As I looked back to the post I created last year at this same time, I stand AMAZED at how God had a completely different plan for the way our lives would be in 2008!!!
Here's a BRIEF recap of 2008...
January- Ella was struggling in daycare. We couldn't keep her well for ANYTHING! Eventually she was hospitalized for dehydration. This was our first time as parents to have to watch one of our children to helplessly be confined to a hospital bed for several days. It was truly a challenging time for our family. On a happier note, we celebrated Daddy's thirty second birthday and began preparing for Ella's first birthday party. We also made the decision after much prayer to remove Ella from daycare in hopes of getting her well. God opened yet another amazing door for us. My friend Amy willingly agreed to keep Ella each day. Ella LOVED going to Amy's and spending time with Clara. We were so thankful for this opportunity!
February- Ella turned ONE!!! Sadly, on her first birthday she had a case of the flu! We had to cancel her first birthday party and reschedule for a later time. Because we had to reschedule, several of our family members were unable to attend.
March- After much prayer, I decided that it was time for a career change. Brian and I both felt that it was important for Carson to grow up in a school in the community in which we live, go to church, and play ball. The only way this would be possible would be if I moved to a school closer to home. I knew the new Lyman Elementary would be opening with the 2008-2009 school year. Wow... a school only two miles away rather than 30 miles away!!! I decided to put everything in God's hands and turned in a blank contract! The very NEXT day, I received a call from Mr. Henson letting me know of available positions. Within a few days, I signed a contract with District Five!
April- Life as I knew it would be forever changed! On April 19 I was granted a second chance at this life on earth. Brian began a new life of assuming the role of SUPER DAD! Carson and Ella began living without a mommy at home.
May- Aunt Lizzie officially graduated from USC with a Masters in Library Science! :) Yay! Carson graduated from K4. I was moved to a rehabilitation hospital. I had my first kidney stone while in the hospital. I have NEVER experienced pain like that! I was able to come home and once again rejoin my family. I visited O.P. Earle for one last time, and loved the sweet party my children had for me! I was blessed to see my very first group of students graduate from high school!
June- I celebrated my 31st birthday with a completely different outlook on getting older. Aunt Lizzie quit her job to help take care of us. Ella was exposed to mornings on CMT with her Aunt Lizzie. I began to walk again!! The days of outpatient physical therapy began. We were very blessed to purchase a 2008 Honda Odessey. We ALL loved our new vehicle. Carson and Ella especially liked the DVD player.
July- We celebrated the 4th of July in Downtown Greevnille. The kids and I headed to Hilton Head for a few days. It was nice to be able to travel for the first time. I was able to see my beautiful new school for the first time. The excitement of setting up a brand new classroom began! I would work a few days at a time with LOTS of help! I felt like a brand new teacher all over again!
August- Carson began KINDERGARTEN! Where did the time go? I began teaching again...as a walking teacher, not one in a wheelchair which I thought would happen. Ella adjusted very well to reentering daycare. She actually LOVED it, and luckily stayed pretty healthy. I moved my physical therapy to a new gym closer to home. I began two days of physical therapy a week rather than three. Sadly, my nana passed away this month. She had suffered from alzheimer's for several years, and hadn't known me as her granddaughter for a couple. I will forever be saddened that she never had the opportunity to meet Ella.
September- We celebrated Carson's 6th birthday!!!! Now, I am usually a BIG planner when it cmes to my children's birthday parties. This year was a bit different. We did not decide on a place to have his party until a few weeks prior to the BIG day. Carson loved his swimming party. We were blessed to have our entire family there this time.
October- The ear infections began!!! It seemed like Ella lived on an antibiotic for the entire month. We battled allergic reactions and endless infections. Aunt Lizzie and I journeyed to Charlotte to see NKOTB! It was an amazing concert...one that brought back so many memories of the past! We continued our annual tradition of going to Boo in the Zoo with the Cummings and Goodes. We celebrated Halloween by visiting Grammy and Papa's house, G.G.'s house, and the Foster's house. Brian, Carson, and Ella went to Bobbie's house to help celebrate Dawson's third birthday while I stayed at home to rest.
November- We journeyed to Asheville to celebrate Ian's third birthday. Carson had so much fun jumping on the inflatable slide. We had so much to be THANKFUL for this year. I found a church home to join. After several years of seeking a place where my family feels part of a much larger family, God finally led us to our new home.
December- December was a very busy month. The month began with my graduation from physical therapy! I was also released from the orthopedic doctor. Carson had his first Upward basketball practice. This is his very first year of playing basketball. Ella continued her battle with ear infections, so we were finally referred to a specialist who decided it would be best to place tubes in her ears. On December 16, Ella's minor surgery was a success. Almost immediately we witnessed a change in her. The preschool choir at church performed a Christmas program. Carson was adorable despite the fact that he must have been tired based on the number of yawns we saw. God blessed us with an AMAZING Christmas. To conclude the month, I received great news from my cognitive tests at Roger C Peace and officially joined the gym!!! I will conclude the year and begin 2009 at church! Praise God for this amazing opportunity!
Here's a BRIEF recap of 2008...
January- Ella was struggling in daycare. We couldn't keep her well for ANYTHING! Eventually she was hospitalized for dehydration. This was our first time as parents to have to watch one of our children to helplessly be confined to a hospital bed for several days. It was truly a challenging time for our family. On a happier note, we celebrated Daddy's thirty second birthday and began preparing for Ella's first birthday party. We also made the decision after much prayer to remove Ella from daycare in hopes of getting her well. God opened yet another amazing door for us. My friend Amy willingly agreed to keep Ella each day. Ella LOVED going to Amy's and spending time with Clara. We were so thankful for this opportunity!
February- Ella turned ONE!!! Sadly, on her first birthday she had a case of the flu! We had to cancel her first birthday party and reschedule for a later time. Because we had to reschedule, several of our family members were unable to attend.
March- After much prayer, I decided that it was time for a career change. Brian and I both felt that it was important for Carson to grow up in a school in the community in which we live, go to church, and play ball. The only way this would be possible would be if I moved to a school closer to home. I knew the new Lyman Elementary would be opening with the 2008-2009 school year. Wow... a school only two miles away rather than 30 miles away!!! I decided to put everything in God's hands and turned in a blank contract! The very NEXT day, I received a call from Mr. Henson letting me know of available positions. Within a few days, I signed a contract with District Five!
April- Life as I knew it would be forever changed! On April 19 I was granted a second chance at this life on earth. Brian began a new life of assuming the role of SUPER DAD! Carson and Ella began living without a mommy at home.
May- Aunt Lizzie officially graduated from USC with a Masters in Library Science! :) Yay! Carson graduated from K4. I was moved to a rehabilitation hospital. I had my first kidney stone while in the hospital. I have NEVER experienced pain like that! I was able to come home and once again rejoin my family. I visited O.P. Earle for one last time, and loved the sweet party my children had for me! I was blessed to see my very first group of students graduate from high school!
June- I celebrated my 31st birthday with a completely different outlook on getting older. Aunt Lizzie quit her job to help take care of us. Ella was exposed to mornings on CMT with her Aunt Lizzie. I began to walk again!! The days of outpatient physical therapy began. We were very blessed to purchase a 2008 Honda Odessey. We ALL loved our new vehicle. Carson and Ella especially liked the DVD player.
July- We celebrated the 4th of July in Downtown Greevnille. The kids and I headed to Hilton Head for a few days. It was nice to be able to travel for the first time. I was able to see my beautiful new school for the first time. The excitement of setting up a brand new classroom began! I would work a few days at a time with LOTS of help! I felt like a brand new teacher all over again!
August- Carson began KINDERGARTEN! Where did the time go? I began teaching again...as a walking teacher, not one in a wheelchair which I thought would happen. Ella adjusted very well to reentering daycare. She actually LOVED it, and luckily stayed pretty healthy. I moved my physical therapy to a new gym closer to home. I began two days of physical therapy a week rather than three. Sadly, my nana passed away this month. She had suffered from alzheimer's for several years, and hadn't known me as her granddaughter for a couple. I will forever be saddened that she never had the opportunity to meet Ella.
September- We celebrated Carson's 6th birthday!!!! Now, I am usually a BIG planner when it cmes to my children's birthday parties. This year was a bit different. We did not decide on a place to have his party until a few weeks prior to the BIG day. Carson loved his swimming party. We were blessed to have our entire family there this time.
October- The ear infections began!!! It seemed like Ella lived on an antibiotic for the entire month. We battled allergic reactions and endless infections. Aunt Lizzie and I journeyed to Charlotte to see NKOTB! It was an amazing concert...one that brought back so many memories of the past! We continued our annual tradition of going to Boo in the Zoo with the Cummings and Goodes. We celebrated Halloween by visiting Grammy and Papa's house, G.G.'s house, and the Foster's house. Brian, Carson, and Ella went to Bobbie's house to help celebrate Dawson's third birthday while I stayed at home to rest.
November- We journeyed to Asheville to celebrate Ian's third birthday. Carson had so much fun jumping on the inflatable slide. We had so much to be THANKFUL for this year. I found a church home to join. After several years of seeking a place where my family feels part of a much larger family, God finally led us to our new home.
December- December was a very busy month. The month began with my graduation from physical therapy! I was also released from the orthopedic doctor. Carson had his first Upward basketball practice. This is his very first year of playing basketball. Ella continued her battle with ear infections, so we were finally referred to a specialist who decided it would be best to place tubes in her ears. On December 16, Ella's minor surgery was a success. Almost immediately we witnessed a change in her. The preschool choir at church performed a Christmas program. Carson was adorable despite the fact that he must have been tired based on the number of yawns we saw. God blessed us with an AMAZING Christmas. To conclude the month, I received great news from my cognitive tests at Roger C Peace and officially joined the gym!!! I will conclude the year and begin 2009 at church! Praise God for this amazing opportunity!
