urgent prayer request!!!!

Please pray for Jennifer.

I really dont know the entire story, but something about she has a rare infection and is in critical condition at a hospital in Kansas City. She is on a ventilator and has a feeding tube. I really dont know details at this time...but it is a very scary time I am sure for her family. I have known this girl for pretty much forever it seems. Mom used to babysit her...and we've just always known her family. She's such a beautiful person and has a beautiful family and please just say some prayers for her that they get this infection undercontrol AND FAST...

On another note, have a great new years eve!

Our Christmas...

We sure did enjoy our first Christmas with Miss Avery. She is so sweet. She loves her present from Santa...



This little chair just her size complete with a lamp that turns off and on, a book and a clock.

Avery also got a ton of other fun presents...such as a cute pink gingham beanbag with her name on it, a shopping cart, a vsmile baby set and game, a john deere popper push deal, a really cute pink sequin purse, and a ton of other things.

We are going to Tulsa tomorrow to JoeDels dad's side family Christmas. We're going to stay with Lynne tomorrow night and I am really looking forward to that.

Later!

Merry Christmas Eve!!!!

We've had a nice Christmas so far...Saturday we had a big shindig with JoeDel's moms family. Avery received some nice gifts from the gift exchange and also from SANTA who made an appearance there...

Boy oh boy are we ready for Santa tonight. Avery is asleep in her room but is sporting her santa pjs. We've got the cookies and milk out and the flu on the fireplace open so the man in red can scoot on down. I think I will sleep out on the couch tonight so I don't miss his arrival.

Yesterday we all went to church (me, joedel, avery, grammy sara, grandma mary and aunt missy). It was gifts for Jesus day and also baby Avery was dedicated to Jesus. It was a nice ceremony deal. Avery and I went over the the McClellands and met up w/ Amy & Chris and Jenny & Eric and their kids. It was a fun time, and we got to see Marla too!!!!

Daddy is sick tonight. He went to bed hours ago. Avery and I stayed up though and worked hard on our letter to Santa. I hope he doesn't get too sick on the cookies, we left a lot out for him b/c we know he will be pretty hungry after sliding down all those chimneys.

MERRY CHRISTMAS! May you all be blessed by our Lord, JESUS IS THE REASON FOR THE SEASON!!!!

Good Grief!

I do not know why, but today I began thinking...I mean REALLY thinking...about the fact that I will be 30 in less than 3 years. THIRTY. Wow. Thirty always seemed soooo far away and now it is just around the corner. I was visiting the facebook page of an old friend that is now the big 3-0. It really just seems unreal that we are almost to this point. JoeDel is like 36, and I dont really think about that much...but when it comes to ME hitting this mark it seems to be such a big deal. Yes, I know age is just a number but I'm not quite ready to give up my twenties yet. I guess I need to take advantage of these next 2 1/2 years and live it up eh? :)

Oh, and I got some sort of cream cheese pastry deal for my gift yesterday. Yippie - more fattening food!

Merry Christmas HMS Style

Well today we are having the 1st annual Christmas Gift Exchange at HMS. Seems our new receptionist (Jeanna Ziegler Harris) has decided to bring a little holiday cheer to this place this year and Im grateful for it! Up till this year, I was the only one who decorated or did anything at the office for Christmas. Anyway, our gift exchange is today and Hank is buying everyone Pizza for lunch. Yum.

So here's the story...Jeanna decides that we cant have gifts without a tree...well the only "tree" really is the little one I have in my office, but I did mention that there were some big ones upstairs that we used to use at the Christmas party (which was held in pittsburg this year so they werent used at all). So, she and I went up there and moved one down the stairs (we were quite the sight I'm sure)....then it wouldnt stand up straight, so after a long process we finally got a tree decorated. Notice the star...that was my contribution. :) Oh, and the "tree skirt" made of carpet samples. Unique eh?

Merry Christmas!



PS I'll post what wonderful gift I received after lunch :)

Just what I needed!

Why I didn't take any pictures this weekend, I have no idea....but let me just say that my weekend was pretty much PERFECT.

I talked my mom into coming in Friday night and staying with Avery and I (joedel is in south dakota on a hunting trip). It was supposed to snow a LOT and I thought we might as well be snowed in together. So, she came in and we watched a movie Friday night...then Saturday morning we layed around in bed and watched a movie and finally drug ourselves out of bed around eleven. We got up and around and I uncovered the truck and we went up and had a treat at Pizza Hut. We drove around a little and then decided to head back b/c we just knew the snow was going to hit at anytime. yeah right...we got like MAYBE one inch total. but, thats ok, we came back here and watched movie after movie on lifetime and abc family....and mom even decided to spend the night again LAST night. Today we got up and around MUCH MUCH earlier and went to church and then to pittsburg for lunch at the mall deli and a little shopping.

As worried as I have been lately about mom, it was just so wonderful to have this weekend with her. We really had a fun time, and I know we both really enjoyed hanging out with Avery. She is such a joy. MOm and I were singing Deck the Halls to her and she started in on her own little "la la la la la la" It was so precious.

Now I'm sitting here all alone. Well, Avery is here but is in bed. We took mom home tonight. I think she was excited to get back to her house but I know she had a nice weekend too. It was truly just what I needed. :)

in need of prayer...

Hey all. I'm writing today to request you say some prayers for my mom. She is going in tomorrow morning to have some tests ran. She feels fine, she's doing good...she just went to this free clinic awhile back where they test to see if you have any blocked arteries...they said they thought they heard something, so they had her go to the Galicia clinic last week when they were in Girard. That guy wants her to have these tests ran...I'm praying that everything comes back fine, but her blood pressure has been running pretty high and they say that could be from blockage. So, while I am so glad she is getting checked out, it still freaks me out just a little bit. Im a lot calmer now than I have been in the past but I dont know how I will do tomorrow. The truth is I know that i have no control, and that is what also scares me. Please, just keeps us in mind tonight and tomorrow and we'll see how everything turns out!!!

Also, JoeDel is leaving tomorrow to go to South Dakota until next wednesday. While I am looking forward to a short break, that is a LONG time for him to be gone so I will be sad about that also.

Our Little Football Star!!!

Avery has a new favorite game it seems....

Football Girl

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TiffDon?

http://www.dotspotter.com/news/511321_Rascal_Flatts_Guitarist_to_Become_a_Dad

JuDel, TiffDon...what do you think? This baby just might be Averys future best friend or boyfriend :)

Yes I know I have a bad attitude - so what?

Do you ever just hate your life? Does it seem like when it cant get worse, it alway does? Thats where I'm at right now. I wont bog anyone down w/ the details but I feel like my head is getting stomped on over and over and over again. I've been stomped into the ground and they're still pushing me down farther.

This is just one of those days where i can not do anything except for cry. Yes, I know I have a lot to be thankful for so I dont even want to hear that speech. I also have a lot of things in my life that downright suck. Things that I cant seem to fix no matter how hard I try...and it seems to be getting worse instead of better.

this is why i am on a MAJOR diet

All I can say is arghhhhhhhhhh

http://girardpress.com/stories/120507/pho_20071205032.shtml

Wrong Place, Wrong Time?

I can't get the events of yesterday's mall shooting in Omaha out of my mind. Maybe it is because I was just there a few weeks ago with my daughter and friends that I keep putting myself in that situation. Whatever would you do? Would I be smart enough to grab Avery and run. Would I be frozen still wondering what was going on around me? Who knows, I guess until you are in that situation (Which I pray I never am), I will not have a clue how I'd react.

God has a plan for every single one of us. It amazes me that He has known all along that those people would lose their lives on that day, in that store. It is also my belief that something good will come from this but right now I think however could that be true? sigh.

I battle with depression sometimes. I know what it feels like to think that you are a huge burden on all of society, even your own friends and family. To feel that the world would be better off without you in it. I have felt like that so many times. I have wanted to crawl in a really deep hole and never come out....or drive to the "edge of the earth" and very calmly fall off. I am a Christian and have faith in Christ and STILL there have been times when I felt like there was no other way out of the pain than to take my own life. Thankfully I've always come to my senses and now that I have Avery I always realize that she is the reason why I have to go on, despite how I might feel at that moment.

With that said, I cannot imagine killing someone else. Sure he wanted to be seen, he wanted to be known, who doesnt? Who doesnt want to be remembered? I can sort of grasp the wanting to take someone down with him frame of mind...but those were people's mothers, fathers, brothers, sisters, daughters, sons, grandparents. They were INNOCENT. It really frustrates me. Thinking it out in his mind would have been bad enough, but to have lived it out. It is really hard to believe.

Ok back to work for now.

Merry Christmas!

You all know how I cant hardly keep a secret or wait to open a present...well I am going to post a picture of avery that will also be on our christmas cards b/c...once again...I just can't wait :)

Grammy Sara taught Avery how to pattycake. She's so good at it! You say "Pattycake sugar" and she immediately lights up and starts clapping. Her other new trick is blowing kisses...she wont really do it herself, but if you blow her a kiss, she grabs your hand and keeps moving it back to your mouth so you will keep doing it. Its really cute, I'll have to try and get a video of it soon.

Its bedtime in the smith house...in fact the smiths are all snoring except for me...guess I better join them!

Kirksville, MO...ahhh the memories!

Why is it that when I drive into this town, tons of memories flood my mind. I only dated the "farmboy" for a few months....yet I can't help but think of him as I make this journey. God had a perfect plan and of course I'm overjoyed that he led me to JoeDel and we have a beautiful baby girl. The farmboy was, however, what I would probably consider my very "first love" Of course I had infatuations, crushes and even relationships before him...but none as serious as we were. We talked about seriously about marriage, jobs, kids, etc. That was a first for me that is for sure...Dating him led me to an array of many "firsts" actually, along with some regrets and such. After that relationship ended, my life really turned in circles but led me right here to where I am right now...which is in a motel room far away from home missing my husband and baby girl!!!!

I'm so tired tonight. It's 8:30 and I'm getting ready to hit the bed I think. I have a ton of work I need to stay up and do...but right now food really sounds like a much better option.

Oh and i also started my new diet today. I did really well for the most part, but dieting on the road is HARD! I did great until supper, where I indulged in the salad bar at ruby tuesdays, along with a couple of mini turkey burgers and a few (ouch) french fries!! I got full really fast though, thankfully, so it wasnt too bad.

Ok seriously im going to bed now!

remembering

Why is it that a silly eposide of sex and the city can take you back in an instant.

I'm on season 2 right now...and Big just took carrie out in public and called her his girlfriend...something he'd never done before but she, of course, loved. He was right there where she'd been dreaming that he'd be for some time. I remember feeling like that once. I remember dreaming and wishing of a night that I figured would NEVER happen and then one night BOOM he turned into the romantic schmuck I had been wishing for. Obviously that was a true cinderella night as it only occured ONCE in my life, just like it didnt really last for Carrie either. Just like that, Big turns back into a whatever he is. Carrie is stupid, she breaks a date with her Best Friend for the guy b/c he wanted to cook her supper...and good ole Miranda sets her in her place when she says "Your relationship is JUST LIKE it always was, IT IS ALL ABOUT HIM." Duh!

I'm headed out of town tomorrow night. I'm trying to get this dang movie done for the HMS Christmas party....but Its getting late and I think I'm goin to have to hit the bed soon. I did get most of my christmas decorations up tonight though! WHOOO HOOO. Here's the tree...

nevermind!

Well I found them. Thank you LORD!!!!!

I went out as soon as the dark faded away this morning in search of them once again in my storage shed. After moving around several trash bags and such, there was one loan shoebox on the floor of the storage shed...and low and behold THERE THEY WERE. I was just so excited I started jumping up and down and went to run back in the house...fell in a hole....got back up and realized this was just the way it was supposed to be. Now I know how much they REALLY mean to me and how thankful I am that i have them again in my posession.


I got to work this morning (late as usual) only to get a call saying my dog was out and chasing cars. Argh. SO, back into town I go....with the bubble flying at speeds I didn't know it could go anymore. Sudden flashbacks of those high school days traveling to school with the pedal floored. Oh good times. I seriously got that thing up to past 90 today....and it felt great!!!!!

Anyway, I'm back to work....and sure that other obstacles will come my way but I will deal with them as they come I suppose.

Only the good Lord knows...

Ok all I need your help in a serious way.

I need you to pray for me. This is a totally random prayer request...but I have lost some VERY special Christmas ornaments. Well, all of the "Really Special Ornaments" you put together in a special place b/c you never want anything to happen to them. Yeah, they're gone. i've looked everywhere. JoeDel and I have had a big huge blowout fight. This has not been a good night and sometimes I cant help but to thnk maybe this is a "sign" that I dont need all of those special ornaments anymore anyway b/c JoeDel and I can never make it? Am I crazy? I just REALLY want to find these and I'm asking you guys to help pray that God will lead me to them before I blow a gasket.

Thanks.

Back to Life, Back to Reality...

I'm sure thats how most of the world feels after the Thanksgiving holiday. Our holiday was fun. We started the weekened off with a child-free night out. Avery stayed with Mary so JoeDel and I went up to our "local pub" for a few drinks. It was a fun time.

Thursday we did the whole Turkey dinner and afternoon card games/football watching. Friday mom and I went SHOPPING early while Daddy babysat. I had to "work" Friday so I had to drag mom along to Derailed in Joplin and the Carpet Barn in Springfield. It was a nice drive but I was ready to get home to my baby girl!

We should be hanging our Christmas lights soon. No promises on how this will turn out folks. This is JoeDel's project so who knows what we have in store. I got our tree up yesterday...and, so far, Avery has not pulled it down on her yet. She did roll out of bed on Friday night though....scary but I think she is just fine.

Thats all I've got.

Is it really any wonder...

that i weigh like 900 lbs? Let me just tell you why. I just ate TWO krispy kremes. Not one but TWO. Argh. And they were so good but not good enough to justify the massive amount of mass that my body is currently made up of.

Oh well, as I complain about the krispy kremes, I am looking forward to my lunch...and then a few hours after that I will look forward to supper....and it is an awful cycle that consumes me. Oh well, my diet this week, thursday is thanksgiving!!!!!!

I really dont have a lot going on. We are getting ready for thanksgiving...we had our first dinner here at work yesterday. yum! Avery is still growing like crazy. She is just so cute and I am starting to get excited for her first christmas!!!!

ARGH !!! I HATE CASINOS!!!

Am I on a fast track to being a gambling addict? It sort of seems that way....but man I suck lately. I lost last weekend...tonight I decided to stay at the casino north of topeka and try my luck. My room is awesome!! Plasma TV on the wall, contemporary dresser w/ granite top...it is just REALLY nice. Good thing my room is free (compliments of HMS) b/c my night has not been good. I went down and ate (another freebie) the Buffet on the company...then I bought a beer ($2.50) lost $10 REAL fast in a quarter machine. Lost another $10 pretty fast in a PENNY machine....then lost $2 on the "hundred or nothing" game. Thats a grand total of $24.50 lost tonight. I hate casinos.

I do, however, love thrift stores. I never go anymore and today I decided I needed to start again. Our old manager of the Manhattan store opened her own thrift store and I went to visit her today while I was in town. She showed me over to the rack of brand new plus size clothes from lane bryant that someone had brought in. The clothes were $2.00 each and most of them still had tags on them! SWEEETTTTTTT. I spent like $25 bucks there too but look how much I came out w/ as opposed to this dang casino. Maybe I will just say the clothes cost me $50 and then I wont feel quite so bad. ha.

I hate being away from my family. Its only 8:00 and I"m ready to go to bed bc I miss JoeDel and Avery so much.

Oh, you will all enjoy this. I was VERY tempted to buy a pack of cigs tonight for $5.00 in a machine, but I opted to gamble that $5 away and not smoke tonight. Argh, I wish I would have just smoked.

I'm the biggest loser!

Yeah so I wish we were talking about weight, but unfortunately I'm talking about the CASINO. Yesterday JoeDel and I went down to the campground at the Lake. We were really surprised when we pulled in and Leonard's RV was moved from his space up by the road. Gary (a guy that lives down at the campground and takes care of things) had got it running and moved it up by his camper to work on it. I think it was a huge blessing for us that it was already moved when we got there. JoeDel did really well though. I knew going to the lake would be hard for him but he didn't show it at all. We got the camper all ready for winter, hung out w/ the fine folks that were down there for the weekend, then headed into town. After a great dinner at a mexican joint, we headed to Grand Lake Casino.

I sucked.

JoeDel did pretty well...he walked out $5 ahead of when he went in....and I came out about $30 down. So, not a huge loss but still it is no fun when I lose and he wins. We played for a LONNNGGG time though...we were there at least 2 1/2 hours so I guess thats not too bad.

We got a lot done today. I cleaned the living room and I mean CLEANED down to the nitty gritty. It needed it. Now we are watching the Nascar race which is about over. ONE MORE race next week and the season is over. boo hoo.

So Avery is sick AGAIN. She has 2 ear infections and strep throat. But, she is in really good spirits and the only reason I took her to the dr was b/c I was afraid she was getting pneumonia, never suspected the others.

Thats all for now.

:)

The right choice?

How do you tell someone how to live their lives? The truth is you can't. The truth is that sometimes you have to sit back and watch people live their lives and will either be a) pleasantly surprised at the outcome you never saw coming or b) sitting there when all is said and done with a big "i knew this would happen" smirk.

I have had lots of people in my life try to warn me of things I was doing wrong, but I ignored them. I made my own decisions and most of the time wished I would have listened a little closer or thought things through...but the truth is also that I'm still here, still happy, and better off than ever. Life truly is a "broken road" but God has a perfect plan for our lives. Sometimes those plans involve a lot of heartbreak and drama..

Once I had a friend that ran off and got married to a man after not dating him for very long at all. I didnt think it was wise, but for awhile it seemed to work just fine....until she realized she never REALLY new the man she married and is now going through a really messy divorce...as a single mom of a precious little 2 year old. I could sit here and think "i told you so" but yet as a result of her being back where she is right now, she has met an amazing man who is everything she has prayed for. So, who am I to say she made a mistake? Obviously this was the plan for her life.

I guess I just have to sit here and think about these sorts of instances while I bite my tongue about others.

So JoeDel and I are planning a trip to the casino tomorrow afternoon. Hope we win big! Happy Weekend ya'll!

Happy Halloween!

Despite all of the other fiascos going on in my life at this moment...today is Avery's first halloween... :)

Papa is gone...

Leonard

I'm sure most of you know, but wanted to update that we lost JoeDel's dad yesterday morning. We are glad that he is now at peace, but it is still pretty hard. I knew I would be sad, but didn't realize just how sad i guess. I am just so thankful I was able to have a dad again, if just for a short while. I can't help but imagine my Dad getting to meet Leonard in heaven. I know everyone says he's up there fishing w/ his friends and family that have passed before...and I hope they invite my Dad along!

Thanks for all the thoughts and prayers during this time.

http://www.morningsun.net/stories/101907/obi_209885772.shtml

Basement Hang Out

Well I thought Tornado season was over but God is playing tricks on me....

The weather is crazy tonight and I think you all know how crazy scared I get. We are staying in Hepler again tonight (bud is at the 'any moment') stage so we are here round the clock right now....and it is storming, of course....so here are Avery and I hanging out in Grandma Smith's basement. She's being so good. The basement is actually leaking all around us, twaer is coming in through the wall and its a little freaky. But, anyway, Avery is sitting down here in her careseat talking to mama. I think she's saying "Mama this is stupid, can we be normal and go upstairs" She is such a doll.

I think we will go upstairs soon b/c I am starting to feel a little silly myself. But, I feel safe, so thats good. Thank God for good wireless!!! I'm listening to KKOW FM via my laptop and monitoring the weather and catching up on my blogging. Gotta love technology eh.

Oh no, more thunder. We're staying here for awhile but the battery on my laptop is running down fast and I have no way to charge it in this wonderful safe shelter basement I am in. Soon Daddy will be down here calling me a pansy I'm sure...or else Avery will get hungry and we will have to climb the stairs back up the real world.

Thats all for now. :)

The New Boat!

JoeDel and I loaded up Avery and Grammy on Saturday and we headed to Warsaw, MO to look at a boat...and that boat is now proudly parked at my mother-in-law's house!!!! I've never owned a boat before! :)

This one is going to take some fixing up, but all in all should be a great time for our family for many years to come.

Things just aren't good right now. Bud is really, really bad...and today is Ryans 3rd Birthday. HAPPY BIRTHDAY LITTLE MAN. We're excited about his bday but also know that it will be extra sad if Grandpa dies today. I honestly believe that God has a plan much bigger than any of us and He knows what He is doing...if today is the day, there is a reason. My dad died the day after his birthday, and both of those days every year are hard for me...maybe this is God's way of making things easier on JoeDel and Missy if they have something happy to look forward to and not focus on losing their dad. I really don't know.

Boats, Boats and More boats

For those of you that live in SEK, you will get the humor in this title. It refers back to the "boots boots and more boots" commercial we've seen so many times.

Anyway, everything is going good for us right now. JoeDels dad is really bad...has been this whole week but he keeps hanging on. Our Garage Door broke last night. No, not the opener, the DOOR. Argh. Its going to be a pain to fix it but JoeDel thinks he can do it.

We're going to look at a pontoon boat tomorrow. We went and looked at one last weekend and it just wasnt what we wanted, but we seem to think that for some reason maybe this one is. Who knows.

Ok I really dont have anything much to type about I guess. It's friday already and I feel like I have really not accomplished ANYTHING this week. OH well.

later!

its over already!

The weekends just fly by eh? Oh how I wish the weekends would GO BY SLOWER. Oh well.

Today JoeDel and I went to look at a boat but it totally was not what we wanted. Then we headed to Hepler to spend more time with Leonard. He keeps hanging on and it is just really hard to watch.

I really don't have a lot to type about tonight. I"ve got some laundry going and need to clean up my house but am really enjoying just SITTING here on my chaise with my feet up!!! Field of Dreams just came on. I havent seen this movie for ages and ages....and theres no way I'll be up long enough tonight to watch the whole thing.

So you know my love for Rascal Flatts? What you may not know is my husbands "un-love" for rascal flatts (or the flatt rascals as he says). Well, today JoeDel was watching some hunting show on ESPN (i think) and lo & behold there was ole Gary doing some Caribou with some other famous hunting guy. JoeDel came and woke me up to tell me about it, so I know it impressed him. If only I still was close to those boys, I think Gary and JoeDel would be good friends and could even go HUNTING together. :) Yes I am a dork....but hello you already knew that.

Night for now.

Julie

Avery's first word

Its been an eventful weekend...and its not over yet!

Last night Avery and I went to the ballgame w/ Christi and Josiah and also Jenny, Eric, Luke and Caleb. Oh how I love high school football games but something has gone drastically wrong with the Trojans. Yes, they lost their best player, but geez there is still a TON of talent on that team. They need to come together an play hard!!!!! :)

Last night around 1am we got a call to head out to hepler as bud was not doing well. He's really gone downhill fast, again, and this time it doesnt look promising at all...but then again if you would have told me 2 weeks ago that he'd still be here today I would have never believed it, ever. So, only God knows and we have to totally trust in him.

I did end up going to the parade today. It was a good time. Josiah was so cute dancing to some polka music. Why is it that you dont realize how much you REALLY miss someone until you are around them again? Yes I know I miss Christi but now that I've spent good quality time with her, I REALLY miss her.

So, onto Avery's first word....call it ironic or whatever...but today she started saying "papa" It sounds kind of like "ba-ba" sometimes, but I really think its Papa. She is so cute and is just the best baby. We are so blessed to be her parents.

Thats all I've got for now. I'm beat.

this is my mac

Ok I am in love w/ this new laptop HMS so generously purchased for me. I am a weirdo, but I love it. It does so well w/ my ipod too. Mac addict, that is me! I will take a new picture of myself just for you to see how much I love my mac and its built in camera!

Here we go:


Next, Avery Marie. I think she is doing better. Her fever is gone and she's eating well and playing and laughing. I just worry that there is something really wrong with her. Is this normal? I get to the point of crying my eyes out and crying out to God to "heal" my little girl when really I dont even know that there is anythin wrong w/ her. I guess I am a worry wart and I need to stop being so dant paranoid. I cant get ahold of my mom for like 5 min and all sorts of scenerios play out in my head and I HAVE to find her. Last Saturday I was in St Paul at Drake's football game and I left early and drove all the way out to moms house b/c I couldnt get her on her phone or cell. She was gone (as always on Saturday) so at least I knew she got out of bed that morning. I finally found her at a friends house in girard - where she'd been for 3 hours thus not answering her cell that she leaves in the car all the time. Sigh. Anyway, she was fine and I'm sure avery is fine and I just need to CHILL OUT.

There. Thats my rant. Same some prayers for me that i calm the heck down.

On a brighter note, I'm so excited to see my friends Christi and Jenny and their kiddos this weekend! It will be Avery's first fall festival. How exciting is that!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Last year I think we took Ryan and Morgan and Katie. Was that last year? Geez Idont know, time flys. I am going to try and snag Ryan again to take him again this year. We'll see.

Later.

just plain weird

Ok the title of this blog reflects the current movie I'm watching. It's something on lifetime....I just now tuned in and its WEIRD.

Anyway, Avery is getting better I think! She went to see the dr today and he gave her some medicine for some sort of viral infection in her throat. Her fever is gone today and she's been really happy. Grandpa Smith bought Avery her very first power wheels! I wasn't there, but JoeDel put her on it and she loves it. Grandpa wanted to buy her something for an early bday present and that is what he picked out at walmart :)


I need to get to bed. I'm pretty tired tonight after being up pretty much all night last night. Oh well. I was just worried about the sugar.

Monday is over. Whooo hooo!

My precious baby girl....

I thought I knew what being a mom was all about, I thought I had "raised" enough kids in my lifetime that I could handle anything with my own child. Was I ever wrong....

Avery is sick, again. This time she acts perfectly fine but has been running a fever all day. I really havent been too over the top concerned until she woke up from her nap this evening sporting a temp of 103.1 under the arm, thus making it 104.1. I have never felt that kind of fear...not the kind where you freak out and go crazy, but just the kind of fear where you KNOW you have to keep your composure but you just want to throw up too. sigh.

We got her into a cold tub and I got on the phone w/ the nurse hotline for my insurance. Well, actually, first I got some clothes on and put avery in something presentable to go to the ER in. We were totally on our way but I thought I better call that nurse hotline first. She told me what I needed to do until morning, when I need to call the dr. She didnt tell me anything I didnt know, but I suppose she did make me feel a little better that maybe this doesnt warrant a trip to the Er. I dont want to be the mom that runs my kid there every 5 seconds, but I dont want my kid to have a 104 degree temp for no reason either. I am praying its just her teeth...but I really think her body is fighting some sort of infection stemming from her recent episode of tonsilits.

I guess we'll find out in the morning, if we make it through the night w/out a trip to Pittsburg.

I really have a newfound respect for all of you guys as moms. I am looking at her right now playing w/ her little pink horse w/ tears in my eyes. My baby HAS to be ok, she HAS to get better. Its so much easier when its someone elses baby to realize its no big deal, she'll be fine...but when its YOUR baby it IS a big deal and its really, really scary.

Say some prayers for us! This just hasnt been a good weekend. Bud is still sick...he's hanging in there day by day. JoeDels bird dog died yesterday so that was a rough day for us....he was really sad thinking about the dog and realizing he's going to be losing his dad soon too.

Julie

TO BE HOME!!!!!!

Well I am HOME. I came home a bit early actually....After I wrote my last blog, I overheard a coworker saying they were leaving that night and so I came home with him on Tuesday night after the Branson Belle. We didnt get in till 1:30, and then I drove on to Hepler, but I was still so glad to be with my family. I really missed little Avery...and I was just glad to be back HERE.

Bud is still not doing well...no surprise...but he is hanging in there day to day. He had a really good day on Tuesday I guess, but is not doing so well now.

Nothing new to report really from the fam. My thoughts and prayers are with Katie and Paul Pitts as they buried a good friend/cousin this week. He was 37 and died suddenly from a heart attack. We really don't know what our next breath brings do we?

This kind of seems like the beginning of the week since I'm just now back to work, but it is THURSDAY! Today, then tomorrow, and then THE WEEKEND! This weekend are the nascar races in KC and we had an opportunity yesterday to snag some tix...but with everything going on I think we will pass and just watch them on TV....unless we change our minds and find more tickets. :) GO CLINT BOWYER!!!!!!!!

Thats all for now

Ozark Adventure

Well here I am in Branson. This is day 3 of the managers meeting and I am very homesick.

JoeDel brought me up here on Sunday and went to the Dixie Stampede with us, then headed back first thing yesterday morning. Yesterday was ok, we had meetings till 2 then went on a "Ride the duck" ride which was HORRIBLE since we had a blowout on the side of an Ozark mountain. Argh. Not a good thing. I'm still here though. I did some shopping yesterday after that then we ate at shorty smalls which is always fun.

Last night was the first night I'd stayed COMPLETELY by myself since Avery has been born. Last week I was in KC one night, but Marla crashed with me...then Sunday night JoeDel was here. It wasnt as bad as I thought it would be, bu tit was pretty bad. I was all settled into my room and was so lonely...so I went upstairs to play cards with the guys until my eyes would not stay open any longer then went back to my room.

Today we have meetings ALL DAY then going on the Branson Belle tonight....then tomorrow is meetings till 2 and then i get to HEAD HOME.

JoeDels dad is very, very bad. I shoul be there with him right now but I am here and that is making it even harder. Based on all of the signs, we see that the end could be here at any given moment.

I sure hope little Avery remembers me. It seems like forever since I hugged her little body and saw that precious smile. This may make me sound like a HORRIBLE mom...but its almost easier to completely block her out of my mind right now than to think about her all day long. I know I'm blessed to be her mom and I am so thankful every day for her dont get me wrong, I miss her so much, but its just better to not think about her that much right now or I may break down.

updates

Well I have several things to update.

First of all, please say some prayers for Avery. She is sick, AGAIN, and of course I am scared to death. I'm going to try and get her in to see the doctor this afternoon. This recurring cold/cough/whatever it is is really starting to worry me. I just pray she is ok. Also, I"m supposed tobe going out of town for work Sunday-Wed and I am already dreading it, even moreso now that my baby girl is sick. I hate this job sometimes. I just want to stay home w/ her. It will probably never happen.

JoeDels dad is still really bad. Its a day to day thing but he is hanging in there and actually dont a lot better than he was at this time last week.

Thats really all I have. The big Girard/Colgan game is tonight and I am PUMPED...although it looks like I may be taking part in it via 100.7 and my living room if my baby girl is still sick. I'm sure not taking her out and I dont think I'll be able to leave her.

Thats it for now!
Julie

CMT

Go to this link and VOTE FOR GIRARD!!!!

Voting at homegrown.cmt.com starts this Thursday, September 6 and runs to Friday, September 21. Lance Smith will declare the winner on Top 20 Countdown on Thursday September 27. The videos are also going to be running on Loaded in the Homegrown tab starting Thursday. Top 20 will tape in the winning town in October or November (date to be confirmed).

To Vote for the Girard video go here:

http://www.cmt.com/asm/contests/cmt-homegrown/hometown/

I'm so proud of MARLA!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Blogging, Blogging, Blogging!

Well nothing new to report, just checking in for my daily blog. Many of you know that we are planning on going on a family cruise next year with my stepmom Lynne and her family. It was going to be spring break but now has been pushed back to June....which is fine but now I'm stressing about hurricanes. What is my deal? God is in control, what will happen will happen. WHY IN THE WORLD AM I SUCH A FREAK ABOUT STORMS. Argh. I'm going to work really hard to try and overcome these fears.

We watched the world premier of the movie "Dale" last night. Of course I cried. I'm such a nascar freak these days anyway, but it was just SO SAD how Dale Jr. only wanted the love and acceptance of his father. They did end up developing a strong relationshp and then he was killed. IT was also sad seeing how his wife talked so fondly of him ... and knowing now how everything has blown up in their family and Theresa wont even release the number 8 to Junior. That was Dales dads number, then Dales number for awhile, then Juniors...now he has to start over with a new identity. Oh well.

Thats my rambling for today!

Back to work :(

Well the weekend is over ALREADY. Where does the time go? JoeDel, Avery and I headed to Riverton Friday evening for the Girard football game. It was pretty exciting, Girard returned the kickoff for a touchtown and the crowd went crazy, including me. Poor little Avery didnt know what to think. She was screaming and crying and scared to death!!!!

After the game (we won big time), we headed to the lake for a couple of nights. little Avery went on her first boat ride. i'll post some pictures soon. We headed home on Sun. and watched the race Sunday night. Then, we went to Joplin yesterday on a little adventure. It was a nice, calm, fun weekend with my family!

Maybe it will happen...

Maybe I will get the urge to be an everyday blogger again! I have Christi to thank for this. Her faithful updates lead to to want to share my own life with just whoever wants to read it I guess (and personally I'm thinking thats a big fat nobody, oh well).

I want to share a little something. I know a person through a friend of a friend that is going through some pretty rough times right now. Im not going into detail, but this person who is struggling so much right now blessed my heart today. Her blogging updates led me to download a song that is just amazing to me. It is from the perspective of a parent who knows she'll not be able to protect her Child from the ways of the world, but encourages her to hold onto Jesus through EVERYTHING. Sigh. I love this song...its been on repeat for quite some time.

Here are the lyrics

You're a little piece of heaven
You're a golden ray of light.
and I wish I could protect you
from the worries of this life.
but if there's one thing i could tell you
it's no matter what you do
hold to Jesus, He's holding onto you

The world will try to tell you
that might is more than right
and beauty's on the outside
and being good's a losing fight
but remember what i've told you
'cause the world will make you choose
hold to Jesus, He's holding onto you

Hold on to Jesus, and cling to his love
rest deep in his mercy, whenever things get rough
and don't recite of his goodness
and don't ever doubt this truth, that when you hold onto
Jesus He's holdin onto you. (Yeaaaa)

Hear me dear Jesus,
rock this little one to sleep
keep her close when she's scared, and
give her grace when she is weak.
I know she'll stumble, but i know she'll make it through
if you hold onto just like you said you do
hold her jesus so she'll hold on tight to you

I'm so thankful this is friday. This has been a long week and I'm ready for the weekend buddy! We are headed to the Girard football game tonight in Riverton then to big ole Grand Lake for a (hopefully) relaxing weekend.

Have a safe one all.

A normal day!

I'm so happy to report that yesterday was a fairly NORMAL day. I can't really think of anything that went wrong. Wow. JoeDel is feeling a lot better. His foot is not broken and, in fact, he can even walk on it pretty well now. He's still off work till next Tues. though. He even got our A/C fixed AND the hot water heater has been staying on for a whole 36 hours.

I went up to workout last night and then Avery and I went to adventure club to visit for a few min. I miss being there, I miss the kids. I want to get more involved but I'm going to be traveling for work more and know I cant really commit to anything. I guess we'll just go bug the treats girls :)

Girard football starts tomorrow. I can't wait. I LOVE FOOTBALL season, especially high school football.

Little Avery is doing good. She is just so much fun. She laughs and laughs and laughs and laughs.

When it rains, it rains a lot....

So it seems like when it rains anymore it floods a whole state or two. Thats the way I feel with my life this past weekend.

#1) Our A/C went out. Not that big of a deal but my husband does NOT like to be hot. So....it makes for a cranky house.
#2) Our hot water tank is on the brink. The pilot light keeps going out. I dont know what the deal is but cold showers also make for a cranky house.

In the middle of JoeDel going out to work on the A/C yesterday, I hear a big yell followed by a big crash. My husband had tripped over HIS OWN boots on the steps and hurt his foot....so much so that he isnt going to work today and instead is at the dr right now getting xrays. So, he probably has a broken foot which will put us down to a 1 income family for awhile AGAIN. Such is life.

I'm trying to take deep breaths and be calm. Its not the end of the world. Things will all work out.

I'm just glad it was HIS boot b/c if I would have left my shoe there for him to trip over....I'm not sure we would still be living under the same roof.

What has changed in 2 Years?!

I can't believe it's been almost two years since I posted a blog on this spot. For those of you that are wondering...I'm still here!

So much has changed in my life. JoeDel and I dated for about 6 months before he asked me to be his wife. We were married on April 22, 2006. The day following our wedding, the husband of one of my very best friends was killed in a car accident as their family returned home to KC. It was awful. We did go to Jamaica on our honeymoon and were back by Saturday for Ian's funeral. His death has been one of the hardest events I've dealt with in my life. Praise God for saving Christi and their son Josiah! Praise God for getting them through this past year and for showing us all what the true meaning of faith really is.

We didn't want to wait too long for kids, and God must have been on our side! We found out in late May that we were expecting our first baby. Avery Marie Smith was born Jan. 22, 2007 at 8:39 pm. She was 6lbs 2 ounces and 18.5 inches long. She's now 4 1/2 months old and is the joy and light of our lives. We can't even remember what our life was like before her! She actually had a dr appointment just today and she weighed in at 14lbs 4 ounces so she is growing up fast. She smiles so much. We are blessed, blessed, blessed!

My husband is in a "job transistion" right now. His plant closed last month setting us back to a one income family. God is faithful! The same weekend his job ended, we sold his house in Hepler thus reducing our debt by a tremendous amount!

Thats all I've got for now.