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WELCOME, GUEST |
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(4 members)
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Alejandra 186 |
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zaccsmama6 |
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Jami Haddock6 |
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Akeelah's Mo…6 |
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MY ANGEL LOVE
Angel Love |
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| Category: Home | Sun | Mon | Tue | Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | | | | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 | 19 | | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 | 29 | 30 | 31 |
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M4B AND MOTHER'S DAY 2011
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May 10, 2011 01:04am (EST)
For those of you who don't know, I live in a very small town. You know, like everybody knows everybody....and everything (or so they think). Our March for Babies participation has fluctuated through the years and has taken a hit with the economy like everything else. This year, we decided to try a new day and new format to see how it would work for our community.
I'm happy to report that it worked great!!! Yes, we did our walk on a Friday night, but it went very well! Families wanted "something to do" together and came out to walk with us!! The weather was great, and our counties met our goal!!!  This year, I had taken more of a "follower" roll and allowed my rep and the revenue chair to make some decisions, and it really worked well for us!! Thanks Andi and Jennifer!!! 
Now for Mother's Day--------
It's still hard..... I remember how happy I was on Mother's Day 2003. My belly was big and round and both girls were happily playing inside. Two weeks later, I was admitted to the hosptial where I would live for the next 6 weeks until their arrival. I would never have another Mother's Day with both girls alive.
On Saturday we took my mom out to eat and yesterday Ansley and I went to church and spent some time enjoying the beautiful weather at home. It was a day that was needed....just a quiet day.
I did get some pretty amazing gifts though! Ansley "bought" (with my mom's money) a hanging basket and another plant for me. I love flowers and enjoying "diddling" with them in the yard when I'm home so I was super excited to add to my mini collection. My BEST gift was what Ansley taught herself during the M4B walk ......
SHE TAUGHT HERSELF TO RIDE A BIKE!!!!!!
Don't get me wrong...I've tried for several years now to teach her to ride a bike. (without training wheels) She's an analyzer and would sit forever on that bike worrying about what might happen if she fell or didn't put her feet down. I do mean "forever!!" On Friday, she wanted to know why my nephew had his bike at the walk and why she couldn't have hers. I simply said, "Because you don't know how to ride yours yet." That's all it took! She "threw" my nephew off of his and the next thing I knew, she was riding across the field ALL BY HERSELF!!!!
Seriously, I was screaming and jumping up and down like someone had just given me a million dollars!!! My baby was riding her bike!!!! She thinks I'm crazy because I made such a big deal out of it, but hey---I think it's awesome that she's conquered her fears and just started pedaling!!! It was a gift that she could've never planned and it was perfect!!
I hope that all of you were able to remember and honor your child/children in a special way, whether it was a quiet day that included some tears or a day full of laughter. HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!
T 
Pics will be next time...... 
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (8) | Permalink
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EASTER SUNDAY
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Apr 25, 2011 01:33am (EST)
HAPPY EASTER EVERYONE!!!
Easter Sunday....It means something different to everyone. To me it means a gift that is unbelievable....one that can never be repeated and never be taken away.
I often times think about how much I LOVE Ansley! Sometimes, it "hurts" because I want everything for her and can't give it all to her. I want to protect her from every harm and heartbreak, but I can't....therefore it "hurts". I hurt when she hurts, I'm sad when she's sad....I could go on and on. I say this to bring the conversation back to what Easter Sunday is all about....
God gave His ONLY son to come to earth and face all of the sadness, hurt, pain, grief, etc. that we all feel and then He was led to the cross for nothing. He was beaten, tortured, mocked, etc. for no earthly reason. At any time, God could've said, "That's my son and you're not worth it." and saved him from all of those things. He could've gone back to Heaven and never had to deal with anything, but God didn't do that. He allowed His son to go through all of that so that I have an opportunity to live an eternal life in Heaven. He literally had to turn his back on his son for me.
I've lost a daughter, I know the pain of letting her go. I can't imagine how much He has to love me to give his Son for ME. I'm so undeserving and what an unbelievable gift!!!
Our Easter included family and friends, egg hunts, and cookouts....naps and of course, school work. I hope that all of you had a wonderful Easter and took the time to think of the unbelievable gift that was given for you and the One who rose again on the third day!!
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (5) | Permalink
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AAAAHHHHHHHH........
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Apr 21, 2011 08:37pm (EST)
That's the sound of a teacher after CRCT testing and a week with a full moon!! 
Seriously, the schedule for the last two weeks has been crazy due to the testing. Students needed those last minute refreshers, but yet also needed time to just relax. That concept is hard for 4th graders to grasp though.... No schedule means chaos in their little brains and chaos means NOISE!
Yesterday we finished the last of the "dreaded" CRCT and today was the last day of school for the week....which means parties for Easter/CRCT Celebration. Needless to say, I'm so happy that I'm off tomorrow and the students won't return until Tuesday!
Why is this typed here??? I don't know, but it's too long to just delete now so if I don't show up much this weekend....you'll understand why! 
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (6) | Permalink
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PRAISE GOD!!!
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Apr 14, 2011 12:56am (EST)
Last week, I wrote about a friend of mine's granddaughter, Clara. I was destroyed because another family had been told that there were no other medical options, and that they needed to prepare to say "goodbye".
God had other plans for this little girl! The future is still uncertain for her, but for this past week, her life has touched so many!!! It's just like our community here on Share....a friend, of a friend, of a friend is praying for her and her family.
Today--Clara was taken off of ECMO oxygen for 36 minutes and kept her sats. at 96 or above for the entire time....WITH ONLY GOD'S HELP!!!
I don't tend to push my beliefs on anyone, but simply choose to live my life as an example and share my story to allow others to see God's love through me. There is no other explanation of why this little girl is still living and improving except for God's hand.
Do I wonder why Clara, and not Taylor, yes....that's an earthly momma missing her little girl and very natural! I do, however, realize how many lives were changed by Taylor's life even though it was only 15 hours long. I'm very thankful for the 15 hours that I did have, and the opportunity to see her with my own eyes. What a gift!! Many lives are still being changed today when they see the hope that I have knowing that I have accepted Christ as my Savior and KNOW that I will see her again in Heaven. Without that knowledge, I don't know how I could make it through my daily life without her.
I say all of this to not lift myself up, but simply to give credit where credit is due....God is God, and God is Good.....sometimes we can't see the good at the present time, but when we feel love, peace, comfort, and friendship....He's there in the midst!
Thank you for praying for Sweet Clara! I know her family feels the strength that comes from being surrounded in prayer. It not only means a lot to them, but to me as well, because when I knew of the situation, I knew where to go for support and prayers---Share!
Love ya'll!
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (7) | Permalink
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ONE STEP FORWARD, TWO STEPS BACK
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Apr 10, 2011 12:41am (EST)
This week has brought beautiful weather and much warmer temps.  Figures....it happens every year on our spring break. It's okay though because rain, shine, cold, or hot....spring break means that I don't have to go to work! This week back was definately a challenge though...
The biggest challenge is that as I follow the progress of Baby Clara, my heart breaks for her family. Her grandmother works with me. Through all of this, the medical terms and what's "really" going on has them all confused. Most of you remember those moments of total confusion regarding what was happening with your little one and why they were taking the steps that they were taking at the moment.
You know, the moments that you think that when that one thing gets "fixed" that everything will get better only to find out that there are 50 other things that have to follow that before your child is "well" and able to come home...... That's where they are.
On Wednesday, Clara's parents called their parents to the hospital because the news of Clara's well being was not good. They didn't know how much longer her little body would tolerate life and if they'd need to make the dreaded decision.
I didn't know that they'd called the grandparents, but one of my very thoughtful co-workers asked me to step into her classroom. She closed the door and told me what was going on because she didn't want me to find out in passing news from the hallway. She understands how difficult this whole situation is for me..... It's strange that someone who has not gone through such a situation would stop to think how it would make someone who has feel. For her efforts in protecting my heart....I'm thankful!
The updates later in the week from Clara has been a bit more positive. In the dr's words, "On Wednesday, she was standing on the edge of a cliff. Today she's take a quarter of a step back." I remember our drs. talking about that cliff.... Taylor was way too close to the edge for them to catch her in time, but Ansley turned and walked away. Clara's parents were overjoyed with that news even though a quarter of a step is not a whole lot. I'm thankful that they can experience that tiny moment of joy without being fooled into thinking it's all over now.
Please continue to pray for Sweet Clara! She's loved *SO* much by everyone who knows her and more. Her parents are such sweet caring people who are trying to make every moment count with Clara knowing that those moments will never come again and that the future moments are questionable at this time.
I appreciate your thoughts and prayers for them as many of you have been there and know exactly the emotions that are running through every inch of their bodies at this time.
Hugs to you all!
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (4) | Permalink
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SPRING BREAK AND WINTER TEMPS
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Mar 29, 2011 12:32am (EST)
I made it!!! It's spring break.....finally!
Sometimes I'm amazed at how much one can really need a break. I feel like my brain is too full to think sometimes, and therefore, it's time for a break!
Our temperatures have been in the 80's the past few weeks and the weather beautiful. This past weekend gave us highs in the 40's with rain---  I want to be bummed by that since my plans were to work in the yard and enjoy being outside, but my reframe is this---at least I don't have to go to work!!
In other news....tis the season that I feel the "funk" approaching again. It usually happens around Christmas for obvious reasons, but spring and summer are just as hard. The time when kids are playing ball and playing in the sun. When I have more time with Ansley and wish so much that Taylor was here with us. I want to have that playmate here for Ansley. I want to marvel at their differences even though they're identical. I know that it's been almost 8 years since the girls' birth and Taylor's death, but it's still tough.
I think that the birth of my friend's daughter has brought back so many memories. Her daughter was diagnosed at 18 weeks gest. with a herniated diaphram. They weren't sure what this would be for Baby Clara, but were urged to continue to love her and plan for her arrival. She was born at 8 lbs. 4 oz. --full term! That's great news, but with the organs being out of place, her body quickly tired out and she needed the help of ECMO for rest. This is common for CDH babies, but difficult for her parents to stomach. She's responding well and the drs. are pleased with her progress, but the prayers are still needed. Hopefully she will continue to do well enough that they can get to her surgery this week and get those organs back in the right place. I hear updates of her parents reading to her and singing to her. I see the things that they planned to do for her while she was in the NICU (since they knew ahead of time) and I wish that I'd had those precious moments with Taylor before she died. I was just so shocked by the whole situation that I didn't do half of what I could have done to cherish the memories for either girls' early moments. I don't remember a lot of it myself and sometimes that eats at me.
I'm trying to get myself motivated with something to keep my mind occupied so that I don't crash for the season, but with the weather turning cold again, I'm facing the challenge of getting off the couch again. Keep me in your thoughts and prayers as well as Baby Clara. It's tough!
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (6) | Permalink
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WEEKEND EVENTS
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Mar 07, 2011 01:46am (EST)
Most of my weekends involve my hanging out on my couch catching up on the rest that I've missed during the week, but this weekend brought about some fun things to do.
Friday: We have an organization here in our town called T.J. & Friends Foundation. This organization does fundraisers throughout the year to help people with cancer in the immediate area to pay for the needs that they may have. The fundraiser this weekend was a dinner and auction at a nice restaurant. It was a ton of fun, and I got to meet a "celebrity" while I was there. For those who follow college football, there was a cute furry friend with the University of Georgia recruits when they were on ESPN. This little guy was there, on Friday, along with his owner, Mike "Big Dawg" Wood. Mr. Mike paints his head for all Bulldog functions and is well known in this area!! I asked if I could take a pic with him to let Ansley see the puppy and the puppy kissed me right when we were posing! So sweet!!!
Saturday: I awoke to rain....yes, the beautiful sound that makes you want to stay in bed just a little bit longer....if you didn't have a 7 year old and a puppy. Anyway, after I finally dragged myself out of bed, Ansley asked if we could "do something". She picked a movie so off we went! Gnomeo and Juliet in 3D was the movie of choice and it was a great day for us!! My mom went with us and we looked so beautiful in our 3D glasses that I had to have a pic!!
Sunday: My sister called to see if we wanted to have lunch at her house. Hmmmm....YES!! I'm all about going somewhere that I don't have to cook, so after church, we spent some time with my family and good food. Ansley enjoyed playing with the boys since the rain went away, and all this was followed by an afternoon nap!
Tomorrow starts another week.... Master's classes, Benchmark testing for my students, and a tree planting ceremony for my friend's baby that she lost at 8 weeks. Spring Break is coming in a few weeks, and I must say that I look forward to it more than I should. 
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (10) | Permalink
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GRAND RAPIDS
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Feb 09, 2011 02:05am (EST)
No not Michigan......my backyard!!!!
I came home today to find that I had no water. I called the city to see if they'd turned the water off to do some work nearby only to find out that they hadn't....... Um, yeah!
I went out to the meter and it was spinning so fast that I coudn't even keep up with it. I quickly turned off the valve so that it would not allow water to my house until I found the problem. It didn't take long because as I walked around the corner of my house, there were RAPIDS of water coming from underneath my house!!!! 
When you open the crawlspace door, there is a step down about 2 1/2 feet.....the water was all the way to the top of that "hole" and flowing out the door!!! Seriously....I was so overwelmed. I called my dad and explained what was going on and he soon showed up to help me pump the water out.
Afterwards, I had to head back to school for PTO, and my dad and my uncle fixed the broken pipe. Thankfully, by the time we were done, so were they.
On top of that....I went inside before returning to school and checked my email. There was a notification that due to some legal mumbo jumbo that I've been dealing with, my loans have been frozen! WHAT??? I am suppose to graduate with my Masters in July and begin my Specialist degree after that. All of my loans are "service cancellable" because of my teaching in a Title I school. I never even had to make a single payment so I'm waiting to hear back from the school financial aid dept. to find out what's going on. My head feels like it might explode any time now!
I've said this before, but what did I do to deserve every single thing to happen to me??? For some of you...you know that the list is getting long!! For others....just scroll back and read my blogs for more information. I never remember breaking a mirror, but really this all started 7 years ago. (7 years of bad luck...?) So is this all over when Ansley turns 8?? 
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (14) | Permalink
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CLIFF NOTE VERSION
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Feb 05, 2011 02:17am (EST)
This week has been a doosey! This is the "cliff note version":
Monday: Work -- Two co-workers out due to medical emergencies with their children. I'm left to help subs know what the lessons for the day are and monitor the grade level. Master's classes
Tuesday: Work - Different co-worker out for family member's surgery. Faculty Meeting. MOD Kickoff at 6:30, but headed straight to site to begin setup after school.
Wednesday: Work - Same co-worker out for surgery, one co-worker from Monday out 1/2 day. Church.
Thursday: Work - Same two co-workers from Monday out again for work related conferences. Repeat of Monday complete with Master's classes.
Friday: Work - One co-worker still out for work related conference. Chose a movie for the afternoon and called it a day! EXHAUSTED!!
I don't know what I did to earn such a week, but I'm extremely glad that it's FRIDAY!!
Someone mentioned that "good things" must be on the way....I'm counting on it!! In the midst of this crazy week, I got to spend some AMAZING time with one of my best friends!!! We don't get to talk much, but when we do....it's always great and always late when we're done. Those are the best conversations!! I'm hoping that more "good things" are around the corner because I can sure use some reasons to smile! I never knew that a few minutes with someone special to you could make a terrible week seem a little more tolerable.
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Posted by Angel Love | Comments: (2) | Permalink
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