Miracle and a Panda....

Everyday I thank God for Bailey; usually more than once. Every time she giggles, gives me kisses, talks in her cute little voice...really just about everything, I praise God for. Every night I pray over her and each night I start the prayer by thanking God for the "miracle and blessing" that she is. Today was a special reminder of God's love for me. A reminder of His promises.

Today, Bailey found her Panda.

Three years ago, I was newly pregnant. After years of prayer, doctors appointments and (in order to conceive Bailey), fertility shots I got to see the double pink line on the pregnancy stick. I finally got "the call" from the doctor's office, "Congratulations, you're pregnant". I finally got to tell my husband and my parents, that I was having a baby. Then, as my parents, Tom and I were seeing the sights of Washington D.C. we decided to visit one of the Smithsonian museums. It was there, that I found this cute little stuffed Panda. I promptly sent Tom to go purchase it and as he was off paying, I went to the bathroom for my 20th trip of the day....only this trip was different. This trip I discovered that I was bleeding. Unless you've been there, I'm not sure I can fully describe that feeling. That feeling of deep horror in the pit of your very soul. I remember immediately feeling deflated. The idea that I was possibly miscarrying was .....it was a weight so heavy, that I found it hard to breath. I remember being in a daze as I made my way out of the bathroom and looking at my mother's face. I remember telling her that I was bleeding and I remember her praying. I remember the train ride back to the hotel and I remember feeling: please God, make it stop. Make the day stop, make the train stop, make my pain stop, make the bleeding stop. I remember thinking, my arms are aching.

But......GOD IS GOOD!!! He mercies are so great. His gifts and blessings are so much more than we could ever hope for. I truly believe that God saw me in those moments and said, "Not today....not my child. Today, she will be blessed".

Today, Bailey found her Panda.....what a great day indeed.



"For you created my inmost being; you knit me together in my mother's womb"
Psalm 139:13

Father's Day....

I have been very blessed with two very wonderful men in my life, first my father and now my husband, the father of our baby girl. Both of these men are kind, loving and supportive. Each has their own strengths and qualities but each richly blesses my life. Without either, I would feel incomplete.

Tom is such a wonderful daddy. He's such a "guy's guy"...sports, rough and very loud...definitely all guy, but he'll get down on the floor with her and play teacups. He's learning the names of Disney's Princesses and the words to Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. Bailey will yell "DADDY!" across a store when she sees him...it's the sweetest thing. I married a good man and with each passing day, as he grows as a father, he only gets better. I thank God for him daily.

My father on the other hand, has always been a great man, as far as I'm concerned. Faultless, no...but there's always been a strength to my dad that has given me peace. He can fix just about anything and really can do about all he sets his mind too....and yet he has such a humble spirit. He loves mom like nothing else and in that I take both great comfort and encouragement. He lights up when he sees Bailey....it touches me to watch. I thank God for the example that he sets.

Below are a few pictures of Tom and Bailey, as well as Popo and Bailey. Yes, I know...there are a lot but, of the thousands of pictures we have of Bailey, I had a hard time picking just these :)

Thank you Jesus for these wonderful men....

Family Visit - Aloha!

Tom's sister, Bailey's Aunt Judy, came into town today (from Hawaii). While it was great for us to see her, she really came to see the newest member of the family, her grandson....beautiful baby Joshua Stephen who was born a little over two weeks ago. He's such a beautiful miracle. Below are some pictures of our visit, including some pictures of Bailey with her other cousin, Alexander (Judy's first grandson from her oldest son). It was a great visit :)

My Beautiful Family....

God's blessings are so great! Here's a couple of pictures, from our most recent family photo session (Bailey had to take her elephant with her to this one :).

We are so blessed!

Golf and Ice Cream...

This summer has brought a few new things; the latest being golf and ice cream from the ice cream man (truck). I picked up this toy golf set at Walmart and Bailey loves it (actually, I think she loves just about anything that she can do outside). Last night, the ice cream man drove through our neighborhood so we took advantage of the opportunity. It was so cute watching her wait for the truck. She knew he was bringing ice cream (we had told her what he had and given her some money...which she is starting to understand that money = something special). She was so excited! Daddy and Mommy helped her eat her surprise; I think that was her only disappointment for the night ;)

Hope you all had a great week!

Watermelon oh watermelon...

Bailey's not a big fan of getting dirty...oh, and her newest "trick" is smelling things (especially her hands after she's touched something). So, needless to say her first time trying to eat a piece of watermelon was a pretty funny thing to watch. She's had watermelon before, but I've always cut it up into small pieces....this was the first time I handed her a piece to try on her own. Look for yourself and see how it went ..... :)



Really...you want me to touch this?



Okay...I'll try...



Hmmm....let's see...



I think this is cold...



Yep, definitely cold.



Wait a sec! My hands are dirty and they might smell!



Yes, definitely dirty....



and yes....these things smell like watermelon!



Wash the hands Mama! Please!!



Next time I'll be ready...



This is how watermelon should be eaten! :)

Fun with Evan....

Evan came over to play today....Bailey always loves it when she comes over. I think the only thing she loves more, is going over to Evan's house (but that's just because she gets to play with different toys :). Here's some pictures of our great morning....enjoy!



Our beautiful girls...

Glenna and I were both taking a picture at the same time,
so the flash was REALLY bright! :)

Evan helping Bailey along on her horse, Bailey loved it! :)

The girls were running circles around the house,
Gleanna and I always encourage this...anything to
help bring on a good nap!

Bailey watching Evan leave..."bummer" (Bailey's new word)