Thursday, May 7, 2009
Happy Birthday to ME!!!!!!
Thanks to my husband I finally got the car of my dreams......a 1964-1/2 Mustang. However, he says this is my Birthday, Mother's Day, Anniversary, and Christmas presents for the next 20 years!!! That really doesn't matter though because I have always liked the old mustangs and never thought I would ever own one, so even if it is all my gifts for the next 20 years I LOVE it!!!
Sunday, April 26, 2009
New Family Member!
Sorry it has been so long since my last post, but there really hasn't been much going on in our lives except work. However that has just recently changed. We now have a new Baby Bull to raise. He was born on April 14th and his mom died on the following day. The other momma cows would not take him on so Mike and I are now raising him. The first few days were very rough because we thought he wasn't going to survive and we were doing everything possible to help him survive, but he is doing great now. He drinks his full bottle and wants more. He weighed in at 60 lbs before he was a week old and has continued to grow. He is becoming more active everyday and wants to play. Here are a few pictures of him and a video of him mooing. Enjoy!
4 Days Old
Feeding Time - 4 Days Old
4 Days Old
Feeding Time - 4 Days Old
Sunday, February 22, 2009
Happy Valentine's Day!!!
I know this post is a little late, but everything in my life has been crazy. We had a horrible ice storm the last week in January and were without power for a week (yuck!). After we got rid of all the ice, we had a lot of trees to clean up in the yard. Then my Nanny was having chest pain which showed that she had a heart attack and further testing revealed a blockage. They were able to put a stint in to fix the blockage. After all of this excitement I was finally able to go visit Asa at the cemetery and decorate for Valentine's Day. I had bought him a stuffed puppy for Valentine's Day and was determined to get it to him before Valentine's Day. I went on Friday (13th) and put out his decorations. I think he has the best decorated headstone in the cemetery, but I am a little partial. I am posting pics so you can see how lovely his headstone looks.
Hope everyone is doing well. Love to you all!
Asa's headstone decorated with love by Mommy & Daddy
Happy Valentine's Day Baby!!!
Stone placed by Grandma & Grandpa Rhodes
Frog and Cross placed by Nana and PaBill
Hope everyone is doing well. Love to you all!
Asa's headstone decorated with love by Mommy & Daddy
Happy Valentine's Day Baby!!!
Stone placed by Grandma & Grandpa Rhodes
Frog and Cross placed by Nana and PaBill
Ice Storm -- January 2009
Our Front Yard - Yes there is a house behind the tree!!
Scenes from the Farm
Scenes from the Farm
Wednesday, January 14, 2009
A sign from Heaven
Wow I can't believe it is 2009!!
Hope everyone is having a great new year!
Our new year started with the loss of Mike's aunt. She was such a great lady and will be missed by many. We find comfort knowing that she is in heaven now helping take care of our baby Asa. We feel that she sent us a sign the night she passed to let us know everything is OK. Mike and I were over at his parents house a few hours after she passed away. That night on our way home we made our normal trip by the cemetery to see Asa's grave. I had put solar powered Christmas lights out for him for Christmas and we had taken Mike's aunt by on Christmas evening to let her see them. They were blinking, but were a little dim like always (solar powered lights are never as bright as electric lights). However, the night we went by after his aunt passed away, the lights on his grave were extremely bright, as bright as the lights you would plug in to an electric outlet. We know that was a sign from her letting us know that she was in heaven with Asa and everything was OK.
We had another sign from God and Asa on the day we buried Asa (10-11-08) to let us know that everything is OK. After the graveside service was over, we had 12 baby blue balloons that were given to the people on the front row (mostly immediate family) and we released the balloons after saying something to Asa. I didn't get a chance to look back up in the sky at the balloons, because I had many people coming up to me to give their condolences, but there were a lot of people that do not know each other who have came to us in the months after the funeral and told us that the balloons formed a "V" in the sky then formed an "A". We know that was God and Asa's sign to us everything will be alright. The V was for Victory in Jesus and the A was for Asa.
I know that god sends us these sign to remind us that he does exist, that he loves us, and that everything is gonna be alright. God is wonderful.
On another note:
Sorry I have not posted lately, but Mike and I have both been extremely busy in our jobs and working extra hours to get ahead. This is my first day off besides the weekends and the funeral leave since the new year. The hospital I work at opened a new pharmacy employee pharmacy and I was the chosen one to start this up and run it. So needless to say, I have been extremely busy getting that up and running. I can't believe that we are already half way through January, but time flies when you're having fun....right??
Hope everyone is having a great new year!
Our new year started with the loss of Mike's aunt. She was such a great lady and will be missed by many. We find comfort knowing that she is in heaven now helping take care of our baby Asa. We feel that she sent us a sign the night she passed to let us know everything is OK. Mike and I were over at his parents house a few hours after she passed away. That night on our way home we made our normal trip by the cemetery to see Asa's grave. I had put solar powered Christmas lights out for him for Christmas and we had taken Mike's aunt by on Christmas evening to let her see them. They were blinking, but were a little dim like always (solar powered lights are never as bright as electric lights). However, the night we went by after his aunt passed away, the lights on his grave were extremely bright, as bright as the lights you would plug in to an electric outlet. We know that was a sign from her letting us know that she was in heaven with Asa and everything was OK.
We had another sign from God and Asa on the day we buried Asa (10-11-08) to let us know that everything is OK. After the graveside service was over, we had 12 baby blue balloons that were given to the people on the front row (mostly immediate family) and we released the balloons after saying something to Asa. I didn't get a chance to look back up in the sky at the balloons, because I had many people coming up to me to give their condolences, but there were a lot of people that do not know each other who have came to us in the months after the funeral and told us that the balloons formed a "V" in the sky then formed an "A". We know that was God and Asa's sign to us everything will be alright. The V was for Victory in Jesus and the A was for Asa.
I know that god sends us these sign to remind us that he does exist, that he loves us, and that everything is gonna be alright. God is wonderful.
On another note:
Sorry I have not posted lately, but Mike and I have both been extremely busy in our jobs and working extra hours to get ahead. This is my first day off besides the weekends and the funeral leave since the new year. The hospital I work at opened a new pharmacy employee pharmacy and I was the chosen one to start this up and run it. So needless to say, I have been extremely busy getting that up and running. I can't believe that we are already half way through January, but time flies when you're having fun....right??
Sunday, December 21, 2008
Christmas is near
Well I just wrapped up the weekend at work. Christmas is just around the corner and everyone is all in the holiday spirit. However, I am having trouble finding that holiday cheer. I have managed to buy gifts for everyone in our immediate family, but that is the extent of it. This year for Christmas we were expecting to have a new baby to share the experience with and that all came to a halt in October. I know that Christmas is about the birth of Jesus and that I am supposed to celebrate his birth, but I feel like I have nothing to celebrate this year. I just wish that we had our little Asa here with us to celebrate Christmas. I know that he will have a wonderful Christmas in Heaven and we will make it through this Holiday season without him. Please say a prayer for us as we go through this diffucult time in our lives. Love to you all and hope you all have a wonderful Christmas.
Wednesday, December 17, 2008
Thought for the day - Pennies from Heaven!
Just wanted to share this interesting story that I received in my e-mail.
We hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story; gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? 'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words 'United States of America'. 'No, not that; read further.' 'One cent?' 'No, keep reading.' 'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?' 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.
It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.
Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!
Send this to every 'beautiful person' you wish to bless.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
We hear the usual stories of pennies on the sidewalk being good luck, gifts from angels, etc. This is the first time I've ever heard this twist on the story; gives you something to think about. Several years ago, a friend of mine and her husband were invited to spend the weekend at the husband's employer's home. My friend, Arlene, was nervous about the weekend. The boss was very wealthy, with a fine home on the waterway, and cars costing more than her house
The first day and evening went well, and Arlene was delighted to have this rare glimpse into how the very wealthy live. The husband's employer was quite generous as a host, and took them to the finest restaurants. Arlene knew she would never have the opportunity to indulge in this kind of extravagance again, so was enjoying herself immensely.
As the three of them were about to enter an exclusive restaurant that evening, the boss was walking slightly ahead of Arlene and her husband. He stopped suddenly, looking down on the pavement for a long, silent moment. Arlene wondered if she was supposed to pass him. There was nothing on the ground except a single darkened penny that someone had dropped and a few cigarette butts. Still silent, the man reached down and picked up the penny. He held it up and smiled, then put it in his pocket as if he had found a great treasure. How absurd! What need did this man have for a single penny? Why would he even take the time to stop and pick it up? Throughout dinner, the entire scene nagged at her. Finally, she could stand it no longer. She casually mentioned that her daughter once had a coin collection, and asked if the penny he had found had been of some value. A smile crept across the man's face as he reached into his pocket for the penny and held it out for her to see. She had seen many pennies before! What was the point of this? 'Look at it.' He said. 'Read what it says.' She read the words 'United States of America'. 'No, not that; read further.' 'One cent?' 'No, keep reading.' 'In God we Trust?' 'Yes!' 'And?' 'And if I trust in God, the name of God is holy, even on a coin. Whenever I find a coin I see that inscription. It is written on every single United States coin, but we never seem to notice it! God drops a message right in front of me telling me to trust Him? Who am I to pass it by? When I see a coin, I pray, I stop to see if my trust IS in God at that moment. I pick the coin up as a response to God; that I do trust in Him. For a short time, at least, I cherish it as if it were gold. I think it is God's way of starting a conversation with me. Lucky for me, God is patient and pennies are plentiful!
When I was out shopping today, I found a penny on the sidewalk. I stopped and picked it up, and realized that I had been worrying and fretting in my mind about things I cannot change. I read the words, 'In God We Trust,' and had to laugh. Yes, God, I get the message.
It seems that I have been finding an inordinate number of pennies in the last few months, but then, pennies are plentiful! And, God is patient.
Thought for the Day:
If God had a refrigerator, your picture would be on it.
If He had a wallet, your photo would be in it.
He sends you flowers every spring.
He sends you a sunrise every morning Face it, friend - He is crazy about you!
Send this to every 'beautiful person' you wish to bless.
God didn't promise days without pain, laughter without sorrow, sun without rain, but He did promise strength for the day, comfort for the tears, and light for the way.
Read this line very slowly and let it sink in...
If God brings you to it, He will bring you through it.
Friday, December 12, 2008
TGIF!!!!
Well it's finally Friday!!!! This has been an extremely busy week for me at work. We are getting ready to open a pharmacy for employees at our hospital the first of the new year. I was the chosen one to spend the 2 days with the trainer and learn the system so I can somehow teach the other employees how to work the system too. Wow! that was alot of information to learn in just 2 days. I have spent all day today trying to compose a manual from my notes to have as a how to guide. I am suprised at how much I am actually remebering from the whirlwind training. I am planning to spend the weekend relaxing, because I know what awaits me on Monday at work. I am sure I will be extra busy from now until the first of the year and then after the pharmacy opens I know I will continue to be busy until all the kinks are worked out and everything is set up completely. Say a prayer for me that I won't go insane during these next few months!!!!
Monday, December 8, 2008
Staying Busy
Well, it's been a while since my last post, so I thought I better post an update. I have been keeping busy since I went back to work. Hopefully everyone had a great Thanksgiving. I spent the holiday working....but at least I'm off on Christmas eve and Christmas day. I did get time off after the holiday and was able to spend that time with my family visiting from Michigan.
Last Saturday (Nov. 29) we planted a pecan tree on our farm in memory of Asa. The consevartion department was nice enough to give us a tree to plant in our baby's memory. I know that we will enjoy the pecans each year and we will always have the tree as a memorial to Asa.
On Friday (Dec 5) we put a Christmas blanket out on Asa's grave to keep him warm this winter. We also decorated the vases with fresh cedar tree branches and red holly berries from the farm. I am planning to add some red bows to the vases and solar powered Christmas lights when they come in. I have them on order but they have not made it here yet. I have attached a few pictures of the grave blanket.
Mike and I decided that after everything we had been through in the past few months that it would be nice to get away for the weekend. We took a trip this past weekend to St. Louis and stayed at a luxury hotel with an indoor hot tub. We stayed near the italian community and enjoyed their wonderful cusine (Yum) for both lunch and a very nice dinner. Although we did not really do a whole lot it was nice to just get away together. This was the weekend our little Asa was expected to make his appearance into this world. The day was not as bad a I had expected it to be and spending it together made it easier beacuse we had each other to lean on. Mike has been so wonderful to me through all of this. I know that he is hurting too, but he is always there to help me and hold me. I don't know what I would do without him. I love him sooo much.
I am now working on getting Christmas cards in the mail. Hopefully I can get them out before Christmas!! Guess I better get busy!
Here are the pics of Asa's Christmas blanket.
Last Saturday (Nov. 29) we planted a pecan tree on our farm in memory of Asa. The consevartion department was nice enough to give us a tree to plant in our baby's memory. I know that we will enjoy the pecans each year and we will always have the tree as a memorial to Asa.
On Friday (Dec 5) we put a Christmas blanket out on Asa's grave to keep him warm this winter. We also decorated the vases with fresh cedar tree branches and red holly berries from the farm. I am planning to add some red bows to the vases and solar powered Christmas lights when they come in. I have them on order but they have not made it here yet. I have attached a few pictures of the grave blanket.
Mike and I decided that after everything we had been through in the past few months that it would be nice to get away for the weekend. We took a trip this past weekend to St. Louis and stayed at a luxury hotel with an indoor hot tub. We stayed near the italian community and enjoyed their wonderful cusine (Yum) for both lunch and a very nice dinner. Although we did not really do a whole lot it was nice to just get away together. This was the weekend our little Asa was expected to make his appearance into this world. The day was not as bad a I had expected it to be and spending it together made it easier beacuse we had each other to lean on. Mike has been so wonderful to me through all of this. I know that he is hurting too, but he is always there to help me and hold me. I don't know what I would do without him. I love him sooo much.
I am now working on getting Christmas cards in the mail. Hopefully I can get them out before Christmas!! Guess I better get busy!
Here are the pics of Asa's Christmas blanket.
Thursday, November 20, 2008
Asa's Headstone
Just thought I would post a few pictures of Asa's Headstone. I have decorated it more since I took these pictures. After Thanksgiving I will put Christmas decorations out for him.
Tuesday, November 18, 2008
Back to WORK (aka Reality)
Well today was my first day back in the working world after 6 weeks off. Everything went as good as it could I guess. I really was enjoying staying home and working on projects around the house. However, I did miss seeing some of the people I work with and it was nice to catch up, but the idea of having to be there for 8 hours is just no fun.
Monday, November 17, 2008
Doctor visits
This morning I had my 6 week check up and the doctor said everything was back to normal. Now it's just wait until my 6 months are up and then start trying again for another baby. Hopefully everything will go well this next time and we will have a healthy baby boy or girl!!
On the other hand, my cousin Jenifer had her first doctor's appointment today. She is about 8 weeks pregnant (after 2 years of trying) and the baby is due June 24th. I am so excited for her. They did an ultrasound and she got to hear the heartbeat. I pray that everything will turn out great for her and her baby. She is a little nervous, because she and her husband are stationed in Alaska with the army and her family is here in Missouri and her husband is scheduled to leave for the Middle East in June when the baby is due. I hope and pray that things will all work out for them.
On the other hand, my cousin Jenifer had her first doctor's appointment today. She is about 8 weeks pregnant (after 2 years of trying) and the baby is due June 24th. I am so excited for her. They did an ultrasound and she got to hear the heartbeat. I pray that everything will turn out great for her and her baby. She is a little nervous, because she and her husband are stationed in Alaska with the army and her family is here in Missouri and her husband is scheduled to leave for the Middle East in June when the baby is due. I hope and pray that things will all work out for them.
Friday, November 14, 2008
Our Family History
Mike and I met in January 2006 over the internet on Match.com. We got married on April 24th, 2007 on the beach at South Padre Island, Texas. On April 1, 2008, I found out that we were going to have a baby. We were both very excited and anxiously awaited the arrival of our first child. The pregnancy was going very great. I never experienced any morning sickness. At our 14 week appointment we were able to see our baby for the first time and hear his heartbeat. On July 30th, 2008 (20 weeks) we learned that our baby was going to be a boy (Asa Reilly) and everything looked great. Then on August 26th, after not feeling Asa moving much for 3 days, I went to the OB floor at the hospital were I work and they did a non-stress test and ultrasound. The doctor on call told me that my baby had developed fluid around his heart and my amniotic fluid was low. I saw my OB doc on the next day and he sent me to a Perinatologist (maternal-fetal specialist). He told us that our baby had problems with the blood flow in the umbilical cord and had stopped growing at 21 weeks. We went to another specialist for a second opinion only to find out the same thing. We refused to give up and sent my records to a specialist in Pennsylvania. He was very nice, but did not have anything better to tell us. All 3 doctors said if he would grow to a little over a pound they would be able to deliver him and possibly save him. We began to pray for our baby to grow to be big enough for them to take him and save him. We had weekly appointments with the specialist to monitor baby Asa, but every week he measured the same size and weight. I rented a fetal heart monitor to monitor the heartbeat, since he was not being very active. Then after 6 weeks, Asa gave me one last kick. I checked for the heartbeat and it was no longer there. We went to the hospital and they did an ultrasound and confirmed that our little baby was now an angel. On October 5th, 2008 at 10:17am, we meet our precious little angel Asa. Instead of taking a baby home from the hospital, we left with a box of keepsakes and an angel up in heaven to watch over us. This was not exactly what we had planned when we found out we were pregnant, but God has a plan for Asa and though we do not know why Asa had to leave us, we do know that he is safe in the arms of Jesus.
It has been almost 6 weeks since our little baby Asa became an angel. The days are getting a little easier, but he is missed tremendously everyday. I know that he will always be in our hearts and he will always be missed by those who loved him.
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