunch. We enjoyed our time but I think Gabi was the only one that enjoyed her food. After lunch she went back to BCBS with DaDa & hung out for a while, ran by Aunt Jenn's for a few minutes, had gymnastics, then went to a friends house with her MaMa. She had a full day. Here's some pics from lunch.

Happy 6th Birthday Gabi

Today is Gabi's 6th birthday. It's hard to believe, we see everyday how time flies. I remember coming in from work six years ago, Cecilia's water had broken, she took a shower, put a bag together, & she and I headed for the hospital. Gabi was not expected for another 7 weeks. When we got there & they got Cecilia settled the doc came in, Gabi was breech so Cecilia was prepped for a c-section. Two people could go in with her so me & Jenn gowned down & waited patiently. We all know that's not Moms cup of tea. They had the neonatal team standing by, once Gabi was out, I went to NICU with her & Jenn stayed back with Cecilia. Gabi weighed in at 5 pounds 7 and 1/2ounces & was 17 and 1/2 inches long. As most of you already know Gabi was in the NICU for four weeks. It was a blessing & relief to finally bring her home. Her hair was black & straight as a board & today it could not be any curlier. I'll say it again, DON'T BLINK!


She's having a Luau Pool Party Saturday & she's very excited, DaDa has been a big help in getting things together for her. Her mother is ordering her cake today, we look forward to seeing you all there.

Saturday......

Was a full day. I worked Friday night, got off at 6:30 then had class from 8a-1p. I left class & went to Jenn's to help out on moving day. By the time I got home & in bed I had been up for 32 hours. I was exhausted but so was Jenn & Chris, moving alone is a job & the heat didn't help matters. I don't get the opportunity to spend much time with Addie, she was the sweetest thing Saturday. It was the first time I've seen her crawl. Their new neighbors came over & brought watermelon, I got to introduce Addie to it & she fell in love. Mom & the girls went to a wedding & Mom dropped the girls off @ Jenn's afterwards, the kids help unload boxes, we put some more stuff away, ordered pizza & called it a night. Here are a few pictures I snapped through out the day. I have a few pics of Jenn's new house but I don't want to steal her thunder, her phone will be hooked up soon & she'll have plenty of pics & info to blog. Continue to pray for her & her family, she has pink eye in both eyes & Julien is really sick too. When it rains, it pours.

Update on college....

I started college with a full load. English, Math, Psychology, Speech, & P.E. My physical education class didn't make for lack of students, which didn't break my heart, I had enough on my plate. I made a 95 on my first English quiz and a 95 on my first English outline. I'm working on my first English paper, 750-1000 words on whether or not I think the U.S. should boycott the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing. Not fun.

I did get my first speech behind me, it was an introduction speech that was suppose to be between 3-5 minutes. My hands were shaking & I was sure my insides were going to rupture. I did my speech on Addie which was emotional & I even made another student cry. Mrs. Hall said I presented it well and did not appear nervous. My speech was 4 minutes 9 seconds. She tells us the second one will be better. I still don't want to get up in front of anybody to speak.

My math & psychology classes are both going well. There have been several days where I've felt like a zombie. Juggling school full-time and working full-time is no walk in the park.

Gabi

Gabi FINALLY started gymnastics back. Here she is stretching & listening to Mrs. Leslie. I was in class & my photographer didn't have her magical touch today. We'll post more pics later.