Meredith's necklace

Meredith discovered this afternoon, a necklace her Aunt Pat gave her for her birthday. I have been too nervous about her wearing it, so it has been in her closet until I was ready for her to see it. Although she is the tomboy, she also loves her girly stuff, so I knew once she saw it, she would be wanting to wear it and I wasn't quite sure how gentle she would be. She got into her closet and pulled it out and said "Ohhhhh Necklace mommy!" I explained to her that it was her necklace and she could wear it, but it was very special and she had to be very easy and gentle with it. I asked her if she wanted to wear it and of course she said "Yes. " She stayed very still while I put it on her and she immediately wanted to go look in the mirror. But before we did, I explained to her that her Nanny, who is in heaven, gave her this special heart necklace. It was so sweet, she doesn't even know her Nanny, but she ran up to her daddy and said it was her"Nanny Necklace." My eyes filled up with tears, because I could just tell this was special to her.
And of course we took it off before Gene and Lindsey (her 2nd parents) took her to their house to spend the night since I still am not up to par!!! How sweet!!!

Let's Play Catch up...or maybe not!!

Well...I am ultra embarassed that it has taken so long to post....but between being out of town for a week, work, and both Cory and I getting sick, there really hasn't been much time to sit and relay the events of the past 2 weeks. So here is my attempt to play catch up, and by golly I hope I won't get this behind again!!! On July the 14th--Monday--Meredith, myself, Claire, and Hannah left for North Carolina to be able to spend time with our friends there and take the girls to their first Kids Kamp (aka Vacation Bible School). The theme this year was Joseph. The trip was really nice in our new van, we had plenty of room and enjoyed our trip there. The girls entertained one another for the most part. Once we arrived I felt like we hit the ground running and I have to say that Meredith did really well for not having a nap all day. I think this is the first time ever that she did not have a nap. The rest of the week we played catch up on sleep, but that is to be expected with a 2 year old and travel. Tuesday morning we went to school and Meredith was really having fun with Jocelyn, Kyle, and Ryan. The first day was all new and difficult to adjust to all the new faces for Meredith. She did really well, but was clingy as she really did not know a soul. I know this was good preparation for school starting at the end of August, even though she will only be gone one day a week.

Wednesday proved to be our most difficult day as I had to make the hard decision to leave Meredith with her Aunt Drew in hopes that she would be a little less clingy and do better with practicing for the play at the end of the week. Meredith had a hard time for a little while, as did I, but she came around and had a great day. I finally realized she was the absolute youngest kid out of 101, so really she was doing well.We were able to put on a puppet show for the kids---all 101 of them---and they seemed to really enjoy it. So it was then decided that Meredith would remain with Drew the rest of the week during kamp hours and each day was better and better and by Friday she was telling Drew to "go hide" , in other words, I can do it myself. All week Meredith proved to mommy what a big girl she was as she was pottying all week!!! I was so proud. I still can't get her to poop on the toilet yet, but hey, I know that will come and for now only using 1 or 2 diapers a day is awesome!!!

It was really neat to see Meredith in that sort of environment. She loved coloring and doing all the different crafts they had planned. They made cookies and got to eat them! She even impressed me by learning a few new songs. At night we would make the kids go to the end of the den area and sing what they had learned and it was so precious to see how much they had caught on in just 3-4 days. Their brains are truely a sponge. And boy do they like to repeat everything. Meredith's current favorites are "Be Careful, Be Easy, Be Quiet, Be Still." I wonder where she has heard those???? By Friday, we were all excited to see the entire program the kids had all worked so hard on. Friday night they all got in costume and the play was great. Cory was able to drive up for the evening and it was a really special time. The only unfortunate part is that my camara batteries died during our week, so my pics are limited, but I do have a few good ones and luckily the church video taped the entire program, so most everything we have on DVD. I have to admit I was so nervous about how she was going to do that night. I had to be "out of sight" so that Meredith wouldn't cry for me and that made me really sad because I wanted her to know that we were there and proud of her. She kept waving to Ashley and Lesley, Aunie Wanda, and Mrs. Bernie and Mrs. Karen, some of her attachments from home that she was excited to see there. When her group came on the stage, I was so proud. It was really hard to see, but she came out with her Aunt Drew and sang every song. She did not even shed one tear. Her mouth was so cute because she was really getting those lips going and emphasizing the words. When it came time for the 2-3 year olds to sing their solo....she had on her pink fashion sunglasses and the doggy purse in hand (that Grandma Mc gave her for her birthday) This was hiliarious and you could hear the snickers as she walked down the aisle and approached the stage, as everyone saw her. But HEY, she got up and sang her song in MEREDITH STYLE and I would not have traded that moment for the world. God has truely blessed us with a special child!!!

We were all so tired coming home but really had some good fellowship chatting with Drew on the way home. It is so nice to be able to talk about the Lord!!! He is so good!!! The rest of the weekend was a blur and I really just remember being beat and trying to get in top of things around here. We visited at Lindsey and Gene's as the family was anxious to see Meredith from our week being gone. I was continuing to have some female issues, so I was really wiped out and finally got some good pain meds from the Dr. on Monday. I am so ready for my body to be healed, but praise God I am trying to keep my eyes on Him and off of my physical problems. Please continue to hold us up!!!! On Tuesday it was back to work for me and to the Ear DR for our last follow up. It was a sad visit, I must admit. The Dr basically said that the area from surgery has healed, but Cory's Hearing has not. Nothing worse, but nothing better. So really, the surgery wasn't able to restore the loss that he had endured. This wa sreally hard for me to hear and I am sure hard for Cory. At this point the Dr has told us that he feels like there isn't much to be done, although we did ask that he consult with another physician about treatment. I left feeling really discouraged and defeated after all we had been through. I have talked to Cory about seeking a second opinion, mostly for closure and peace of mind, but I am not sure at this time what we will do. Cory, as always, seems to keep on keeping on and I appreciate his spirit!! God always gives us just what we need. It was good to get back to Girls night on Tuesday as I have missed the past few. It is always a special time!!!

On Wednesday I worked also and then the bomb hit.....first me, then Cory got the most awful stomach bug EVER!!!!! We were sooooo sick. Today is Saturday and I still am not back to normal. Thanks to Lindsey, Gene and Claire, or I don't know what we would have done!!!! They are always there for us when we need them and I only hope to be as helpful as they are to us!!! I hope that now we are on the mend, but neither Cory nor I have eaten a real meal yet. This week looks to be another busy one and I pray that it goes smoothly!!! Maybe one day this week I can catch up around here...but until then we are just living the life!!!

Happy Birthday to ME!!!

So after my fourth of July post, I was able to enjoy my birthday on the 5th. Since this is the last one I will celebrate, Cory was nice enough to keep Meredith for the day. He took her to a birthday party, which proved to be a fun one, and I shopped all day. I can't honestly remember when the last time I was able to do that was. I really enjoyed it. I got several things for myself, but I also got Meredith her bedding for her new bedroom suite. We moved her into her new furniture a couple of weeks ago, but wanted to make sure it was perminent before buying anything. She really seems to love it and is sleeping really well there. I wasn't able to find anything that I was head over heels for, but I feel like it will be the best thing for her now and in the future. I would still like to get/make her some more throw pillows and rearrange some pictures, but until then I am happy with my find. I am anxiously awaiting her wallies...fruit so that I can put them up. I would like to somehow do the Fruits of the Spirit. Her bedding is pink with green reversible and her sheets are bright flowers with lady bugs and butterflies. I found an awesome photo board that I cannot wait for Cory to hang...if I can ever get him to be still long enough. Needless to say, it is coming together very nicely.

We had a great dinner at Mom and Dad's house on Saturday night and enjoyed our time together. Sunday Meredith made it through the entire service, minus the last 15 minutes and I was really proud. On Monday Meredith finally had her 2 year check up and all was well. They are still planning on scheduling 2 procedures, which she will have to be sedated for to check out her kidneys. Cory nor I are thrilled about this, but we want to do what is best for her. She still falls in the 97 percentile for her height.....the Doctor said she would be tall. Today proved to be a fun day for all as well. Lindsey, mom, and I went to register Lindsey at Babies R Us. All of the things have changed some since Meredith, but not anything huge. I was able to get my haircut as well. Claire was so nice to have kept Meredith for me to be able to get this done with Lindsey, I know she appreciated it and the girls had a blast playing together; it was hard to get them apart. Pray for us tommorrow, Cory has his follow up appointment with the ENT and we are both hoping to get some questions answered. We are really looking forward to Kids Kamp next week. I hope Meredith adjusts well to all the new faces and the kids we will be with, I know it will be a real blessing and I am looking forward to getting away and visiting for sure!!! I need it!!! The fellowship is always a treat!!!

PS---Meredith is doing great with the potty.....she has had very few accidents the pat 5 days!!! YEAH GIRL!!!!

Can You Hear Me Now????

Most of you have probably heard, but Cory's Ear Surgery went fairly smoothly. He did really well with his IV and anesthesia. The Dr. came out after surgery, which ended up being 40 minutes longer than they had planned and explained what I understand as this. Just as was suspected, Cory did suffer damage to the joint that joins the incus and another bone underneath his ear drum. They were able to go in through his ear canal instead of cutting...Praise God no incision. He attempted to stabilize the joint as he said the bones were moving around WAY too much. That is why Cory has conductive hearing loss. I think he told me that he may have tried to apply some glue???? Things are a little blurry for me too as these last few days have been quite tiresome. All in all, there was not a whole lot to be done, but the doctor did manipulate the area in hopes that maybe some scar tissue will form and add structure to the area. I know God can touch this and help restore his hearing. Cory has has very little pain and was even able to enjoy going to Michael and Mandy's tonight and Fellowship with the McGee's as well. We will follow up on Thursday and hope to get more of a plan of action and what to do from here idea. Until then, Cory has to keep his ear dry and he is still having some drainage from the packing the doctor used. Cory is saying things are uncomfortable and we are praying that maybe this will change as the area heals. Please continue to pray that he will be able to endure the weird sensations until it heals or we see the doctor. Meredith has been a trooper with all the different places she has been this week. THANK GOD FOR AUNT LINDSEY AND UNCLE GENE who once again so willingly kept Meredith and helped us out so much pre and post surgery. They are a blessing sent from above and we sure have enjoyed getting together more now that summer school is out!!!! We love you guys. I can't wait to return the favor when Avery gets here in October. I am praying God will work it out for me to have her 1 or 2 days a week!!! I am REALLY looking forward to it. No new pictures yet, but I will say HAPPY BIRTHDAY 25th Lindsey and Happy Fourth to you all!!!