Just a couple things...

Lila, the one year old I am taking care of for a while, is preoccupied so I thought I'd take a minute to ask for your prayers.

1. My great-aunt (Ain't Arlene as we call her) has been diagnosed w/ lung and brain cancer. She's a smoker and the lung cancer, while difficult to find, tends to spread quickly. It completely covers one lung, half of the other, and enough of her brain to be incredibly serious and inoperable. The specialists at Erlanger in Chattanooga have said she may have as little as 2 months and as long as 5 years.

2. My step-mom's sister, Debbie, had a stroke a couple weeks ago. She has lost 1/4 of her brain functioning. It's the reasoning, sequencing, mature part which may or may not be compensated for w/ proper therapy. Dede is taking care of her (plus their mother and aunt, who has epilepsy) and really needs to take it easy. Dede was recently diagnosed w/ fibromyalgia (sp?) and the more stress she has, the worse she feels.

Just a few things we could really use your prayers on. Other than that all is well. Hadlee is growing at the speed of light and taking up more than her fair share of tummy space! :) We absolutely LOVE being at home and are taking full advantage of seeing family on a near daily basis. Lila isn't so preoccupied anymore and I think it's nearly her morning nap time... ahh, nap time...

Happy Blog-iversary... My Dog is Grounded

Today marks the beginning, one year ago, that I began traveling down the bloggin' road. It has brought nothing but encouragement, friends, prayers, laughs, and little touches of Christ via technology. What a sweet treat!

... Now, about my dog. She is SO grounded. Yesterday I took her to the vet for her vaccinations and a flea and tick treatment (ticks are awful this year!). She does good job of traveling after she is in the vehicle, it's the whole getting in the vehicle part that scares her to death. (Can you see where this is going?) Well, all went well with the visit, weighing, seeing my sis-in-law, etc. We were leaving and Karen (the sis-in-law) had walked us to the car to help me get Sass back inside. Karen was at her head and I was assisting at the hind quarters. We try a couple of times to lift her to no avail (really, I was just there to talk, not do all that much lifting). The third time's a charm, right? Not in the Hale family. Sass slipped her head down, managed to get out of her BODY HARNESS and bolted. That's one stubborn dog with no harness in the smallish town of Tullahoma running rampant while three completely embarrassed and frustrated women tried to bribe her w/ treats, dead animals, and a threat to end her life (I was the only one doing that part, though). For 30 MINUTES we chased and tried to coax her back towards the clinic ~ we ran through yards (saw a couple smoking some crack and ran a bit faster) across streets, in front of traffic (luckily the speed limit in town is only 20 mph) and finally headed back to the clinic. Sass followed and was eventually contained. So now she's grounded for 3 days (no attention, no walks, and no treats) and I have to find a HUGE thank you gift for Karen, Amy (the vet) and yankee girl who answers the phones. Any suggestions?

Must head off to the New Union area. I'm yard sale-ing (I can't spell that) today and keeping a one year old... something tells me it's not going to be the best combination of duties. Bye now.

And we're back...

I can't express enough how fantastic it feels to be back home. It's been four years since I've lived here and six years for B (plus his 4 1/2 years of college at Evansville). It took about two trips to his parents' house (5 whole miles down the road) to decide that there are few jobs that can feel right enough in the heart and right enough in the wallet to compensate for leaving Coffee County. Homecoming is so sweet, I can't even begin to imagine what's in store for THE homecoming!

Thank you all for your thoughts and prayers over the past week. Ma Penny lived a long life (89) and was tired and ready to get to her eternal resting place.

The rental house is slowly becoming home-like. It doesn't smell like us yet, but I'll take care of that w/ some B&B Works wall flowers and candles! We have decided to stay here (in the rental) save up a good chunk of cabbage and try to find some land to build on. Forget North Carolina, forget Atlanta, forget GE if we have to; it's all about being w/ family!

We are officially into the last trimester. I'm officially ready to not be pregnant anymore and stay swollen no matter what precautions I take (CC, how in the world did you do this for so long??!?!) I've always wanted to have four children, that want is quickly changing to a lower number! :) I guess we'll take what precious gifts we're given. I've come to the realization that it's not really my decision to make anyway. Whatever God sees fits is what we'll take.

Break time is over, must unpack some more and head over to my parents to set up for a yard sale for this weekend.

When it rains...

It pours.

Today, Mattie Jane Tenpenny, or Ma Penny to many of us, passed away. Hadlee would have been her tenth great-great-grandchild.

Stuff 'n Things... n' Procrastination 'n Prayers

Today I left my last Ladies Bible Study class and lunch and gabbing session as a true Lawrenceburgan. Sadness.

Today I am supposed to pack, I'm blogging instead.

Today my great-grandmother (Ma Penny) had a heart attack and was life-lighted (or is it life-flighted? we say it so fast I actually have no idea) to a Nashville hospital (we assume it's Saint Thomas, but do not know for certain ~ Daddy has a large lack of details disease). We have been asked not to flood the hospital w/ visitors (all together there are roughly 75 - 80 children - great-great-grandchildren), but to pray. So please join us in that.

Today I bought a graduation gift for a sweet friend who will be in Nashville at DLU next fall.

Today they put a "SOLD" sign in my front yard.

Monday evening we met the people who will inhabit my precious home in a couple of weeks. My only comment is "I'm sorry house and nice neighbors." Next time we sell a home, I'll screen the buyers in a much more proficient manner. Goodbye nice walls, white carpet, and pretty yard. (Yes, I am being judgmental and I could be wrong, but I just don't think so...)

Today I need a nap and don't have time to take one.

Tomorrow is the last day we have to pack.

Yesterday I (along w/ my step-mom and a friend) scrubbed our rental house from top to bottom to get ready for us to live in.

Today I am exhausted from expending all of that energy.

Today I am a week behind on my classes. Next week I'll have to catch up and unpack at the same time.

Today I have 97 more days until HAH's due date.

Today I could use some laughter.

Funny Forwards

YOU KNOW YOU GREW UP IN THE 80's or early 90's IF-

1. You've ever ended a sentence with the word "PSYCHE ".
2. You watched the Pound Puppies.
3. You can sing the rap to the "Fresh Prince of Bel-air " ...and
can do the "Carlton".
4. Girls wore biker shorts under their skirts and felt stylishly
sexy.
5. You yearned to be a member of the Baby-sitters club and tried to
start a club of your own.
6. You owned those lil' Strawberry Shortcake pals scented dolls.
7. You know that "WOAH " comes from Joey on Blossom
8. Two words: Hammer Pants
9. If you ever watched "Fraggle Rock."
10. You had plastic streamers on your handle bars... and
"spokey-dokes" or playing cards on your spokes for that incredible sound effect.
11. You can sing the entire theme song to "DuckTales " (Woo ooh!)
12. When it was actually worth getting up early on a Saturday to
watch cartoons.
13. You wore a ponytail on the side of your head.
14. You saw the original "Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles " on the big
screen..and still know the turtles names.
15. You got super-excited when it was Oregon Trail day in computer
class at school.
16. You made your mom buy one of those clips that would hold your
shirt in a knot on the side.
17. You played the game "MASH " (Mansion, Apartment, Shelter,
House)
18. You wore stonewashed Jordache jean jackets and were proud of
it.
19. L.A. Gear....need I say more?
20. You wanted to change your name to "JEM " in Kindergarten.
(She's truly outrageous.)
21. You remember reading "Tales of a fourth grade nothing " and all
the Ramona books.
22. You know the profound meaning of "WAX ON, WAX OFF "
23. You wanted to be a Goonie.
24. You ever wore fluorescent clothing. (some of us... head-to-toe)
25. You can remember what Michael Jackson looked like before his
nose fell off and his cheeks shifted.
26. You have ever pondered why Smurfette was the only female smurf.
27. You took lunch boxes to school... and traded Garbage Pail Kids
in the schoolyard.
28. You remember the CRAZE, then the BANNING of slap bracelets.
29. You still get the urge to say "NOT " after every sentence.
30. You remember Hypercolor t-shirts.
31. Barbie and the Rockers was your favorite band.
32. You thought She-ra (Princess of Power!) and He-Man should hook
up.
33. You thought your childhood friends would never leave because
you exchanged handmade friendship bracelets.
34. You ever owned a pair of Jelly-Shoes (and like #24, probably in
neon colors, too).
35. After you saw Pee-Wee's Big Adventure you kept saying "I know
you are, but what am I?"
36. You remember "I've fallen and I can't get up! "
37. You remember going to the skating rink before there were inline
skates.
38. You ever got seriously injured on a Slip and Slide.
39. You have ever played with a Skip-It.
40. You had or attended a birthday party at McDonalds.
41. You've gone through this nodding your head in agreement.
42. You remember Popples.
43. "Don't worry, be happy "
44. You wore like, EIGHT pairs of socks over tights with high top
Reeboks.
45. You wore socks scrunched down (and sometimes still do...
getting yelled at by "younger hip" members of the family)
46. "Miss MARY MACK MACK MACK, all dressed in BLACK BLACK BLACK "
47. You remember boom boxes.. and walking around with one on your
shoulder like you were all that.
48. You remember watching both "Gremlins " movies.
49. You know what it meant to say "Care Bear Stare!!"
50. You remember watching "Rainbow Bright" and "My Little Pony
Tales"
51. You thought Doogie Howser/Samantha Micelli was hot.
52. You remember Alf, the lil furry brown alien from Melmac.
53. You remember New Kids on the Block when they were cool... and
don't even flinch when people refer to them as "NKOTB".
54. You knew all the characters names and their life stories on
"Saved By the Bell", the ORIGINAL class.
55. You know all the words to Bon Jovi - SHOT THROUGH THE HEART.
56. You just sang those words to yourself.
57.You remember watching Magic vs. Bird.
58. homemade Levi shorts.. (the shorter the better)
59. You remember when mullets were cool!
60. You had a mullet!
61. You still sing "We are the World "
62. You tight rolled your jeans.
63. You owned a bannana clip.
64. You remember "Where's the Beef?"
65. You used to (and probably still do) say "What you talkin' about
Willis?"
66. You had big hair and you knew how to use it.
67. You're still singing shot through the heart in your head,
aren't you!!!

Decisions... not that they are all that important or life altering, they're just more fun at the moment.

I'm having a problem deciding on which baby bedding I like the most. Other than seeing it in person, this is as close to touching, feeling and smelling as I can get w/out putting any $$$ into the purchase. Tell me what you think "Coronation" or "Pocketful of Posies." (Click here, then check out children's, then baby bedding, and girl's bedding.)

Yesterday was so much fun. The Ladies Bible Class held a shower for me. The whole "I'm going to be a mother in a short while" thing is beginning to really kick in. There is pink frilly stuff everywhere and I LOVE IT!!!!

I need to whip up some lunch for Brandon, pack up some boxes and dive into the oh so interesting world of Marriage and Family Development. Woo~hoo!

Oh yeah. B was officially offered the North Carolina job yesterday. There is much to ponder, look at, think and pray over, and several more options in the GE job search to look into as well (one of which would probably allow us to stay in Manchester). Please keep us in your prayers over these decisions (the not-so-fun, life-altering ones).

Dreams

Last night Brandon told me of a news story where a local couple had to deliver their child in the car en route to the hospital. Apparently this bothered me some what on a sub-conscious level, as I dreamed the following.

It was a hot Tennessee summer evening. Brandon and I were hosting a BBQ for some friends and family members. He and the others are outside chit-chatting away and I'm in the hallway cramping and feeling a bit out-of-sorts. I sit down on the guest bed, (which if you know me, sitting on a made bed is definitely an unpardonable sin) reach down and deliver a baby boy... a boy? A BOY??!??!! It's a BOY??? What happened to my sweet little girl? What in the world am I going to do w/ a boy? I'm not prepared for a boy! AARRGH!!!! In walks my sister and niece all excited about me delivering a baby and not having a mess of any kind to clean up. I hand Lynette the baby and run out to get Brandon. He gets all perturbed b/c I interrupted his conversation (if you know him at all, you know he just doesn't get perturbed at anything). I"m crying hysterically over delivering A BOY and he could care less. He has guests to entertain and I had sat down on the bed for crying out loud! My sister calls the doctor who appears at the house and says "Congratulations on your son. What are you going to name him?" I let out a blood curdling scream and the dream pans to a beautiful sunset.

That's what I call messed up! For the love... I can't handle too many more of these. I'll be a nervous wreck by the time we reach the hospital (an hour and a half drive from the house in Manchester ~ let's think about that at a later date!). Just thought I'd share that little tid bit. Not much else to blog about. Getting boxes packed and working on summer school.

By the way, the next time I decide to have a child while in grad school please remind me of the pocket protector wearing professor from Nebraska and I'll definitely change my mind! Holy Moses, how in the world am I supposed to "think scientifically, academically, and critically about marriage and family development" when I can't even decide what to fix for supper?!!!

Life is in the details, not the parachute.

More than just about any other saying, I firmly believe that life is definitely in the details. I love details about absolutely everything. I mean EVERYTHING! (Unless it's my grandmother describing what she ate for supper three nights ago for the fifth time in one phone conversation, then I'm not so appreciative of them.) The good thing about seeing, knowing and understanding the details is that there is little room to be un-prepared for any (detail) given situation. I am SO INTO DETAILS, that I asked my ob/gyn for a c-section so that I could be fully prepared and know exactly when HAH is coming into the world ~ she laughed and said "Umm, no!" If you are around many men you probably know that most of them could give a flitter about details. One such man is my husband, bless his heart.

Unfortunately, men run the course of our life right now. Every person who is higher in the GE food chain and has a remote in-site to our future, just isn't too detail oriented. What we do know is this: Brandon has a job through the end of September and probably will continue w/ the company after that date. As of now, his boss has his eye on two very different places. One is the North Carolina job (we would probably live in South Carolina ~ one of the guys B works w/ said it's much less expensive, just as nice as Asheville, and only 30 minutes away) and the other is right outside of Atlanta. The girl who has rather strong opinions and hates, detests, can not stand curvy roads, hills, or mountains, just isn't all that excited about living in a very curvy, hilly, mountainy area (when the interstate speed limit is 50 b/c of natural terrain I tend to have panic attacks). This job would be wonderful for B's career and we are told we'd be there for at least 5 years (Holy crap ~ Hadlee will be in Kindergarten in 5 years ~ someone give me a paper bag and tell me to breathe ~ not easy to think about!!!) My brain is having a hard time thinking now, I'll try to continue... The Atlanta job would be more of a lateral slide in the career area. BUT, as we all know, it's not located in the mountains and if you go 50 on any road you will shortly meet your maker. Nascar's got nuttin' on Atlanta highways! Also, Atlanta is only 3 hours from home and we know people there, while NC / SC is 5 - 6 hours depending on who is doing the driving and we know no one in that area. Both are in a different time zone ~ I'll not go into how much that messes w/ my mind right now. We probably won't know until June or even later when or where we'll be moving east. If you'll remember, HAH will be here in August... at least, that's what we're counting on.

If you read paragraph one, you will notice that I'm BIG on details. In paragraph two, there is a large lack of them. Yep, it's not really my kind of thing, but if I have learned anything at all in life, it's that all things will work out in the end (if I knew exactly which "things" these were and when exactly they would "work out" I'd be much more at ease, but ya know how that goes). I seriously think God was bored and needed to laugh so He decided Brandon and I should have to manage our lives in a different manner. He better be getting some good guffaws in is all I have to say about that!

Boxes are slowly being packed and moved to storage in Manchester. Leaving is sad, but being there is going to be so much fun (once the boxes are un-packed)! We are going to miss our church here dearly. (Speaking of church, they are giving us two showers and one going-away party next week ~ FUN!!!) But since my doc's office is only half an hour away I'm going to try to make the appointments on days that social activities are happening and just make myself at home w/ my retired friends.

Changes, details, imagining having a 5 year old... it's a bit much for now, but that's what's going on. Stability seems to have disappeared. God is providing us w/ a parachute. It's not necessarily cute, nor does it match my purse and shoes, but it is a parachute none the less. All we can do is trust in Him, jump, and enjoy the ride down. (If only I knew when the ride was going to be and where we would land...)